NOVPUBAs Austria augmented the storage of weapons and equipment, it also increased the investment in the development of new equipment.
For example, tanks as slow as tortoises, airplanes with only about three hundred kilometers range, and the big, clumsy artillery all needed improvements.
In fact, as technology continually advanced, the factors that determined the victory of wars increasingly leaned toward weapons, equipment, and logistics.
Preparing for war wasn’t just about stockpiling weapons and ammunition; other strategic materials also needed to be accounted for.
This involved a wide range of materials that were universally used by both the military and civilians, and production was not limited to state-owned enterprises, as the vast majority came from private companies.
To avoid arousing external suspicions and exposing the government’s strategic plans, increasing material reserves was out of the question.
However, concerns about this issue should belonged to the enemy.
After all, Austria had a complete industrial chain and was self-sufficient in raw materials. Should war break out, they could accelerate production much faster than their competitors.
Despite preparations, no one knew when the war would actually start.
The Vienna Government began preparing for war, essentially based on an analysis of changes in international situations, sensing that a war might break out on the European Continent.
From the current situation, whoever fired the first shot would push the fence-sitting countries of Central Europe to the opposing side.
Don’t be fooled by Belgium’s current affinity for Austria, countries like the Netherlands and Switzerland were also showing goodwill towards Austria, all under the aggressive premise set by the French government.
In the Napoleon III Era, he still wanted to annex Belgium and interfered in Belgian internal affairs multiple times, putting the two on opposing sides.
During World War I, Belgium, however, leaned towards the Allied Powers, driven by necessity rather than the sophisticated diplomatic techniques of England and France as outsiders claimed.
If the German Empire hadn’t passed through Belgium to attack France, why would they have joined the war? Wasn’t neutrality better?
The Belgians weren’t fools; a tiny nation joining the World War was akin to being cannon fodder and hardly reaped any significant benefits.
Perhaps one Belgium might seem insignificant, but what if the North German Confederation was added?
Franz knew all too well what the small Sub-States of the Germany Region were made of.
Just look at the historic Prussia-Austria War to know the truth, the supposed united front against Prussia ended up with just Austria and Prussia facing off in the end.
What should have been an evenly matched fight, due to the slacking of these Sub-States, resulted in Austria being at an absolute disadvantage in terms of forces during the battle.
Getting them to fight desperately was only possible if the enemy was at their door. Otherwise, these fellows could only be pulled out to shout slogans and bolster morale.
...
Since the collapse of the Anti-French Alliance Austria was tampering with, the atmosphere within the French government had changed. Suddenly, everyone realized that the ominous cloud hanging over the head of France had disappeared.
This sudden change made many uncomfortable. With capital stirring behind the scenes, the voice of the War Party became increasingly prominent.
External changes also influenced Napoleon IV’s judgment.
"It seems that Austria isn’t that formidable, without the support of the British, the Vienna Government can’t draw out an Anti-French net," he said.
A change in perception naturally impacted political decisions. Napoleon IV was no longer as focused on matters concerning Austria.
Palace of Versailles
After briefly reviewing the documents in hand, Napoleon IV uncertainly asked, "Are you ready to restart the international coal price negotiations?"
To hinder France’s economic development, the Anglo-Austrian two countries had initiated the International Coal Export Alliance, controlling international coal trade prices.
As a result, the price of coal imported by France was at least fifty percent higher than that of the Anglo-Austrian two countries.
With energy prices high, industrial production costs naturally increased. This directly caused many French industrial and commercial products to lose their competitive edge internationally.
To break down the International Coal Export Alliance, the French government and the business community tried everything possible, used every means, yet still failed to achieve their goal.
Even as the International Coal Export Alliance frequently overstepped in directing French industrial and commercial businesses, due to their control over France’s energy lifeline.
Every situation has its dual aspects. Compelled by the high energy prices, France was the first to promote energy conservation.
French steam engines and boilers of the same capacity typically consumed a few percentage points less coal, and some exceptional models could even save twenty to thirty percent.
Not only were their coal consumption rates low, but the French also developed several coal substitutes, such as charcoal.
In most sectors, French boilers and steam engines could burn charcoal, and some equipment could even directly burn firewood.
Of course, black technology isn’t omnipotent; substitutes were always just that, substitutes, and never quite reached the quality of the original products.
This led to French industrial and commercial products inevitably having flaws in quality and only being usable in a makeshift manner.
The most typical example was steel; the overall quality of French steel was the poorest, even worse than that of the Russians.
Economic Minister Elsa said righteously, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. For the healthy development of the domestic economy, the Economic Department will spare no effort to drive down the prices of international coal trading."
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Foreign Minister Karl Chardlets echoed, "The Foreign Department will fully support the actions of the Economic Department. We have already started lobbying the British."
From the current situation, the UK Coal Export Association has shown signs of compromise. As long as the British give in, we can force Belgium and the German Federation to compromise."
The conflict was merely over interests; if the initial purpose of establishing the International Coal Export Alliance was to suppress the French economy, it now boiled down purely to interests.
In a sense, coal is also a staple product. No matter how hard the French try to find alternatives, they still need to import a large amount.
Under such circumstances, suppliers naturally want to raise prices to seek exorbitant profits.
Getting the British to give in is very simple, which is to spend money. As long as we can compensate them in other areas for the reduced earnings in the coal export sector, the issue can be easily resolved.
As for the coal suppliers in Belgium and the North German Confederation, it’s just their bad luck, who asked their countries to be weak?
Napoleon IV fell into deep contemplation, seeming only a negotiation over coal prices, but in reality, this was also a test of the international community.
If the plan succeeded and did not cause violent international backlash, the French government would not need to be so cautious in the future.
"Since you all are prepared, let’s restart the negotiations! But be cautious about the methods used; do not stir up major chaos."
Clearly, Napoleon IV was not so confident in his bureaucrats.
This was related to the political system of France; the Economic Department was definitely the most heavily influenced by capital among government departments, with officials’ achievements closely tied to capital from the beginning.
If they were not forewarned, these fellows might act on the will of capital and could even provoke a war.
France was not yet prepared for war, nor was Napoleon IV delusional, not thinking that France’s current strength could challenge the world.
...
At the headquarters of the London UK Coal Association, a group of capitalist magnates were engaged in a fierce argument.
An excited, pot-bellied old man exclaimed, "Gentlemen, the opportunity to get rich has arrived.
The French propose that if we break away from the International Coal Export Alliance and lower coal prices by one fifth, they will reduce tariffs on certain goods.
This reduction is not for all enterprises, but limited to our Coal Association members’ industries, so let’s all cheer!"
The applause started, and many were immersed in the joy of becoming wealthy. Being able to ship goods to the French market with lower tariffs than national competitors meant an unmistakable advantage.
Where there’s victory, there’s also defeat; not everyone could gain benefits.
Small mine owners were the biggest victims; they had limited capital and no capacity to enter multiple industries. Instead, selling coal at high prices maximized their profits.
With tariff reductions, they had no goods to sell. Instead, it was the consortiums that reaped rich rewards and were able to gain even greater benefits.
As a representative of small mine owners in the association, Mikhailovich immediately opposed, "No! The French are Britain’s greatest enemies, any relaxation in the suppression of France is a crime against Britain. 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
The government, those fools, naively aligned with the French. Should we also compromise with the French for minimal benefits?"
The old man laughed, "Mikhailovich, don’t forget we are capitalists, and there’s no reason not to make money that comes our way. Suppressing France is the government’s business.
Your worry is merely about personal loss. In fact, there’s no need to fret. Even if you have no other industries, we can still collaborate!
I believe nobody here would mind offering you help to fill your industry gaps.
If that really won’t do, you can still choose to sell the coal mines. Rest assured, we will offer a good price.
Above all, we won’t let you suffer losses."
Mikhailovich’s expression changed drastically; this was desperation at its finest. Before, although the profits from the mines were decent, the mine owners only had inferior mines which the consortia didn’t even consider valuable.
Now it was different. Controlling the mines meant controlling coal exports, holding these shares to negotiate tariffs with the French, and pushing other industrial and commercial products out there.
To say that the British lack a market was an impossibility. No industrial powerhouse ever had enough market.
The UK consortium had long been coveting the French market, but the French government, knowing they were outmatched, had resorted to tariff barriers.
Now that they’d finally breached a gap, everyone naturally wanted to rush in.
As for the subsequent effects caused by the drop in coal export prices, what did that have to do with them? As long as they could make money, who cared about what would happen in the future?
