"William, how long have we not seen each other?"

"It's been almost seven years, yes seven years."

While the navies of the two countries were talking about cooperation, the two monarchs were also talking, but they were talking about friendship. And it was talked about in the garden.

Carlo and Wilhelm II, like ordinary people, sat on a bench, watching the campfire with wine glasses in hand, and the cooks busy by the grill.

"Carlo, I still remember the first time we met. I was intrigued by your remarks about the role of the navy, and then I had a conversation with you, and I felt that many of our ideas coincided. ”

Wilhelm II sighed as he held the glass with the red wine. "Later, I watched you use the navy to become more and more proficient, and it was a good move to occupy the colony of Borneo."

As he spoke, William raised his glass and gestured to Carlo.

"Thank you!"

Carlo returned the favor and took a sip.

"William, I wonder a little why your country's navy is developing so slowly. I remember talking about how there are fewer and fewer borderlands in the world, that the lack of sufficient sea power will make it difficult for your country's influence to radiate, and that Germany also needs land under the sun. ”

Carlo's words made Kaiser Wilhelm look bitter. "Carlo, there's no way around it. You know, it's hard to turn around those old stubborn minds in the country. I don't seem to be able to do anything now, but I also need to consider the needs of the people in China. In the past, China's demand for overseas territories was not urgent, so the demand for the navy was not high. Although I strongly recognize the role of the navy, I am only a monarch, not a god. Sometimes I really envy you, at least you don't have to be so restrained. ”

Okay, yes, Wilhelm II was very envious of Carlo. Because Carlo gambled all his moves with the navy, in one fell swoop to give Italy a market in the Far East and a rich colony, and of course brought him sweet power.

In particular, the colony called Borneo was the land under the sun that Germany dreamed of. With an annual income of nearly 80 million marks, combined with its excellent location, Germany is also coveted.

To put it mildly, not a single one of Germany's colonies is not losing money. Of course, this has a lot to do with the fact that the German colonies are all in underdeveloped Africa, but it can also explain a lot.

"William, this can't be helped, I'm just a coincidence, everything is a factor of luck."

Listening to Carlo's words, Wilhelm II waved his hand. "My friend, I'm not jealous of your luck, I'm just lamenting myself, sometimes I always think about it, if I didn't look forward to it, it might be much better."

"Perhaps."

Wilhelm II looked at Carlo in front of him, and then whispered. "By the way, Carlo, I spoke to Ferdinand, and he was very much in favor of the role of the navy."

William's words made Carlo not know how to answer.

Looking at Carlo, who did not speak, Wilhelm II said seriously. "Carlo, I think that your country's relations with Austria-Hungary need to be improved, you are all allies of our country, and the improvement of relations between your two countries is also very beneficial to yourself."

Carlo could see that Wilhelm II was sincere in his words, and that he wanted Austria-Hungary to reconcile with Italy.

Of course, Carlo hopes so, too.

But a complete rapprochement with Austria-Hungary, where is it so easy. Even if Carlo himself married a Habsburg princess, it would not be easy to promote reconciliation between the two countries.

Because there are still quite a few disputes between the two countries over territory, history, and even interests.

Although the dispute between the two countries over the Tyrolean region has been shelved, everyone knows that if the question of Tyrol's ownership cannot be resolved, it will sooner or later become the trigger for hostility between the two countries and even war.

As for history, the Habsburg family ruled Italy for a long time, and its wealth looting in Italy was not small, and there were many people who were boiling over the people, and it was difficult for Italians to have too much good impression of the Habsburg family.

In addition, in terms of interests, the main point of contact between the two countries is in the Balkans, and the two countries in the region have gradually shifted from cooperation against Russia to parting ways, and even Austria-Hungary has formed a tacit understanding with Russia from time to time, which makes Italy extremely annoyed.

Of course, this situation is also related to the fact that Italy has gained too much benefit from the Balkans, and in the Macedonian region, which is of interest to all Balkan countries, Italy has supported Bulgaria to seize most of the northern part of Macedonia. In addition, Italy itself took the entire Albanian region (Kosovo was counted in the Albanian region).

It can be said that Italy's move directly stirred up the situation in the Balkans.

Bulgaria, which has greatly increased its strength, has attracted the jealousy of the Balkan countries, but considering Italy behind it, it does not dare to move. Greece saw that the Ottomans were beaten in front of Italy and Bulgaria, so they wanted to try their skills, but they were beaten violently, and if the British had not stopped drinking, the Ottomans would have been able to fight Athens in one go.

As for Serbia, it was even more difficult, since Bulgaria and Italy occupied Albania and Macedonia in the north, and its expansion to the south with the help of Ottoman revenge had been blocked, and it was surrounded by European countries, and the idea of taking advantage of the Ottoman pagan states was self-defeating.

It is also for this reason that Serbia's diplomatic environment has deteriorated unusually to the northeast and west with the ambitious Austro-Hungarian Empire (Bosnia and Herzegovina had been annexed by Austria-Hungary), Italy, Montenegro and Bulgaria to the south, and of course a small border with Romania.

And Serbia's current neighbors, except for Montenegro, need to implement a defensive policy, so Serbia is in dire need of thighs.

Luckily, Serbia was lucky enough to have two thighs to hold. The first is Russia, a traditional ally, which has always been regarded by Serbia as the strongest ally to ensure its security as a means of helping Russia become independent. Especially after Bulgaria seized most of Macedonia after making peace with Italy, diplomatic help from Russia was even greater.

The other thigh is Austria-Hungary, yes, you read that right, it is Austria-Hungary. In the final analysis, the most important thing between countries is interests, and it is also interests that promote the rapid development of relations between the two countries. Italy's turmoil in the Balkans cost Austria-Hungary the same interests, and although Austria-Hungary also benefited from it (annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina), Austro-Hungarian influence in the Balkans was essentially seized by Italy.

There is a good saying, those who come out to make money are less at a loss, let alone this. Therefore, the relationship between Austria-Hungary and Italy was also damaged a lot because of the Balkans.

Of course, for Italy, its territory in the Balkans must not be abandoned, and the coal and non-ferrous metal mines in Kosovo are the cornerstone of supporting Italy's industrialization, and no one can let him give up.

In view of the increasingly bad relations between Italy and Austria-Hungary, the Kaiser, as an ally of the two countries, wanted to pull the two sides together.

On the other hand, of course, Germany is doing this in its own self-interest. If ten years ago Germany was positioned as a pawn to contain France, now Germany is positioned as an important ally in containing France and for Germany's expansion in the world.

In the final analysis, it is Italy's strength that can be valued by all countries, including its allies.

"William, if you have time, you can call Ferdinand, and we'll get together."

Carlo's words made Wilhelm II smile, and both of them understood the meaning of these words, and Italy was willing to talk to Austria-Hungary.

"Then when we have some free time, let's come to Germany and try our pork knuckle and dark beer."

"No problem."

"The meat is roasted, Carlo, you can taste it."

"Okay, I'll try it."

The pleasant conversation between the two monarchs also represented the negotiation of the two navies.

"Happy working together!"

"Happy working together!"

Major General Tirpitz and Admiral Yagill signed a letter of cooperation with their names and took a group photo in their hands.

The letter of cooperation lays down a five-year plan for cooperation between the Italian and German navies. In the program, Italy and Germany cooperated in 8 categories and 29 sub-categories, including artillery, ammunition, boilers, ship power, warship design, and radio communications.

The main purpose of cooperation is that the navies of the two countries complement each other's strengths and work to strengthen their own navies.

It is also worth mentioning that the cooperation plan is not limited to the two countries, which was specifically requested by the German side. Obviously, this is a door for Austria-Hungary, and the Italian side knows it.

However, with the development of the Italian Navy in recent years, the Italian side does not think that the Austro-Hungarian Navy, which has been outdated all these years, can still pose a threat to itself. This is the self-confidence of the navy of a great power, and the Italian navy has finally cultivated this self-confidence over the years.