Chapter 1316 Choice
Unlike the chaotic situation in the Near East, the situation in Spain was much clearer.
Franz's strategy was very effective. Narvaez, O'Donnell, Espartero, and other warlords in the troubled times were now occupying one side under the banner of liberating Spain.
They directly tore through the defense line of the Spanish Republic, and the so-called scorched earth policy became a joke.
If the Spanish Republic wanted to implement the scorched earth policy, it had to face the angry people and those battle-hardened guerrillas. In addition, the Ferrante Duval government was unpopular, and rebels rose up in the territory of the Spanish Republic.
The Austrian Empire Expeditionary Force did not give them any breathing space, and soon occupied most of the central Spain. Only a small part of the Spanish Republic was still hiding in a few isolated cities.
Madrid and Toledo even directly revolted, and the angry people and officials who did not want to be buried with Ferrante Duval opened the city gates directly.
While the Austrian Expeditionary Force launched a massive frontal attack, the rescue operation was also secretly carried out, and several tactical teams were secretly sent to the territory of the Spanish Republic.
However, before that, the Austrian Special Operations Group had found the grain, and it was not difficult for these experts to find the storage point.
There seemed to be no trace of the vast mountains near Madrid, and there were possible hiding places everywhere. But considering the quantity, transportation, and storage of grain, there were not many places that met the conditions.
Then, through the previous residences and transaction records of the spies, all possible storage points were quickly inferred, and it didn't take long for them to determine the specific location and approximate reserves.
However, the rescue operation was still carried out as planned, not for the intelligence that had lost its value, but to let all those who worked for the Austrian Empire see that the empire would not easily give up anyone.
However, this spy who raised the price on the spot could only ask him to retire early. The Austrian Empire would give him and his family a new identity and then send him out of the empire.
Such a person can betray once and betray a second time, and Franz doesn't want to gamble on this.
Although the grain was found, the plan to migrate south still had to be implemented. After all, no one knew when the war would end.
At this time, the Austrian Empire was advancing triumphantly, and even successively captured the new and old capitals of Toledo and Madrid in Spain.
However, further north is the mountainous area, and the complex terrain will bring more uncertainty, and Britain and France are even less likely to sit and wait for death.
The war created a large number of displaced refugees, but it was not necessarily caused by this war, after all, the war in Spain had lasted for many years.
Franz's plan to move south did not encounter the imagined obstacles, and the reputation of the church and the emperor was quite useful in this country.
The people who were forced to leave their homes were also emotionally stable. After all, the church was very professional in this regard. On the other hand, the relatively sufficient supplies also greatly reduced people's doubts.
Moreover, the supplies that were not sufficient in the eyes of the officials of the Austrian Empire were too sufficient for ordinary people in Spain.
In fact, the threshold of suffering for the Spaniards due to natural disasters and wars for so many years was far greater than that of the Austrians.
The same supplies were unacceptable to the Germans and Hungarians, but barely enough in the eyes of the Croats and Transylvanians, and sufficient in the eyes of the Spaniards, and even abundant.
Also, because civilians can receive three times the supply and wages, the river sections where they are recruiting are overcrowded, and even women and children have joined in the work of cleaning the river.
The new nitroglycerin explosives have also played a huge role. Although this type of explosive cannot be used on a large scale in the military field for the time being, it is definitely a good hand at opening mountains and crushing stones.
The power of nitroglycerin explosives is dozens of times that of black gunpowder, which greatly improves the efficiency of dredging.
The men waved their shovels vigorously in the river, lifted the heavy stones with force, and then used the simple machinery built temporarily to carry these large stones ashore.
The women helped pick up small stones and debris, and the children also helped like adults, but their efficiency was much lower.
However, no one cared, because for many people, seeing that innocent and happy smile was enough.
Suddenly someone began to cry bitterly. They didn't know how long it had been since they had laughed from the bottom of their hearts.
These children are hope. Their current work is not only to deal with the Austrians and make a living, but also for their own homes.
The sun shines as usual, and the wind blows as usual, but they feel that something is different. That is the vitality and vigor that have returned to them.
Most of the warlords such as Narvaez, O'Donnell, and Espartero did not take the opportunity to cause trouble, but chose to abide by the agreement and lay down their weapons to accept incorporation.
The official positions given to them by the Austrian Empire are not low, but they do not include the most important military power and judicial power. Even political rights and economic rights are separated.
However, these heroes have no complaints, because under the current system established by the Austrian Empire, they are the backbone of this country.
There are also some forces that are ready to fight the Austrian expeditionary force to the end. Most of them will be crushed directly and will not cause any waves.
In addition, the Balkan issue was put on the table again. Russia's attack on the Ottoman Empire was originally a good thing for Austria, but Nicholas I wanted Constantinople, which was a bit too much.
The most annoying thing is that I don’t know who gave the Tsar an idea to exchange Austria’s support for Russia’s acquisition of Constantinople for Russia’s support for Austria’s annexation of Spain.
This secret agreement forced Franz to make a choice.
If he really agreed to this condition, he would become a shield for the Russians, and it would encourage the Russians’ ambitions, and maybe some monsters would be released.
But if Franz did not agree, he would offend Nicholas I, causing a rift in the relationship between Russia and Austria, and Russia might even be provoked to send troops to threaten Austria in turn.
And no matter what, in the short term, the Austrian Empire will still become a shield for Russia.
Britain and France are also sure that the Austrian Empire is unwilling to give up the Balkans, so they are wasting time here, wanting to exchange the smallest price for the greatest benefit.
Franz will naturally not do as they wish, and will not choose from the options they give.
Franz said that the Austrian Empire will carry out its past position and support Russia in seizing Constantinople and even the entire Ottoman Empire.
However, the Austrian Empire demands the two Danube principalities and guarantees the independence of Greece at the same time.
"To my dear father-in-law and His Majesty the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire"