The sun never sets in America

Chapter 362 War Prelude: Chaos in Europe

Wow! !

After a heavy rain, a rare rainbow appeared on the streets of London, causing passers-by to stop and watch.

Newsstands on the streets are full of news about "France".

The most scolding one was The Times, which directly used the term "French robber" to describe France's demands on Austria at this time.

As for other newspapers, they also more or less scolded France and the instigator, Napoleon III.

For the British, scolding the French is like a matter of course. The first grudge in history, coupled with the current "hot" situation in Europe caused by Napoleon III, the British's resentment towards the French is justifiable. .

No. 10 Downing Street, the place that symbolized the center of Britain's second rule, was in panic at this time. For Britain, Napoleon III's announcement and Varta's shooting by an Austrian "psychopath" on the streets of Vienna were all a matter of concern. It's bad news, none of it is good. Of course, if Napoleon III was killed, it would be good news.

(After multiple rounds of interrogations and investigations, it was found that the gunman was a mental patient living nearby. Because he heard the news about Valta’s arrival in the newspaper and was affected by the media during this period, he had the idea of ​​killing and stole the He picked up a gun and searched the streets. He happened to see Valta being protected, so he shot.)

(Although many people question mental illness, there is not much evidence at present. In addition, the man is indeed Austrian, so even if someone feels something is wrong, they cannot tell the reason for the objection)

"Hoohoo!!"

Bursts of white smoke came out of Russell's mouth, and the Cuban cigar in his hand was trembling slightly. The Jamaican coffee that was no longer smoking on the table showed that he was somewhat uneasy in his heart.

The British Empire has always been a "shit stirrer". When has it ever been so cowardly? Prussia's approach is simply "extortion" and "extortion". What's the difference between it and "robbery"! !

After Russell listened, he was silent for a while, and then slowly spoke:

"The war is likely to break out during this time. We have no time. If we want to end this as soon as possible, then we must win over those damn Prussians!!"

“And Spain and Portugal!!”

"It's possible, very possible!!"

Russell impatiently interrupted what Kidman was going to say next, making Kidman's hastily prepared words instantly ineffective.

"Forehead……"

Kidman hesitated and replied:

"According to our intelligence, the Austrian killer is most likely mentally ill, because his local resume has always been that of a mentally disturbed person, so..."

"No, according to our intelligence, the Prussian army has not changed. If they really want to fall to France, they will at least carry out war mobilization, but now they have not. It is certain that Prussia is still waiting for us."

When Russell heard this, he nodded in approval, and then motioned for Kidman to continue.

Opposite him was Kidman, the director of MI6. At this time, he was like a "primary school student" waiting for the teacher's assessment. His hands were constantly crossed and separated to relieve his nervousness.

After Russell said he wanted to win over Prussia, he felt like he was constipated.

Kidman pondered for a long time, and then said: "I don't think Russia has the strength to provoke a war alone. Although according to our intelligence, there have been secret banks remitting money to Russia in the past two years, and most of the funds come from overseas, we are still I caught a clue that these funds were transferred through banks in Paris and Jinshan..."

"Damn Napoleon III!!"

"Austria, this can be ruled out, the Austrians are not that stupid."

“I want definite answers!!”

"The French, no, even if they want to create something similar to the Mayflower, they can't bet on a noble minister!!"

There was a hint of panic in Russell's words. In the current situation in Europe, France was 100% the enemy, Napoleon III was the tyrant among tyrants, and Tsarist Russia was a greedy "polar bear" who always fantasized about marching into the ocean. In this way, there was only one left. We can win over some small countries, but are those small countries really useful? ?

Russell couldn't help but have a question mark in his heart.

"Damn, what a disgusting decision!!"

"So, you think he is mentally ill!!"

"What's more, Prussia, whom I just mentioned, is a bigger suspect than Han. After all, Han is still in America. Even if you want to stir up trouble, it probably won't be that easy, so Prussia is still the biggest suspect!!"

Russell had a cigar in his mouth and looked very calm, but underneath the calmness, there was an "excitement" that could not be concealed.

After hearing this, Russell showed no expression. No news could scare him at this moment. The situation in Europe had already deteriorated to this extent. If you told him at this time that Napoleon III had made a deal with the devil, he would be willing to believe it.

Just as Russell was about to say something, he heard Kidman follow up: "But in Austria, a place with many ethnic groups, such as places with independent tendencies like Italy and Hungary, there may be a group that does such risky things. .”

Upon hearing this, Russell said with both approval and worry: "Then the Prussians no longer plan to be with us, and they plan to fully fall to France??"

After Russell heard the word Han, his expression was a little complicated. The half-smoked cigar in his hand was hanging in the air. He finally said: "Han is far away in America. Is it possible to control the situation in Europe??"

After Kidman finished speaking, he looked at Russell's expression and saw that there was nothing strange about him. Then he continued: "Excluding Russia, there is only one force left, and that is Han!!"

After Kidman finished speaking, Russell angrily cursed: "Damn Prussians!!"

Russell was embarrassed, took a sudden puff of half a cigar in his left hand, and then exhaled the smoke:

"Kidman, is he mentally ill, or was he instigated by someone else??"

Kidman followed up and said:

Russell took a hard puff on the cigar in his mouth and said before the smoke formed:

"The Prussians, it's very possible. After all, they have always wanted to unify Germany. Fighting between France and Austria will help them get all this, and they will even get help from the French."

"Right, Kidman, answer me??"

Kidman pondered for a while, then spoke:

"Since Mr. Prime Minister thinks he is not mentally ill, then I might as well think about it. If he is not mentally ill, then why did he do this and who ordered him??"

(The Mayflower in the United States has become synonymous with falsehood)

Kidman gave a decisive answer, and then added: "The Imperial Bureau of Investigation, the intelligence agency of Han, is more influential in the world than our MI6. I am sure that they must have someone in Europe, even in London. !!”

Russell gasped and said with a flushed face: "Where are the Russians? Are they suspicious?"

"By the way, I need to contact the Kingdom of the Netherlands as soon as possible, quickly!!"

"It can be seen from this that Russia has always been subsidized. How can a country that relies on financial assistance do such a risky thing?"

"Then can I think that this is a prelude to Han's launching of the American War??"

Kidman nodded heavily.

After Russell endured his nausea and put down Prussia, he began to "mobilize troops and generals" and mobilize some traditional allies of the British Empire. Among them, the Netherlands, a low-lying country very close to Britain, was the first target of the British. After all, if France occupied Without the Netherlands, its advantage on the European continent will be magnified again, and Britain will also lose its bridgehead to land in Western Europe.

After Kidman left, Russell looked at the clock hanging on the wall, put on his clothes, put on a tall white hat, went out and went straight to Buckingham Palace.

.............................................

“What did the Austrians say??”

Napoleon III looked at the newly appointed Foreign Minister Mitran in front of him, and remembered the assassinated Vartha.

Varta's death, it can be said, suddenly disrupted the rhythm of Napoleon III. Originally, according to his idea, the Russian-Austrian conflict should be triggered at the end of the year, with the Russians blocking the front and France following behind to wait for the opportunity.

It's best to drag the Han people into the water again. As for the so-called Alliance of Three Emperors, haha, it can be used. As for abiding by it all, I'm sorry, Napoleon III does not have this habit! !

But now, Napoleon III had to make the final choice, to fight or not to fight? ?

This was a moment that extremely tested his wisdom.

"The Austrian side agreed to apologize and make compensation, but they did not agree with our views on the Italian region and believed that we were interfering in Austria's domestic region..."

Mitran replied.

Napoleon III seemed to have known this would happen, his expression was very calm, but from his tightly clenched fists, it could be seen that his heart was not as "calm" as he imagined.

On the contrary, like the sea, it is at a critical moment when the waves become rough.

Mitlang said: "Your Majesty, I think it is better to forget it this time. After all..."

"After all, after all, we only lost one foreign minister, right??" "Or can the dignity of the French Empire be solved with just some apology and compensation?"

Napoleon III's words were like a knife, piercing Mittrand's chest, leaving him speechless.

Napoleon III's chest kept rising and falling, and finally he gave the following instructions:

"Go, I want to communicate with Tsar Nicholas and the Emperor of Han!!"

"Go quickly!!"

Listening to Napoleon III's urging voice, Mitran ran out immediately.

Napoleon III looked in the direction of Mittrand, who had left, with some "struggle" in his eyes. For a person like him who hoped to gain the greatest benefit at the least cost, launching a war in advance was definitely the lowest choice. But for him, things have reached this point, and he has no choice! !

.............................................

St. Petersburg Winter Palace...

Looking at the sunshine outside, Nicholas raised the corners of his mouth, along with his iconic mustache.

Since the death of French Foreign Minister Walter in Austria, he has never been so comfortable and happy as now.

When he learned that Varta had been shot dead in Vienna, Nikolai didn't believe it at first, but finally believed it after repeated confirmations.

After believing, it is "ecstasy".

Nicholas understood too well what it meant for Varta to die in Vienna, which meant that France had no choice.

And for Russia, is there anything better than this? ?

Nicholas knew very well that among the three countries, Russia had the worst national strength. It had a huge population, but its industrial capacity was at the bottom, even inferior to Prussia.

Because of this, Russia also has the smallest range of choices among the three countries. After all, if you win over Russia, you will have to provide economic and material assistance to Russia. It was okay at the beginning, but when the war started, who will suffer if it continues like this? .

But now, the French must bear it, and the Han people must at least give some. In this way, the Russian war can continue to be fought.

Thinking of this, Nicholas's whole mood improved a lot. The sunshine outside the window shone on his face, making him more "cheerful".

"Your Majesty, urgent message from France!!"

The attendant came to Nicholas with a telegram.

Nicholas reached out and took it. As soon as he looked at it, he laughed out loud, and then said with a smile:

"Call back to the French, we have no problem, but they still need to give us equipment for at least ten divisions."

“And give more aid!!”

When the attendant hurriedly went to send the telegram, Nicholas burst out laughing. The laughter spread throughout the Winter Palace, making the servants unable to understand why His Majesty the Tsar was so happy today. He laughed louder every time.

.........

"Father, the situation in Europe is very tense now. Austria has sent more troops to the border. The number of troops has increased to 150,000 so far, and it is still continuing..."

"British Prime Minister Russell proposed the principles of peace, including mutual non-aggression and peaceful coexistence..."

"Ha ha……"

Liu Peng laughed out loud when he heard Liu Yu's report. It was the first time he heard that a country that had been a troublemaker for hundreds of years and a country that colonized the world came out to demand peace. This is not ridiculous. What is it? Is there anything more ridiculous than this in the world? ?

Liu Yu waited for Liu Peng to finish laughing, then held the document and continued to report:

"Austria rejected France's request. They only agreed to apologize and compensate, and it did not involve Italy!!"

Liu Peng's eyes sparkled slightly when he heard "Italy".

Liu Yu continued:

"Russia is currently accelerating the increase of troops on the Black Sea frontline, and the Ottomans are also doing the same. The confrontation between the two armies is even greater than in the last war!!"

When Liu Peng heard this, he frowned slightly, and then said: "It's impossible for the Russians to launch a war. After learning from the last lesson, they can't do this again!!"

"Then there is only one possibility, France, it can only be France!!"

Liu Peng immediately saw the crux of the problem.

Liu Yu then asked:

"Father, the French are really capable of waging war. I have talked with Napoleon III. Although he is very ambitious, he is a cautious person and does not make decisions easily!!"

"Even if a foreign minister died this time, he was still a nobleman, but as long as Austria surrenders, Napoleon III can completely expose the matter first and continue to wait and see. After all, this is in line with the interests of France!!"

Liu Yu discovered through contact with Napoleon III that although this guy was very ambitious and dreamed of reviving the so-called Napoleonic Empire, judging from his words and deeds, he was very calm, although sometimes he would act very fanatical. But Liu Yu would not believe it. He preferred to believe that Napoleon III was a genius, a performing genius.

"No, you don't understand an emperor. For an emperor, sometimes strategy must give in to authority!!"

"Join today when Napoleon III compromises because of the so-called strategy. Who is sure that he will not have a next time? A next time??"

"Once this happens, it will be a nightmare for him!!"

"For his so-called French Empire, a hesitant emperor who compromises at any time is often more terrifying than a powerful enemy of the empire!!"

"So, don't underestimate the courage of a founding emperor!!"

When Liu Peng said this, he paused involuntarily, which made Liu Yu a little "stunned".

At this moment, the official in charge of the palace's telegram "broke in" and delivered a warm telegram that had just been sent from the ocean to Liu Peng's hands.

Liu Peng glanced at it and threw it to Liu Yu opposite.

As soon as Liu Yu got it in his hand, he was stunned. He did not expect that the "cunning" French emperor actually wanted to start a war and did not choose to compromise.

Does he really want to bet? ?

Only Liu Peng said lightly:

"Napoleon III was very smart. He used the assassination incident to launch an attack at this time. Austria did not agree. It is justifiable to start a war now!!"

"If I were him, I would also choose this time to fight, because there is nothing better than fighting at this time!!"

"But, father..."

"There are no buts. You have to remember that as long as the goal is achieved, we don't care about the process!!"

Liu Peng coldly stopped what Liu Yu wanted to say next.

Liu Yu lowered his head, then suddenly raised his head and asked:

"So where are we now??"

"To help or not to help??"

Liu Peng looked back at his bookshelf and took out a copy of Spring and Autumn and Sun Tzu's Art of War.

The meaning is self-evident! !

"Tell the French that we will cooperate with their actions in America!!"

Liu Peng said this, paused for a while, and then spoke:

"Help me make an appointment with the British Minister, we need to make a deal!!"

After Liu Yu heard the second sentence, his expression was shocked. He wanted to say something, but when he saw the two books "Spring and Autumn" and "Sun Tzu", he didn't say anything more.

After Liu Yu left, Liu Peng walked out of the palace and looked up at the sky, with the sun shining on his face and a cheerful smile on his face.

The British Legation in Xijing fell into "silence" after receiving the news from Liu Peng.

(End of this chapter)