Holy Roman Empire

The sun shone to the ground, reflected in the snow, and gleamed with golden light.

The snow on the ground, the frozen Neva River, sworn the winter, St. Petersburg is still more suitable for snow.

In the past, in such good weather, Alexander III will definitely take his family out to bathe in the winter sunshine.

At this moment, the senior officials of the Tsarist government gathered in the Gatchina Palace and are discussing the next national policy.

Foreign Minister Oscar Jimenez: "Last night, the French Minister had leaked a message at the banquet, and the French government was preparing to increase assistance to us.

As long as the front-line troops conquered Herat, or the Wakhan Corridor, they would underwrite one billion francs of war bonds for us.

The intention of the French is very obvious, is to use our hands to weaken the British, the Anglo-French alliance can be said to exist in name only.

Prior to this, the Austrian government also expressed a similar meaning, but the French were more anxious.

The British usually do too much bad things, and now the world is full of their enemies.The current international situation is very beneficial to us, and then it is up to the military."

Turning the enemy into an ally can be regarded as a miracle in the history of diplomacy.However, considering the complex relationship between Britain and France, this kind of thing is normal.

Anglo-French is a feud, and there is no reason to pit the British; if the French government wholeheartedly helps the British, that is really a problem.

Army Secretary Ivanov: "The front line is progressing very smoothly. We have advanced the frontline to Herat, the major town in western Afghanistan, and Kunduz, the transportation hub in the east.

At any point, if we make a breakthrough, we will take the initiative in war.Judging from the current situation, the success rate was still very high when the British reinforcements took down Herat or the Wakhan Corridor.

The only problem that is testing us now is logistics. With the advancement of the front, the delivery of logistics materials is getting slower and slower.

If this situation does not change, it will not take long for the frontline troops to stop and wait for supplies."

Anyone can throw the pot, let alone Ivanov said it is true.

The smooth progress of the Russian army in the early days was based on the fact that the supplies were sufficient. As the materials stored before the outbreak of the war were consumed, it must now be transported only by the rear.

Hearing the lack of logistics supplies, Alexander III's face suddenly became ugly, and he looked at the logistics minister Argent with a murderous look. It seems to be saying: You'd better give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise ...

Argent, who had already prepared, explained unhurriedly: "Logistics supplies are not available, this is not our responsibility.

The section of Central Asia is not smooth, and there are often guerrillas destroying it, which seriously affects the logistics and transportation progress.

In addition, the front-line troops are mobilized from time to time. Many times, the logistics department is not notified in advance. The following people often have to go wrong, how can they not be slow?"

Ivanov sneered: "If your logistics department can't do it, we will leave the transportation of materials to our army department, and don't make so many bad excuses.

Guerilla attack?

The military has cleared the surrounding resistance groups, and sent heavy troops along the way to protect the safety of the transport team.

Since the beginning of the war, the transport team has been attacked by guerrillas a total of 17 times, with a maximum number of no more than 500 people. Of these, nine of them were provoked by you.

In order to reduce conflicts, we have even relocated the indigenous people who are 30 kilometers away, and you can all go the wrong way.

As for not telling you in time, it ’s all shit.

The large-scale material transfer of the logistics department requires your approval in St. Petersburg, and the front-line person in charge only has the right to mobilize materials below the division level.

The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, and our generals on the front line do not know what will happen next."

The conflict between the military and the logistics department is actually an extension of the conflict between the military and the government bureaucracy. In the final analysis, it is still a dispute over the right to speak.

Logistics is the best way for the government to restrict the military. From the perspective of government bureaucrats, it is not worth mentioning that sacrificing a little efficiency in order to restrict the military from becoming bigger.

Especially after the invention of the telegraph and the speed of information transmission, many European countries have strengthened the control of logistics materials.

Not to mention that in this era, even in the period of World War II, the logistics systems of various countries were still in chaos.

It's not that everyone doesn't know how to solve it. The problem is that once the government hands over logistics to the military, it loses its checks and balances on the military, and it is easy for the military to get bigger.

Although everyone's logistics system has problems, but this is an era that is worse than bad. As long as others are good, it will be successful.

Argent calmly replied: "My Excellency Marshal, professional things are still left to professional people.

IMHO, if you let your military manage logistics, the situation will only be worse than it is now.

Do n’t forget that in addition to distributing materials, the logistics department is more important than raising materials. There are more problems involved.

As for the problem of untimely deployment, our logistics department is already trying to solve the problem, and the situation will improve after a while."

It is impossible to surrender the right to distribute logistics materials.Without this part of the power, the logistics department is really a nanny, or the kind without wages.

In addition to the loss of power, the most important thing is the loss of vital interests.The positions of the logistics department are all fat, and only by controlling the procurement and distribution of materials at the same time can everyone make a fortune.

In order to dispel the idea of ​​the military, Argent did not hesitate to directly threaten.It was clearly told to Marshal Ivanov that without the cooperation of the logistics department, the military could not raise supplies at all.

In the struggle of his men, Alexander III pretended not to see it.

There is a contradiction between Guan Bingma and Guan Liangcao, and that's what he likes to accomplish; if the two are like brothers, Alexander III really can't sleep.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Finance Minister Alisher persuaded and said: "Okay, the two logistics departments have strengthened the power of frontline deployment officials and are directly responsible to Admiral Oginets to ensure the timely deployment of frontline materials.

In addition, the speed of domestic material transportation is increased. If the quantity is not enough, it will be purchased from Austria. Anyway, every effort will be made to ensure that the frontline troops need it."

Lord Jin's face must be given, whether it is the logistics department or the military, must rely on the Ministry of Finance for funding.

In this context, the Chancellor of the Exchequer also acts as a lubricant to coordinate conflicts and conflicts among various departments.Although there is no name of prime minister, in fact, some of the powers of the prime minister are exercised.

Field Marshal Ivanov did not imagine that he really had the right to logistic services. What the military did not get during the Russian-Russian War was even more impossible now.

As long as the first-line commander can be given the right to temporarily allocate the front-line materials and guarantee the supplies of troops, he will be satisfied.

Marshal Ivanov accepted it, and Argent could not find an excuse to refuse.

The chaotic deployment of materials is not because he deliberately dragged the military behind.The root cause of this kind of thing is still the insufficient supply of total materials.

This involves deep-seated reasons. There are too many interest groups involved. Argent can only choose to cover the lid.

In the case of insufficient supplies, it is inevitable to demolish the east wall to make up the west wall.In many cases, the distribution of materials is wrong, that is, the frontline bureaucracy is forced to do nothing, and the delay is delayed on the pretext of distributing the errors.

Anyway, the procedure of replacing materials is very complicated, and time passes by one time after another.

Originally, the materials for the three months were likely to be distributed for two months, and the remaining one month was saved.

No, it should be owed.When it can be cashed, it depends on the specific situation, anyway, as long as it is not played too much, there will be no chaos.

What should the Russian army do when the supplies are insufficient?

The ancestor had long thought of a solution to this problem, and it would be enough to send troops to rob. Anyway, this is the tradition of the Russian army.

Of course, this is also risky. In the original World War I period, because the war lasted too long, the Russian army could not find a place to grab supplies. This kind of routine collapsed and directly buried the Russian Empire.

In the episode, Alexander III laughed: "The current situation is getting more interesting. The Austrians support us to fight against the British, and the French also support us to fight against the British.

France and Austria actually thought about going together. I would not believe that there is no conspiracy behind this.

What do you think is the real purpose of France and Austria?What kind of interest is enough for them to send us such a big bargain?"

Suspicion is the instinct of the ruler. The methods of France and Austria are not clever. The trace of intentionally provoking the Anglo-Russian war is too obvious.

Knowing that there was a conspiracy in it, the Russian empire might have become a chess piece, but in the interest of interest, Alexander III chose to jump pits.

There is no way. The current international situation is very clear. The road to the west of the Russian Empire has been blocked.

There is a lesson from the Russian-Russian war that even the most radical main battle groups do not think that there is a future of expansion to the European continent.

All that remains is to go north, south, or east.There is no doubt that there is no future for going north. In addition to ice cubes or ice cubes, the only Nordic federation is a hard bone.

Dongjin is not a good choice, the climate is too bad.The light journey from the west to the east takes only a year, and it is simply not suitable for military operations.

Going south has become the only and best option.Although it is necessary to compete with the British, but why not compete this year?

Even as a chess piece, Alexander III has to be a chess piece that can jump out of the board at any time, instead of being confused and abandoned.

Foreign Minister Oscar Jimenez: "From the perspective of the current international situation, France and Austria support us in fighting against the British. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that there are three main possibilities.

First, let us work hard with the British and consume our strength, France and Austria can enjoy the wealth of war.

Judging from the current strength of the two countries' support for us, the suspicion of making war money can be ruled out, and the funds they provide to us can't recover the cost of the trade.

Second, use us to reinvent Britain, and then divide Britain.

This possibility is even smaller.Although the French repeatedly promised that they would choose an appropriate time to fight the British, they asked Austria to declare war on the British first.

We have tried it, and the Vienna government is not ready to turn the face with the British, let alone fight with the British.

Third, France and Austria want to use the Afghan war to hold us and the British down so that they can take action on the European continent.

The specific action is temporarily uncertain.Judging from the performance of France and Austria, we can judge that the French government is more eager.The Austrian government is relatively indifferent and they seem to have not made up their minds.

Based on this, we can initially judge that France and Austria have not reached an agreement, and even the strategic goals of the two countries may conflict.

I personally think that the goal of France and Austria should be Central Europe.

Austria wants to take advantage of the opportunity to reunify the German region, but they have no confidence in their hearts, they are not sure to complete the reunification under the hindrance of the French, and they are not willing to give up this opportunity.

The French attempted to use this opportunity to expand into Central Europe. The goal should be to annex parts of Belgium and the German Confederation.

It is mainly the territory west of the Rhine, where there are coal mines that the French need most, which can make up for their shortcomings in resources.

Of course, this is just speculation, the appetite of the French government may not be so big.

After all, the strength of the German Confederation is not weak, and Austria is on the side, and will definitely send troops to interfere.In terms of strength, the French have a low chance of winning the German-Austrian coalition.

Unless the French can make a quick decision and rush to Austria before sending troops, it will cause the established facts of occupying the above-mentioned territories and block the German-Austrian coalition by the natural danger of the Rhine."

The strategic plan can be hidden without wanting to hide. No evidence is needed, as long as there is motivation. There is no doubt that both France and Austria have the motivation to expand to Central Europe.

While launching a war against the British, the tsarist government did not ignore the concern for the European continent.

In fact, the Tsarist government would not dare to go south if the French and Austrian countries on the European continent contain each other.

The Minister of the Army Ivanov shook his head: "I agree with your judgment, the third case is the most likely.

However, I have different views on the specifics.Both France and Austria are interested in China, but the strength of the German Federation is not weak.

If Austria wants to annex the German Confederation, it can use political means to start from within, and there is a possibility of success.

If the French attacked the German Confederation, even if Austria did not send troops to intervene, they would bounce a few teeth.

This point cannot be overlooked by the French government. Instead of taking risks without certainty, it is better to retreat and annex Belgium."

Because of the relationship between the Russian-Russian war, the tsarist government's assessment of the fighting power of the German state has all raised the level.

Simply looking at the paper, the current strength of the German Federation is not weak.

The military strength is similar to that of the former Poppo Federation. The total economic volume is second only to the four countries of Britain, France, Russia and Austria. The heavy industry and France are the same, and the population is more than 25 million.

With his own people, Marshal Ivanov did not think that the French would eat this hard bone, especially a lion ready to hunt behind this bone.

In contrast, the difficulty of annexing Belgium is much lower.Everyone knows about the Biome and about the annexation of Belgium on the bright side would offend the British.

But as far as the relationship between Britain and France is concerned, offending also offends.Even the issue of issuing war bonds to the Russians has been done, and there is nothing the French dare not do.

Foreign Secretary Oscar Jimenez shrugged: "Marshal, the French are not as sensible as you. They have always claimed themselves as the world's first army.

You have not been to France, you may not know that the French are particularly arrogant.Since Napoleon III, the French government has been proclaiming the French theory of invincibility.

Many French people still have the concept of Napoleon and think they are invincible.Even if we have defeated them in the Near East War, it has not changed all that."

The War of the Near East cannot be counted. The three countries of Britain, France, and Russia all claim to be victors. The only thing that admits that they are losers is the Ottoman Empire, which has disappeared in the long history.

Oscar Jimenez can talk about the Near East War, but Marshal Ivanov has no face to mention the Near East War.

Although the Russian army did win a strategic victory, it lost tactically.The so-called victory is entirely based on human life.

The battle loss ratio of the Russian army cannot be seen at all.In many cases, the Russian army doubled its strength and was beaten on the ground by others.

To the orthodox soldiers like Marshal Ivanov, it was not a victory for the Russian army, but a shame.

Sensing that the atmosphere was wrong, Alexander III said: "Well, the size of the French appetite is just a small problem.

Although I do n’t want to admit it, the balance of power among the four major European powers has really been broken in recent years. We are the weakest.

The strength of the three countries of Britain, France and Austria is above us. We can now compete with the British for the Afghan region, which is also the result of the support of France and Austria.

However, France and Austria can provoke our war with the British to take advantage of the fishermen, how can we not follow suit?

The issue of China and Europe is the core contradiction between France and Austria. Whether Austria wants to unify the German region or France wants to enter China and Europe eastward, as long as one of the parties takes the first step, a fierce conflict will erupt.

Now that we are at war with the British, France and Austria have no worries.If we push one from the back, they are very likely to have a war.

As long as the war is used to injure both France and Austria, we will have the opportunity to re-establish our dominant position on the European continent."

Anyone can join teammates, France and Austria can use the Russian Empire as chess pieces, and Alexander III can also fight back.

Britain and Russia have fought, and the two countries will definitely suffer heavy losses after the war.If the strength of France and Austria is not consumed, the strength gap between the four major powers will be completely opened.

Foreign Minister Oscar Jimenez reminded: "Your Majesty, once the war between France and Austria broke out, we lost foreign aid.

Without the support of France and Austria, and with our own strength, the battlefield in Afghanistan may be ... "

Alexander III interrupted: "Don't worry, provoking the French-Austrian War is not going to happen overnight.

Even if action is to be taken, that is when the battlefield in Afghanistan is about to settle.Until then, we are all good allies.

What we have to do now is to get loans and materials from France and Austria as much as possible. If they want us to sell our lives, we must take advantage."

After listening to this explanation, everyone was relieved.It does not matter to provoke the French-Austrian War, as long as it does not affect the battlefield in Afghanistan.