Chapter 69: Pragmatist
In this era, the main industries in the Italian region were concentrated in the northern region. Due to factors such as politics and geographical location, they were divided into the ‘Turin-Genoa’ industrial zone and the ‘Milan-Venice’ industrial zone.
Undoubtedly, the industrial revolution in the Italian region has just begun. It is still dominated by traditional handicrafts, but many mechanical tools have been added.
The capitalists in the Venice region and the capitalists in the Kingdom of Sardinia have both cooperation and competition. Many capitalists have industries in both places, and the relationship between the two sides is not so easy to sort out.
After the conditions proposed by Marshal Radetzky spread in the Venice region, the capitalists responded one after another. As for who he supported in his heart, it is difficult to say.
It doesn’t matter. In any case, this is a conspiracy. Even the capitalists who are most hostile to Austria need the Kingdom of Sardinia to send troops to Venice as soon as possible.
Every day the war continues, it will bring them immeasurable losses, including the local capitalists in the Kingdom of Sardinia. National mobilization also hinders their ability to make money.
Turin has become more lively. The capitalists in the Venice region have joined the public opinion offensive, as if it has become the last straw that overwhelms the camel. Seeing the dark crowd of demonstrators, Charles Albert had to order the army to launch an attack in advance.
For this reason, he also sent out the last 40,000 troops that could be mobilized domestically. The army of the Kingdom of Sardinia alone reached 190,000. If the strength of its allies is added, their total strength is theoretically close to 250,000.
The reason why it is said to be theoretically is because in addition to the army of the Kingdom of Sardinia, the armies of several other states are still idle.
Especially the Neapolitan army, which is farthest away, stopped in the Papal States due to a large number of soldiers suffering from heatstroke. Only God knows why they suffered heatstroke in spring.
In short, the 40,000 troops promised by Naples will not be able to make it to this war. However, for the early unification of the Italian region, they still sent hundreds of warriors to the battlefield.
No matter how absurd this reason is, at least one thing can be certain: the Neapolitan army will not come.
Franz did not think this was the credit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Just look at the origin of Ferdinand II, the current King of Naples.
He is the son of Francis I, King of the Two Sicilies, and Clementina, daughter of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor. (The Kingdom of Sicily and Naples united to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, with Naples in a dominant position).
In simple terms, he is a junior member of the Habsburg family established in the Italian region. Although Austria’s international prestige has declined, it is not enough to make them rebel.
Just look at the map and you will know that Naples is separated by the Papal States. Even if they can drive Austria out of Italy, they will not gain any substantial benefits.
Any Italian state has the ambition to unify the Italian region. At this time, it is not a good choice to support the enemy. Even if Austria occupies Venice and Lombardy, it is more in their interest than the Kingdom of Sardinia occupying these areas.
History has changed. Because Austria’s military strength in the Venice region is stronger, the Kingdom of Sardinia has now begun to deploy the “Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique”. This has now become a battle of national destiny.
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By May, the reserve forces mobilized by Austria had been honed for more than a month and had begun to show their combat effectiveness. Franz quietly increased his troops in Hungary, and the war was imminent.
Vienna.
Franz once again lamented that Nicholas I was a good comrade. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that 300,000 Russian troops were ready to go and could help Austria and Prussia suppress the revolution at any time.
The strong support of the Tsarist government has had a very strong impact in Europe. Both the revolutionaries in Austria and Prussia have suffered a heavy blow.
The newly independent Hungarian regime has become precarious. Kossuth, the head of the Hungarian Republic, is already sleepless at night, fearing that the Russians will stab them in the back.
Metternich said triumphantly: “Your Highness, the French have changed their minds. They have terminated all assistance to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Now we are discussing the division of the Kingdom of Sardinia’s territory.”
Franz was overjoyed and thought to himself: “Sure enough, Metternich is better suited for diplomacy. Being a prime minister is completely mismatched for his expertise!”
Being able to deceive the French, the Italian battlefield will have no surprises. Without the help of the French, the army of the Kingdom of Sardinia is weak.
In just over a month, the army of the Kingdom of Sardinia quickly expanded from 20-30,000 to nearly 200,000. Anyone with a bit of military knowledge knows that such an army is unreliable.
Of course, if the soldiers of the Kingdom of Sardinia are fearless or obediently follow their superiors' orders like German soldiers, then there is no problem.
Indeed, the Kingdom of Sardinia has likely been swayed by radical public sentiment within the country, believing that once these soldiers reach the battlefield, they will be as formidable as when they chant slogans.
Franz made a decisive decision, saying, "Hmm, let's quickly sign a treaty with the French government. They change governments almost as quickly as women change clothes. Let's not complicate matters further!"
"Your Highness, if we rush to sign a treaty, it will be to our disadvantage. The French have bigger appetites than we imagined," Metternich cautioned.
"It doesn't matter. Whether the treaty we sign with the French can be upheld or not depends on whether the French can withstand the pressure from the British.
“Based on the current situation, the French government is constantly trying to please the British. As long as the London government takes a tougher stance, the French are likely to make compromises.
“If they choose to back down on their own, then it's their own fault. We can even condemn them for being untrustworthy," Franz said indifferently.
Not only this interim government, but several subsequent French governments have also been cozying up to the British and living off their support. It is unrealistic to expect them to confront the British head-on, at least within the next five years.
"Your Highness, if the French retreat, then we will likely find ourselves isolated. In the current situation, it is not suitable for us to annex the Kingdom of Sardinia!" cautioned Archduke Louis.
"Unfortunately, it's such a missed opportunity. It's not as easy as having the Kingdom of Sardinia willingly come to us. We've let a great chance slip away," sighed Prime Minister Felix.
Dominating Italy is not just a dream for the French but also for Austria. However, it remains nothing more than a dream. The European powers will not allow them to have their way.
“There’s nothing we can do about it. Who can blame us for not being strong enough? If we really try to swallow the Kingdom of Sardinia whole, we might just choke to death!” Franz said helplessly.
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