Chapter 687： Each manifested (1/2)

On July 16, 1880, after ten months of hard work and hundreds of thousands of casualties, the Russian army finally attacked Molsk, and the European world was uproar.

This night, European politicians collectively lost sleep. Franz is also one of them. If it was not the practice of the emperor for many years, he would have to hold meetings overnight.

The location of Smolinsk determines the extraordinaryness of this battle. The Russian army seized the fort and has gained strategic initiative.

The balance of the war began to tilt, and the Russians, who had occupied the national strength advantage, magnified this advantage even more.

One night's buffer was left. The next day, Franz held a high-level government meeting in the Vienna Palace.

To make a correct judgment, we must first understand the real situation on the battlefield between Russia and Russia.

For many years as an emperor, Franz no longer takes the historical data of previous lives seriously. He prefers to speak with facts, and does not make judgments based on personal preferences.

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Chief of Staff Albrecht: ”In order to compete for Smolinsk, the general forces of Russia and Russia have invested a total of 1.87 million, the general forces have invested 720,000 and the Russian forces have invested 1.15 million.

According to the analysis provided by the military observation mission, the preliminary analysis is only in the Smolinsk region. The total number of casualties in the two countries exceeded 700,000, of which about a quarter were killed. The exchange rate between the two general forces was roughly Around 1: 1.3.

It can be said that the two countries are doing their utmost for this battle. The war fought fiercely. The fortifications in the Smolinsk region are very perfect. Sudden fallout is completely beyond our expectations.

The information in our hands is incomplete, and we cannot accurately determine the true cause of Smolinsk's fall. Judging from the results of the Russian army, the general army has suffered heavy losses, and more than 120,000 prisoners have been captured.

However, objections were raised in the military observation mission. The proportion of old and weak in the captives is too high. Unlike the main force of the general army, even the second-line troops may not be counted.

We verified with the military observation mission sent to the General Army that half a month ago, the General Army did undergo a major change of defense. It was only very secretive, and the members of the Mission had no way to get close.

If these news are true, then the Russians' ”Smolinsk Victory” will be greatly discounted.

We did not find that the General Army had any major moves. No matter whether it was the southern or northern line, there was no intention of launching an attack. The true purpose of concentrating the main force remains to be studied. ”

”The general army deliberately abandoned Smolinsk”, this reasoning is unbelievable to many people, including Franz.

Judging from the situation on the battlefield, the general forces did not have to give up Smolinsk at all. Depending on the local fortifications, the Russian army may not be able to overcome them even after two or three years.

In this context, it is unnecessary to abandon strategic locations and sacrifice a large number of cannon fodder units.

”Taking the enemy deeper” is not that no one thought of it. The problem is that this price is too miserable. Even cannon fodder units with low combat effectiveness are valuable defense forces.

Franz asked: ”What's the diplomatic activity of the Berlin government recently?”

Franz couldn't be doubted. The combined combat power of William I + Maurice was absolutely beyond doubt. It was obviously not their mistake to lose Smolinsk so easily.

It's no accident, it's purpose. In addition to ”enticing the enemy to go deep”, it is also possible to show that the enemy is weak to win more diplomatic assistance.

Foreign Minister Weissenberg responded with some embarrassment: ”His Majesty, since the outbreak of the war, the diplomatic activities of the Federation of Popo have never stopped.

According to information from embassies in various places, the Minister of the Federation of Popo will be in contact with politicians of various countries every week, even for small and neutral countries like Switzerland. ”

This answer stunned Franz, saying that good diplomatic activities became daily activities when he got here.

Every day I'm in contact with the leaders of various countries. Who knows if there are any results?

It seemed to be aware of the emperor's embarrassment, and Weissenberg added: ”Yes, not long ago, the Minister of the Federation of Popo in Ottoman and the Sudan had a secret talk. No one knew the details.

The Berlin government has also increased diplomatic relations with Central Asian countries and the Far East Empire, and appears to be interested in reorganizing the anti-Russian alliance.

There is no exact news at this time, and it should be less optimistic. There are a lot of internal problems in these countries, and anti-Russia is not active. ”

The last time the anti-Russian alliance was able to be formed was mainly due to the British people's credit. The Berlin government only followed with soy sauce.

Today, unlike the past, the Russian Empire is no longer the main enemy of John Bull, and the London government will naturally not continue to spend large amounts on Russians.

Diplomacy also has costs. Without sufficient benefits, why should we let everyone die?

Neither the Central Asian nations nor the Far East empires had the courage to bite a piece of flesh from a bear, and they were satisfied that they could guarantee their territorial integrity.

In Franz's view, instead of persuading these countries, it is better to send people to lobby the Japanese government for a higher success rate, at least this adventurous spirit.

Of course, this doesn't make much sense. The Far East is too remote, and even if all is lost, it will not affect the strength of the Russian Empire.

It is the Nordic Federation and the Ottoman Empire that can really help the Berlin government. Unfortunately, the former was troubled by the Danes, and the tsarist government made another promise, which could not pull it at all.