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, aircraft with a range of only more than 300 kilometers, and stunning and thick artillery, all need to be improved.

In fact, with the continuous development of technology, the factors that determine the outcome of war are increasingly inclined to weapons, equipment and logistics.

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

This involves a wide range of resources. In essence, many materials are common to the military and civilians, and production is limited to state-owned enterprises, and most of them come from private enterprises.

In order not to arouse suspicion from the outside world, the government's strategic plan has been exposed, and there is no need to think about increasing material reserves.

However, the enemy should be worried about this problem.

After all, Austria has a perfect industrial chain and can be self-sufficient in raw materials. When the war breaks out, it will be much faster than its competitors.

No one knows when the war will start.

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

Judging from the current situation, whoever fires the first shot first will push the fence-bearing country in China and Europe to the opposite side.

Although Belgium is now pro-Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland are also releasing goodwill to Austria, this is based on the premise that the French government is aggressive.

Original time and space Napoleon III wanted to annex Belgium and interfered in Belgium's internal affairs many times, and the two families stood opposite.

During the World War, Belgium turned to the Allies, and was actually forced out, not as the outside world said, Britain and France had a clever diplomatic method.

If the German Empire did not use Belgium to attack France, why should they join the war? Wouldn't it be neutral?

The Belgians are not stupid. They are a small country who go to participate in the world war and are just cannon fodder, and they don’t get much benefit at all.

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

Franz knew what the group of small states in the German region were.

It is known from the original time and space that everyone agreed to join forces to deal with Prussia, but in the end, Austria and Prussia were the only ones who fought one after another.

It should have been evenly matched, but the paddling of these states led to Austria's absolute disadvantage in combat.

If you want them to fight to the death, unless the enemy comes to the door. Otherwise, these guys will have to come out and shout slogans and strengthen their momentum.

...

Since the anti-French alliance that Austria has stoked, the atmosphere of the French government has changed. Everyone suddenly discovered that the cloud covering France's head no longer exists.

This sudden change made many people uncomfortable. With the help of capital, the voice of the pro-war faction became louder and louder.

Changes in the outside world also affected Napoleon IV's judgment.

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

Changes in concepts will naturally affect political decision-making. Napoleon IV is no longer so concerned about Austria.

Palace of Versailles

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

In order to hinder France's economic development, the United Kingdom and Austria led the establishment of the International Coal Export Alliance to control international coal trading prices.

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

As energy prices are high, industrial production costs will naturally increase. This directly leads to the loss of competitiveness of many French industrial and commercial products internationally.

In order to disintegrate the International Coal Export Alliance, the French government and the industrial and commercial community have tried their best and tried their best to disintegrate the international coal export alliance, but they still have not achieved their goal.

Even because it has mastered France's energy lifeline, the International Coal Export Alliance often makes mistakes with French industry and commerce.

Everything has two sides. Due to the high energy prices, France took the lead in sounding the clarion call for energy conservation.

Steam engines, boilers and French products with the same power are usually several percentage points lower, and some of the outstanding performance may save 20 to 30%.

Not only did the coal consumption be low, the French also developed many coal substitutes, such as charcoal.

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

Of course, black technology is not omnipotent. Substitutes are always just substitutes, and there is still a certain gap between them and the original products.

This has led to the inevitable quality of French industrial and commercial products, which can only be used.

The most typical one is steel. The overall quality of French steel is the worst, and it is worse than that of the Russians.

Minister of Economic Affairs Elsa said righteously: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. For the healthy development of the domestic economy, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will definitely do its best to reduce the international coal trading price."

Foreign Minister Carrel Kadletz echoed: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will fully cooperate with the Ministry of Economic Affairs' actions, 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 let go, we can force Belgium and the German Federation to compromise."

The contradiction is only because of interests. If the purpose of the International Coal Export Alliance was to suppress the French economy at the beginning, then it is only because of interests now.

In a sense, coal is also a product that needs urgently. No matter how hard the French try to find alternatives, they still need to import them in large quantities.

In this context, suppliers naturally need to raise prices to make huge profits.

It is very simple to make the British let go, that is, to spend money. As long as they can make up for the less money they make in the coal export field in other ways, things will be easier.

As for coal suppliers in Belgium and the North German Federation, they can only be considered unlucky. Who makes their country weak?

Napoleon IV fell into deep thought, which seemed to be just a negotiation on coal prices, but in fact it was a test of the international community.

If the plan is successful and does not cause a sharp backlash from the international community, then the French government will not need to be so cautious in the future.

"Since you are all ready, then restart the negotiations! But pay attention to methods and don't cause big trouble."

It can be seen that Napoleon IV was not so relieved against these bureaucrats under his command.

This has something to do with the French political system. The Ministry of Economic Affairs is definitely the most severely affected by capital in the government. The political achievements of officials have been linked to capital from the very beginning.

If these guys don't say hello in advance, they can act according to the will of capital and directly provoke wars.

France was not ready for war, and Napoleon IV did not think that France could challenge the world with its current strength.

...

At the headquarters of the British Coal Association in London, a group of capital tycoons are having a fierce quarrel.

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

The French proposed that as long as we put aside the International Coal Export Alliance and lower coal prices by one fifth, they would exempt some of the tariffs on some commodities.

This exemption is not for all companies, but is limited to the industries of our coal association members. Cheer!”

The applause rang out, and many people were immersed in the joy of making money. What this means is to be able to deliver goods to the French market at lower tariffs than their domestic peers.

Some people are proud and some are frustrated, and not everyone can gain benefits.

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.

Some tariffs are reduced and they have no goods to sell. On the contrary, the consortiums make great profits and can gain 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, and any relaxation of suppression of France is a crime against Britain.

Those idiots in the government ran to form an alliance with the French. Do we also want to compromise with the French for insignificant interests?"

The old man smiled and said, "Mihailovic, don't forget that we are capitalists, and there is no reason why we don't make any money when we deliver it to our door. Suppressing France is the government's business.

Your concern is nothing more than damage to your own interests. In fact, you don’t have to worry. Even if there is no other industry, everyone can cooperate!

I believe that those who are sitting here do not mind providing you with help and filling your industry gaps.

It really doesn't work, you can choose to sell the coal mine. Don't worry, everyone will offer a good price.

Anyway, we won't let you suffer."

Mikhailovich's face changed drastically, and this was a sign of poverty. Before this, although the profits of the coal mine were good, the small mine owners were all inferior ore, and the consortiums looked down upon it.

It’s different now. If you control the coal mines, you will control coal exports. With these shares, you can negotiate with the French, get preferential treatment in tariffs, and sell other industrial and commercial products.

Don’t say that the British do not lack markets, which is impossible. Any industrial power has insufficient markets.

The British consortium has long been jealous of the French market, but the French government knows that it can't do it and has played with tariff barriers.

Now that I finally tear a hole open, everyone naturally has to find a way to rush into it.

As for the subsequent impact of the decline in coal export prices, what does it have to do with them? As long as they can make money, who cares about what will happen in the future?
Chapter completed!