On September 5, 1754, a thunderbolt struck over Europe, and the Kingdom of Prussia officially declared war on the Duchy of Saxony.

Immediately afterwards, as an ally of the Duchy of Saxony, the Austrian Archduchess Maria. In response to the call of her allies, Theresa formally declared war on the Kingdom of Prussia, and at the same time sent a request for help to the Kingdom of France and the Russian Empire, which had concluded a defensive alliance.

After receiving the news that Prussia had officially ignited the flames of war on the European continent, the upper echelons of the Russian aristocracy quickly divided into several factions, which was especially evident in the cabinet meeting.

"Your Majesty, the Prussians obviously did not want to see our country enter the war at the very beginning, so they deliberately chose to go to war in September. As a result, even if our troops were to assemble and drive to the Prussian border, it would already be a land of ice and snow, and it would be difficult to pass by land or sea, and it would be very difficult to resupply, and the coast of East Prussia would be frozen in winter, and it would be impossible to go by sea."

Field Marshal Aplekshin Jr. said worriedly.

"Moreover, there are many German officers in our army, and even if they are not all on the side of King Frederick, it will have a great impact on the morale and combat effectiveness of the army. So, I don't recommend going to war now"

"Okay, I see, what about other people's opinions?"

Empress Elizabeth held the golden scepter in her hand and glanced coldly at the cabinet ministers at the conference table.

"Deputy Prime Minister?"

"Your Majesty, with the present state of our tax revenues and treasury, even dealing with a country like Poland could lead to financial bankruptcy. Many local officials and tax collectors had no scruples about corruption and did not care about the punishment of the soldering iron and the dispatch to Siberia. And the collection of taxes on the church side is not very smooth, and the opposition of the people is very strong, and if the war tax is levied at this time, it is likely to lead to public resentment... Further increase"

Originally, Volyntsov wanted to say that the people's grievances were boiling, but seeing that the empress had already snorted out of anger and soared, Deng quickly changed her words.

"Well, Shuvalov?"

"Your Majesty, wartime is the most likely to lead to a deficit in the treasury, a deficit in the treasury is the most likely to lead to riots, and the hungry people are the most terrible"

The bald mysterious clerk said solemnly.

"Hmph, another panic-mongering!"

Queen Elizabeth stood up with her scepter in her handle.

When he saw the empress stand up, all the people stood up with her.

"Alright, sit down!"

The Empress commanded dismissively.

"You are all important ministers of the Empire, but according to what you just meant, isn't this country governed by you?"

The empress was angry and asked loudly.

"Is anyone in the way of your taxes? Or is there some secret enemy? For example, the king Frederick, did he prevent you from collecting taxes? Are you trying to say that you are not up to the position you are currently holding? ”

“...”

Deputy Prime Minister Volyntsov timidly stared at the smooth tabletop, not daring to look up.

"Count Bestuzhev, what is your opinion?"

The empress struggled to suppress her anger and asked the oldest minister.

"Your Majesty, the Saxons did not want to go to war with Prussia, so the king of Saxony had fled to Poland, so that Prussia would have 5,000 Saxon troops for nothing, and if Britain secretly financed it, King Frederick would be able to hire at least 10,000 mercenaries."

Because the king of the Duchy of Saxony also held the throne of Poland, it was more important to keep the throne of Poland and the second largest territory in Europe than to fight for the small Saxony.

"Frederick has integrated North Germany and is planning to annex South Germany as well, and if Britain defeats France again, then their next target will definitely be Russia!"

Judging from the current situation in Europe, France and Spain belong to the Bourbon royal family, and if France enters the war, Spain will definitely join the war. Spain owned all of Mexico, half of the Caribbean, and most of South America's vast colonies, and although its military power had long since declined, the rich gold and silver mines of the Americas were an inexhaustible source of currency, which was enough to support Spain to enter the war. The tobacco-rich colonies of Britain on the east coast of the North American continent were richer than all of French Canada and Louisiana, and if Britain were to win, the Franco-Spanish joint division of the colonies would be a sure thing.

"Count Bestuzhev has a point, thank you. Then, immediately after the meeting, write to Austria and France..."

Bang!

Just when Empress Elizabeth had decided to go to war with Prussia, the door to the conference room was suddenly pushed open.

"Wait a minute!"

The empress's complexion immediately changed suddenly, her blood surged, her hair rushed to the crown, and she raised her golden scepter and was about to turn around and slash it out.

This voice is not who else is Peter!