Iron Germany

Time entered November 1916, and Germany once again got good news. With the assistance of the Pacific Fleet, the German Eighth Army took the Lion City. And, swept across the Straits Settlements.

It is expected that the entire Straits Settlements will fall into the hands of Germany in the near future.

Almost at the same time, the German 4th Army also successfully landed in Western Australia under the escort of the Indian Ocean Fleet. Start along the coastline of Australia, attacking east. Although, the British organized a lot of troops in Australia. The combat effectiveness of the Australian army is also stronger than that of the British and Indian troops. However, it is obviously impossible to resist the German attack.

When the German 8th Army also enters Australia to fight, the British and Australian troops will soon be defeated. However, the problem plaguing the German army is that Australia is too vast, almost twice the size of India. If you want to occupy the whole of Australia, it will take a lot of time. Fortunately, there is not much population in Australia now. Even if the British organized an army here, they would not be able to organize much.

It is expected that in the first half of next year, the German army will occupy the whole of Australia without any problems. At that time, the German military operations will temporarily come to an end.

However, now Qin Tian's attention is not on the rich colony of Australia, but on Germany's close neighbors and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As an ally of the German Empire, although the Austro-Hungarian Empire did not play much role in the last world war. However, at least part of the enemy was held back for Germany. Otherwise, it would be even more difficult for Germany to win a world war, especially on land.

Although, in the war, Germany and Austria-Hungary were extremely staunch allies. However, after the war, for the sake of their respective national interests, the alliance between Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire gradually came to an end. Germany even began to do everything possible to suppress the Austro-Hungarian Empire, making the two countries gradually change from allies to rivals, or even enemies.

During the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, although the alliance between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany was bumpy, it could be maintained. Once Franz Joseph I died, Crown Prince Karl, who hated Germany, succeeded to the throne. You don't need to think about it, but the alliance between Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire will come to an end completely.

Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria is now eighty-six years old. And Qin Tian knew that the old emperor's life was about to come to an end. In another time and space, he passed away just this month. Therefore, Qin Tian specifically asked the intelligence department to strengthen the intelligence collection of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Qin Tian also didn't know whether the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I would die on November 18 in this time and space.

On November 15th, Qin Tian held an imperial meeting. There is only one focus of this imperial meeting, and that is once the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I dies, what kind of impact will this have on the relationship between Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even, if Germany launched a military operation against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, how long would it take to defeat the Austro-Hungarian Empire and so on.

Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire is still an ally of Germany, a powerful neighboring country will pose a considerable threat to Germany. Especially when the new emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was still an emperor who hated Germany, this further increased the risk factor. It can be said that once Crown Prince Karl decides to fall to the United States and fight against the German Empire, this will make the situation of the German Empire even more dangerous. And Qin Tian would never allow such a situation to happen. Therefore, he would rather launch a pre-emptive strike against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, first solve the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and eliminate this threat.

In Qin Tian's plan, once the Austro-Hungarian Empire is defeated, Germany will directly annex Austria. After all, the Austrians are all Germanic, and they are of the same language and the same race as the Germans. Before the Austrian-Prussian War, the Austrian Empire had always been one of the many states in Germany, and it was still the most powerful one. If Germany annexed Austria, the difficulty would be very small. In this case, Germany's strength can be further improved. In addition, other German-dominated areas will also be annexed by Germany to further strengthen Germany's strength. Other countries allow them to be independent. Of course, these countries were all placed under the protection of the German Empire. Once a war breaks out, they must all stand on the side of the German Empire. In this way, the interests of Germany can be ensured.

"Your Majesty, Your Excellencies. According to the latest information we have received, His Majesty the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I may not be able to last long. Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire has completely blocked information about the health of His Majesty the Austrian Emperor. But , we can still learn some clues through other channels. According to our prediction, His Majesty the Austrian Emperor will definitely not survive the 20th of this month!" General Bai Laiming, the chief of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau, reported.

The military and political ministers of the empire frowned. Everyone knows what Franz Joseph I will mean to Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire once Franz Joseph I dies. Even, war will break out between the two sides.

"Your Majesty, since His Majesty the Austrian Emperor has passed away not long ago, we must have made preparations earlier," Prime Minister Biluo said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Crown Prince Karl has always been hostile to the Empire. In addition, in the negotiations after the end of the last world war, he failed to meet his demands. And the Americans have been vigorously wooing the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They even gave Austria-Hungary Imperial loan. It is foreseeable that once His Majesty dies, the Austro-Hungarian Empire will definitely end its ally relationship with the Empire." Foreign Minister Vachter also said.

Qin Tian nodded. Everyone knew very well that the death of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I would become a turning point affecting the relationship between the two countries. The German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire will change from allies to enemies.

"Everyone, once the Austro-Hungarian Empire withdraws from the Allies and becomes an enemy of the Empire, what should the Empire do?" Qin Tian asked.

Neither Prime Minister Pilow nor Foreign Secretary Wahit spoke.

Marshal von Falkenhain, Minister of War and Chief of the General Staff, Marshal Reinhard Scheer, Minister of the Navy, and Admiral Zeckert, Commander of the Air Force, looked at each other.

Marshal Von Falkenhain said: "Your Majesty, once the Austro-Hungarian Empire withdraws from the Allies and falls to the United States, then the Empire must use thunderous means to destroy them and remove the threat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to us!"