The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1299: A Gathering of Storms (Part )

However, this is indeed good news for the Austrian Empire. The strategic position of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is quite important, especially several ports are very suitable as military ports.

The Austrian Imperial Navy could establish outposts in these places, or even hide its forces to avoid being blocked in the Adriatic Gulf by hostile forces.

The long-standing joint defense agreement was formally passed at this time. Thus, a Pan-Apennine economic and security cooperation organization including the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was established.

The chair country is naturally the Austrian Empire. After all, other countries do not have the strength to guarantee the security and stability of the entire region.

Although Victor Emmanuel II flattered the Austrian Empire on the surface, he actually hated it.

However, one of his new aides, House of Representatives member Cavour, told Vittorio Emanuele II that if he wanted the Kingdom of Sardinia to be stable, he must maintain good relations with the Austrian Empire.

At this time, the Kingdom of Sardinia was heavily in debt and its economy was far inferior to that of the same period in history. At least in the markets of northern and southern Italy, the competitiveness of the Kingdom of Sardinia's products was far inferior to that of the Austrian Empire.

In addition, Northern Italy also has its own industry. Both Lombardy and Venice look down on the products of the Kingdom of Sardinia and regard it as a competitor.

The capitalists in Italy would be lucky if they did not put obstacles in the way of the unification of the Kingdom of Sardinia, let alone support it.

In addition, breaking down tariff barriers, establishing a customs union, and achieving trade freedom were Cavour's action program.

But this time he had to face not only the weak states in Italy, but the powerful Austrian Empire.

Unifying the currency and building railways were all what Cavour had always dreamed of, but he felt a little regretful that it was the Austrian Empire that made all of this happen.

However, Cavour was still very confident in the Kingdom of Sardinia. After all, the Austrian Empire was just an outsider.

As for the apparent weakness, it was not important in Cavour's eyes. What he admired most was "struggle with hands in pockets."

In 1848, the Kingdom of Sardinia and the whole of Italy suffered a terrible defeat, but in Cavour's view it was simply because the people and the country were not mature enough.

It is enough for the country to have these national elites for maturity, but to make people mature requires education and reform.

The method Cavour thought of was the agricultural association. After all, agriculture was still the main industry in Italy at that time.

However, Franz could think of what Cavour could think of, and Franz did not need to carry out his own agenda. He could just insert those charlatans into the agricultural association and sit back and relax.

The appeal of agricultural capitalism may not be as great as that of religion. After all, the former emphasizes efficiency and profit, and essentially exploits labor through internal circulation and empty promises.

Although the latter is fantasy, it emphasizes faith, spiritual belonging, and humanistic care, and religion also encourages cooperation.

As long as Franz can provide advanced agricultural tools and agricultural technology, the latter may not necessarily lose to the former.

On the other hand, the envoy of the Spanish Republic came to Puertollano, the headquarters of the Spanish Royal Army.

"General Cabrera, I am here to ask you to pledge your loyalty to the Spanish Republic. Please do not persist in your wrongdoings."

Ferrante Doyle's envoy was arrogant.

"You have less than 100,000 men! And we have 130,000 men! Are you dreaming?"

The general beside Cabrera shouted angrily, saying that it seemed a bit unrealistic for the Spanish Republic, which had less than 100,000 troops, to try to persuade Cabrera, who had an army of 130,000, to surrender.

Cabrera said nothing but watched quietly as Ferrante Duval's messenger answered slowly.

"You and I both know that your supplies won't last long. You can replenish them through looting, but once the war reaches a stalemate, you will surely die!"

"You!" "I'm telling the truth."

Ferrante Duval's envoy was quite confident. In fact, Cabrera's army had indeed fallen into a supply crisis. Even if he tried every means, his army would not have enough food in the next two or three months.

However, Cabrera remained unmoved. After all, he had experienced this kind of supply crisis before, and there were plenty of ways to solve it.

Ferrante Duval's messenger spoke again.

“Besides that, I would like to remind you, Marshal Cabrera, that the Austrians like to boast of their justice, and they often execute those who have done evil according to their own judgment.

Judging from past experience, you and your men are undoubtedly bad guys in the eyes of the Austrians.

You can choose to pledge allegiance to the Spanish Republic and join forces with us to drive out the hateful Austrian invaders, so that you can also become the Marshal of the Spanish Republic.

Otherwise, you’ll be caught between a rock and a hard place.

I think you know what’s best for you.”

Cabrera sighed, he really had no choice, his actions had already spread throughout Spain, and at this time many resistance organizations in the border areas were funded by the Austrian occupation zone.

Most of those who were forced to leave their homes by him were now in the Austrian-occupied areas.

As for the life or death of Carlos VI, it is not important and no one cares.

"Give my regards to His Excellency the President. I, Cabrera, am willing to pledge my loyalty to the Spanish Republic."

Cabrera had another row of boxes brought up.

"A small gift is not a sign of respect."

Ferrante Duval's messenger opened the box, revealing a number of hideous human heads.

"The remnants of the Carlos family are all here."

The messenger nodded.

"You have done a great job. I will commend you to the President."

Ferrante Doyle had recaptured Cabrera's army, and with the French promise, he had begun planning how to drive the Austrians out of Spain.

Although Louis Napoleon did not want to get involved, he was different from the republicans. On the one hand, he had greater ambitions, and on the other hand, he did not believe that the European monarchs would remain indifferent.

Louis Napoleon simply handed the meeting over to the Republicans and claimed to be ill at home.

Along with Louis Napoleon, the Party of Order also claimed to be ill. After all, whether they were loyal to Louis Philippe or the Count of Chambord, they were all from the Bourbon family.

At this time, the Spanish Republic massacred members of the Bourbon family. Although Ferrante Doyle called it a great revolution rather than a rebellion, the Order Party could not accept this.

As for the French Republicans, they didn't care about so many things. They were very keen on exporting revolution. Now that a second republic appeared in Europe, they had to help.

However, going to war was definitely not a good option for France at that time, so they issued an ultimatum to the Austrian Empire, hoping that the Austrian Empire would voluntarily withdraw from Spain.

Just as Ferrante Doyle and the French Republicans were fantasizing that the Austrian Empire could escape from Spain in an embarrassing manner, Franz chose to declare war on Spain on behalf of the Holy Alliance.