NOVPUBChapter 1037 -51: The Unwilling Reality
Once the cannonball was fired, it was meant to kill. With the exposure of the arms smuggling case, the Russians immediately gained a strong backing.
The already tough Tsarist Government became even tougher on issues related to France. Of course, since King Carlos鈥檚 escape began, whether the Tsarist Government鈥檚 stance was tough had actually become unimportant.
The French government shut down, and even if they wanted to find someone to negotiate with, the Russian Delegation did not know who to approach.
Faced with the increasingly severe military-civilian conflict, the Russian Army stationed in France adopted the simplest and their most adept method鈥攎ilitary suppression.
Once the slaughter knife was raised, its consequences could no longer be controlled by individuals.
On December 21, 1895, the well-prepared French Resistance Organization ambushed a Russian logistics camp transporting supplies on the outskirts of Paris, marking the beginning of the French-Russian War.
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From the slogan 鈥淎nti-Russian,鈥 it is evident that the French society, having been severely battered, had become rational.
They clung tenaciously to the previous atrocities committed by the Russian Army and positioned themselves as the victims, claiming they were now fighting for survival.
This method of controlling the strike range was undoubtedly correct.
Thanks to the deep-rooted 鈥渂arbarian image鈥 of the Russians, coupled with video material as evidence, European public opinion was sympathetic towards the French civilians.
Unfortunately, it was the 19th century, and while public support was important, it was nothing significant for the Tsarist Government that was used to being scolded daily.
International intervention was non-existent. Politicians were rational and could forget anything, except their own positions.
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On the issue of suppressing the French, all member states of the Anti-French Alliance were unanimous. Even though everyone felt that the Russians had gone a bit too far, considering the bigger picture, the nations still chose to support them secretly.
After all, every trouble caused by the Russian Army was consuming the national vitality of France. For the neighbors, only when France was weakened could they possibly become good neighbors.
With the Vienna Government taking the lead in inaction, the other European countries followed suit. Except for a few countries that also had military stationed in France that felt some pressure, the rest were just spectators.
In support of the ally, Franz generously announced an unlimited supply of 鈥渇ree鈥 potatoes to the Russian soldiers on the frontline.
After all, who could help it that Shinra had yet another bountiful potato harvest this year?
On one side, the production of potatoes soared, and on the other, the consumer market shrank, leaving the agricultural department almost distraught.
Potato shreds, mashed potatoes, potato flour, potato cakes, potato noodles, potato alcohol, canned potatoes, fried, steamed, braised, stir-fried鈥
Even with the assembling of numerous potato dishes from multiple countries, it did not manage to consume the abundant harvest of potatoes.
Unlike wheat, potatoes are not suitable for long-term storage. If piled up in a warehouse for three to five years, molding and sprouting were minor issues, the fear was that they could turn into 鈥渁ctual mud.鈥
To avoid wasting food, Franz decided to give them to the Russians. Otherwise, one day the Tsarist Government鈥檚 bureaucrats might cause some problems and cut off the Russian Army鈥檚 food supply.
This was not a joke. Based on long-standing experience, logistical issues were nearly a certainty whenever the Russian Army embarked on a long expedition.
Even after the reforms completed by Alexander II, the Tsarist Government was not short of food supplies. However, having food at home and having food at the frontline were two different concepts.
Transporting food from the Russian Empire to France was a challenge for the Tsarist Government. Now that the Vienna Government had helped solve the soldiers鈥 food issues, the logistical pressure on the Russian Army was immediately halved.
The only problem was that the Russian soldiers on the frontline had to eat potatoes daily, and it was estimated that by the end of the war, these guys would be terrified just by the scent of potatoes.
However, this was not a big issue. The gray beasts never had the luxury of being picky. Starving while serving in the Russian Army was nothing new.
Moreover, as long as the Russian soldiers were not stubborn, they could fully exert their initiative and seek additional food locally.
The outside world generally believed the previous atrocities committed by the Russian Army were due to poor military discipline; but in Franz鈥檚 view, the poor discipline among the Russian soldiers was also forced upon them by the bureaucrats of the Tsarist Government.
It鈥檚 sad to even mention military funding, which was already meager and often delayed, and even when disbursed, it came with deductions.
In the Russian Empire, only the direct units managed by a strong officer could receive full military funding.
A crying child gets milk鈥攖his applied everywhere. It was unfortunate if the commanding officer was indifferent and unwilling to fight for resources; then the soldiers beneath him suffered.
Delays and shortages in logistical supplies were routine. The bureaucrats knew how to manage the economics; if the supplies were delayed by three days each month, then providing eleven months鈥 worth of supplies in a year was sufficient.
The remaining month鈥檚 supplies were naturally owed, and this cycle continued until, at an appropriate time, the old arrears were wiped clean, becoming personal income for the bureaucrats.
In such a context, if they did not find ways to earn a side income, then by the end of their service, returning home empty-handed would be embarrassing for meeting their families.
鈥
Upon receiving the news that the Vienna Government had sponsored potatoes for the Russian Army free of cost, King Carlos staying in Vienna was dumbfounded on the spot.
In politics, there are rarely such coincidences, especially the actions of a dominant country, which are often deeply interpreted.
Clearly, Franz鈥檚 gift of potatoes to the Russian Army was merely to prevent 鈥渄evaluing crops,鈥 along with a pledge of friendship between the two nations.
After all, the war had already broken out and it wouldn鈥檛 be long before the Russians placed another large military order. Engaging in activities and appropriately reciprocating old clients was a justified act.
To Carlos, however, this acted as a political signal from the Vienna Government in support of the Russians. For the French government, which wished to expel the Russian Army, this was clearly bad news.
鈥
In the most luxurious palace annex of the Austria Hotel where, exhausted from traveling the long way from Spain, high-ranking French ministers had gathered, many appeared in less than ideal mental states.
Carlos glanced over everyone and said with a slight apology, 鈥淵ou鈥檝e just arrived in Vienna, and under normal procedure, you should all have some time to rest. However, the current situation is very unfavorable for France, so I must reluctantly ask you to bear with us.
You may not be aware, but during my stay in Vienna, Franz has only appeared once at the welcome banquet and then vacationed in the Palace.
Even the senior officials of the Vienna Government, when meeting me, dodged around and did not give us a chance for meaningful dialogue.鈥
It was a bitter pill for Carlos, as his last visit to Vienna had not been met with such treatment.
The Emperor was holidaying right up to his own palace, indeed quite a 鈥渧acation鈥? Fabricating excuses, he might at least show some sincerity!
Like: sick, in poor mental state, busy with work鈥 There were plenty of excuses to choose from, yet the excuse given was that the Emperor was 鈥渧acationing鈥 at home.
That was just one part. Compared to the senior and venerable Shinra Emperor, Carlos was just a junior, enduring some grievances was hardly an issue.
But for the government鈥檚 senior officials to also avoid meeting was rather unacceptable. As a king personally visiting, he had already lowered himself enough.
Whether or not they could agree, a face-to-face reception for deepening dialogue was the least that could be expected.
Unfortunately, as an unwelcome guest, Carlos simply wasn鈥檛 well-received in Vienna.
Of course, it was only the Vienna Government鈥檚 senior officials who didn鈥檛 care to receive him. Being a king of Bourbon Dynasty, which was not lowly ranked, the parties inviting Carlos were still endless.
Initially, Carlos also actively participated, hoping to make acquaintances with Shinra nobilities and thus influence the negotiations with the Vienna Government.
However, the reality was harsh; discussing romance and elegance was fine, but as soon as politics were mentioned, everyone turned silent, leaving Carlos to monologue.
Belatedly, after attending several parties, Carlos realized. These people invited him merely for appearances; none genuinely wished to connect deeply with him.
If the nobles who had invited Carlos knew the conclusions he had drawn, each would feel unjustly accused.
To meet was to seek help, especially the kind involving national interest鈥攈ow could they dare to connect deeply with him?
Position determined stance. As beneficiaries of the current international system, regardless of how miserable France now was, the Shinra nobility wouldn鈥檛 have an ounce of sympathy, nor could they afford it.
The world of nobility was also very cruel; if one could not understand their place, surviving in this circle was impossible.
Foreign Minister Pietro advised, 鈥淵our Majesty, please calm down! The indifferent response of the Vienna Government is indeed very unfavorable for us, but we must also see the other side.
The Vienna Government has never publically taken a stance on the anti-Russian movement, which means there is still room for maneuver.
The relations between Russia and Austria may seem good, but hidden conflicts are significant, with their long-shared border being the largest risk.
No matter how good the relations, if an opportunity arises to knock the other down, neither side will show mercy.
If the Vienna Government really supported the Russians, they would have long convened an alliance meeting, pulling all European nations to assist the Russians.
Perhaps, in the eyes of the Vienna Government, watching us and the Russians battle, depleting each other鈥檚 strength, is the most beneficial for them.鈥
A reasonable analysis, almost close to the truth. However, no one could feel happy about it.
If Foreign Minister鈥檚 judgment was accurate, then 鈥渨ith France鈥檚 current state, could they defeat the Russians?鈥
The soul-searching question from deep within found no one willing or able to provide a definitive answer鈥攁s their judgment was not the result they desired.
鈥
