Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 516: Battle of Sedan and the Ascension of the German Emperor

At the beginning, Prussia secretly supported Prince Leopold in his attempt to seize the Spanish throne.

But unfortunately, at the end of June 1870, the news leaked.

The French Duke of Gramont was outraged by this and put pressure on Prince Leopold.

After Prince Leopold himself refused, he also threatened William I, demanding a guarantee that he would never lay claim to the Spanish throne.

William I did not want to have a head-on conflict with France, so he chose to refuse politely.

But Bismarck, who deliberately provoked the war, chose to exaggerate the telegram.

This gave Napoleon III an excuse.

On July 1870, , Napoleon III took the initiative to declare war on Prussia.

The French army began to mobilize its troops and prepared to launch an offensive against Prussia.

……

Tang Dynasty, capital!
Tang Dynasty Army Officers Academy!

It is graduation season, and students gather together to discuss their future plans after training.

Chen Yaozu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a smile.

"After I graduate from the military academy, I plan to apply to go to the frontier."

"For soldiers like us, if we want to be promoted quickly, we still need to have military merits. If we just rely on gaining experience in the mainland, our lives will be like this."

Li Jun replied with a smile.

"Go together, go together!"

"I'm planning to go to America, where's Brother Chen?"

Chen Yaozu said with a smile.

"I think the North Sea is pretty good too."

"The North Sea is the border between the Tang Dynasty and Tsarist Russia. The Tsarist Russians have always been dishonest. If we go there, we should have many opportunities."

Although Tsarist Russia had ceded Eastern and Western Siberia to the Tang Dynasty, it had stationed heavy troops in Central Siberia to prevent the Tang army from advancing westward again.

The relationship between the two parties is not harmonious!

Conflicts occasionally break out on the border.

While the two were talking, they looked at the other person beside them.

"Brother Luo, what do you think?"

Li Zai, who used the alias Luo Ping'an, scratched his head and said after hearing this.

"I haven't thought about it yet. Let's see what's arranged..."

The reason why Li Zai said this was that he really hadn't thought it through.

On the other hand, he felt that this matter was most likely decided by his father.

The decisions he makes cannot decide anything.

As they were talking, several of them walked together towards the cafeteria of the military academy.

In the military academy, the Tang Dynasty court arranged food and accommodation for the students.

Although they were provided with large bunk beds for accommodation, there was no ambiguity when it came to meals.

Various meats, fresh fruits and vegetables are available in large quantities.

Everyone went to get their food and soon gathered at a table.

Li Zai ordered a portion of rice, three dishes and a soup.

The three dishes are braised pork, stir-fried cabbage, and beef stewed with potatoes.

Mm, the kind with more beef than potatoes!

And the soup is pork ribs soup!
In addition, there is a boiled egg and an apple to supplement vitamins.

Most of the others did the same, although the dishes were different, they all had three dishes and one soup.

The Tang Dynasty is not short of money nowadays, so naturally these future officers will not be treated badly in terms of food and drink.

After all, we still hope to rely on them to command the army and fight for the Tang Dynasty in the future!
Li Zai buried his head on the table and ate with great relish.

In fact, before entering the military academy, he was a bit picky about food and would not even look at any food that did not suit his taste.

For example, he doesn't eat fatty meat.

As the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, it is only normal for him to be spoiled.

But after entering the military academy, Li Zai changed this bad habit.

The previous pickyness has turned into wolfing down the food.

He doesn't care whether it's fat or not, as long as he can eat it.

If you are picky in the army and refuse to eat this or that, you will be beaten and put in solitary confinement.

Although Li Zai was the crown prince, he came here under an assumed name, and under the emperor's orders, no one would, and no one dared, to give him preferential treatment.

In addition, the training is arduous, and being picky simply cannot withstand the energy consumption, so now Li Zai has changed his previous bad habits.

No more picky eating!

Just as a group of people were burying their heads in food and wolfing it down.

There was a sudden commotion outside the cafeteria.

"Shit, something big happened!"

"Everyone, please read today's newspaper."

"There's another fight in Europe!"

"..."

Amid the commotion, Lee Jae finally figured out what was going on.

Prussia and France are at war!

This also means that the European continent is about to fall into chaos.

This is a very important matter for the Tang Dynasty, which intends to compete for world hegemony.

……

At the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War, France took the initiative to attack Prussia.

Napoleon III led his army across the Franco-Prussian border and headed straight for Frankfurt, attempting to cut off the connection between north and south Germany.

This was used to force southern Germany to remain neutral in the war so that the French army could concentrate its forces and defeat Prussia.

At the same time, the Prussian army was led by King William I as commander-in-chief and General Moltke as chief of staff.

The plan was to concentrate superior forces to attack Alsace and Lorraine, trying to annihilate the main force of the French army at the Franco-Prussian border or drive it to northern France, and then attack Paris.

In this war, the Prussian army had a careful mobilization plan, transporting troops by rail. By the end of July, it had assembled three corps of about 7 people and 3 artillery pieces on the border.

The French army, on the other hand, acted hastily and their plan was full of loopholes, so the outcome of the war is self-evident.

On August 1870, 8, the French army first launched an attack on the Prussian army in the Saarbrücken area with three divisions. However, due to the hasty operation, there were no effective combat operations and only some small-scale contacts with the enemy's vanguard troops.

Two days later, the Prussian army launched an offensive and crossed the border.

The French army met the Prussian attack in an unfavorable position in the border area. The Third Army of Prussian Crown Prince Frederick William defeated the French General Douai's troops in the Battle of Wissembourg with 10 times the number of troops. The French army suffered heavy casualties and had to retreat.

On August 1870, 8, the two armies fought again in the Volta area, and the French heavy cavalry launched a fierce charge.

However, with the advent of heavy machine guns in today's wars, cavalry has almost lost its room to play.

Amid the roar of machine gun fire, the brave French heavy cavalry left a trail of corpses on the battlefield.

At the same time, the Prussian Second Army of Prince Karl Friedrich had 13 men and inflicted heavy damage on Marshal MacMahon's First Army of 1 men.

On the same day, the 2nd Army of French General Frossard, which belonged to the Bazaine Corps, was also defeated by the Prussian st Army with overwhelming numerical superiority at Forbach.

The French opened the door to Lorraine for the Prussian army.

Lorraine is the most important industrial area in France, and its importance is self-evident.

Once Lorraine is lost, the consequences for France will undoubtedly be fatal.

Of course, although France suffered losses in the initial stages of the war, the Prussian army did not have time to deploy its forces and annihilate the main force of the French army. Therefore, the French army still had the strength to fight again.

Logically speaking, what the French army should do at this time is to retreat to the strategic depth, start to arrange defenses, and plan for another fight.

However, war is not just a battle on the battlefield, more importantly it is the continuation of politics.

The political fallout from the French defeat early in the war led to the fall of French Prime Minister Émile Olivier.

On August 8, Charles Cousin-Montauban formed a cabinet, belonging to the pro-war faction headed by the Queen.

In order to stabilize the morale of the people in Paris who were shaken by the failure of the first battle, Napoleon III did not choose to retreat and deploy defenses.

Instead, he rashly chose to defend Metz to the death and fight a decisive battle with the Prussian army in Metz.

However, Napoleon III was ill at this time and unable to preside over the war, so he had to hand over the command of the army to Marshal Bazaine.

But Marshal Bazaine was a man of few plans and indecisiveness. He kept hesitating between fighting and retreating. By the time he made up his mind to retreat, the Prussian army had already reached Metz.

In a hurry, the two armies broke out into a decisive battle in Metz.

The Battle of Mas-la-Tour and the Battle of Gravelotte-Saint-Privat broke out in quick succession.

Both armies showed incredible bravery on the battlefield. The French artillery fire was so fierce that the Prussian army was unable to raise its head at one point.

Unfortunately, although the French army successfully repelled the Prussian attack and inflicted heavy losses on the Prussian First Army and the Royal Guards, it failed to open the road to Verdun.

French Emperor Napoleon III was surrounded by the Prussian army in Metz.

The progress of the war caused an uproar in France!

An uprising even broke out in Paris.

Amid internal and external troubles, the situation in France became increasingly tense.

Then, Napoleon III began to use his diplomatic instincts and sought help from Britain and the Tang Dynasty, hoping to get mediation from Britain and the Tang Dynasty to end the war.

……

The capital of the Tang Dynasty!

Old Summer Palace!
Li Yi is fishing.

The fishing hook was thrown into the lake in front of him. He sat under the awning, staring at the float on the water without blinking.

At this moment, Li Yi's secretary Gu Shen trotted over to his side.

"Your Majesty, the French ambassador, Mr. Lebrun, is outside the palace asking for an audience."

When Li Yi heard this, his movements paused, but he still spoke.

"Bring people in!"

Li Yi roughly knew the purpose of LeBron's visit.

He was also paying close attention to the progress of the Franco-Prussian War.

But because of this, Li Yi knew that he could not help the other party.

The Prussian side is now at the peak of its power, and it is estimated that the entire army is holding its breath, wanting to break into Paris.

In the current situation, although the Tang Dynasty is an ally of Prussia, how can a word from the so-called ally make Prussia change its mind?

Isn't this nonsense?

Now the Tang Dynasty does not have the ability to send troops to Europe to interfere in the Franco-Prussian War!
However, this did not prevent Li Yi from meeting with LeBron.

Soon, Gu Shen brought LeBron in from outside.

LeBron walked quickly to Li Yi and bowed.

"Foreign minister, French Ambassador Lebron, pays respect to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!"

Seeing this, Li Yi just raised his hand slightly.

"Ambassador, please take a seat!"

After LeBron sat down, Li Yi continued to ask.

"The Ambassador has come to visit me this time, but what is the matter?"

LeBron heard this and spoke.

"Your Majesty the Emperor is probably also aware of the current Franco-Prussian War."

"I came here to ask His Majesty the Emperor to mediate between France and Prussia." "In today's world, the only one who is qualified to mediate between France and Prussia is His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty..."

LeBron also praised Li Yi at the end.

It's just a pity that it didn't work.

After hearing what LeBron said, Li Yi's expression changed and he said.

"France and Prussia are both friends of our Tang Dynasty. If there is a conflict between the two friends, it is natural for our Tang Dynasty to mediate."

"However, I cannot guarantee whether there will be a result..."

Li Yi did not object to the mediation.

However, the Tang Dynasty had no advantage in this matter.

This means that Li Yi's mediation is just mediation, and he will not really put in much effort.

LeBron may not be unaware of Li Yi's intention, but after hearing that Li Yi was willing to send someone to mediate, he immediately felt like he had grabbed a life-saving straw.

"On behalf of the whole of France, I would like to thank His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi just waved his hand, indicating that LeBron could leave.

At about the same time, Britain also made the decision to help France and Prussia mediate.

The rise of Prussia was due to the support of Britain.

The fundamental reason why Britain supported Prussia was to enable Prussia to help Britain deal with France and thereby balance the situation on the European continent.

To prevent the emergence of a powerful country on the European continent, a powerful country that can threaten British hegemony.

This also meant that Britain was actually unwilling to see Prussia become too strong.

Because if Prussia becomes too strong, it will also disrupt the balance of the European continent.

It’s a pity that the mediation envoys from the Tang Dynasty and Britain did not have time to travel to Prussia.

The situation in the Franco-Prussian War took a sharp turn for the worse!

After the Battle of Metz, although the main force of the French army failed to break out, Napoleon III was sent out.

After joining up with Marshal McMahon, he led his troops to retreat to Chalons.

Marshal McMahon prepared to lure the enemy deep into his territory and engage in a decisive battle with the Prussian army outside the city of Paris.

However, Empress Eugenie, the regent, and Charles Cousin-Montauban, the chancellor of the empire, feared that further retreat would cause unrest or revolution in the country.

Queen Eugenie even publicly stated: "Only the emperor's enemies would agree to his return to Paris."

Seeing this, Napoleon III had no choice but to order Marshal McMahon to lead his troops to Metz for reinforcement.

But at this moment, false news came from Berlin.

It was said that except for the troops besieging Metz, the Prussian army was determined to advance towards Paris.

This false news misled Napoleon III and MacMahon, allowing him to boldly send reinforcements to Metz.

But in fact, the Prussian 3rd Army continued to pursue the French McMahon Army and implemented a bold detour, coordinating with the newly formed 4th Army to besiege the French army led by McMahon and Napoleon III in Sedan.

When the French troops in Metz learned that reinforcements were on the way, they immediately began to prepare for another breakout.

But the result was that the reinforcements not only failed to break through, but also suffered heavy casualties.

At the same time, the French and Prussian armies fought a decisive battle at Sedan.

The most crucial decisive battle in the Franco-Prussian War, the Battle of Sedan, broke out!
On the morning of September 1870, 9, the Prussian army occupied Furizy, Donsheri and other places, successfully cutting off the French army's retreat route to the west and blocking the French army from behind.

At noon that day, the Prussian army completed the encirclement of the French army and attacked with powerful artillery.

That afternoon, the French army attempted to organize a breakout several times, but all ended in failure.

……

In the city of Sedan!
The breakout failed, and the French army, trapped in the encirclement, fell into despair from top to bottom.

On the streets, distraught French soldiers and officers could be seen everywhere.

In a building in the center of the city, Napoleon III was slumped in a chair.

At this time, he no longer had the high spirits he had when the war between France and Pu was just beginning, but instead seemed dispirited.

The whole person fell into despair!
"Your Majesty, our army has organized several breakouts, but they all failed."

"Marshal McMahon is still preparing for a new breakout operation!"

A close minister came to Napoleon III to report.

Napoleon III heard this, but seemed to have heard nothing.

He still just sat there, his expression full of dejection. At this moment, his face was full of confusion, as if he was making some difficult decision.

At this moment, McMahon walked in again from outside and said with a dejected look.

"Your Majesty, the breakout has been prepared. Please give the order..."

Upon hearing this, Napoleon III just opened his mouth and spoke.

"No... no need!"

"The war has reached this point. There is no need to continue fighting."

"Send a letter to King William I, saying, I am willing to hand over my sword to your Majesty..."

Wearing a sword, to some extent, represents the authority of the king.

Napoleon III was willing to hand over his sword, which meant he was ready to surrender.

Marshal McMahon heard this and opened his mouth and said.

"His Majesty……"

Napoleon III just shook his head.

"No need to persuade me!"

"Do as I tell you!"

Seeing this, McMahon could only nod and agree.

But the expression on his face was not good, and he was full of disappointment towards Napoleon III.

In his opinion, Napoleon III was really unworthy of the name Bonaparte!
Soon, Napoleon III's letter of surrender was delivered to William I.

William I did not hesitate and immediately decided to accept Napoleon III's surrender.

Then, the next day, September 1870, 9, Napoleon III formally surrendered to the Prussian army with 2 officers and soldiers.

The whole of France was in an uproar, and even the whole of Europe was in shock!

You have to know that this is France, the country known as the best army in Europe!

He actually surrendered to Prussia on his own initiative!
This means that the situation in Europe will undergo a dramatic change.

It will become easier to achieve hegemony on the European continent!

……

When the news reached the Tang Dynasty, Li Yi thought to himself that it was true.

From his perspective, he actually knew the final outcome of the Franco-Prussian War.

But when it really happened, he still couldn't help but be shocked.

France was defeated too quickly!

Only one month passed from the official outbreak of the war in early August to the disastrous defeat of the French army at Sedan in early September and the surrender of Napoleon III.

In just one month, the situation in Europe changed drastically!
Who could have imagined such a thing?

Anyway, Li Yi was surprised by this!

"This Napoleon III is even worse than Zhu Qizhen."

This is Li Yi’s evaluation of Napoleon III.

Although Zhu Qizhen was also a scoundrel who caused the tragic Battle of Tumu, at least he was captured because the Ming army suffered heavy losses.

However, Napoleon III took the initiative to surrender to Prussia when his army still had the strength to fight.

You know, Napoleon III still had more than 80,000 people under his command before he surrendered!
That was the elite main force of the French army of more than 80,000. The French Army was known as the best army in Europe and had strong combat effectiveness.

Even if these 80,000 people are unable to break out, why can't they hold their positions for a while?
As long as he could hold out in Sedan for ten days or half a month, French reinforcements might arrive.

It is even possible that the British intervention forces will land in France.

All I can say is that Napoleon III is worthy of being a Frenchman!

"Your Majesty, how should our Tang Dynasty respond to the changes in Europe?"

Gu Shen asked.

Li Yi shrugged and said.

"Isn't Prussia an ally of the Tang Dynasty?"

"Even if our allies are strong, what impact does it have on the Tang Dynasty?"

"Just wait and see how the situation changes!"

How to put it, it is different from what the UK wants for a balance of power on the European continent.

In fact, the Tang Dynasty hoped that the European continent would be in chaos.

If Europe becomes chaotic, then all European countries will inevitably need to gather their forces and return to Europe to maintain stability.

This is really a good thing for the Tang Dynasty, which is eager to expand its influence globally.

……

The Franco-Prussian War continued.

After the Battle of Sedan, the big bourgeoisie who controlled the financial economy in France took the opportunity to launch a coup in Paris, overthrowing the Second French Empire and establishing the Third French Republic.

A "National Defense Government" was formed, headed by General Louis Jules Trochu.

At this point, the last obstacle to German unification had disappeared, but the Prussian authorities were unwilling to stop while they were ahead, and instead chose to continue marching towards Paris.

Prussia wanted to use this war to establish its strong position in Europe.

The Prussian army advanced with great momentum and by September 9, they had reached the outskirts of Paris.

1870年9月23日，普军占领图勒，1870年9月27日，斯特拉斯堡守军投降……

France is in a state of collapse.

However, although the French army was in poor condition, the French people did not admit defeat.

Militiamen and free shooters from all over the country organized themselves and began guerrilla warfare against the Prussian army, greatly slowing down the Prussian army's advance.

But at this time, Marshal Bazaine of Metz began to negotiate peace with Prussia.

Soon, the 17-man Rhine Army led by Marshal Bazaine surrendered to Prussia.

This also meant that the Prussian troops entering France were no longer restrained.

The French Loire Army and the Northern Army were defeated in succession.

The French National Defense Government began preparations for surrender to Prussia.

The people of Paris could no longer tolerate this and launched an uprising, but were brutally suppressed.

Paris was under siege by the Prussian army!

The sound of shelling could be heard every day outside Paris.

On January 1871, 1, the people of Paris revolted again, but were suppressed again.

Subsequently, the National Defense Government chose to surrender to the Prussian army.

After the peace talks, most of the Paris fortress's artillery and ammunition were handed over to the Prussian army, and a compensation of 2 million francs was paid.

Subsequently, the Prussian army entered Paris, and William I held a coronation ceremony in the Palace of Versailles, proclaiming himself the German Emperor.

This is undoubtedly a great humiliation for the French!
The German army then withdrew from Paris. After the German army withdrew from Paris, the people of Paris revolted again.

The Paris Commune is established!

But in just 72 days, the Paris Commune was brutally suppressed.

The rebels were massacred!

On May 5, Germany and France formally signed the Treaty of Frankfurt, which stipulated that France would pay 10 billion francs in compensation and cede Alsace and Lorraine.

From then on, the transfer of European hegemony was officially completed!
Germany replaced France's position in Europe and stepped onto the stage of history.

(End of this chapter)