The Sun Never Sets In Spain

After Italy captured the Lazio region, it surrounded Rome and blocked all land passages.

Had it not been for the Spanish fleet that was eyeing the port of Valencia on the other side of the sea, the sea channel might have also been blocked.

Although Italy has put on a naked attacking posture, until now, they have not declared war on the Papal States and Spain, and even all soldiers have been strictly ordered not to shoot first-obviously they still hope to solve the problem by diplomatic means.

"How weak." Marshal Juan Primm stood in a safe position on the city wall, holding a telescope, observing and mocking the Italians 2 kilometers away.

In his view, Italy should declare war and attack immediately after the breakdown of negotiations, rather than leaving time for the enemy to deploy and assemble its troops.

"How's the situation in the city?" He turned to ask Andrew.

"Basically stable. Of course there is a panic of being surrounded, but as long as the port is not blocked, there will be no problem." Andrew replied briefly.

Although the other party said so, Primm was still a little worried: "What about commercial activities?"

"It's business as usual... but the church plans to start a curfew tonight."

"That's good." Prim nodded and let out a long sigh of relief, "The next step is to wait for domestic orders."

It's no wonder that he was so nervous. Since Alfonso liberated him under Francisco, he has not been assigned any tasks, and neither of the subsequent counter-insurgency wars in the North nor the Cuban War has allowed him to play.

He once thought that the king had suspicions about his rebellion, so he was refrigerated.

Originally, he had already accepted his fate and was about to live his life under the name of a marshal. He didn't expect to think of him this time in the battle against Italy, and he directly accepted his fate as the commander-in-chief, and was fully responsible for the affairs of his mind.

The first foreign war in 50 years was handed over to him. What a trust! He secretly made up his mind that he must fight a beautiful war to decorate his appearance.

As for Andrew, he is responsible for communicating with the Papal State and assisting the opponent to manage the city of Rome in wartime.

Although there is still the meaning of refreshing the resume, he is indeed the most suitable candidate in all aspects.

...

In Madrid, Alfonso didn't expect Primm to have so many internal dramas. He chose Primm, a person with a history of conviction, for no other reason, just because he can fight.

After Spain was rebuilt, there were only two marshals, one Prim and one Garcia. Garcia is a hero made by the times and has the most level of military commander. In this first foreign war, Alfonso really didn’t feel relieved to make friends. give him.

Then there is only Primm, at least he has a good resume. He commanded the Mexican War and he was present in the Crimean War. The Marshal was actually fighting all the way, and he was more reliable than Garcia.

At this time, Alfonso was looking at the "last warning" just handed over by the Italian ambassador, and he couldn't help laughing.

The content of the warning letter is plain, nothing more than the old one: order Spain to withdraw from Rome and not continue to interfere in Italy's internal affairs.

The reason why it is not called an ultimatum is that it lacks the most important sentence above: "Respond within a time limit. If you do not reply on time, the two sides will automatically enter a state of war after XX time."

Instead, there is a sentence: If you don't withdraw, you will be at your own risk.

Although the wording is very strong, what Alfonso can tell from this letter is full of sternness.

"At this point, dare not declare war?" Alfonso could even imagine the entangled expression of King Vittorio when he sent out his army.

The Italian army is hard to say. The Italian government and the royal family are definitely unwilling to go to war, and they are not stupid. Naturally, they know how deadly the navy is inferior to humans.

Moreover, since the establishment of Italy, it has not achieved any good results in the foreign war. At this time, they have to face a veteran power alone, and they are panicked.

However, the arrow has to be sent on the string, and the people already know about this. If this time, the angry public opinion will be able to defeat Italy.

"You dare not declare, I declare." Alfonso muttered to himself. There is no need to declare war if only to fight the defense war, but since he has made up his mind to use the navy, it must be in a state of war before proceeding. blockade.

...

Italy and Primm received the ultimatum half a day later and sent a telegram to Valencia. It took some time to travel from Valencia to Rome by sea.

The Spanish government took this into consideration and gave a full 24 hours-if Italy did not reply at two o'clock in the afternoon on the 19th, the two sides would automatically enter a state of war.

...It is useless no matter how much time is left, it is impossible for Italy to agree to the terms of the letter, and their army is already ready.

"So Your Majesty, the war will come tomorrow." In St. Peter's Cathedral, Andrew reported the terrible news to Pius IX.

"...Rome is once again caught in the flames of war, and 20 years of development will be destroyed.

In addition, Italy is coming on fiercely, and this time I don’t know how many places of interest will suffer. "Phil IX sighed heavily.

After the liberal revolution 20 years ago, the Pope gradually relaxed the restrictions on society after he returned to Rome, and Rome is now regarded as an industrialized city.

Its main trading partner is naturally a good neighbor, Italy. In this war, commodities have lost markets and factories have lost raw materials.

Once the war is prolonged, the economic blow will be devastating.

Not to mention that shells fired from outside the city will seriously disrupt the normal operation of society.

Andrew understood the Pope’s concerns, he thought about it, and said:

"Don't worry, your majesty. The Italian army's artillery has a range of only 2 to 3 kilometers. It can't hit the inner city, at most it falls on the edge of the city wall. As long as the people there are moved, they can't hit anything."

Of course, if Italy gets the Krupp cannon from Prussia, not to mention the outer city, even St. Peter's Basilica, where the Pope is located, may be affected.

Andrew understands this, but he didn't say, why bother an old man?

Pius IX nodded, as if he was hesitant to speak.

Opposite is Andrew's former boss, how can he not see what the Pope is thinking?

"Is your majesty worrying about economic issues? If your majesty doesn't mind, Rome can join the Spanish market. I guarantee that your majesty Alfonso will not object." Andrew proposed:

"Spain not only has more resources than Italy, but also has more per capita income and total market. It is completely replaceable."

Pius IX smiled with relief. What he valued most at the beginning was Andrew's caringness. After more than a year, it still feels the same.

"Okay, then arrange as soon as possible."