Chapter 1042

Episode 1042: The Age of Quasi-Controversy – The Age of Copycat. (1)

While the empire was still busy internally, the flames of war were once again burning in Europe. France and Habsburg clashed again. The reason France and Habsburg clashed again was because of the Lorraine region.

There had long been signs that France and Habsburg would clash again in Lorraine. Because it was a clash between the two great powers that occupied the center of Europe, neighboring countries were very nervous and watched their every move, and dispatches continued to arrive in the empire.

“Are these people not even tired of war? Or are they suffering from a disease that will kill them if they do not fight even for a day?”

Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward and responded to Hyun’s complaints after confirming the report.

“It’s probably because they can’t help it.”

“I can’t help it? Why?”

“It comes from iron and coal.”

“Iron and coal? Hmm...”

Hyun, who was thinking about Han Myeong-hoe’s words for a moment, pointed out the problem.

“I understand that a lot of iron and coal are already being produced in the southern new continent they call ‘Terra’?”

“The south is far away. And the road to and from the country is difficult, so there are many cases where you lose the coal and iron you worked so hard to get, as well as the more valuable ships and people. That is why the iron and coal mines right in front of you are even more desirable.”

“No matter how much it is, when a war breaks out, many people lose their lives or become disabled...”

Hyeon, who could not hide his regret, ordered Han Myeong-hoe.

”Tell the imperial troops stationed in Europe, especially the imperial troops stationed in Gibraltar, to be careful of Spain’s movements. Because there will definitely be people trying to take advantage of the chaos to do stupid things.”

“I will follow your orders!”

Han Myeong-hoe, who had finished discussing the county and state affairs, looked up at the sky for a moment and let out a long sigh.

“Whew~. I thought I was just going to retire like this... Phew~.”

Han Myeong-hoe, who was sighing repeatedly, looked back at the person following him.

“Hey, come on, dongji (通之). These are the things you will do from now on.”

Han Chi-hyeong, who was following Han Myeong-hoe’s words, frowned and said,

“The superintendent is still making corrections, so why are you already handing over the work?”

“What...? “Think about my age.”

“But there’s still a lot to see and learn. I will just watch and learn from the events that the Vice President does.”

“Huh, a dog passing by would die laughing that a person who is even the Minister of General Affairs has so much to watch and learn!” ”

According to the law, I have to watch and learn from the side for a year. . And only three months have passed.”

* * *

In the past, the law proposed by Seong Sam-moon was approved by the prefectural government after passing through an examiner. According to the law, a new prime minister or minister can stay with his predecessor for up to one year and hand over work. It was supposed to be received. This was to prevent as much as possible the work gaps and trial and error that would occur before

and after the handover. However, after the bill was implemented and the next prime minister and ministers were selected, a fierce battle of wits broke out. They wanted to hand over the work as quickly as possible and enjoy their later years. It was a battle of wits between predecessors and successors who tried to take over work as late as possible.

In the end, Hyang and Hyeon had to move again.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk!” I appointed them based on their abilities and loyalty. What a disgrace! What else is this but a delusion of military power! How ugly! Tsk, tsk!”

“My predecessors were very influential people...”

“I don’t know who those ‘one-man’ people are.”

* * *

The growing tension between France and the Habsburgs The report about the war clouds was also delivered to Hyang. After checking the report, Hyang made a strange expression and muttered,

“As far as I know, France and England have a close relationship like this whenever they get the chance. Is this also the butterfly effect?’

The scent suspected the butterfly effect, but France and Habsburg had a deep-rooted enmity. It was also a deep-rooted enmity that dates back to the period of division in the Frankish royal palace. In particular, the area called ‘Alsace-Lorraine’ in Lorraine, which is now a hot topic, was an area where disputes constantly broke out between Germany and France due to its geopolitical location and underground resources.

It was only after Europe was integrated into the EU that the conflict in this region subsided.

* * *

As it became clear that war would break out once again between France and the Habsburgs, tensions suddenly rose in Gibraltar. Immediately after the Empire took possession of Gibraltar in the last Italian unification war, Spain worked desperately to recapture this region. It was France and Habsburg who suppressed Spain’s attempts to recapture Spain.

What created this unexpected situation was that it was the Empire that occupied Gibraltar. Although it was creaking due to France’s backstabbing and Spain’s counterattack, the military alliance was still maintained. If Spain launched a military provocation against the empire, France had no choice but to join Spain.

This was due to the public opinion of the French people, who cried out for revenge in addition to the justification of military alliance. The French could not forget the humiliating defeat they suffered in the last Italian unification war. For these French people, the actual deployment of new weapons and the acquisition of the Lorraine region instilled confidence and made them cry out for a ‘battle of revenge’.

However, the reaction of French military officials was the opposite.

“Let’s fight the Empire? Are you crazy?”

It was a French military branch that knew the empire’s military power well, thanks to encountering the imperial army in Suez and the Atlantic route. Because of this, France had no choice but to block Spain. The same was true for the Habsburgs.

Spain and Habsburg became allies through marriage. This marriage alliance also led to a military alliance. Therefore, if Spain entered the war, the Habsburgs would also automatically participate. As things went on like this, an ambiguous relationship was created between France and the Spanish Habsburgs.

France and Spain are a little uncomfortable, but they are still in a military alliance.

Habsburg and Spain are a marriage alliance and a military alliance.

The Habsburgs and France had a hostile relationship.

Because of this relationship, France and Habsburg had no choice but to pay close attention to Spain’s movements and suppressed Spain’s military attempts. But this time things were a little different.

The last war ended in a short-term war due to a surprise operation by France, but this time, the Habsburgs were also well prepared. Military officials and politicians from neighboring countries who knew this well were all saying the following.

-What if war breaks out again in Lorraine? This time it won’t end in a short fight!

The last war ended in a short war, so Spain did not have time to do anything foolish, but if it became a long war, it was certain that Spain would definitely do something.

-What if Spain does something?

When this topic came up, military officials from neighboring countries all made the sign of the cross.

“Then the whole of Europe will become a sea of fire.”

If Spain took action, the empire would move, and the empire’s allies, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland, would take action. No, I was glad it ended there. The Ottomans, seeking hegemony in the Mediterranean, would move and the Balkan Peninsula would become noisy.

In the north, Poland and Lithuania would move against the German Knights, who had lost the support of France. If the Habsburgs and France weakened while dealing with the empire, which was almost a certainty, independent factions within the Holy Roman Empire would attempt independence, and it was certain that the residents of the Low Countries, which were French territory, would also attempt independence.

And England, which had been quietly observing, expected to weaken France by supporting the residents of the lowlands. If France were to become weak, the French colonies of Terra and Gloria would become tasty prey for other powers. No, it wasn’t just a French colony. It was certain that the European powers would once again compete fiercely over the colonies in Africa, Terra and Gloria.

“...If that happens, it will be the end.”

Everyone expected that what happened next would lead to the worst outcome, but France and the Habsburgs were increasingly headed toward war.

The result was that both countries needed war right now anyway.