The Russian offensive that made General Moltke so nervous was not necessary.

Because the focus of the Russian offensive this time is the Austro-Hungarian army, the Russians are also bullying the weak and afraid of the hard. For the German Eastern Front, he sent only a group army of a hundred thousand people. As for the Austro-Hungarian front, Russia shot with three army groups, with a strength of nearly 400,000 troops.

As for why this is so, it is very simple, because at present, the German army on the Eastern Front, under the leadership of several macho men, is fighting at the end of the charts. In a series of battles such as the Battle of Tannenberg, the Battle of Lake Masuria, and the Battle of Lodz, the Russians showed that although Germany had few troops on the Eastern Front, it still had no problem fighting the Russians.

That being the case, then continuing to hit the southern wall is not the style of the Russians who have been repeatedly taught a lesson. So the soft persimmon Austria-Hungary suffered. When it was discovered that the Russians were coming at him again, the Austro-Hungarian front in Galicia was broken by the Russians again.

At this time, the Austrians habitually asked Germany for help, which completely frustrated the desire of Austria-Hungary to repel the Russians on the Eastern Front and to allow Moltke Jr. to draw some troops from the Eastern Front to support the Battle of Paris.

The first is that in the Galician Campaign, Austria-Hungary lost too many veterans and junior officers, which led to a major decline in the organizational ability of the Austro-Hungarian army.

On the other hand, there was the national problem in Austria-Hungary, after all, not everyone could master eleven languages like the Austrian Emperor, and these many nationalities were conscripted into the army, and it was a big problem just to make them understand the words of the officers.

This was also an important factor in the fact that the Austro-Hungarian army had good combat effectiveness when it was small, but it quickly collapsed after large-scale mobilization. The Austro-Hungarian top brass used the mass-mobilized army as a small-scale Austrian-dominated army, how could this not fail.

On the other hand, Austria-Hungary was still involved in Serbia. He had been defeated by two previous attacks in a row. When this preparation was for the third time, it was directly attacked by Russia and ended up without a problem, which made the Viennese side quite speechless. Who can be blamed for this, the Austro-Hungarians obviously overestimated their own abilities, so this is not okay and that is not good.

This Austria-Hungary is also big-hearted, and in the same situation of facing a two-front battle, it can still take the initiative to attack, not what a big heart is.

At this time, Austria-Hungary could only send troops used for the Serbian campaign to Galicia, but Vienna was a little unwilling, so it also set its sights on its allies to the south.

At this time, in the face of the request for help from Germany and Austria, Carlo immediately convened a military conference to discuss the issue of assistance to Germany and Austria.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think we need to look at Deau's request separately."

The first to speak was General Dalquion, the chief of staff, who continued. "At present, our Italian troops are limited, and Germany's request can be implemented through the Tunisian campaign, and Austria-Hungary's request should be rejected directly, and we will send troops to help Austria-Hungary fight Serbia, and I am angry that I, the chief of the general staff, cannot give this order."

As the Army's second-in-command, Admiral Dalkion clearly did so from a military point of view, and he believed that this would be more in line with military needs.

However, there are also dissenting opinions on the words of Admiral Dalquion.

I saw Foreign Minister Bakona speak. "If we do that, it's a bit of a favoritism, and we're going to have to deal with Austria-Hungary in the future, isn't that not good?"

For the military, which only cares about military needs, the government is obviously thinking more.

"But we can't sacrifice our army for the sake of politics, isn't it life to stump the lives of our soldiers?"

It is clear that Admiral Dalquion does not agree with Bacona's words.

"How can I be regarded as sacrificing the lives of soldiers, how can there be immortals in war. And it's not that our government doesn't care about the soldiers, don't you see that our government is now completely serving you? ”

In the face of Admiral Dalquion's accusations, Bacona, of course, did not approve, it was all for the sake of the Kingdom of Italy, how could he accuse himself like this.

"You ............"

"Uh-huh."

The sound of this voice immediately silenced the two important ministers who were about to quarrel, and it was the king's cough warning them. At this time, the tension in the air dissipated, as if there had been no quarrel between the two important ministers, which showed the king's control over both the military and the government.

"I think what both of you said makes sense, why don't we make a difference, we can not only send troops but also defuse the solution with Vienna."

As he spoke, Carlo pointed to the location of Bulgaria on the map, although he didn't say anything, but who was not a human spirit in the audience, and immediately understood what Carlo meant. This was to win over Bulgaria and let it replace Italy and Austria-Hungary to flank Serbia.

The reason why Bulgaria was chosen is simple: it is because the Bulgarians simply cannot refuse the temptation of Macedonia as a reward.

As for why the Italian side is unwilling to cooperate with Austria-Hungary, it is also because there is no interest. As Austria-Hungary, which regards the Balkans as its core interests, Italy's intervention in Albania is already the limit of patience.

If Italy were to expand its influence in the Balkans, Vienna would have to jump to its feet. Whether this alliance will be able to continue at that time will be a big question.

The Italian side is well aware of this, and the interests in other places are so tempting, and it has no intention of competing with Russia and Austria for that interest in the Balkans, so it has always been very restrained.

Even after the outbreak of the war, even if Austria-Hungary did not give a little benefit to the Italian army to cooperate with the attack, the Roman side did not have any dissatisfaction, of course, there would not be many troops to cooperate with the attack.

As for Austria-Hungary, it wanted Italy to work for nothing and send more troops to assist it in conquering Serbia. Sorry for overthinking, the Italian army will definitely make a fuss on its side.

Because although the number of armies has increased, the combat effectiveness is different. At present, the combat-ready units of the Italian army are composed of pre-war and first-class fighters, and these units have basically been assigned to all fronts and exist as general reserves, and there are not many roots to be deployed in the Kosovo area. So Carlo's proposal is very suitable for the current situation.

"Your Majesty's idea is a brilliant one, not only to relieve us of pressure, but also to reassure Vienna so that they can't say anything wrong."

At this time, the military and political officials present all praised Carlo's method well.

Now that the most controversial Austro-Hungarian request has been resolved, it is easy to say on the German side.

As the most helpful ally to Italy at the moment, he said that he would also help the Germans in Paris share the pressure. Otherwise, without the Germans carrying most of the Allied troops, how could Italy complete its layout in the Mediterranean.

So it was not said, the Tunisian campaign had to be fought, and the Nice-Corsica campaign also needed to be fought at the same time.

Needless to say, the Tunisian campaign, Italy has been preparing for many years. The Battle of Nice-Corsica was a plan that only came in the past few years. This is also the battle plan formulated by the military after Italy's national strength gradually caught up.

Of course, as for when it will be executed, it needs to be arranged according to the battle situation.

And now is not the best time?

So this meeting decided that Italy had two battles that needed to be fought at the same time, and the time was tight and the tasks were heavy, but the military side thought that two battles at the same time would not be a problem for the Italian army at all.

After the meeting, Carlo called the crown prince over.

"Vittorio, get ready, and go to Libya Province in three days."

"Father, can you ask why, I can tell Victoria."

Hearing this, a wave of anger welled up in Carlo's heart.

"Because the Tunisian campaign is about to begin, how can you, the titular commander, not be on the battlefield. Vittorio, you are the crown prince, care more about the kingdom, don't give your attention to your wife. ”

"Father, I see."

"Do it when you know it, instead of talking to me here."

After kicking his son out, the idea of practicing a trumpet in Carlo's heart was pressed again.

Even if he is a son, he still has a tendency to only listen to his wife, so how can he take the position of king well. Although Carlo did not have high expectations for his son, and when he ascended the throne, it would definitely be a constitutional monarchy. But at the moment, the constitutional monarchy worries Carlo.

If his own unconscious son continues to do so, then Carlo really needs to think about other monarchs. Even if it bears the testimony of the alliance between Italy and Germany, it sometimes does not care.

(End of chapter)