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

Chapter 1306 Shameless and unreasonable

The direct feud between France and the Austrian Empire originated from the Vienna System. In the previous wars, whether it was the Luxembourg Crisis or the Alsace-Lorraine Crisis, France's declaration of war on Austria was due to the constraints of the Vienna System on France.

However, at this time, the two issues of restoring national confidence and recovering lost territory had to be added. Although France and the Austrian Empire did not border each other, as regional powers, their conflicts and interests could not be reconciled.

Which side Spain will side with will affect the future situation between the two countries and even Europe, so as long as France can defeat the Austrian Empire in Spain, no matter how much it costs, it will be worth it.

Not to mention that at that time Spain was the only country on the European continent with the same system as France. From any perspective, France had no reason not to join the war.

In the eyes of the French Republicans, an alliance with Britain was a hundred benefits with no harm. After all, the French navy was severely damaged by the defection of the Grand Orient Fleet. It was wishful thinking to expect the fleet that was temporarily put together to fight the Austrian navy.

The supply of the Austrian Empire's army in Spain was entirely maintained by sea transportation. As long as the Austrians' sea routes were cut off, the outcome of the war would be in no doubt.

In addition, by forming an alliance with Britain to fight in Spain, France has the geographical advantage. France can instigate the independence of Catalonia and then incorporate it into its territory, but the British do not have this condition.

Another consequence of the British Navy's victory over the Austrian Imperial Navy is that it will eliminate the relative advantage of the Austrian Imperial Navy, so that the French Navy will once again dominate the Mediterranean.

The Earl of Derby and Lamartine also discussed the issue of post-war division of spoils on behalf of Britain and France.

France would gain the colonies that were then occupied by the Austrian Empire, including the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.

Britain would get the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

In Cuba, Britain and France will divide the country into east and west, with the east belonging to France and the west to Britain.

In addition, Britain and France also hope to drive the Austrian navy back to the Adriatic completely, and for this purpose they will require the Austrian Empire to cancel all overseas military deployments.

The details of the compensation have not yet been finalized. Although it cannot prevent the Austrian Empire from making a comeback, it must at least completely cut off the possibility of the Austrian Empire interfering in the Iberian Peninsula again.

Lamartine felt that if the alliance was successful, he would become a hero of France and France would make a fortune.

On the other hand, the Earl of Derby felt similarly, he felt that he would definitely go down in history and that Britain would be the biggest winner.

There is actually nothing to be proud of about defeating the Austrian Empire. The key point is that the Holy Alliance was defeated and Britain's world hegemony was consolidated. This is the key.

However, the most crucial issue is Britain's maritime hegemony. The two previous Mediterranean naval battles were lost inexplicably, which was a great humiliation for the British Royal Navy and a serious provocation to Britain's position as the maritime hegemon.

Although he had already formed a secret alliance with France, Earl Derby was not prepared to declare war on the Austrian Empire immediately. After all, the two sides still had some economic relationship.

If he declared war now, he would be eaten alive by those bankers in the City of London. Those people didn't care whether he could go down in history or not, and the interests of the British Empire were even more of a joke.

Even if there was a war, the Austrians could not be prevented from paying back the money. So this war had to be won. In theory, the strength of the British, French and Spanish Alliance was far stronger than that of the Austrian Empire, which had to fight across the sea and travel far.

But! Britain’s situation was not very good at this time. The economic crisis, political crisis, national crisis, and the ruling crisis combined with many crises made it difficult for the country to move forward.

Even if the anti-French war failed, Britain would not be passive at this time. That is why Franz wanted to stir up trouble at this time. Even if someone could see through the truth, even if someone wanted to do something, the British government needed to consider it carefully.

Hesitation leads to defeat.
Although the British Mediterranean Fleet had been rebuilt at this time, its ships and troops had not yet been fully replenished. According to Earl Derby's idea, he wanted to use this window period to transport enough fleets and war supplies to the Maltese Islands first.

When France and Austria are both defeated, the British Navy will take action and then a great victory will be guaranteed.

At this time, of course, the UK continued to provide war loans to France and asked France to use the money to purchase military equipment in the UK.

There was no shortage of economists among Earl Derby's staff, and he always kept their advice in mind. He took this opportunity to save the British economy, which was really killing three birds with one stone.

Although the British approach was as unkind as ever, Lamartine could not think of a better way at this time, so he could only accept it. Ideals are full, but reality is skinny.

On the front battlefield, the Spanish Republican Army and the remnants of Regent Queen Christina were losing ground.

After passing through Andorra, the French army encountered strong resistance from the Austrian Imperial Army. The latter had been well prepared, so the former's attack was very passive and the front line could not advance at all.

The Austrian Imperial Navy, which occupied Ceuta, acted as a maritime policeman. Frederick intercepted the British Royal Navy's warships, but let the transport ship go.

The reason.

"It's for your own good, of course."

Friedrich's words almost angered the new British Mediterranean Fleet Commander William Simmons, who also had a bad temper. However, his task at this time was to take over the position of Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, not to fight a battle with the Austrian Navy.

"Why do you block our fleet from entering the Mediterranean?"

Britain and France formed an alliance to help Spain fight against the invasion of the Austrian Empire. Friedrich stomped on the deck of the Trieste.

"Are you threatening our country with force?"

William Simmons had a serious expression on his face. In his life, he had never met anyone who dared to challenge the British Royal Navy.

"No, just following the beat of the waves."

Friedrich said this nonchalantly, and Princess Sineka beside him snapped her fingers at the band. The musicians immediately began to play along with the sound of the waves, the tunes were soothing and natural, making people feel calm and peaceful.

William Simmons couldn't help but twitch his eyelids when he heard this. He really hated the corruption of these nobles.

"I'm talking to you about war, and you're talking to me about music. Do you want to die?"

William Simmons couldn't help cursing in his heart, but he had to use honorifics on the surface.

"When can my fleet pass through your defense zone?"

"Not today."

"What about tomorrow?"

"We'll talk about tomorrow's affairs tomorrow."

Friedrich's casual attitude made William Simmons extremely dissatisfied.

"What if I were to go there today?"

"I told you, not today."

"What if I go there tonight under the cover of darkness? Can you stop me?"

William Simmons said seriously, and Friedrich opened his eyes and sat up.