My Italy

Brandenburg is twenty kilometers away from the capital Berlin. It has a wide variety of flora and fauna and is an ideal hunting ground.

Today, Carlo was dressed in hunting attire, and he and William, the emperor's eldest grandson, who were similarly dressed, were walking in the dense forest with shotguns. However, although with the help of hunting dogs and guards, the prey appeared one by one, but neither of them focused on the prey, but engaged in a verbal argument.

"William, I don't think there are any problems with Germany's diplomacy at the moment. Uniting Russia and Austria can stabilize Germany's eastern and southern fronts and reduce the pressure on national defense. However, there is a worry in this diplomatic strategy, that is, when Russia and Austria compete, After resolving irreconcilable conflicts, which side should Germany stand on?"

Carlo's words made Emperor Changsun frown. He wanted to say that Germany could bring the two countries together. But he couldn't say this because he wasn't thick-skinned enough.

"This...problem..."

The emperor's eldest grandson, who was questioned, couldn't come up with a result after stumbling for a long time, so he simply changed the question. "Then tell me what to do."

"William, I am the King of Italy and a stakeholder. How can I answer this question?"

When the emperor's eldest grandson brought the topic to him, how could Carlo answer it? This was an unanswerable question. The only answer is to keep one as an ally.

"Then pretend that you are the monarch of Germany and make your choice in your own way."

Unexpectedly, William pressed harder and asked Carlo to make the choice. Perhaps this was to serve as a reference for this.

"If it were my choice, then I would choose Vienna as an ally."

Seeing that he couldn't shirk it, Carlo gave what he thought was the best answer.

This was not a random guess on his part, but he sincerely believed that choosing the Austrians was the best choice for Germany.

Although countless people in later generations believe that Germany's choice of allies in World War I was too poor, what would happen if Germany chose Russia, and they listed countless reasons for this.

But these people have never really experienced this era, and they don't know that choosing allies is not just about choosing who you want. In terms of maximizing interests, Germany choosing the UK as its ally is simply the best choice, but has it ever been asked whether the UK is willing?

By the same token, if you choose Russia as an ally, have you considered what Russia thinks?

Moreover, Russia is in urgent need of funds to complete its own industrialization. Can Germany provide Russia with funds for its industrialization?

Therefore, it is inevitable for Germany to choose Austria as an ally. Although there are various other reasons, the main reason is that Germany cannot provide Russia with its industrialization needs. France, on the other hand, has no problem at all. Its huge domestic capital is in urgent need of profit growth, and as long as Russia is willing to make concessions on interest, a steady stream of French funds will be enough for Russia to complete its industrialization.

Of course, this is Carlo's conclusion based on the current situation and historical trends. It is very suspicious that the answer is deduced. However, this is also a choice that is in the interests of Germany. Although Austria is weaker, it is much more dependent on Germany. There are few, and the demand for Germany is not as great as that of Russia. (Those who think that Germany’s increase in food tariffs alone will cause the breakdown of German-Russian relations can be dismissed. Although this is an inducement, the more important Germany cannot meet Russia’s demand for funds)

Although Carlo knew all this, the emperor's eldest grandson William did not. At this time, he was a little surprised that Carlo chose Austria. Everyone knows how bad the relationship between Italy and the Austrians is. Could it be that the Italian king intends to send a signal of reconciliation with Austria.

He didn't have much opinion on this, because he couldn't rule Germany yet, but Carlo's words gave him a lot of inspiration.

You must know that his grandfather William I and Prime Minister Bismarck were both pro-Russian, while his father Frederick III was anti-Russian under the influence of his wife, Princess Victoria.

Shortly after William was born, a fierce conflict broke out over the "Constitutional Struggle" between the conservatives represented by the then Prussian King William I and Prime Minister Bismarck, and the liberals represented by the prince couple (later Frederick III and Princess Victoria). This awkward power structure will inevitably lead to a conflict in William II's educational philosophy. On the one hand, he is pro-British and liberal-leaning, focusing on the importance of public interests. The other side is pro-Russian and conservative, focusing on aristocratic values ​​and the cultivation of military skills. His mother, Queen Victoria, worked hard to instill in William II a passion for the sea, Britain and freedom, and tried to replace his father, who was busy with military affairs, to take full responsibility for the upbringing of the children. However, the king and queen were also trying to exert their own influence on William II.

So this also created William II's complex character, but because he was influenced by both parties, it also brought convenience to him, that is, he could move between his father and grandfather with ease, acting as a lubrication between the two. agent.

Of course, William has now shown his character flaws, and Carlo, the king of Italy, felt this. Because Carlo is the king, His Excellency the Emperor's Grandson didn't show much, but he often showed his arrogant side in front of other people.

But the arrogant grandson of the emperor was impressed by Carlo's questions and answers. "I didn't expect you to answer like this, Carlo. It's really surprising."

"It's nothing, but as you said, consider it from a German perspective."

Carlo said this and suddenly had a new idea. "I heard that the Chinese ordered two Saxony-class ships right away from you?"

"Yes, this is business solicited by Volcan Shipyard, for which our country has also given preferential treatment."

Seeing Carlo mention the Chinese building warships, William II didn't know what Carlo thought, but this matter was also very glorious for the German shipbuilding industry, so William didn't care.

"If we have time, how about we go take a look?"

Carlo's proposal surprised William. He did not expect that the Italian king would be interested in these two ships. You must know that Italy's shipbuilding capabilities are much stronger than Germany's today.

Although William II was a little surprised, although he had been on many warships in service, he had not seen much of the warships being built, and he happened to be interested in taking a look.

"Okay then, let's go to the Vulcan Shipyard tomorrow."

After Carlo and William II came to an agreement, the hunting activities came to an end. After the two returned to Brandenburg for a short rest, they started chatting again.

In the evening, Carlo returned to Charlottenburg Palace in a happy mood. However, when Carlo returned here, he found that the atmosphere of the delegation was very depressing.

"What's wrong?"

Facing Carlo's inquiry, someone immediately told the reason. The reason was that diplomatic negotiations with Germany were not going well. Although Germany was very grand at the welcoming ceremony, the bottom line of the negotiations remained unchanged, claiming that Italy should reach a friendly agreement with Vienna before discussing military alliances.

For this reason, Prime Minister Depretis became a little angry and returned to his residence to complain about the Germans' stubbornness.

Carlo has absolutely no way to intervene in the negotiations between Germany and Italy, but he believes that there will be a way. He should prepare to go to the Volcan Shipyard with William II tomorrow.