The Ottoman army eventually made it to Zabadani, but by the time they arrived, the church was scorched with the marks of a fire.

And after some searching, only a few charred corpses were found, and it was impossible to discern who it was. In the face of this situation, the Ottoman officers who led the team knew the seriousness of the problem, and the lesson plan was not unique to the Far East.

He then reported the matter to Damascus, and the imam Agali, who had caused the destruction of the church, was detained, along with more than a dozen leading figures captured after an interrogation.

However, although he handled it well, he couldn't hide it at all. A few days later, the Italian evening newspaper of Florence first published this report,

According to the newspaper's report, two innocent Italian priests were persecuted by Ottoman religious forces, and their ghosts have been haunting Syria. At the end of the newspaper, he wrote that this does not rule out the behavior of local religious forces to obtain the government's acquiescence, otherwise how could such a tragedy occur in a small town only 60 kilometers from Damascus.

The Florence Evening News was subtle, but the report caused an uproar, and the media that followed up were even more blunt in saying that the tragedy was the acquiescence of the Ottoman government.

There were even newspapers that wrote that the whole thing was planned by the Ottoman government, who did not want their people to see the light of the Lord shining on the land. (This is a bit excessive, as they completely ignore the large number of Christians in the Ottoman country.) ）

And the hype of many media is naturally inseparable from the microwave of the behind-the-scenes promoters.

As the main driving force behind this is our esteemed King Karlo. Of course, when he first learned that the tragedy had occurred in Syria, Carlo's first reaction was that this was an opportunity, and the second reaction was that the timing was not too good.

Because Italy was not fully prepared, but considering that this opportunity was good, Carlo received the news and summoned the important ministers to discuss.

As a result of the discussions, the government decided that it was necessary to wait, since Italy had not yet made preparations and that it would be better to wait until it was fully prepared before declaring war on the Ottoman Empire.

The attitude of the military is that although the preparations are not yet complete, this opportunity is too rare for the military to think that it can declare war on the Ottomans.

Especially Admiral Saragate, who is the Minister of War? He said even more eloquently. "Although the army refitting is not yet complete? But our army was confident of a victorious offensive against the Ottoman army. ”

The main reason why Admiral Saragate has such confidence is the difference in the weapons of the two armies. Although the Italian army was smaller in numbers than the Ottoman Empire? But most of the officers and soldiers of the army have been replaced with new standard rifles? Much better than the Ottoman army, which still used old breech-loading guns and even some single-loading rifles.

Not to mention in army support firepower? The Italian Army was able to hang the Ottoman army. At present, Italy's artillery is basically advanced rear-loading and rear-mounting, which is not at all comparable to the Ottoman army, which has not even retired front-loading Napoleonic guns.

For this, Admiral Saragate also assured Carlo? In just a month, the Italian Army will be fully manned? In two months the Italian army would be 700,000, and in three months it would be 850,000.

After the Franco-Prussian War, all countries have strengthened their mobilization capabilities, but the speed of mobilization in Italy cannot be said to be fast? But it's not slow at all.

One more word? At present, the full strength of a division of the Italian Army is more than 15,600 men, but in peacetime its strength fluctuates between 8,400 and 12,100 men. And an Italian army has two divisions, plus one or two brigades of mountains or cavalry, artillery, etc., in the case of full strength? It can reach about 45,000-52,000.

So the current establishment of the Italian Army is ten corps, which is not low at all? On weekdays, it remains at 28-300,000 people.

Of course, in addition to Admiral Saragate, Admiral Golek of the Navy is even more confident? Because the navy of the Ottoman Empire, it is not worth mentioning.

Since the 10th Russo-Turkish War? That Ottoman navy was locked in the bay of Istanbul by its Sultan Abdul Hamid II? In the last five years? The Ottoman Navy did not add a single warship with a tonnage of more than 1,000 tons, and the main force of its fleet was still the old ones who had experienced the Turkish-Russian war. What can such a navy be of use except to be able to cooperate with batteries to hold the Black Sea straits. If they encounter them in the sea, the two Venice Modified Patrol ships will be able to beat them.

So compared to the army, the navy is not suspenseful at all.

When the two generals representing the navy and the army said that there was no problem, Carlo felt that this opportunity could not wait.

You know, like the murder of a priest, this situation is the most likely to trigger public anger. Because people in all European countries basically go to church, no matter who it is, this is inevitable.

The killing of innocent clergy by infidels is more emotionally arousing among the population.

So after thinking about it again, Carlo resolutely agreed to the military's request. And the government, after Carlo's consent, did not insist any longer. After all, the outbreak of war still depends on the military's words, although the preparations are not perfect, but everything is very desirable.

And it was the impetus of all parties that made the murder of the two priests in Syria cause such a stir in Italy. Otherwise, if two priests were killed, there would be such a big movement.

He and the government need to wait until public sentiment is at its highest before announcing action against the Ottoman Empire.

But before that, it is also necessary to guide the mood of the people.

So Carlo has been in the palace these days, paying attention to the fermentation of public opinion.

But today, there was a little surprise, and the chief of the guard, Felimich, walked in with a telegram and a strange expression.

"What's wrong, Chief Guard?"

Looking at Felimich's expression, Carlo couldn't help but ask.

"Your Majesty, this is a telegram from the Vatican."

The words of the chief of the guard surprised Carlo as well. Then he thought again, those old antiques are real, just two or three kilometers away, and they can actually use telegraphs?

"Pull it over here, let me see."

Out of curiosity, Carlo wanted to see what the Vatican telegram was about, and what the hell that Leo XIII wanted to do.

As a result, when he looked at the contents of the telegram, Carlo also showed a strange expression. There's no way, anyone who sees someone who has been against him all along, and suddenly has a 180-degree change in attitude, will have such an expression.

"Are you sure it's from the Vatican?"

"Sure, I've called to confirm."

In the face of the answer of the chief of guard, Carlo was also a little confused, the content of this telegram was very ordinary, that is, to thank the Italian government for its support to God's servants, and to hope that there would be good neighborliness and friendship between the Holy See and the Italian government.

The content of this telegram is very simple, and it is very ordinary, and if it is placed on other countries, this is at most a piece of nonsense. At that time, this telegram came from the Vatican, this treasure is not ordinary, you must know that the previous telegram sent by the Vatican, except for protests, it is protests, or warnings, anyway, there are no good words.

So a slightly normal telegram is quite surprising.

"I see, let the prime minister get in touch with the Vatican to see what they think."

Although Carlo doesn't know the Vatican's mind, he tries to get in touch with it and see that the attitude is not bad, and he won't lose anyway.

So while arousing public opinion, the Italian government tried to reach out to the Vatican, which has always been hostile to it.