Germany's diplomatic situation was now complicated, although the Triple Alliance was formed with Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Italy against the Franco-Russian Entente.

In practice, however, Germany still had a great deal of contact with the Russian Empire, and was trying to pull it out of the Franco-Russian Entente, or even into the Central Powers.

With the rise of Germany in all its industrial and economic and military aspects, the German diplomatic situation has also ushered in a great change.

Before the unification of Germany, the hegemon of the European continent had always been France. But since the Kingdom of Prussia established the German Empire with its feet on France, the hegemony of continental Europe, especially Western Europe, has shifted to the German Empire.

But let's not forget that although the British Empire was not personally involved in the disputes on the European continent, it had always pursued a policy of isolation.

At the same time, however, the British Empire was propping up the weaker side of the European hegemony struggle, such as the former Kingdom of Prussia.

When Germany gained greater superiority in Western Europe, especially when the army and navy were fully developed and their combined strength was able to threaten the British Empire, the British Empire no longer supported Germany, and even began to compete with Germany in some places.

At present, France is Germany's sworn enemy and strategic target of several powerful powers on the European continent, and there is an irreconcilable state between the two countries, and it is basically impossible to resolve the contradictions.

After the coronation of Edward VII, the British Empire had gradually shifted its foreign policy. From the original policy of isolation, it has begun to gradually participate in European affairs and exert greater influence on Europe.

However, the British Empire did not explicitly stand on either side of the two major military blocs in Europe, but temporarily maintained its neutrality between the two military blocs.

At present, the British Empire is also the target of the two major military blocs vying for wooing, and even Wilhelm II has repeatedly courted and wooed Britain.

In addition to Britain and France, the only countries that can be regarded as powerful countries on the European continent in addition to the German Empire are the Tsarist Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Needless to say, Austria-Hungary was a member of the Triple Alliance and the only ally that the German Empire could rely on at the moment.

The Tsarist Empire was also the target of the German Empire, but because of the good relations and close economic exchanges between France and Russia, it was not simple or even impossible to make the Tsarist Empire fall to the German Empire.

More importantly, like Germany and France, there were irreconcilable territorial contradictions between Austria-Hungary and Tsarist Russia.

Both countries are adjacent to the Balkans, a powder keg of Europe, and both want to try to establish their own spheres of influence in the Balkans.

This situation further made it impossible for Germany and Tsarist Russia to unite, and the territorial dispute was basically impossible to resolve.

Similarly, as allies of the German Empire, there were some territorial contradictions between the Kingdom of Italy and Austria-Hungary.

Although the contradictions between the two countries were initially resolved after the reconciliation of the German Empire, it was precisely because of this that the formal Triple Alliance was established.

But how can the resolution of the contradiction be satisfying? The Kingdom of Italy was not satisfied with the simple concession of Austria-Hungary, which was also an important reason why the Kingdom of Italy turned against the water and joined the Entente in the original history.

The German Empire did not understand the importance of long-distance and close attacks for a country.

As great powers with the same ambitions and aspirations, as long as they are close to each other, there will be many territorial problems.

It's like France and Germany, where the two countries are basically hostile, because that's the general trend of the country.

Even if it is calmed down and resolved in a short period of time due to external forces, the problem itself is still there. As long as the two countries do not have a winner or loser, and there is no mutually agreeable division of territory, then even if an alliance is established, it will be divided due to conflicts of interest.

Unlike the allies of the German Empire, the closest distance between the Russian-French alliance was that of the whole of Germany, and there was no territorial dispute, which is why the two countries were able to work closely together.

Hearing Wilhelm II's inquiry, Foreign Minister Andrew replied with a smile: "I wonder if His Majesty the Kaiser has ever heard of the strategy of long-distance friendship and close attack?" ”

"Out-of-range?" Wilhelm II repeated, slightly interested: "So how exactly do you make a long-distance relationship, how do you attack closely?" ”

"Your Majesty, if you count all the neighboring countries of Germany, it is rare to find that there is no historical territorial dispute with the German Empire. Even the present ally of your country, Austria-Hungary, was the greatest enemy of the Kingdom of Prussia in the German region before the formation of Germany. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy had the same problem, and there were no small disputes over territory. Although the three countries have been brought together to form an alliance through your efforts, I believe that such an alliance is loose and can be easily broken from within. Minister Andrew explained.

"Looking closely at your two allies, only Austria-Hungary can really share part of the battlefield pressure of the German Empire. But the Austro-Hungarian Empire itself had big problems, the ethnic composition of the country was too complex, and communication between the armies of various nationalities was not easy. Although after the integration of His Majesty Emperor Joseph, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was temporarily condensed into a united state. But if the predicament of war is really faced, the collapse of Austria-Hungary is quite possible. I believe that Germany's priority at the moment is to try to win over the other powers in Europe, including the British Empire and the Tsarist Empire, which are the countries that the German Empire should strive to win at present. Foreign Minister Andrew said.

Wilhelm II did not nod, but looked closely at Minister Andrew.

The approach that Minister Andrew was referring to was the one that was currently being implemented in the German Empire, and which had never been successful.

Although Germany had tried to win over the British Empire and the Russian Empire, both countries had previously pursued isolationism, and the other had very good and close economic and political relations with Europe and France, so both of them ultimately failed.

But whether it succeeded or not, it was already a decision that the German Reich had put forward and tried.

If Minister Andrew had not given a good explanation, then even if Wilhelm II had a good opinion of Australia, and how close Germany's current relationship with Australia would have been, it would not have been so entertained.

"Your Majesty, the situation is different now than before. Based on an analysis of the current situation in the island nation, His Highness believes that the conflict between the island nation and the Tsarist Russian Empire will become more and more intense, and even a war will break out within a few years. Minister Andrew also stopped selling and explained with a smile: "The island countries have imported a large number of army weapons and equipment and warships from the British Empire and Australia, and have also signed import treaties with us on mineral resources. There are all kinds of indications that their goal is no longer to focus on their own country, but to try to gain hegemony in East Asia. ”

"At present, from an international point of view, the island country has won the support of two major powers, including the British Empire and the United States, and because the base camp is in East Asia, there is basically not much pressure on logistics. But in contrast to the Tsarist Empire, France, an ally, did not support their actions in East Asia, nor did any major powers other than them support them. On the premise that most of the forces of the Tsarist Empire were placed in Eastern Europe, I do not think that a small part of the Tsarist army and fleet would be an opponent of the island nation, which would be a serious crisis for the Tsarist Empire. ”

"But it was also an opportunity for the German Reich. As far as the British Empire and the Tsarist Empire are concerned, His Highness believes that it is the Tsarist Empire that is more able to favor or even unite with the German Empire. The British Empire was an established power like France, and it also had a large number of colonies. Germany's desire to compete for more overseas colonies was also a shock to the British Empire. And because Germany has been growing faster and faster recently, the navy is also having an impact on the British Empire. This was unacceptable for the pride of the British Empire in terms of navy, and the possibility of a union between Germany and the British Empire in the event of a conflict was slim and even hostile. ”

Wilhelm II nodded. What Minister Andrew said about Arthur's thinking was in fact the same current thinking of Wilhelm II and most German officials.

Australia's export of weapons and warships to the island nation appears to be supporting the German Empire's potential enemies, but in fact it is also helping the German Empire create an opportunity to win over the Russian Empire.

If the German Empire can bring the Russian Empire over, what does it matter if the island states rise in the Far East?

Even if the island nation is given another few decades of development time, it will never be possible to catch up with the development of the German Empire.

It was the confidence of Wilhelm II and all German officials in the German Empire and all the German people.

"As for how to win over the Tsarist Empire, His Royal Highness the Duke has the following proposals. First of all, to weaken the economic ties between France and the Tsarist Russian Empire as much as possible. After France provided a large number of loans to the Tsarist Empire, the economy of the Tsarist Empire was basically tied to France, which is why the two countries were able to unite. As long as the economic influence of France on the Tsarist Empire can be weakened, then the plan to unite the Tsarist Empire will complete the first step. Minister Andrew said with a smile.

"Oh? And then what? Seeing that Minister Andrew had finally gotten to the point, Wilhelm II asked with a little interest.

"The way the German Empire was able to win over the Russian Empire was by helping it maintain its dominance in East Asia and maintain its hegemony. The armies of the Tsarist Empire in East Asia were poorly armed and poorly trained. If a war breaks out for such an army, it would be good to be able to hold the territory, let alone win the war. The German Empire could provide large loans to the Russian Empire under various names, and encouraged and supported the expansion of its armies in East Asia and the replacement of weapons and equipment. As long as the hegemony of the Tsarist Empire in East Asia can be maintained, it is natural that the German Empire will be full of favorability for the German Empire, which has come to their aid in this crisis. Minister Andrew said: "Of course, this is only a superficial plan. Secretly, your country also needs to master some of the public opinion institutions in the Tsarist Empire, that is, various newspapers and printing houses. On the basis of the German Empire's help in the Tsarist Empire's defense of its hegemony in East Asia, a great deal of propaganda was carried out within the Tsarist Empire to strengthen the friendship and close relations between the German Empire and the Tsarist Empire among the people, which would also determine the thinking of the top leaders of the Tsarist Empire. ”

Arthur's proposal to Wilhelm II was very simple, that is, on the premise that Germany successfully helped the Tsarist Empire, a large amount of propaganda was carried out within the Tsarist Empire through public opinion, so as to gain the favor of the people of the Tsarist Empire, so as to influence the strategy of the top level of the Tsarist Empire.

Public opinion has a huge impact on a country, especially for civil public opinion. As long as it can grasp a country's public opinion, it can even influence a country's strategic choices.

Just imagine, in a Tsarist Empire where all the people in the country are full of affection for the German Empire, even if a war breaks out with the German Empire because of the Entente, will the people at the bottom be enthusiastic about such a war?

Even if you have to raise your gun at the enemy because of the orders from above, it will not be so cruel due to various mental reasons.

Such wars tend to develop into false wars, where both sides do not commit too many troops, and the area where the actual war breaks out is very small.

After all, the so-called generals are not subject to military orders abroad. Especially on the battlefield, a qualified commander must always consider the feelings of the soldiers under him.

If you act recklessly regardless of the feelings of the soldiers, then you have to worry about whether the army will cause a mutiny.

"Oh? Create public opinion? That's a good idea, hahaha. Starting from the bottom of Russia and influencing the top of Russia, it is a good plan. Wilhelm II nodded and said with satisfaction.

Although it is only the early 20th century, the influence of public opinion on a country is already enormous.

Especially in European countries like Britain, France and Germany, although the exploitation of the people by the domestic capitalists still exists, even very violently.

But the power that people have together is already so powerful that it can even shake the foundations of a country's government.

If the majority of the Tsarists united, even the powerful government of the Tsarist Empire would have to take into account the opinion of the people.

"But there's still a problem, Minister Andrew. France will not sit idly by and watch us co-opt the Tsarist Empire through loans and arms sales. I'm afraid that as soon as we gave a loan to the Russian Empire, France will give more loans and give away a batch of weapons. After rejoicing, Wilhelm II voiced his doubts again.

France and the Russian Empire were still allies in the Entente. Although France did not support the actions of the Russian Empire in the Far East, this did not mean that France would abandon the Russian Empire.

On the contrary, France attaches great importance to the Tsarist Empire as an ally, and will never do anything like this, and the German Empire will win over the Tsarist Empire like this.

Although France was gradually inferior to the German Empire in terms of industry and economy, France was able to provide what the German Empire could provide to the Russian Empire.

What's more, France currently has a better relationship with the Tsarist Empire than the German Empire, and if the German Empire is so straightforward and straightforward to win over the Tsarist Empire, it will definitely be stopped by France as before.

"Yes, Your Highness. It is also a European country, and your country is a neighbor of France. Germany's efforts to win over the Russian Empire will certainly be known to France, and it will certainly be prevented by France. Minister Andrew nodded and said, "Therefore, this time the German Empire cannot be directly co-opted, and another country that can provide a large amount of weapons and equipment and has no ties with France is needed to do this." ”

2-in-1 4,300-word chapter, ask for support! It's been restored, brothers, and it's definitely not going to be broken

(End of chapter)