Without any surprises, as a responsible major country, Austria naturally had to provide security protection to Belgium and North Germany.

On August 1, 1888, Franz issued a letter to the European People, clearly stating that Austria will be committed to maintaining the balance and stability of the European continent and resolutely fight against evil forces that undermine the European order.

As for whether the two governments dare to believe it, I don’t know. However, this announcement is still positive and has received widespread support from public opinion.

After receiving Austria's promise, Bi Germany also had a little confidence at the negotiating table.

It's really just a little bit, because the two parties who suffered the most losses from the outbreak of the war were the two parties involved. No one knows who wins and loses in the end, and they are all losers in the middle.

The ability of the two governments to be rational does not mean that the people will be rational. After receiving a positive response from Austria, a massive anti-French movement broke out among the people of the two countries.

In Brussels, the people marching and demonstrators had blocked the streets, and even in the deep palace, Leopold II could clearly hear the protests from the people.

There is no doubt that all of them are demanding that the government be tough on the law. Nationalism has risen, and the conditions proposed by the French have deeply stimulated everyone's self-esteem.

Prime Minister August: "Your Majesty, we cannot give in anymore. The French will not die in my heart, this is just the beginning.

Blindly giving in will not only fail to solve the problem, but will also make the French think that we are weak and can be bullied, and we will be more greedy."

Obviously, Austria's clear position and the support of mainstream European public opinion still affected the Belgian government.

Prime Minister August, who was always mature and persistent, was also angry by the unreasonable demands of the French and turned to support toughness.

Leopold II nodded, he thought about it too, but he was unsure!

It is true that there is a secret agreement between Belgium and Austria, but it takes time for the war to break out before Austrian reinforcements arrive. In the early stage, they still have to take the initiative. The possibility of the battlefield on Belgium is as high as 99.99%...

If the Austrians were cowardly or were a few days late, Belgium would no longer exist. Leopold II had no confidence in blocking the French invasion.

It cannot be stopped militarily, but politically and economically cannot be retreated.

Just look at the people gathered outside and you will know that if you really agree to the unreasonable request of the French, the country will explode first.

Not to mention economically, the Belgian government is waiting to go bankrupt if it loses such a large amount of money!

Leopold II asked: "How is the communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Germans? Do they agree to advance and retreat with us?"

Foreign Minister Jur shook his head and said sarcastically: "The Germans are busy communicating with the British, hoping to interfere with the French by the London government."

Leopold II asked in surprise: "Don't they have brains?

People have already expressed their position if they want to interfere. At this time, it is simply a whim to expect the British to interfere!”

Leopold II was surprised and thought to himself that Britain and France had just formed an alliance. No matter what, at this point in time, the British government would not turn against them and their most important allies.

Even Austria, which is most likely to interfere, has only made its position and has not directly intervened in the negotiations.

In Leopold II's view, instead of continuing to get entangled with the British, it is better to take the opportunity to form an alliance between Biden and Austria and jointly curb the expansion of the French.

Foreign Minister Jur explained: "It may be that the British gave Hanover any promises, and George I have always rejected and moved closer to Austria.

However, other states in the German region are communicating with Austria. Grand Duke Baden will also visit Vienna in the near future, which may also be related to this incident."

Although the North German Federation is a mess, everyone's goals are still the same in safeguarding national interests.

The British withdrew from the International Coal Export Alliance and continued to maintain high coal prices for France, but it was even more impossible to sign a low-priced coal treaty with the French that was humiliating.

In a sense, the North German Federation's approach is most in line with its own interests. As the central Hannover hugs the British, the small states in China seek Austria's support.

If the monks do not look at the Buddha's face, even if the negotiation fails, the French will not be able to attack them rashly.

But this makes the relationship between Belgium and the North German Federation and Britain and the Austrian Republic not comparable to them at all.

These days, there are no shortage of men who have shed their blood for the country and nation. Once the French invade North Germany, whether the Austrian government is willing to participate in the war or not, domestic nationalists will push Austria to the battlefield.

Even if the central government does not want to fight, the defenders on the border will start to do it themselves. Whoever dares to stop it is to be unable to get along with the public opinion.

Although Britain may not necessarily turn against the French because of this, Queen Victoria's face will definitely be very exciting.

Even if you don't turn against each other on the surface and secretly make some small moves against the French, it will still happen.

Belgium does not have this treatment. Although the relationship between Britain and Belgium is good, it is just good. The two countries are not allies with military obligations.

Because of size, Belgium is not very important to Britain. Of course, the French annexed Belgium, and the British did not want to see it.

But it was just a beating, and it was not within the scope of the British's interference.

Not to mention Austria, from the moment it broke away from the Holy Roman Empire, Belgium was no longer considered its own person.

Although the two countries have signed a secret agreement, it does not mean that they will not be betrayed. If the French want to annex Belgium, Austria will definitely fulfill its obligations.

If they were beaten up, no one would be sure whether Austria would go to war with the French for this.

In fact, what Leopold II is most worried about now is not the annexation by the French.

Annexation of a country on the European continent is very hatred. Before the great powers are acquiesced, the French dare not take the blame for the world.

The current military threat is to beat you up and then change the government to go up. For the rulers, this is almost the same as the destruction of the country.

After hesitating for a long time, Leopold II said slowly: "Put the people outside first and tell them that the government will never accept the unreasonable demands of the French.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to negotiate with the French that coal export prices can drop, but they cannot be lower than the international average export price too much."

No matter how threatened the French were, Leopold II still had the responsibility of a monarch and first chose to appease the people in the country.

After the two alliances appeared, the smell of gunpowder on the European continent became stronger and stronger, and Leopold II was not unaware of it.

Unfortunately, Belgium is just a small country and has no capital to become a trendsetter. Even the North German Federation, which has many contradictions, is much better than theirs.

...

Paris, looking at the "Letter to the European People" published by Franz, Napoleon IV's face turned pale.

It was originally a test, but I didn't expect that Austria would jump out and make trouble just now.

There are two completely different concepts of having support from big powers and not having support from big powers. There is no doubt that it is impossible to get Biden and Germany to accept the conditions at this time.

"snort!"

With a cold shout, Napoleon IV threw away half of the letter to the European People, cursing: "The damn Habsburg Dynasty is so terrifying. You are everywhere!"

France and the Habsburg dynasty fought to the death for hundreds of years for continental hegemony, and the grudges between the Bonaparte dynasty and the Habsburg dynasty also ran through the anti-French war.

Although there have been some ease in recent decades, the conflicts between the two countries have not decreased, but are increasing.

However, in order not to make it easier for other countries, the two governments subconsciously covered up the conflicts and conflicts on the surface, and secretly they have no idea how many times they have fought.

Prime Minister Terence Bulkin comforted: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be angry about this little thing.

Although we did not allow Biden and Germany to accept our conditions, the bottom line of each country was still tempted by us.

Even Austria, which looks the toughest, is just a clamor. If they really want to stand up for Biden, they will directly participate in the negotiations.

Now, it seems that supporting Biden and Germany is actually limited to spiritual support.

If they did not take substantial actions, the Austrian government would probably be timid if they really wanted to go to war with us for the sake of the two countries."

In a sense, there was no need to be angry when Napoleon IV, and the results are much better than expected in advance.

If it weren't for Franz's disgusting "Letter to the European People", it would have been perfect.

Napoleon IV sneered: "So what, the bottom line of European countries is indeed very low, but what we have to do still challenge their bottom line.

The UK, Russia and the Austrians did not want us to make up for the final shortcomings. Even our good allies would warn us?"

In the eyes of the outside world, only Austria among the major powers publicly expressed its support for Biden and Germany and condemned the actions of the French government.

But secretly, Britain and Russia also expressed dissatisfaction with the French government.

Perhaps this secret warning is not very strong, but it is still an invisible pressure for the French government.

Prime Minister Terence Bulkin: "No matter what, this is a good start.

Although European countries still reject us, they are no longer united and have their own small plans.

On the issue of encircling us, the three major powers of Britain, Russia and Austria have already had differences. If it were not for geographical limitations, Austria would not have been so active.

The spirit of the two governments of Biden has been defeated by us. In the following negotiations, as long as we make a slight concession, the two governments should accept it.

The decline in coal costs will definitely have a certain promoting effect on domestic industry and economy. It is not far from the new prosperity."

……
Chapter completed!