Chapter 27
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 27: Moving Towards the Unification of Germany
The Crimean conflict was intense, with the five countries of England, France, Russia, Turkey, and Sardinia facing cholera, lack of supplies, and the debuffs of assault, slaughtering each other. Each side suffered heavy casualties, and no one could have anticipated this turn of events.
After five months of fighting, the Russian army lost over three hundred thousand soldiers, the Allies lost over one hundred seventy thousand soldiers, and there were no signs of the war stopping…
Up to this point, Prussia and Austria remained neutral. Prussia decided to stick with neutrality, while the Austrians began their most confusing behavior in history.
With Napoleon III and Bismarck’s collaboration, Austria joined the war and dealt a severe blow to Russia.
The Austrian army took over Valachia and Moldavia, which are now part of Romania. They defeated the Russian and Ottoman armies and claimed these two regions for themselves.
When the Tsar heard this news, he fainted from the shock.
The Tsar considered Austria as a close friend, even closer than Prussia, and believed that Austria would help him.
During the first part of the Crimean War, Austria may have been busy with internal matters and couldn’t help. But later on, they sided with Russia, which gave Russia hope.
The Tsar waited for four to five months, only to receive news of betrayal from his supposed ally.
Nicholas I felt like his world was falling apart and lost all hope.
The Austrian army advanced through the Balkan Peninsula, reaching the Russian border and even crossing it to build defenses. They were determined to take over Romania and were willing to go to war with Russia.
Nicholas I was numb with emotion, sitting silently and muttering to himself.
Since the Napoleonic Wars, Austria and Russia had been close allies, but during the Crimean War, they turned against each other as bitter enemies.
All of this must be credited to Napoleon III and Bismarck.
Napoleon III kept telling the Austrians, "You are bordering Russia so closely. How can you maintain peace? Everyone knows about Russia’s ambitions in the Balkan Peninsula. It’s just a matter of time before they conflict with you."
Since they will eventually become archenemies, why not turn against them now? Look at how intense the Crimean War was. Russia was almost defeated. If you occupy the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula, Russia won’t be able to do anything to you.
After the Crimean War, Russia will be weakened. It would be better if Austria and France form an alliance. Let’s team up against the English and even Prussia. They are always so arrogant. Let’s deal with Prussia together.
From the end of last year to the beginning of this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Anna, kept insulting Austria. She would put a straw in the toilet and sip from it, which angered Austria greatly.
Austria and Napoleon III agreed on terms and confidently negotiated with Anna again, who was now the Prime Minister.
The Austrian Prime Minister said, "Prussia’s geographical position is really unfortunate. It has France on the left and Austria below. If these two countries attack Prussia together…"
Anna’s face turned serious and she slightly trembled, swallowing hard as if trying to appear calm.
"So what? Prussia still has England as an ally."
"Can’t believe it? Do you really think the English people can be trusted, Bismarck, are you that naive?"
"In the Seven Years’ War, England was a reliable ally of Prussia."
"Don’t fool yourself, do you still not understand what the Seven Years’ War was like? The English people’s strategy is to find a foolish person on the continent to die for them. Prussia, you’ve already done it once, are you doing it again?"
In response to the scolding from the Austrian Prime Minister, Anna lowered her head slightly, clenched and then relaxed her fists. She sat in her seat for a long time, but ended the meeting without giving a reply to Austria.
A week after the negotiations, Prussia Cabinet Secretary Schultz secretly visited Vienna and brought a famous painting titled "Death, Knight, and Devil."
"I’m very sorry, our young one is not sensible. She values her reputation and dare not come to apologize in person. So I’m here to express goodwill. This painting is a gift from Bismarck’s child to the Osman emperor," Schultz flattered with a smile.
The Austrian Prime Minister arrogantly accepted the painting, and then said to Schultz, "She must come in person to apologize for her rudeness, otherwise the relationship between Prussia and Austria will not improve."
Half a month later, Bismarck came to the Palace of Beautiful Springs, bowing apologetically to the Austrian Prime Minister with a gritted teeth, as if enduring great humiliation, which delighted the Austrian Prime Minister to the extreme.
"Prussia is willing to follow Austria in German affairs, Prussia is willing to maintain a friendly relationship with Austria forever, customs union…" Anna gritted her teeth, "Please also guide us more in the customs union matters, Austria."
"Okay okay, hurry up and leave, seeing your rude and barbaric dragon cavalry makes me disgusted. In the future, when Prussia wants to communicate with me, send men instead. Then Prussia won’t have any men left, right?"
Anna left dejectedly, while the Austrian Prime Minister, happy beyond measure, drank three bottles of champagne in one night.
Anna returned to her enclosed carriage, took a deep breath, and sighed…..
"Perfect acting."
Prussia surrendered to Austria, Austria fell out with Russia, and the Holy Alliance completely collapsed, fulfilling the last condition for the Dynasty Wars!
Germany’s first target for unification was Denmark.
Denmark repeatedly tried to annex Schleswig-Holstein, interfered in North German affairs, and occasionally caused trouble for Prussia. If Denmark controlled Schleswig-Holstein, they would control the Kiel Canal, which Prussia could not tolerate.
In the past, Russia and France supported Denmark. Now, Russia is weakened as a result of the Crimea War, leaving Nicholas I disheartened with no desire to interfere in Central, Eastern, or Northern Europe.
As for France.. Anna had numerous ways to convince Napoleon III to stop supporting Denmark.
The people from England are more interesting, they will team up with Prussia to put on a great show.
Next, Anna will use bribes to buy the support of Denmark to officially take over Schleswig-Holstein, then encourage big brother Austria to lead the entire alliance of Germany to war against Denmark.
In the Danish-Prussian War, Austria will be Prussia’s big brother and good teammate, while Prussia takes the opportunity to see what Austria’s military level is really like.
Anna has already planned everything for the Danish-Prussian War, and at the same time, set a trap for the Austro-Prussian War, and the Austrians really fell for it…
