Chapter 1532： Grand Duke and Prime Minister

Chapter 1532: Grand Duke and Prime Minister

And the other forces in the country have a very keen sense of smell. If they feel that there are serious differences between Prussia and Bavaria, it would be really bad! Therefore, at this time, the best way is to find someone who is outside the Prussian system but who is absolutely reliable to find the prince! So, after the letter was sent out, the Grand Duke of Baden came to Belgium on purpose. After interviewing the Kaiser, he embarked on the train to Bulgaria...

The Grand Duke of Baden, who was sitting on the train, looked a little uneasy. He kept thinking about what the Kaiser had said to him in the past two days. No third person knew the content of these conversations, even the German Prime Minister Holvey who was opposite him. The grid is not clear.

There is only one core content of the conversation, and that is, the Kaiser needs the Grand Duke of Baden to ask the Bavarian Crown Prince Ruprecht on his behalf what kind of heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire he wants! What agreement did he and Fritz have reached? Who is the heir of the Austrian Emperor? !

"Fuck!" This problem is a bit serious... The knighthood of the Grand Duke of Baden is also a well-known gold sign in Germany. Relying on the marriage with Prussia, the last Grand Duke of Baden even thought of becoming a king. But it is a pity that if this sign is outside the country, it is really not easy to use.

The relationship between nations and powers is still strength. Look at what you are facing this time. One is the emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the other is the ruler of Bavaria. Let alone the former, people are an empire, as for the latter. ? how to say? Although the Wittelsbach family currently controls less than Prussia, it is far more powerful than the Duchy of Baden. The gap between Baden and Bavaria is far greater than the gap between Bavaria and Prussia! Let’s put it this way, now Bavaria, Bohemia, and Moravia, even if they go out independently, are still a European power that is not weaker than Italy. For the sake of face, it can be called a great power! I represent the Kaiser, but this is a private meeting after all, not formal, so some brands cannot be used.

To be honest, the content of my question is a bit too much. No matter how weak the Austro-Hungarian Empire is, it is also an empire. Ruprecht can still speak up by relying on the special relationship with the Austrian Emperor, but on what basis? Why is Prussia? You can say that Prussia can force Austria-Hungary with its own strength, but now that most of its forces have fallen into the Western Front, Prussian influence on Austria-Hungary has plummeted. If Fritz really sets up a reserve according to his plan If it is true, Prussia really has nothing to do, and even if the day lilies are cold after the war, it is impossible for Prussia to act directly because of its dissatisfaction with the new Austrian emperor?

The Kaiser still has a good impression on Archduke Karl. Therefore, the plan of the Archduke of Baden to meet with the crown prince is like this. First, let’s see if Ruprecht can be persuaded to recognize Archduke Karl, no matter what promise he made. Or an exchange of interests, let the Bavarian Legion pull the Hungarians and bring back this defeated battle. And if this plan doesn't work, then ask the prince who is his preferred heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and then see if the two sides can reach an agreement.

This task is simple to say, but in fact, the Grand Duke of Baden is not easy. From the perspective of the Grand Duke, since the assassination of Grand Duke Ferdinand, the single-minded Grand Duke Karl has not dealt with Ruprecht, although the latter I haven't done anything on the bright side, but as far as the senses are concerned, this time, Ruprecht would not fall into the limelight. How could it be possible to fight him back?

And just when the Grand Duke of Baden was hesitant. The opposite German Prime Minister Holvig was also thinking about his own business. The task given to him by the Kaiser was to assist the Grand Duke of Baden. In the event of an unfavorable situation in the negotiations, Holwig could put pressure on Bavaria politically or economically.

Of course, that's just what I said. In fact, Prussia is really not able to do much to Bavaria. In peacetime, it can also use naval orders, central government funding for kingdoms, and trade barriers. but now? Ha ha. War is like a glutton. As long as you can produce everything, there is nothing he can't eat. The original complicated economic relations were greatly simplified during the war, and the simplified process also made the Prussian government less means.

Of course, the most important thing is that now Prussia and Bavaria are on the western front and the other on the eastern front. Everyone is comrade-in-arms. This is the major premise. No one dares to really turn his face. Prime Minister Holvig knows very well that even this time Lu Precht’s answer was not satisfactory to the Kaiser. The Kaiser’s response is estimated to be at most taking a small book and writing down the matter, and then settle the account after Autumn...

"Your Excellency, I think our mission this time is a contradiction. The Kaiser needs a suitable new Austrian emperor to maintain the alliance between the two countries, but this is just a superficial reason, it really seems to be to balance Prussia and Bavaria. But now, this matter needs to be discussed with the Bavarian side, I would like to know, it is a bit troublesome." Prime Minister Holvig said.

"Hehe, this is not the most troublesome. The most troublesome thing is that people's hearts will change. Because, as far as the situation is now, no matter who is the Austrian emperor, they cannot do without Bavaria. The crown prince's wife holds Austria. The region with the most developed economy and industry, under the operation of Princess Mary The entire Austria has inextricably linked with Bavaria. Perhaps before coming to power, a certain heir still thought of cooperating with the Kaiser to restrict Bavaria However, after coming to power, he might change his strategy due to the situation, but what can the Kaiser do?” Grand Duke Baden said.

This means that the situation is stronger than people. This example has appeared too many times in the history of Germany, such as the Kingdom of Württemberg. During the Prussian Unification War, the Kingdom of Württemberg began to stand on the side of Austria, but later lost in a fight, and the north was occupied by Prussia. Part of the land, but due to the situation, the kingdom of Württemberg finally succumbed. Say there is no grievance in the kingdom of Württemberg? That is impossible.

Another example is Bavaria. Before the Prussian-Austro-Prussian War, Bavaria promised to provide 100,000 troops to the Austrian emperor, but in fact, lip service was not true, and Austria faced the mighty Prussia almost independently. Later, the relationship between the two parties fell to a freezing point. Want to say that the Austrian emperor has no opinion on Bavaria's neutral behavior? That is impossible. But what happened later? Don't both parties continue to marry each other?

Therefore, the so-called promise is really unreliable.

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(End of this chapter)