Chapter 954: Monopoly of Power
The fragile defense line of the Belgians was easily torn apart by the French. Although the French army had suffered a disastrous defeat in Belgium before, the new commander-in-chief still looked down upon the Belgians.
At this time, the French commander-in-chief Henry Arsène was not a veteran of the Napoleonic era, but an out-and-out academic, but in the end he chose the same tactics as Oudinot.
Nothing else, just because the Belgian army is really vulnerable. Together with several battles on the Franco-Belgian border, the French army lost less than a thousand people and captured the fortress garrisoned by 20,000 Belgian troops.
However, this was also due to the undeclared war. Many Belgians were still enjoying their weekend time, and the French launched an attack.
In addition, many Belgians placed their hopes on the German Allied Forces, but what they did not know was that there was a split within the Allied Forces.
The previous unauthorized actions of the Luxembourgers and the Dutch dragged the Frankfurt National Assembly into a very embarrassing situation. In order to avoid a similar situation from happening, they decided to impose sanctions on them.
However, the National Assembly forgot one thing, that is, they have no real power at all, and the representatives of Luxembourg and the Netherlands did not buy it at all.
The so-called German Allied Forces are also very difficult to deal with. The Austrians obviously want to act alone, while the Prussians are using the excuse of being unable to cope with Denmark.
In fact, King William IV of Prussia wanted to send troops to the Rhineland, but the Archbishop of Cologne decided that the Prussian barbarians had no good intentions and decided to hold back.
In addition, the Archbishop of Cologne also had great objections to the Frankfurt National Assembly, especially after discovering that the president and deputy speakers were both Jews. He simply established the New German National Assembly in Cologne.
Other states were in even more chaos. Edward Simson and Gabriel Risel had tried their best, but the relationship between the entire German Confederation was still in a mess.
In the end, it was Archduke John who came forward to end the chaos, but the reinforcements from various countries were still on the way, and the French army had already launched an attack.
Bellevue didn't want to miss this good opportunity. He made a decision as soon as he learned the information and then reported it to Dan Gila.
Dan Gila admired this bold offensive strategy very much. Just as Bellevue thought, the parliament passed the plan to attack Belgium in advance.
In fact, as a member of the original National Newspaper faction, if you want to gain a foothold in the Reform Newspaper faction, you must achieve enough achievements.
Henry Arsène was sent by Bellevue, ostensibly to let the former deal with the weakest Belgians, but it was also the road where it was most difficult to make progress.
Because it is the farthest away from the Austrian Empire, it also has to deal with the German allied forces coming from all directions.
According to the battle report, Oudinot was dragged to death by Germans several times his size.
With the addition of Austria at this time, Henry Arsène is even less likely to make a breakthrough.
Allowing Henry Arsène to attack Belgium can not only attract firepower for Bellevue, but also suppress the arrogance of this academic genius.
The French army's early attack did not exceed the expectations of the Austrian General Staff Headquarters. Archduke Karl even felt that there would be a problem if the French did not attack in advance.
"What a bunch of restless guys."
Archduke Karl looked at the urgent telegram that had just been sent and said without any emotion.
Albrecht could not agree with his father's attitude. In Albrecht's eyes, the so-called German Allied Forces should not die in such a meaningless way.
"Al, if you don't want Alsace-Lorraine to be like Belgium, it's time for you to get going."
Albrecht let out two puffs of white air.
"Yes, Your Excellency Marshal."
Albrecht walked out of the command room without hesitation. After he left, Archduke Karl smiled. Maybe he would have been so impulsive when he was young.
But then he became cold again, turned around and said to Duke Bellon beside him.
"Inform the soldiers that the French have launched a despicable sneak attack, and we should immediately prepare to rush to the battlefield. However, because the railway was damaged by French spies, we have to wait for the railway to be repaired before we can set off."
Archduke Karl glanced back at Duke Peron, who immediately understood.
"Understood! Your Majesty the Grand Duke, I will lead people to carefully inspect the railway to ensure that everything is perfect."
Archduke Karl nodded.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not as calm as the General Staff.
The entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in chaos. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire issued five statements in one day condemning the despicable behavior of the French.
France's response was also surprisingly fast, immediately claiming that Belgium did not belong to the German Confederation, let alone Austria.
France sent troops to regain lost territory, and Louis Philippe had no right to transfer French rights on behalf of France.
Franz was nostalgic for the Metternich era. At this time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire was filled with a large number of passionate young people. These people were talented, motivated, and had ideals.
But there is no organization and discipline at all, and it is too easy to get addicted, and it is still very easy to spread the infection.
It is not uncommon for a group of diplomats to surround someone's embassy, shouting for a fight, and clamoring to tear someone's credentials on the spot.
This is the era of lean times. Of course, this is also the pain of a major reshuffle. Franz eliminated too many old people and offended too many old people.
It is almost impossible not to suffer revenge from this group of people. While Franz is taking advantage of the civil unrest in France to obtain information frantically, the remnants of the old era in Austria are also making their final counterattack.
The passionate young people at this time will eventually grow into the cornerstone of the empire, but there is no time for them to grow slowly now, so Franz directly took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Franz resolutely refused to accept the French rhetoric and stated Austria's position. As long as Belgium was still a part of the German Confederation, Austria, as the chairman of the Confederation, would send troops to protect it.
In addition, the Austrian Empire will also assume the responsibility of a great power and free Europe from the fear of France.
It demanded that the Second French Republic end its reign of terror, and at the same time issued a call for all European countries to work together to rescue the French people.
Franz did not use the name the Second French Republic, but deliberately called it the French Provisional Government.
In fact, this also expresses an attitude that the Austrian Empire does not recognize the government of the so-called Second Republic.
As for the term Reign of Terror, it stung the deepest pain in the hearts of the French. The original intention of the Second French Republic was to end the decadent reign of terror in Orleans, but at this time they had to use new terror methods to control the situation in Paris. .
This statement was not only to demoralize the French, but also to arouse the resonance of other countries on the European continent. At this time, the country's main form of rule was still the monarchy.
The power of princes and generals remained strong, and the reign of terror during the French Revolution left an overly impressive impression on the aristocracy.
No one wants to be revolutionized by the French, so supporting Austria or at least not causing trouble for Austria is what they have to do.