"Your Majesty, Italy is very resistant to the addition of Britain as a target, and we felt it during the previous talks."

In a room at Sanssouci Palace, Prime Minister Billo was reporting to Emperor Wilhelm II on the results of the previous talks.

Listening to the Prime Minister's report, Wilhelm II unconsciously tapped his fingers on the table and asked. "What else?"

"We can sense that Italy is a little jealous of Britain's strong navy, and thinks that if we do not increase our naval input, they will not agree to the goal of the alliance treaty." It was Admiral Tirpitz who spoke.

Of course, he was happy to see Italy's request to attach importance to the navy, after all, how could he not be willing to do such a thing as increasing naval spending.

Faced with the words of the Admiralty, Wilhelm II spoke with some hesitation. "Since Italy is resistant to adding Britain to the target, can we exclude it from the condition."

Wilhelm II's words shocked the German high-level people present, and Prime Minister Bilo even spoke. "Your Majesty, please think again."

There's a reason why Prime Minister Bilow is speaking at this time, because he knows the Emperor's affection for England, and the Emperor has a love-hate relationship with England. It claimed that an armed conflict with Britain was "the most unimaginable", but in action, it made Britain feel like a great enemy because of the German Navy's large-scale shipbuilding.

But there is no such sentiment towards Britain among the German government and the general public. In their view, the British Empire was nothing more than a potential rival of Germany, and they did not have the complicated feelings of the emperor. So for the sake of the majesty of the emperor, William paid great attention to his words in public. Of course, sometimes if you forget it, the senior government officials around you also know how to remedy it immediately, for example, now.

"So does the government have any new methods?"

And if he was reminded by the Prime Minister, let William know that he was not talking about this topic. Wilhelm II was not stupid, and of course knew the importance of tying Italy closer, and the military and political officials were able to share a lot of the pressure on Germany on land and sea. Especially for the brave and warlike navy of Italy, Wilhelm and senior German military and political officials were quite important. I think it's a little bit higher than Germany's own navy.

"We think we can increase our support for Italy, for example, by providing interest-free loans, or technical support......"

In the face of the emperor's inquiry, the prime minister gave advice to the government on the side.

"Our military believes that we can increase the exchange of military technology between the two countries, and the same can be done in the field of tactical research, and we can even discuss military cooperation and other issues with them."

The Chief of the General Staff, General Moltke Jr., also made a proposal to the Emperor on behalf of the military, and after he had finished speaking, he gave Tirpitz a special look.

For Moltke's small actions, Wilhelm II also saw it, and it was obvious that for the sake of unanimity, a certain side made some concessions, and at the moment it looks like some kind of concession was made by the naval side.

If both the government and the military were in vogue for a deeper alliance with the Italians, how could he, the monarch, oppose it?

"Since you all say so, then these conditions can be put forward for tomorrow's talks, and I think the Italians should be tempted."

Wilhelm II's words set the tone for tomorrow's talks with the German side, and of course made the German side pay more attention to it, and it is also the result of Italy's efforts over the years. From being disliked at the beginning to being co-opted now, this is the result of a significant increase in Italy's national strength. In this era, weakness is the original sin, and this norm is implemented by all countries.

While the German side is making plans for tomorrow's talks, it is doing the same thing on the Italian side.

"Your Majesty, the Germans in today's meeting are too little sincere to meet our requirements at all."

In the room, Prime Minister Antonio reported to the returning Carlo on the contents of today's talks. In addition to the Prime Minister and the King, the important ministers of the delegation were there.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the German side has given too little sincerity, and it is the enemy of the British Empire, and at present our country is not prepared at all." Admiral Yagill, the Minister of the Navy, who was in the limelight during the talks, also took the opportunity to make a statement.

"Admiral Yagill is right, we are not prepared for anything, and it is too early to talk about this." The Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Simeone, spoke in the same way.

Carlo could see that, despite all the reasons given by his ministers, it was clear that this was a sign of their lack of confidence in being an enemy of the British.

That's right, it's the fear of the majesty of the British Empire.

As for the lack of confidence of the important ministers, Carlo understands very well.

After all, over the past few hundred years, Britain has been famous, and Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Russia have all tasted the consequences of challenges. Especially in the Napoleonic era, France, which commanded Europe to flourish, also failed to overthrow Britain's position. How could Italy dare to compete with the British Empire, even if it was a German to share the pressure?

In the face of the worries of his ministers, Carlo certainly needs to give a little confidence. "You are right, if you want to increase the terms against Britain, then now the German side gives fewer conditions, at least need to enhance the naval strength of the two countries, Germany needs to have at least eighty percent of the strength to drag down the British navy."

The eighty percent that Carlo is talking about is the result of careful calculations by the current Italian Navy. In view of the situation in the Mediterranean, the Italian Navy believed that it was necessary to have an advantage in the face of the French Navy and the British Mediterranean Fleet, which was the key to ensuring Italy's naval supremacy in the Mediterranean.

Because the Mediterranean is so important, so important that if Italy loses its sea supremacy, then it is tantamount to defeat. Factories that lack raw materials in the country will come to a standstill, and a lack of imported food will lead to riots among the population. Therefore, in the face of war, Italy first needs to consider sea supremacy. If we cannot gain sea supremacy, there will be no need to fight this war, and we must realize this even if we suffer a little loss.

In the face of Carlo's words, these important ministers also agreed very much, because this is the situation that Italy must face at the moment.

"Your Majesty, then in the next talks, our main goal will be to contain the British Navy in Germany. In addition, we intend to open up more restricted technologies to Germany, both military and civilian, when we meet with them. ”

Prime Minister Antonio briefed Carlo on the focus of the upcoming talks.

The Prime Minister's words, Carlo also knew his intentions. Overall, Italy seems to be developing well in technology, with good technology in industries such as internal combustion engines, electric power, petrochemicals, and shipbuilding.

However, in addition to these high-achieving technology industries, Italy has many more industries that are lagging behind in technology. According to the barrel theory, the amount of water it holds depends on the shortest plank, so if Italy wants to develop healthily, then it needs to make up for the shortcomings. It is important to bring in more technology from Germany.

"There is no problem, and the next meeting will be based on what the prime minister said."

Faced with specific talks, Carlo was relieved to hand them over to his important ministers.

At this time, Admiral Yagill interjected. "The Austrians could not let it go either, I heard that they were also preparing to build dreadnoughts."

Admiral Simeone, who listened to the dazzling sound and knew the elegance, immediately spoke. "Do you want to bring it into command in the future?"

"With this idea, after all, Austria-Hungary is also a Mediterranean country, and only by concentrating on it can we defeat a possible strong enemy in the future."

Well, the admiral paid attention to the Austrians.

"Add that to the rest of the talks."

In the face of Admiral Yagill's suggestion, Carlo also agreed.