Chapter 1299 A Gathering of Storms (Part 2)

Chapter 1299 A Gathering of Storms (Part 2)

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

The Austrian Imperial Navy could establish outposts in these places and even hide its forces from hostile forces blocking the Adriatic Gulf.

The joint defense agreement that had not been passed for a long time was officially passed at this time. At this point, 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 ensure the security and stability of the entire region.

Vittorio Emanuele II, although outwardly flattering to the Austrian Empire, was actually very disgusted.

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

At this time, the debt of the Kingdom of Sardinia was quite heavy, 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 products of the Kingdom of Sardinia is far less than that of the Austrian Empire.

In addition, Northern Italy also has its own industry. Neither Lombardy nor Venetia look down on the goods of the Kingdom of Sardinia and regard them as competitors.

The capitalists in Italy would do well not to mention supporting the unification of the Kingdom of Sardinia, but rather not to cause obstacles to the Kingdom of Sardinia.

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

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 dreamed of, but it was the Austrian Empire that made all this possible, which made him slightly regretful.

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

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

In 1848, the Kingdom of Sardinia and the whole of Italy suffered miserably, but in Cavour's opinion it was just that the people and the country were immature.

It is enough for the country to mature with national elites like them, but to make people mature, education and reform are needed.

The method Cavour came up with was the Agricultural Association. After all, the Italian region at this time was still dominated by agriculture.

But what Cavour could think of, Franz could naturally think of. Franz doesn't need to bring in private goods. He can just put those magic sticks into the agricultural association and sit back and relax.

The appeal of agricultural capitalism may not be as attractive as religion. After all, the former emphasizes efficiency and profit, and essentially squeezes labor through involution and pie-drawing.

Although the latter is fantasy, it emphasizes faith and spiritual belonging, as well as humanistic care. At the same time, religion also encourages cooperation.

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

On the other hand, envoys from the Spanish Republic arrived at Puertoriano, the headquarters of the Spanish Royal Army.

"General Cabrera, I have come to ask you to pledge your allegiance to the Spanish Republic. Please do not be stubborn."

Ferrante Duvais's emissary was arrogant.

"You have less than 100,000 people! And we have an army of 130,000 people! Are you dreaming?"

The general next to Cabrera shouted angrily that the Spanish Republic, which had less than 100,000 troops, tried to persuade Cabrera, who had 130,000 troops, to surrender. It seemed a bit whimsical.

Cabrera said nothing and just watched quietly, while Ferrante Duvale's envoy answered slowly.

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

"you!"

"I told the truth."

Ferrante Duvay's envoy was quite confident. In fact, Cabrera's army was indeed in a supply crisis. Even if he exhausted all means, his army would not be able to eat in just two or three months. .

However, Cabrera remained unmoved. After all, he had not experienced this kind of supply crisis before, and there were many ways to solve it.

Ferrante Douay's messenger spoke again.

"In addition, I would like to remind you, Marshal Cabrera, that the Austrians like to think of themselves as just, and they often execute some evildoers according to their own judgment.

Judging from past experience, there is no doubt that you and your men are evil in the eyes of the Austrians.

You can choose to be loyal to the Spanish Republic and join us in driving out the nasty Austrian invaders, so that you can also become the Marshal of the Spanish Republic.

Otherwise, you're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I think you should know what is best for you. "

Cabrera sighed. He really had no choice. What he had done had already spread throughout Spain. At this time, there were many resistance organizations in the border area funded by the Austrian Empire.

Most of the people who had been forced to leave their homes by themselves were also in the Austrian-occupied areas at this time.

As for the life and death of Carlos VI, it doesn't matter, and no one cares.

"Give my regards to the President, I, Cabrera, pledge my allegiance to the Republic of Spain."

Cabrera had another row of boxes brought up.

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

Ferrante Duvais' envoy opened the box and found hideous human heads inside.

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

The messenger nodded.

"You have done a good job. I will ask the president for your credit."

Ferrante Duval recovered Cabrera's army, and with the promise of the French, he has begun to plan how to drive the Austrians out of Spain.

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

Louis Napoleon simply handed the meeting over to the republicans to preside over, and he claimed to be sick at home.

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

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

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

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

Just when Ferrante Duval and the French Republicans fantasized that the Austrian Empire could escape from Spain in a panic, Franz chose to declare war on Spain on behalf of the Holy Alliance.