"At this moment! Public opinion has kidnapped the whole of France. Napoleon III originally just wanted to use nationalist fervor to divert people's attention from the suffering of life, so as to buy time for reform!"
"But he mistakenly underestimated the power of public opinion. He thought he could control this monster, but he didn't know at all that he himself was not the driver, he was just the mud under the feet of this monster!"
"Let us wait a little longer, wait patiently, and let the Emperor continue to act. I am sure that on July 14th, the National Day, the national fanaticism will be at its peak!"
"Inform the entire army to prepare for battle! Stop all military training and give our soldiers extra meals! Let them maintain their physical strength!"
"The war is approaching, and no one can stop it! The Emperor has no choice at this moment!"
In the Berlin base camp, Xiao Letian's firm voice echoed in the hall. All senior leaders of the Prussian military gathered together, and even the king was present.
At the meeting, both Xiao Letian and Bismarck issued war mobilization orders. Bismarck was mainly responsible for logistics and internal affairs reports, while Xiao Letian was responsible for the entire public opinion propaganda war against France.
Xiao Letian's perspective is refreshing. In this era, no one really analyzes problems from the perspective of public opinion. This is a completely new profession in war studies.
But Xiao Letian is the originator of this profession. His insightful analysis of human nature made everyone present nod in admiration. In Xiao Letian's description, Napoleon III has become a rat in the ventilation duct and can only move forward with the strong wind. Or retreat, no longer having any ability to be autonomous.
There was a burst of warm applause in the base camp. Everyone was impressed by the speech of the head of state. At this time, the telegraph room of the military department received a telegram from the United Kingdom. After the translation, the military attache did not dare to neglect and immediately sent it to the king. and the Prime Minister.
After reading this, Bismarck smiled and shook his head, "Haha... everything has verified the head of state's judgment. Gladstone just sent a telegram..."
"Mediation failed! French Emperor Napoleon III completely ignored the British mediation and was determined not to withdraw the ultimatum!"
"God bless Prussia! Let the war begin! Let the war be more violent!" All the senior military officials in the conference room stood up, holding their sabers and shouting arrogantly.
Xiao Letian sneered and said, "There are still twenty days! Let the Emperor laugh for another twenty days! His political life has come to an end!"
British mediation failed! This news spread all over Europe at once, and no one expected that the French Emperor would not even give Britain the face.
The Times regretfully published a separate issue, and those London citizens who originally disliked the French expressed their indignation with righteous indignation.
The Chinese restaurant jointly owned by the Duke of New York and Xiao Letian has become a gathering place for all British fans who support the Chinese. While they taste the delicious food, they condemn the Emperor's rudeness.
Only then did Xiao Letian's wisdom show. Basically, more than half of the high-ranking aristocrats in the UK had shares in Chinese restaurants, and the prototype of a food empire had already been formed.
At this time, they naturally have to help their shareholders. They are all friends making money on the same boat. Everyone still relies on the source of fresh food from the head of state. How could they not help their own people.
What's more, France and Britain also have grudges. Since ancient times, there have been many conflicts between the first and second place. Needless to say, in terms of business competition, mutual conflicts have never stopped.
Taking this opportunity, these nobles wanted to vent their dissatisfaction, and this sentiment was quickly conveyed to the newspaper office and the Prime Minister's desk.
Gladstone took advantage of this public opinion to submit a military aid bill in Congress. He was prepared to provide 10 million pounds in low-interest military aid to the Chinese! And the banner was to protest against the French Emperor's disregard for British peace mediation!
This bill was passed by only three votes in the House of Commons, but it was unexpectedly passed unanimously in the House of Lords. It can be seen that Xiao Letian's previous strategy of attacking the hearts of the people has completely won over the entire British aristocratic circle.
The situation in Europe was turbulent for a while. Countries issued various statements for different purposes. Even the United States, which was deeply trapped in isolationism, expressed concern for lives and hoped that both sides could calmly negotiate and resolve the conflict.
At this moment, France has become a teenager who has fallen into the middle school syndrome. They cover their ears and refuse to listen to all the warnings from the outside world, and they only want to vent their emotions.
From the emperor to the common people, they all feel as if they are possessed by a demon at this moment, thinking that war is the only way to solve the current crisis!
June passed so quickly. People were drunk and dizzy almost every day. They had already started celebrating victory before the war started.
Entering July, this is the National Day month of the Second French Empire. The 14th is the day when the Second French Empire was founded. Every year, the empire holds a grand celebration ceremony.
Military parades are unavoidable, and there are also many various performances and parades. The emperor will give a National Day speech. Even Prince Eugène Bonaparte issued a strict order that no one can withhold bread subsidies during the National Day...
More and more troops are being mobilized to the front line, supplies are being transferred back from overseas colonies in an orderly manner, and the people's enthusiasm for carnival remains undiminished...
But the Prussian compromise message that everyone was looking forward to did not move at all!
The entire French political scene looks extremely tough on the surface, but on the inside they are extremely anxious. Everyone's palms are sweating. They don't know where Prussia's confidence lies. There is only one question in everyone's mind.
"Could it be... is Prussia really determined to fight a decisive battle with France? Is Bismarck really so crazy that it can't help but control the situation?"
The last group of rational people in the empire also fell into confusion. "What happened to Prussia? Its national strength is more than half that of France, so how can it dare to persist until now?"
"Perhaps Bismarck wants to wait until the National Day before bowing his head? Well, that must be the case!"
One day, two days, three days... The calendar quickly turned back. When all the Praetorian Guards put on the new uniforms for the celebration, when all the Paris taverns were stocked with fine wine, National Day finally arrived!
July 14th! Paris has become a sea of joy. The harder people live, the more they cherish the rare festival, because this is the only chance they can have a little luxury.
Only today, you can get drunk without getting scolded by your wife, and only today, you can skip work to attend the celebration without being fired by your boss!
Early in the morning, hundreds of thousands of citizens poured into the streets towards the Champs Elysées, and the Tuileries Palace was the center of joy!
The streets and alleys were crowded with people, and many fathers put their children on their necks and slowly moved forward with the flow of people!
In order to celebrate and appease the people's emotions, the Paris government hired countless bands to perform at various intersections. People could hear cheerful music wherever they walked.
But what they don't know is that in the underground world of Paris, the spies hiding in the shadows are acting according to the plan. The Führer's net will finally be closed today!
