The Rise of the Empire

"Our request is simple. Through the influx and increase of population, we can ensure the votes of the Kingdom of Bavaria in the federation, so as to maintain stability at the parliamentary level. In terms of economy, we strengthen our ties with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. To ensure that one day, when Prussia’s capital competes with ours, we have enough strength. And to be honest, we do have some needs for territory. The Bavarian Army is a key pillar of the Eastern Front. After paying huge costs, the imperial government Do you want to give me some benefits?" the prince said.

"Hiss." The Kaiser gasped. He suddenly realized that he really didn't recognize the person in front of him. The other party's answer was very different from what he expected. From the conversation just now, he understood what Ruprecht meant. The economy and population were obtained from Austria-Hungary, while the territorial issue was obtained through the German central government. You can never call this idea treasonous. The economic cooperation with Austria-Hungary is aboveboard, and there is nothing to criticize about the introduction of immigrants and labor. Even the last point makes sense. It cannot be that the Eastern Front was fought hard by the Bavarian Army and the Prussian government did not give any Bar?

Of course, it would be best if we can refuse to give them, but Bavaria is not Saxony or Württemberg, and these two countries are not as good as one Bavaria if they are tied together now. If you refuse to give it, then it may not be easy to handle military cooperation between the two sides or anything else. After all, the military systems of the two sides are separate during peacetime. You have no control over whether it is the Kaiser or Moltke.

Ever since, the situation has completely changed now. Bavaria has made it clear that it will not have any territorial transactions or activities beyond the boundaries with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so the so-called suspicion of treason is gone. As long as there is no such problem, Prussia really can't move. Bavaria. What is even more tragic is that now the problem has become that Bavaria demands to share the fruits of victory on the Eastern Front. Prussia really cannot refuse this issue. After all, everyone is a kingdom, and they will also bear important responsibilities in the battle on the Eastern Front.

You don’t have to give benefits to the Kingdom of Württemberg or the Kingdom of Saxony. The reason is very simple. Although the armies of these two kingdoms are under their own control during peacetime, their funding is supported by the German central government. It is considered that the German central government is helping you. Raise the army and give it to you for daily use. But Bavaria is different. They completely raise their own troops. Even if everyone is under one imperial flag. But if you want others to contribute, you also have to pay for it! And the price is very problematic.

The Kaiser is very confused now, because his current answer is directly related to whether the Bavarian Army will be dominated by the Austro-Hungarian Empire or Prussia in the future. If it is the latter, the Prussian General Staff can transfer hundreds of thousands of troops to the west. line, and even the Kaiser believed that the security of East Prussia could be guaranteed by relying solely on the Bavarian Army. It doesn't matter if Prussia doesn't garrison troops.

Moltke made a calculation for the Kaiser. With Bavaria's financial resources, the number of reserve officers and the reserves of supplies, there would be no problem at all in maintaining 4 to 5 armies and nearly 200,000 troops in peacetime. During the war, it would be no problem to easily break through the 300,000 mark. In terms of combat effectiveness, according to the current situation, it is not clear whether it is possible to defeat the 500,000 Prussian army head-on, but there is no problem at all to draw a tie. What is the concept of 500,000 Prussian troops? That is the establishment of two legions upwards. Except for the most powerful legion, which legion can have 250,000 people?

Going deeper, Fritz could think of Ruprecht playing tricks on the direction of attack, and so could the Kaiser. If we fight to the north, the German Empire will naturally benefit more. If we fight to the east, most of the results will naturally fall into the pockets of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The German army on the Eastern Front is almost dominated by the Bavarian Army. No matter how powerful the Prussian General Staff is,

It is also impossible to prevent cooperation between Bavaria and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After all, you have left your back to Austria-Hungary, and other people’s opinions must also be taken into account.

"What benefits do you plan to ask Fritz to give you?" The Kaiser is indeed a veteran in politics. He is sure that Bavaria and Austria-Hungary have not yet completed the deal. This can be seen from Fritz's performance. It can be seen that he also has doubts about Bavaria's ability. How can he pay without seeing the practical goods? But now, the goods have been inspected, so it can be expected that transactions will definitely speed up.

"I would like to add the title of Grand Duchess of Bohemia and Moravia to my wife's title," Ruprecht said with a smile.

"Are you crazy?! Fritz will not agree!" William II said in surprise, looking at him as if he were a madman. The Kaiser was certain that this so-called Grand Duchess could not be just an honorary title, but must have local real power. In fact, this was not a big deal, because the local government in Bohemia had a very high status. autonomy. There are even rules that require civil servants to speak Czech. Therefore, from the perspective of local government, it is understandable that the Austrian Emperor gave the governance of this area to his daughter. As for the married woman, The problem is not a problem in Europe.

For example, Prince Ruprecht's father, Ludwig III, was once able to concurrently serve as King of Greece, but the latter gave up. And Fritz can only give his daughter local power. At the parliamentary level, Princess Mary cannot have rights. In other words, you can manage and operate, but the external and internal political power is very limited. small.

But even so, the Kaiser still believed that the Austrian Emperor would not agree. At most, one Archduchess of Bohemia was the limit. After all, these two places are the most industrially developed areas in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is also an important place for soldiers, and Ruprecht will definitely intervene in the local economy and military. For Austria-Hungary, this really needs to be carefully considered. Of course, if this plan can come true, although the territory of the Kingdom of Bavaria will not change, its military strength and economic strength will be greatly improved.

"Then what do you need to do?" the Kaiser continued to ask.

"The answer is very simple, kill all enemies." Ruprecht said easily. "Of course we will fight the Russians in the east, Serbia in the south, and maybe the Italians. Who knows, the process may be different, but the result is certain."

"But, you are the prince of the German Empire, isn't this bad?" the Kaiser said.

"The Austrian emperor gave his daughter a fiefdom. It seems that he doesn't care about anything in Germany, right? Since the Kingdom of Bavaria is also part of the German Empire, we have made our own contribution to the growth of Germany and shed blood for the empire, so we share the meat in Prussia In this case, can we share a bowl of soup?"

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