Time for space, or space for time! This is the essence of war science that the ancients understood. Not only the Chinese are well versed in this, but Europeans also understand the importance of strategic depth!
The geostrategic characteristics of a country are really a gift from God. For example, Britain has been a country outside the mainstream of Europe since ancient times, but once it entered the Age of Discovery, its geographical location suddenly became the best!
On the contrary is Germany. The geographical location of this country is really bad. In ancient times, it was the intersection of Western Europe and Eastern Europe. There were constant conflicts of civilizations and the threat of war.
In the maritime age, all its sea ports were still threatened by the British fleet, which was tightly buckled on their heads like a lid.
The strategic position is indeed too difficult. His failure in World War I and World War II was largely due to geostrategic losses!
But there is nothing that can be done about it. Who asked God to give them such a piece of land?
In contrast, the situation in France is much better. The land is fertile, agriculture and animal husbandry are developed, and the climate is warm and the population is large.
Moreover, France is directly adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and the conditions for naval development are more than a little better than Germany!
France is also protected by the Pyrenees and the Alps. In addition to the flat plains on the front and back, the south and east are terrains that are easy to defend and difficult to attack!
As long as they know how to use such a strategic advantage, the Prussians will not be able to take advantage at all!
Since Gladstone can become the British Prime Minister, he must have a deep research on strategy, and it is easy to judge the war situation.
In his judgment, if... Gladstone is talking about an almost impossible if!
If McMahon is really a weakling and can't even defend the Vosges Mountains, and then retreats to the Metz base camp, then the French Emperor's only option is to strategically shift.
Gladstone was unwilling to say the word retreat because he felt that such a failure was completely bearable in the face of a country as large as France.
Have you not seen that Napoleon I had many ups and downs, single-handedly resisting the anti-French alliance across Europe? At that time, France was as tough as an iron ingot wrapped with tendon, which no one could bite or smash!
As long as Napoleon III ensures that the army does not collapse, and then slowly retreats to the outskirts of Paris to set up an ambush and fight the Prussians, then all Bismarck's advantages will be lost!
When they arrive in Paris, the French will be like a fish in water. The railway network leading to the whole country will transport countless soldiers and supplies to Paris, and the war will continue for a long time.
Once the national fanaticism in France is aroused, teenagers may even dare to shoot at the Prussian army!
That is not an army of millions, that is, if all the people are soldiers, then it is an army of tens of millions!
Can Prussia win? I'm afraid it's very difficult!
Gladstone took a sip of whiskey. "So! The current victory may be just a flash in the pan. If you, Duke, still have Prussian assets in your hands..."
"Then I advise you, since you have doubled your profit, you should sell it secretly! You will be safe, don't you think?"
The Duke of Newcastle sighed, "If you say so, wouldn't Prussia have no chance of victory at all? France's victory over Prussia is not good news for us!"
"Hahaha... It's not that exaggerated. I estimate that this war will be a draw in the end. Bismarck is a master of strategy. If I can understand it, he will understand it too!"
"Once the war becomes a battle to defend Paris, as I analyzed, Bismarck will definitely know how to advance and retreat, and the war will be transferred from the battlefield to the negotiation table!"
"When the time comes, France will bow its head and recognize the unification of Germany, Bismarck will get what he wants, and the French Emperor will be able to avoid the destruction of the country. Wouldn't everyone be happy?"
"And what we, the British Empire, want is this kind of result, so that they will both suffer losses, and we will feel comfortable if they bleed more!"
The Duke of Neukesle sighed, "You've seen it through. Okay, I'll sell off all the Prussian bonds and stocks the day after tomorrow. I'll just make a little profit. I'm not greedy..."
At this time, Prince Edward, who was silent, suddenly spoke, "I suggest you take action today! Now we only have news about the land battlefield, and the French navy has not made any movement yet!"
"How do you think the financial markets will change once the French navy starts bombarding the Prussian coast?"
"Ouch!" The Duke of Newcastle slapped his thigh, "How could I have forgotten this? Navy, navy! How can Prussia's rubbish navy be France's opponent!"
"I wonder why many people haven't taken action to acquire bonds and stocks. It turns out they are all waiting for this news!"
"Throw it away quickly, I'm sorry, I have to meet with my accountant..." After saying that, the Duke put on his clothes and turned away.
As expected, the financial market was in turmoil. The Battle of Volta and the Battle of Spicelyn Heights were like two shots in the arm, doubling the price of Prussian financial products in just three days!
But after three days, this rising power could no longer move!
It is difficult to maintain follow-up funds. How can small retail investors alone withstand such a large market? Under the influence of mysterious selling forces, financial products related to Prussia also began to loosen and fall.
In just half a day, the general price of these products fell by 25% compared to the morning. The entire City of London was completely shocked. Countless investors who rushed to buy in the morning were so regretful that their intestines turned green.
"How could this happen? Didn't they win? Is there any new news from the front line?" people asked in whispers.
"Who knows! Anyway, I have always said that this kind of war stock is the most dangerous. There are always accidents in wars, and France is not that easy to defeat..."
"I think Prussia is in danger!"
The main force behind the sell-off was the senior executives of various countries. They were well-informed and could get guidance from people like Gladstone. With the advice of strategic experts, the funds that had doubled in profit began to secretly exit the market!
Not only the Europeans were on the run, but the Dutch official was also on the run. This eccentric guy had connections with many nobles in Europe. The Duke of Newxall sent her a telegram at noon that day to convey the gossip.
Fangguan immediately became happy when he heard this, "Haha...that's a good thing! If they throw it away, we will throw it away too. There will be plenty of opportunities to make the money back in a few days!"
With Fangguan's order, the foundation's seats in major stock companies began to take action. They anonymously sold bonds and stocks, and poured down a large number of financial products.
By the time the market closed, the average price of these financial products had plummeted by 35%.
