Holy Roman Empire

While increasing the storage of weapons and equipment, Austria has also increased its investment in research and development of new equipment.

For example: tanks that run as slow as turtles, airplanes with a range of more than three hundred kilometers, and stupid guns need improvement.

In fact, with the continuous development of science and technology, the factors that determine the outcome of war are more and more inclined to weaponry and logistics.

Preparing for war is not just about storing weapons and ammunition, but also other strategic materials.

This involves a wide range. Many materials are military and civilian in nature, and production is limited to state-owned enterprises. Most of them come from private enterprises.

In order not to arouse suspicion from the outside world, the government's strategic plan is exposed, and it is unnecessary to think about increasing the material reserves.

However, it is the enemy who is worried about this issue.

After all, Austria ’s industrial chain is perfect, raw materials can be self-sufficient, and production can be accelerated after the outbreak of war, which is much faster than competitors.

No one knows when the war is going to be ready.

The Vienna government began to prepare for war. In fact, based on the analysis of changes in the international situation, it was felt that war might break out on the European continent.

Judging from the current situation, whoever fires the first shot first pushes the Central European countries to the opposite.

Not to mention that Belgium is now pro-Austrian, countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland are also releasing goodwill to Austria, which is based on the aggressive premise of the French government.

The original time and space Napoleon III era also wanted to annex Belgium, interfering in Belgian internal affairs many times, the two stood on opposite sides.

During World War II, Belgium fell to the Allies and was actually forced out, but it is not really like the outside world that the British and French diplomatic means are clever.

If the German empire did not attack France by Belgium, why would they want to join the war? Is neutrality bad?

The Belgians are not stupid. A small country with small projectiles, who ran to participate in the World War is to be a cannon fodder.

Perhaps a Belgium is not worth mentioning, what if the North German Federation is added?

Franz can't understand what the small group of countries in the German region are.

With reference to the original Puja war in time and space, we know that everyone who agreed to deal with Prussia finally ended up with Austria and Prussia singled out.

It should have been evenly matched, because the strokes of these states caused Austria to be at an absolute disadvantage in combat.

Want them desperately, unless the enemy comes to the door.Otherwise, these guys can only pull out shouting slogans and strong momentum.

...

Since the destruction of the Austrian anti-French alliance, the atmosphere of the French government has changed. Everyone suddenly found that the cloud that overlaid France no longer exists.

This sudden change makes many people uncomfortable.With the help of capital, the voice of the main battle group became louder.

Changes in the outside world also affected the judgment of Napoleon IV.

"It seems that Austria is not so powerful. After losing the support of the British, the Vienna government cannot pull out an anti-French siege."

Changes in concepts naturally affect political decisions.Napoleon IV is not so concerned about confrontation with Austria.

Palace of Versailles

After a cursory glance at the documents in hand, Napoleon IV asked uncertainly: "Are you ready to restart international coal price negotiations?"

In order to hinder the economic development of France, the British and Austrian countries led the establishment of the International Coal Export Union, which controlled the international coal trading price.

Affected by this, the price of coal imported from France is at least 50% higher than that of Britain and Austria.

The higher the price of energy, the higher the cost of industrial production.This directly caused many French industrial and commercial products to lose their competitiveness internationally.

In order to disintegrate the International Coal Export Coalition, the French government and the industry and commerce industry have tried every means, exhausted means, and still have not achieved their goals.

Even because it has mastered France's energy lifeline, the International Coal Export Union often points the finger at French industry and commerce.

Everything has two sides. Due to the high price of energy, France took the lead in sounding the horn of energy conservation.

For steam engines and boilers of the same power, the coal consumption of French products is usually a few percentage points lower, and individual outstanding performance may save 20% or 30%.

Not only is the coal consumption low, the French have also created a lot of coal substitutes, such as charcoal.

In most of the fields, French boilers and steam engine equipment can burn charcoal, and some equipment can also burn wood directly.

Of course, black technology is not a panacea, substitutes are always only substitutes, there is still a certain gap from the original authentic.

This has led to French industrial and commercial products, inevitably a slight flaw in quality, can only be used.

The most typical is steel. The overall quality of steel in France is the worst, which is worse than that of the Russians.

The Minister of Economy Elsa Yizheng said: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. For the healthy development of the domestic economy, the Ministry of Economy will definitely do its utmost to bring down the price of international coal transactions."

Foreign Minister Karel Kadletz echoed: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will fully cooperate with the actions of the Ministry of Economy, and we have begun lobbying the British.

Judging from the current situation, the British Coal Export Association has shown signs of compromise.As long as the British are relieved, we can force Belgium and the German Federation to compromise."

The contradiction is only because of interests. If the purpose of the establishment of the International Coal Export Union was to suppress the French economy, then now it is simply because of interests.

In a sense, coal is also a rigid product.No matter how hard the French try to find alternatives, they still have to import large quantities.

In this context, suppliers naturally have to raise prices in order to make huge profits.

It is very simple to let the British relax, that is, to smash money.As long as they can make up for the little money they made in the coal export field in other ways, things will be easier to handle.

As for coal suppliers in Belgium and the Federal Republic of North Germany, they can only be considered unlucky. Who made their country weak?

Napoleon IV was lost in contemplation. It seemed to be just coal price negotiations. In fact, this was a test of the international community.

If the plan is successful and does not cause a sharp rebound in the international community, the French government will not need to be so cautious in the coming days.

"Now that you are all ready, let's restart negotiations! But pay attention to ways and means, and don't make a big mess."

It can be seen that the bureaucrats under Napoleon IV's opponents were not so relieved.

This has something to do with the French political system. The Ministry of Economy is definitely the most heavily influenced part of capital in the government. Officials ’performance has been linked to capital from the beginning.

If you don't say hello in advance, these guys can act in accordance with the will of capital and directly provoke war.

France is not ready for war, and Napoleon IV is not floating. I don't think that with the power of France now, we can challenge the world.

...

At the headquarters of the British Coal Association in London, a group of capitalists are engaged in a heated quarrel.

An old man with a big belly and a poop said excitedly: "Gentlemen, the opportunity to get rich is here.

The French proposed that as long as we set aside a one-fifth reduction in coal prices excluding the International Coal Export Union, they would reduce or exempt tariffs on some commodities.

This exemption is not for all companies, but only for industries that are members of our Coal Association. Cheers!"

Applause rang, and many people were immersed in the joy of getting rich.Being able to deliver goods to the French market with lower tariffs than domestic counterparts means nothing more.

When someone is complacent, someone is frustrated, and not everyone can benefit.

Small coal mine owners are the biggest victims. They have limited capital and are unable to enter multiple industries.Instead, selling high-priced coal can maximize profits.

With some tariff reductions and exemptions, they have no goods to sell.On the contrary, the consortiums are rich in profits and can obtain greater benefits.

As the representative of the small coal mine owner in the association, Mihailovich immediately opposed: "No! The French are Britain's biggest enemy. Any relaxation of the suppression of France is a crime against Britain.

The idiots of the government foolishly ran to form alliances with the French. Do we also have to compromise with the French for trivial benefits?"

The old man smiled and said, "Mikhailovich, don't forget that we are capitalists. We don't have any reason to make money on the door. It is the government's business to suppress France.

Your worry is nothing more than damage to your own interests. In fact, you need not worry.Even if there is no other industry, everyone can cooperate!

I believe those who are sitting here do n’t mind giving you help to fill your industry vacancies.

This is not possible, you can also choose to sell the coal mine.Rest assured, everyone will pay a good price.

In short, we will not let you suffer."

Mikhailovich's complexion changed greatly.Prior to this, although the profits of coal mines were good, the owners of small mines were all inferior mines, and the consortiums were still not eye-catching.

It is different now. Controlling coal mines controls coal exports. With these shares, we can negotiate with the French, get preferential treatment on tariffs, and sell other industrial and commercial products.

Not to mention that the British have no shortage of markets, this is impossible.In any industrial power, the market is not enough.

The British consortium has long been greedy for the French market, but the French government knows how to do it and has played a role in tariff barriers.

Now it's hard to tear open a mouth, everyone naturally has to find a way to rush inside.

As for the subsequent impact of falling coal export prices, what does this matter to them?As long as they can make money, who cares what will happen in the future?