The snowy scenery of the Alps in winter is enchanting, and a train runs on the railway in a mountain stream.

On this train, Carlo glanced at the winter scenery outside the window and said to the two naval and army ministers sitting opposite him. "This time we talked for a month, and the result was not bad, the two of you worked hard."

In the face of Carlo's words of thanks, the two military bigwigs hurriedly answered. "It's not hard, it's all as it should be."

Field Marshal Kadolna, Minister of War, said with feelings. "Your Majesty, it is really not easy to negotiate technical cooperation this time, if it were not for Your Majesty having already negotiated the basic framework, I don't think the war ministers of Germany and Austria would be very happy."

Faced with the Minister of War's words, Carlo nodded in agreement. "Of course, in terms of army technology research and development, there is still a little gap between China and Germany and Austria, and we need to recognize the facts."

"In fact, it's not just the Army, I talked with Admiral Tirpitz, next year the German Navy's investment in science and technology will surpass ours, and at present, we can still maintain the leading technology is the accumulation of advanced technology, if it continues, I am afraid that sooner or later our naval technology may also lag behind Germany."

Admiral Yagill, Minister of Land and Sea, expressed his concern, but he quickly changed his tune. "But now, our joint R&D will reduce the consumption of funds, and we can continue to invest in many new technology projects, rather than cutting them because of lack of funds."

Well, again, it's all about money. If you have little money and want to be at the forefront of the world, you can only ask your allies for help. That's why Carlo is so keen to promote joint research and development between the three countries.

Of course, in terms of time selection, Carlo also used a little trick, which happened to be the beginning of large-scale shipbuilding in Germany after the passage of the German Navy Act. At this time, Germany is most dependent on Italy, and at this time, it is very willing to propose joint research and development between the three countries, at least Germany. Of course, Germany also knew that it was very easy to offend Italy just by trying to pick wool from Italy, so when Carlo proposed the joint research and development of technology between the navy and the army, the German side also agreed after considering the importance of Italy.

In a sense, this is also the rise of Italy's national strength, with sufficient strength, and no longer the pseudo-power that no one looked down on before.

Look, this Italy has been tossing in the hands of Carlo for almost 20 years, and it is really not easy to finally make countries face up to the strength.

And after getting Germany, this three-country joint research and development will be basically completed, and as for Austria-Hungary, it will basically not refuse.

For Austria-Hungary, there is still a small obstacle to working on R&D with Italy. However, after Carlo made a guarantee that it would no longer hinder Austria-Hungary's expansion of influence in the Balkans, then at least the small thorn in Austria-Hungary's heart was removed, and the rest of the matter was basically a matter of course.

However, although this time the talk is not bad, there are also some shortcomings. For example, in joint technology research and development, the follow-up research and development of existing weapons is basically the mainstay, and as for the research and development of new weapons, each is still doing its own thing.

"Your Majesty, I have a question that I hope Your Majesty can answer for me." Marshal Cadore suddenly asked.

"Say, I'll let you know if I can."

In the face of the Minister of War's inquiry, Carlo did not give a positive word, because there were some things that he could not explain.

"Your Majesty's new French rapid-fire artillery, our army is very concerned, and I want to ask Your Majesty once, is this news accurate?"

Yes, it is not only Germany that is very concerned about the new French rapid-fire gun, but also the Italian Army, because it is related to Italy's national defense and security. Moreover, the intelligence department of the War Department did not know about this news at all, which made the old marshal a little puzzled.

Carlo's failure to speak to the Army before saying this was to blame for this, which made the Secretary of War a little embarrassed when questioned, but fortunately he covered it up. Now it's time for Carlo to explain the mistake.

However, Carlo is not entirely to blame for this, because he also decided to say it or not at that time, but the responsibility must be borne partly.

"Actually, if you don't ask this question, I will tell you." Carlo replied after a moment's thought. "This is the news that the intelligence officers of the royal family accidentally detected, but due to the strict secrecy of the French, they were not able to take real photos, but only saw the data of the examination."

Well, Carlo's answer dispelled most of Marshal Cardorna's doubts, for he also knew some information that the king had in his hands an extremely mysterious intelligence organization, and as for how mysterious it was, it could be described in one sentence, and he could not see anyone from it.

When it came to matters concerning this mysterious intelligence organization, it was clear that Marshal Kadolna had no intention of continuing to ask questions. The atmosphere quieted down, and the train drove quickly through the Alps to Rome in the middle of the Apennine Peninsula.

Rome is that Rome, and there is a familiar smell in the air.

However, Carlo, who had returned to Rome, did not have time to take a few more puffs, and was immediately informed by the foreign secretary who greeted him with news.

"You're saying that the United States and Spain have finished talking in Paris?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the peace talks between the two countries were concluded yesterday." As he spoke, the Foreign Secretary took out a document. "Your Majesty, this is the information on the signing of the treaty between the two countries."

Listening to the words of the foreign secretary, Carlo took the information of the Paris Peace Treaty (which felt awkward, but there was nothing wrong with it).

The first of these is that the United States recognizes Spanish sovereignty over Cuba and other Spanish islands in Puerto Rico and the West Indies.

Article 2; Spain must guarantee the property of American merchants in Cuba and the Spanish West Indies, and if it is violated, it must recover and return it. (This is also the most difficult of the negotiations between the two sides.) ）

Article 3; Both sides repatriated prisoners of war to each other.

Article 4; In view of the huge gap between the two sides of the prisoners of war, it was not necessary to avoid disputes over the differences, and the United States decided to pay $10 million for food.

In total, Spain captured more than 900 US Navy officers and men, and this person's food cost of more than 10,000 points was indeed arrogant. Well, this kind of means of covering your ears and stealing the bell, you don't need to look at it to know that this is a reparation.

After closing the contract, Carlo looked at the Admiralty Chancellor. "Then our soldiers can return home, right?"

Admiral Yagill replied immediately. "Your Majesty, that's for sure. I will send a letter to the Spaniards asking them to give permission to our officers and soldiers. ”

After receiving a satisfactory answer, Carlo boarded the carriage. It's been a month since I've seen his little Vittorio, and Carlo is also in his heart.