The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

London, England.

"Damn it! What did that fool in Aberdeen do!"

Prime Minister Robert Peel couldn't help being furious. He felt a little incredible about the situation before him.How did France and Austria come together?What is that idiot McGidd doing again! ?

Canning said: "My lord, it is imperative that we break up the alliance between Fa and Austria."

Robert Peel: "Damn! That diabolical alliance never existed, just like our alliance with the Russians, it's just a show for others to see!"

The latter sentence expresses the essence of the two alliances, but it makes the cabinet members even more puzzled.Why should the Prime Minister be so angry about an alliance that doesn't exist?
In fact, although Robert Peel felt that it was impossible for Britain and Russia to become allies, he did not mind using the influence of this incident to further weaken Russia, and at the same time create an invincible image for Britain, so as to obtain more flexible diplomacy position.

However, the Europeans seem to have overreacted to this incident. Not only did Britain not take advantage of this incident, but it also lost its national image and even cut off another possible "road".

In addition, Osman seems to have become a frightened bird, and the frightened bird is easy to fly around, and even has a relationship with the Austrians.

The reason why Britain is so wary of Russia is because the latter borders the Ottoman Empire. Although Austria is not as aggressive as Russia, it also borders the Ottoman Empire. It has an inherent advantage in competing for the heritage of the Near East.

At this time, the Duke of Haddington, who was Lord of the Admiralty, put forward another hypothesis that raised Robert Peel's blood pressure.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I think the Austrians may be drunk." (Hit the sack, drive the donkey - a German proverb, but it seems even more inappropriate to use here.)
(Western proverbs used in the phrase "drunkards don't want to drink" are in Latin, French, etc. Of course, if you have a master, you can also help us find a Western proverb with a similar meaning.)
"Damn! Your Excellency, please speak frankly. The British Empire is facing challenges. I'm not in the mood to listen to your ostentatious poems."

"Master Prime Minister, please look at the location of Albania."

As he spoke, Duke Haddington unfolded a chart of the Mediterranean Sea, pointed directly at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea, and continued.

"My lord, this is the Strait of Otranto. It is the deadlock of Austria's sea power. As long as we block it, the Austrian navy can only be fish in the pond for us to catch."

Although Robert Peel did not understand military affairs, he still had some understanding of some important straits. The reason why Britain dared to bully the Austrian Empire unscrupulously was because it could not pose a threat to the former at all.

"My lord, the Austrian coastline used to only reach Dalmatia, but now they have leased Saint Geni from the Ottoman Empire, and the coastline has advanced to 170 kilometers from the Strait of Otranto.

It's hard to say whether the Austrians have further plans?If they control the Strait of Otranto they will be able to escape the Adriatic.

This undoubtedly adds another strong opponent to the British Empire."

At this moment, Colonial Secretary William Gladstone let out a snort of disdain.

"Tsk, your navy pays sky-high wages every year but doesn't want to work. Sangeni is 170 kilometers away from the Strait of Otranto! Even if they built forts on both sides of the Strait of Otranto, do you know how wide the Strait of Otranto is?

74 kilometers!Have you ever heard of a gun that can shoot up to 37 kilometers?Or do you think that the Austrians intend to fence the 74 km long strait with wooden barrels?
Since ancient times, only warships have been able to perform maritime blockade missions!Even if the Austrians occupy the whole of Albania, is the Mediterranean fleet stationed on Crete just for nothing? "

(Barrel refers to the mines, here the Army is humiliating the Navy, because during the American Revolutionary War many Royal Navy battleships were blown up by the Americans with wooden mines, while the Army's troop carriers were safe every time.

Later, someone discovered that the reason why the navy was blown up by sea mines was that the navy had the habit of picking up floating objects in the sea, while the army was often busy throwing up at sea at this time, and would not pay attention to those unknown objects at all. )
William Gladstone's words are not unreasonable. After all, the range of conventional artillery at this time is less than one kilometer, and it is simply impossible to block the 74-kilometer-long strait.

As for the so-called wooden barrels, they actually refer to mines, but the tactics of mines in this period were immature. It is too difficult to block the 74-kilometer sea surface with mines, and it will waste a lot of money.

In addition, when the Whig Party was in power, the navy told the cabinet that as long as it stationed troops in Crete, it could control the entire Mediterranean Sea. Now, when the Tory Party is in power, the Navy's Armada is actually afraid that the Austrians will rush out of the Adriatic Sea.

This inconsistency infuriated both William Gladstone and Robert Peel.

"My lord, England expects that every man will do his duty (Nelson's famous quote).

If the navy can't fulfill its mission, I think you should find the problem more from yourself, rather than shirk responsibility, or waste the precious financial resources of the British Empire. "

Robert Peel's words were very sharp and mean, but as an admiral, he couldn't refute them.

"Master Prime Minister! I ask you to think again. Due to our country's global strategy, the Royal Navy's strength is already stretched. Now we can deal with France and the United States. But if both Austria and Russia go to sea, the consequences will be disastrous."

William Gladstone interrupted again inappropriately.

"Now the Strait of Gibraltar is still in our hands, isn't your navy unable to defend even one strait?

As long as there is Gibraltar's Western Fleet in France, Ottomans, Austria, and Russia, none of them can escape the fate of being dominated by us!

You just have to do your duty."

"You short-sighted fool! What if one day the French attack Gibraltar from land?!"

Howled the unbearable Duke of Haddington, but William Gladstone did not show weakness.

"What's the matter with Albania! You just want our army to die!"

"Shut up!" Robert Peel had to stop him. He had had enough of his subordinates' self-smartness. Although he was good at economics and politics, his understanding of military affairs was very limited, so he had to rely on this group of people. guy.

This made Robert Peel even more irritated, but fortunately, Canning, the undersecretary of foreign affairs, said at this time.

"Actually, we don't need to punish Austria or the Ottoman Empire."

"How do you say that?"

"Isn't the Austrian Empire planning to manage the mountains in northern Albania for the Ottoman Empire? We can use the same excuse to manage the southern plains!"

Now the ranking has dropped again, please ask for a monthly ticket recommendation ticket or something.