As early as 1877, Bismarck, in his famous Dictation of Kissinger, laid out the principles of peace policy, the most crucial of which was: "The object that comes before me is not to open up territory anywhere, but to a political situation as a whole, which makes us necessary for all the great powers except France, and prevents them from forming alliances against us through their relations with each other."

Bismarck also reserved the possibility of working hand in hand with France, which he emphasized in a letter to his political teacher, Grach.

"Because no one will have a way to play chess, sixteen of the sixty-four on the board are banned from the beginning."

However, Bismarck did not expect that the German successors would choose the path of cooperation with France, and that he would completely forget about his evasive measures, including the abandonment of any form of territorial expansion in Europe, and the complete suppression of expansion ambitions in Germany. There is also a need to actively prevent the outbreak of war within Europe and keep the European tumblers in balance.

So on the side of the Germans, Napoleon had already figured out the rhetoric, and now the most important thing is still an internal problem. Gambita's argument represented the inner thoughts of many French marshals who were ready for revenge on Germany, but lacked the readiness for a world war. So Napoleon had to do an ideological work with them, to make a basic fact clear to those who were not going to support him.

The idea of the General Staff had to revolve around Napoleon alone, and not start anew.

Conrobert and Leboeuf were already in their twilight years, and although they were still nominally marshals of the French army, much of the power had fallen to the hands of rising stars, such as Broanger. Although Napoleon did not have the slightest affection for this vengeistic maniac, it was still the time for France and Germany to jointly challenge British hegemony.

Obviously, in order to gain the approval of these old people, Napoleon would need to put pressure on him as the leader of the empire. After settling the internal relations, he was able to contact Berlin steadily and conduct negotiations between the two sides.

So when Conrobert, Leboeuf and Levlow and other Franco-Prussian veterans stepped into the conference room, they saw Napoleon's not very friendly face, and even gave Conrobert a sense of approaching winter.

They hadn't faced their rivals for a long time since that conflict in 1873. Border conflicts are ultimately resolved by diplomatic means, rather than by a life-and-death war.

"Everyone is here today to announce a very important matter."

Napoleon looked at the older marshals around him, took a deep breath, and slowly explained, "Regarding the question of Egypt, we are now very likely to tear our faces with the British, so now I need to reach a unified agreement in the army." Because as soon as things move in the direction of war, no one will be able to withdraw. ”

The atmosphere in the conference room became unusually serious, because they all knew that everything Napoleon said next would decide the fate of the country.

"We need to keep the Suez Canal in this war, even to the point of going to war with Britain at all costs."

War with the British?

This idea took everyone by surprise, because when the Egyptian Revolution broke out, everyone thought that France should join forces with Britain to suppress the rebellious natives, but they did not expect that Napoleon was ready to clean up even the British. 、

Some people in the military department had already expressed their concerns about the conflict in the Transvaal, but because Napoleon insisted on going to war, no one dared to change his orders.

In this way, the will of the whole of France is directly controlled by one person, who is the new emperor of France who deserves it.

"Is there anything good for us to go to war with the British? On the Egyptian issue, both sides tore their faces apart, and in the end both sides lost, and they could only cheapen others. ”

Conrobell still believes that France is not ready to start a direct conflict with the sea power empire. The military strength of the British fleet was supposed to be more than double the naval strength of the two European continental powers combined, but after entering the 70s, especially in the era of accelerated armament of all Europe, it was difficult for the British to do so.

"United."

"We also know that going it alone is definitely no match for the British, so we have to join forces against the British."

Leboeuf said disdainfully, "Which continental country wants to join us?" The conflict in the Egyptian colonies was a tripartite game between the British, the French and the Egyptians, and it was impossible for other countries to intervene in the incident. ”

"There's one guy who's more than happy to step in."

Napoleon interrupted Leboeuf and exclaimed, "That's why we need the intervention of the Germans, and only one France wants to fight against the English undisputed fools." But when we had German intervention, we only needed to replace the ruler of the Egyptian colony. From the Anglo-French co-administration to the Franco-German co-management. Frederick III, who was bent on expansion, certainly wouldn't let me go of this suggestion. It's a very practical suggestion. ”

"Generals, we once built an empire worthy of the European continent. He was so powerful and dazzling that the people of Great Britain and the Slavs of Far Eastern Europe had to avoid three parts. But what about us now? Is an incompetent and decaying empire the end you want? ”

Napoleon's rebuke made everyone shut their mouths and listen quietly to each other's conversations.

"I've already decided. For the sake of the Suez Canal, France will definitely not compromise and retreat, if any of you want to give up, you can now walk out of this conference room, and the rest of you need to come up with a detailed battle plan prepared for me. ”

"But ...... on the German side"

"I'll talk to them personally on the German side, you just need to be prepared for the war. This is my command. Remember, this is a battle, if not a victory, that France must not lose. ”

Napoleon had already given the order to die, and as soldiers who obeyed their vocation, or even to the supreme will of France, they had no choice.

No one at the table chose to leave, they all stayed, and were actively preparing for any conflict that might break out with Great Britain in Egypt.

"If we lose, we will be plunged into darkness and there will never be any hope of turning over."

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