Chapter 869: Frantic Temptation

  Chapter 852 – Crazy Trial

While increasing its stockpile of weapons and equipment, Austria also increased its investment in the research and development of new types of equipment.

For example: tanks that run as slow as turtles, airplanes with a range of only three hundred kilometers or so, and stupidly large and thick artillery, all of which need to be improved.

In fact, with the continuous development of science and technology, the factors determining the victory or defeat of a war are more and more inclined to weaponry and logistics.

Preparing for war is not just about stockpiling weapons and ammunition, but also about keeping up with other strategic materials.

This involves a wide range, many materials are essentially civilian and military is common, production is not limited to state-owned enterprises, the vast majority of them are from private enterprises.

In order not to cause suspicion of the outside world, exposing the government’s strategic plan, increase the material reserves do not have to think about it.

But it is the enemy who should be worried about this issue.

After all, Austria’s industrial chain is perfect, and raw materials can be self-sufficient, the outbreak of war and then accelerate production, but also much faster than competitors.

Preparation is preparation, when the war will start, still no one knows.

Vienna government began to prepare for war, in fact, also according to the international situation change analysis, think the European continent has the possibility of war.

From the current situation, whoever fires the first shot first will push the wallflower countries of Central Europe to the opposite side.

Don’t look at Belgium is now pro-Austria, Holland, Switzerland, these countries are also releasing goodwill to Austria, which is based on the premise that the French government is aggressive.

The original time and space Napoleon III era also wanted to annex Belgium, repeatedly interfered in the internal affairs of Belgium, the two families stood on the opposite side.

To the World War, Belgium but fell to the Allied Powers, in fact, was also forced out, not really like the outside world that British and French diplomacy is clever.

If the German Empire does not attack France through Belgium, why would they want to participate in the war, neutrality is not good?

Belgians and not stupid, a small country, run to participate in the World War is to be cannon fodder, simply can not get much benefit.

Perhaps a Belgium is not worth mentioning, if we add the North German Confederation?

The German region of that group of small states is what kind of goods, Franz know very well.

Referring to the Austro-Prussian War in the original time and space, we know that we agreed to join hands to deal with Prussia, but in the end, Austria and Prussia were left to fight one-on-one.

Originally should be evenly matched, because of these states of the water, resulting in the Austrian in the battle, the troops are at an absolute disadvantage.

If you want them to fight for their lives, unless the enemy comes to your door. Otherwise, these guys, can only pull out to shout slogans and momentum.

……

Since the destruction of the anti-French alliance pounded out by Austria, the atmosphere of the French government has changed, and everyone has suddenly realized that the cloud that hung over the head of France no longer exists.

This sudden change left many people unaccustomed. With the push of capital, the voice of the main war faction became louder and louder.

The change in the outside world also affected the judgment of Napoleon IV.

“It seems that Austria is not so powerful, and after losing the support of the British, the government in Vienna is unable to pull out the anti-French encirclement.”

The change in perception naturally had to affect the political decisions. In things against Austria, Napoleon IV was no longer so much in the picture.

Versailles.

Roughly looking over the documents in his hands, Napoleon IV asked uncertainly, “Are you ready to restart international coal price negotiations?”

In order to hinder France’s economic development, an international coal export alliance was set up led by Britain and Austria to control the international coal trading price.

As a result of this, the price of coal imported by France was at least fifty percent higher than that of Britain and Austria.

Higher energy prices, industrial production costs naturally went up. This has directly led to the loss of competitiveness of many French industrial and commercial products in the international arena.

In order to dismantle the International Coal Exporting Union, the French government, business and industry have tried their best, exhausted all means, but still failed to achieve the goal.

Even because of its control over France’s energy lifelines, the Coal Export International Union (CEIU) often dictates to the French industrial and commercial sectors.

There are two sides to every story. Forced by the high price of energy, France has taken the lead in blowing the trumpet of energy conservation.

With the same power of steam engines and boilers, French products usually consume a few percentage points less coal, and individual outstanding performance may also save 20% to 30%.

In addition to low coal consumption, the French have also developed a number of alternatives to coal, such as: charcoal.

In most areas, French boilers and steam engines could burn charcoal, and some of them could even burn wood.

Of course, black technology is not omnipotent, substitutes are always just substitutes, from the original genuine still have a certain gap.

This has led to the French industrial and commercial products, there is inevitably a flaw in the quality, can only be used.

The most typical is the steel, the overall quality of French steel is the worst, worse than the Russian steel quality.

Minister of Economy Elsa said righteously, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. For the sake of the healthy development of the domestic economy, the Ministry of Economy will absolutely do everything in its power to bring down the international coal trading price.”

Foreign Minister Karel Kadlec concurred, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will fully cooperate with the Ministry of Economy’s actions, and we have already begun lobbying the British.

From the current situation, the British Coal Export Association is already showing signs of compromise. As soon as the British relent, we will be able to force Belgium and the German Confederation to compromise.”

The conflict is simply because of interest, if the International Coal Exporting Union was founded with the aim of suppressing the French economy, now it is simply because of interest.

In a sense, coal is also a product of immediate need. No matter how hard the French try to find substitutes, it still has to be imported in large quantities.

Against this background, it is natural for suppliers to raise prices in order to make huge profits.

Trying to get the British to relent is very simple – it’s all about throwing money at the problem. As long as they can make up for the less money they make in the area of coal exports from other sources, things will be fine.

As for the coal suppliers of Belgium and the North German Confederation, that would be their bad luck, who made their countries weak?

Napoleon IV fell into a deep thought, it seemed like it was just a coal price negotiation, but in reality it was more of a test for the international community.

If the plan succeeded and didn’t cause a violent backlash from the international community, then the French government wouldn’t need to be so cautious in the days to come.

“Since you are all ready, let’s restart the negotiations! But pay attention to the ways and means and don’t make a big mess.”

It was obvious that Napoleon IV was not so assured with the group of bureaucrats under his command.

This has something to do with the French political system, the Ministry of Economy is definitely the most heavily influenced by capital in the government, and the performance of the officials has been linked to capital from the very beginning.

If you don’t greet them in advance, these guys act according to the will of the capital, and it is possible to directly provoke a war.

France is not ready for war, Napoleon IV did not float, do not think that with the current power of France, will be able to challenge the world.

……

At the headquarters of the British Coal Association in London, a group of capitalist bigwigs were engaged in a heated argument.

A big-bellied old man said excitedly, “Gentlemen, here’s the chance to get rich.

The French are proposing that if we set aside the International Coal Exporting Union and reduce the price of coal by a fifth, they will reduce the tariffs on some of their goods.

This reduction is not for all businesses, but is limited to the industries of the members of our Coal Association, so rejoice!”

Applause erupted, and many people reveled in the joy of getting rich. It was more than obvious what it meant to be able to deliver goods to the French market at a lower tariff than their domestic counterparts.

Some people gained and some people lost, and not everyone was able to reap the benefits.

The small coal miners were the biggest victims, with their limited capital and inability to enter multiple industries. Instead, they were able to maximize their profits by selling high-priced coal.

Reducing some of the tariffs, they also had no goods to sell. Instead, the consortiums were well rewarded and could reap greater benefits.

As the representative of the small coal miners in the association, Mikhailovich immediately objected, “No way! The French are Britain’s greatest enemy, and any relaxation of the repression of France is a crime against Britain.

Those fools in the government have foolishly run into an alliance with the French; shall we also compromise with them for the sake of a trifling benefit?”

The old man laughed: “Mikhailovich, don’t forget that we are capitalists, there is no reason why we can’t make money when it is delivered to our doorsteps, and it is the government’s business to suppress France.

Your worry is nothing but the damage to your own interests, in fact, you don’t need to worry. Even if there is no other industry, we can still cooperate!

I believe that all of us sitting here do not mind to provide you with help to fill the gap in your industry.

If you can’t, you can still choose to sell the coal mine. Don’t worry, we will offer a good price.

In short, we won’t let you guys suffer.”

Mihailovich’s face changed greatly, this was a poor attempt at a dagger. Before this, although the profits from the coal mines were good, the small mine owners were holding inferior mines that the consortiums were not yet able to look at.

Now it is different, control of the coal mines will control the export of coal, with these shares will be able to negotiate with the French, to obtain tariff preferential treatment, other industrial and commercial products will be marketed out.

Never mind that there was no shortage of markets for the British, it was an impossibility. There are not enough markets for any industrial power.

The British consortium had long coveted the French market, except that the French government knew it couldn’t do it and played with tariff barriers.

Now that it’s hard to tear open an opening, everyone naturally wants to find a way to rush inside.

As for the subsequent impact of the fall in coal export prices, what’s it to them? As long as they can make money, who cares what the future holds?

(End of chapter)