After a world war, the German mobilization system was no longer unfamiliar.

Compared to 1914, Germany now has more than 3 million well-trained reservists with rich war experience, and once mobilization begins, these reservists will be gathered at designated military stations according to a strict wartime mobilization system, receive uniforms, equipment, and weapons, first into companies, then into battalions, and then transport them by rail to predetermined assembly points.

In just one week, Germany's massive war machine will be amassing at least 2 million elite troops! Encouraged by honor and victory, this army is well-groomed and well-equipped, and the morale and combat strength of the army commanded by a large number of outstanding generals are so high that any country will feel terrified in the face of such an army.

Now, on the cusp of this is Germany's long-standing neighbor, Austria-Hungary.

The Viennese nobility should have realized that there was no room for others to sleep peacefully on the couch. It's a pity that there is no room for them to regret it now!

At 7 o'clock in the morning, German Foreign Minister Stresemann punctually handed over a copy of the German government to the Austro-Hungarian ambassador in Berlin and the Russian ambassador in Berlin - the German ** team will not withdraw its troops from the territory of Austria-Hungary until the predetermined goal is achieved!

Austrian envoy Kugen Brugg and Russian envoy Pavo Petrov looked at each other, and Stresemann was expressionless and ready to leave, at this time, Austrian envoy Kune, who had a good personal relationship with him, stepped forward and asked in a low and weak-hearted tone: "Your Excellency, there is really no room for recovery?" ”

Stresemann looked at him for a few seconds and told him very heavily that "once the arrow has been fired, there is no turning back".

"Then let's say goodbye!" The Russian envoy Paavo said in an impassioned voice, then picked up his hat and hurried away, apparently to pack up for the return trip back to the Russian embassy.

"Take care!" Strezemann whispered, and walked out of the room without looking back.

Hisane sat on the couch alone in despair, and in just two weeks, the development of events was up and down. The venerable old Austrian emperor died, the new empress proclaimed the throne in St. Petersburg, the Germans invaded on a large scale, and now, hoping to stop the German invasion through a joint ultimatum, but unexpectedly provoked a war! Pure Roots' heart had never been stimulated so strongly, and the whole person collapsed.

Half an hour later, the deputy envoy found the pale Hisone Brugg in the deserted room. He also told the ambassador that the German government had issued them a special permit and that they had to leave Germany in the shortest possible time, and that most of the things of the embassy staff had already been packed.

Disheartened, Pure Root, he walked to the door, took off his hat from the hanger, and looked back at the office where he had worked for more than three years, full of nostalgia and reluctance, but in an instant, this nostalgia disappeared without a trace, because he knew that he might never have the chance to return here.

February 3, 1916, 8 a.m. Two hours after the German government officially announced the national mobilization. U.S. Ambassador Genke came to meet with the German Prime Minister with a secret telegram from President T Marshall.

Washington hoped that Germany would seriously consider the matter of a general mobilization, which, after all, would pose a terrible threat of war to the world. The peace gains that have been achieved through the tremendous efforts of nations not so long ago may be undone.

"I'm sorry!" German Chancellor Theobard von Batemann Holwig told the Americans: "Now it is Austria-Hungary and Russia that first submit to our country a foreign communication of the nature of war, and since our country is unwilling to accept this ultimatum, then general mobilization and war are inevitable!" Moreover, the general mobilization of the whole country was an order signed by His Majesty the Kaiser himself, and it was almost impossible to take it back! ”

With that, Batemann hurried to the Reichstag to convey the Kaiser's will to the cabinet ministers and parliamentarians.

On the way back to the U.S. Embassy, Ambassador Gerk was apprehensive about what was happening on the streets of Berlin – the Germans were so excited that every pedestrian had a proud smile on their faces. In the square, a military band was playing an impassioned marching section, in some open spaces, the speakers stirred the audience in highly agitative language, and the Russians and Austrians owned shops were attacked by the people's stones, and the police watched from afar......

The US ambassador to Berlin wrote in his diary:

"This people have suffered from a terrible fever of war, because war brings them victory, glory, wealth, all things can be gained from war. Officers and soldiers were respected everywhere, and industry, economy, and transportation were all subject to military necessity in all matters of the country. The front of the recruiting station is always crowded with people who want to join the army! ”

Later, in a secret telegram sent back to Washington, Genk reminded the new owner of the White House not to provoke the Germans at any time unless he was sure enough to defeat it!

But in the year 1916 of the world, no country dared to challenge Germany head-on.

This time, it was somewhat surprising that the Turkish government was neutral, and in the previous war, in the face of such a powerful enemy as Britain, France and Russia, the Turkish government led by Kemor did not hesitate to side with Germany. The alliance treaty that stumped Germany and Turkey was no longer valid? Relations between the two countries have deteriorated?

On closer thought, it was quickly discovered that not only did Turkey not have to enter the war because it did not directly border Austria-Hungary, but their neutrality would bring much convenience to Germany and Turkey - some ports and cities on the Mediterranean coast could be protected from the threat of the Austro-Khail fleet by carrying the Turkish banner, after all, the German Mediterranean Fleet, although strong, was not enough to guarantee the security of all areas of the southern Mediterranean Sea in front of the entire Austro-Hungarian navy. Moreover, German freighters sailing in the Mediterranean could also take advantage of the privileges granted by the Turkish government to use the Turkish flag, so that German losses in the war would be greatly reduced.

All in all, Turkey's neutrality was due to the strength of the Austro-Hungarian navy. It can be said that it was the strength of this navy that led to the disaster of war in Austria-Hungary.

The situation has greatly exceeded the expectations of the Vienna government.

By the time the German government refused to withdraw its troops and announced a national mobilization, the Austrian Emperor's former ministers and cronies were able to see the German invaders outside the city from the bell tower of the Vienna Cathedral.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Vienna is in no danger, and now it's time to make the final decision!"

Duke Andras whispered a reminder that Prime Minister Mario, who had not slept all night, had dull eyes and dry skin, and looked like a dead corpse from a distance, but there was still a breath in his nostrils.

"It's over. The empire is ruined like this! Mario muttered weakly, expecting that the Germans would think twice before an ultimatum that would negotiate a moratorium on a moratorium, not expecting that it would lead to a national mobilization in Germany.

"Retreat to the south, retreat to the coast, retreat to northern Italy! No matter what, we can't give in! National mobilization, hum! Didn't we also issue a national mobilization order? Let's concentrate on fighting the Germans! Duke Cabas's voice raised an octave. Verbal sarcasm of Andras and his bankrupt policy of compromise negotiations.

At this time, although Andras was angry, he was helpless in the face of the German intransigence, and now it seemed that there were only two options for fighting to the death or letting others slaughter him.

"That's right! Take advantage of our superiority in the Mediterranean to play with the Germans! In any case, our Navy will never bow to the invaders! Admiral Anton House, the commander-in-chief of the Navy, had always insisted on his main battle opinion, and he could not help with the war on land, but he had long been plotting to drive the German fleet out of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean!

"But Vienna is the heart of the empire, how can it be so surrendered to outsiders......"

The implication is that Mario is not willing to evacuate Vienna. And not only because of the political importance of Vienna. It is also for the sake of the people and the army of the whole country.

At this moment, Kabas turned to a man in yellow military uniform in the corner, "Your Excellency! When will Hungarian reinforcements arrive in Vienna? ”

"This ......," the baron did not react positively. I'll send a telegram at once to inquire, and I guess our army has been assembled! ”

"Assembled...... Your Excellency, this is a matter of great urgency! Kabas said in an accentuated tone, the other party's lukewarmness had made him unbearable, and if the old Emperor Ao was alive, he would definitely unceremoniously ask the emperor to dismiss him. However, the situation was no longer the usual, and the Hungarian generals did not buy their own "Minister of War of the Central Government" tent. At the beginning, the Hungarian War Ministry was reluctant to send troops under many excuses, and then it was willing to send troops to reinforce Austria, but the reinforcements were not seen for a long time.

"350,000 troops. It's not easy to assemble all at once! What's more, many barracks had lifted their previous bans not long ago! The previous baron was the deputy chief of the general staff of the Hungarian army, Tobres, and Kabas played Tai Chi unhurriedly, originally Hungary was not so estranged from Austria, it was the Austrian emperor's plan to knock the mountain and shake the tiger, so that the Hungarian nobles led by Damen Ferenc were dissatisfied from the bottom of their hearts, and the Austrian emperor's appointed heir was the Russian empress with Austrian blood, which was even more difficult for the Hungarians to accept.

In such a situation, people began to realize that there had been a dramatic shift in the political leanings of Hungary. Especially after the German invasion of Bohemia and Austria, German Lieutenant General Org remained in Budapest and was close to the Hungarian aristocracy. Vienna was well aware of this, but now that the enemy was in the present, the accusations and sanctions against Hungary undoubtedly pushed it over to the side of the Germans.

Therefore, even the usually high-flying Kabas had to be polite to the Hungarian baron.

"Your Excellency, it is not difficult to understand the reason of cold lips and teeth, so please ask the Hungarian army to come and relieve the siege as soon as possible!"

"That's nature!" The baron readily agreed, but only the Hungarians themselves knew where the reinforcements were.

By noon that day, the number of German troops outside Vienna had increased to 210,000! In addition to the main forces of Fleming's Panzer Corps and Dimlin's 1st Army, which had arrived the night before, the main forces of the German 2nd Army, led by Karl von Eynem, had arrived at dawn, and by this time, the three main forces of the Lightning's plan to advance towards Vienna had arrived in Vienna at the scheduled time.

In the previous war, the German 2nd Army was commanded by the current War Chancellor Karl von Bilo, and after his promotion to the post of War Minister, the command of this army was replaced by the 63-year-old Admiral Dienem. Like Dimlin, Enem's military career was long and tortuous, serving in the junior army until 1903, serving in the War Department from 1903 to 1909, and in 1909 his career turned around when he became lieutenant general of the 7th Army, and at the outbreak of the war he was assigned to Carl von Büllott's 2nd Army, also appreciated by Kaiser Wilhelm III for his outstanding performance in the war.

After a brief military meeting between the three main generals, at 9 a.m., Fleming's Panzer Corps took the lead.

Sitting in his special car, the No. 3 tank number 99, Rear Admiral Fleming enjoyed the fine sunny weather in the bumpy, the sun was warm, the wind was gentle, and the spires of many of Vienna's famous buildings were on the horizon from afar.

His vanguard, 3 reconnaissance tank battalions and 4 rapid armored battalions, were divided into two 10 kilometers west of Vienna, one to the north and the other to the south, the 2nd Panzer Division of the Panzer Corps belonged to the Northern Route Army, and the 3rd Panzer Division was incorporated into the Southern Route Army, and the two roads would eventually meet again 10 kilometers east of Vienna.

Behind the armoured troops, Dimlin's infantry would follow closely, and accordingly, they would march north and south from Vienna in two parts, with the obvious intention of giving Vienna a large "golden bell jar".

As a result of the overnight march, Enem's infantry remained west of Vienna for the time being.

Of course, such a strategy was obviously not decided on the impromptu by Fleming, General Dimlin and Aneem, and it was a very important component of the Army High Command's lightning plan. Considering the significance of Vienna to the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the fact that the old Austrian Emperor had just died, it was inevitable that the forcible invasion of the city of Vienna would arouse public indignation.

The High Command was thinking that if Vienna compromised, Austria would henceforth be treated as an autonomous province, and if the Austrian government did not give in, it would divide Austria's important industrial regions and coastal areas, and make the remaining Austria a small landlocked country without coastal and heavy industry.

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon of February 4, 1916, the two ground forces of the German army met in the east of Vienna, and a huge encirclement with Vienna as the center and a radius of nearly 20 kilometers was formally formed, surrounded by more than 200,000 German troops were Vienna's millions of people and diplomats from more than 40 countries, of course, as well as a large number of dignitaries of the central government of Austria-Hungary and the Austrian government. However, according to reliable sources from Vienna, the Austrian Army Chief of Staff, Baron Kondla, the Commander-in-Chief of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, Admiral Anton House, and other generals had left by car before the German encirclement.

In addition, the situation in the Mediterranean Sea is also quietly changing, and the Austro-Hungarian navy stationed in the port of Pula, Taranto, and Algerasis has begun to move, especially the Pla military port located in the Austro-Hungarian Empire itself, which has not only been declared closed to the outside world, but more than 100 warships of all sizes stationed in it are on standby, and three vigilant fleets composed of light cruisers, destroyers, and minesweepers are patrolling back and forth near the port.