After the bloody battle, the soldiers could rest, but the busiest time for the officials had arrived. All the officers in the command headquarters were working late into the night. They were counting the data after the war and allocating various resources.
The civil service system was also busy at this time. Various domestic and occupied matters needed them to be summarized and processed, and in the end these matters still had to be signed and confirmed by Bismarck.
This must have been a sleepless night. Bismarck had a whole pot of black coffee and a large box of cigars in front of him, which was what he used to stay up late at night.
The secretary did not leave after reporting Xiao Letian's news to the Prime Minister. He refilled the Prime Minister's cup of coffee and then stood behind him quietly waiting for the Prime Minister to review the documents in front of him.
Before Bismarck was a project application, a document from the military department seeking to widen two major railway lines in Alsace and Lorraine.
As we all know, Prussia is already ahead of France in railway construction. While France still had a large number of single-track railways, Prussia had already begun to promote double-track railways.
The biggest advantage of double-track railways is that trains can run in opposite directions, which greatly increases efficiency. However, if trains traveling in opposite directions on a single-track railway want to miss a train, one of them will have to stop temporarily to make way for the other train. Such efficiency is simply a disaster.
Some people have even verified that the Franco-Prussian War was actually a battle of efficiency between the double-track railway and the single-track railway, because France's transportation capacity was too weak. As a result, the Southern Corps clearly had the advantage in strength, but it was unable to transport it.
Not to mention those supplies such as ammunition and rations.
On the other hand, Prussia, through scientific and effective dispatching and the high speed of the double-track railway, allowed them to have ten times the troop and material deployment capabilities of France.
Inexhaustible artillery shells, endless military rations, random medicines, not to mention soldiers' blankets, military boots, cloaks, water bottles... and other daily necessities.
The supplies of supplies were sufficient, allowing the Prussian army to explode into super combat effectiveness!
However, the further the war entered France, the more obvious the drag on infrastructure became. The report of the military logistics officer made it very clear, "There is now a huge pile of material stranded in the border area between Prussia and France! Thousands of them have been detained." Tens of thousands of tons of materials are blocked here, and the French railways simply cannot complete such a transportation task!"
"For the current plan, the only way is to widen the railways in France and turn the single track into a double track. Only then can our supplies be continuously sent to the front line!"
Bismarck did not sign, but put the document aside and said to the secretary behind him, "Come and take a look. Do you think I should agree?"
After reading the report at a glance, the secretary smiled and shook his head, "There is nothing wrong with the report itself. I also think the railway should be expanded... But, after all, this is French territory. Do we have to work for them in vain?"
"After the war, we left and the railway was left to the French? Or should we dismantle it and take it back home... It's unrealistic!"
Bismarck nodded, "I don't think it's realistic, but some people have already suggested that I do this... Xiao Letian suggested before the war that I advance the railway while fighting..."
"This Xiao Le is so naive and arrogant. He actually said that wherever the railway is built, France will have to cede land in those places in the future..."
"Impossible...this is a fantasy! How is it possible..." the secretary shouted and quickly lowered her voice.
"God, let the French cede territory? Doesn't this drive the entire French nation crazy? They will never agree, and this war will never end!"
"France's comprehensive national strength is still greater than ours. If the war drags on for a long time, it will be extremely detrimental to us. We may not be able to keep the fruits of victory and have to spit it out!"
"And our two countries will fight to the last drop of blood, and then other countries will only be able to laugh at it and take advantage!"
Bismarck rubbed his numb eyes, "Yes, I think so too, but the scene Xiao Letian described is too tempting... He said that in the end we will definitely be able to secede the two provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. of!"
"What a beautiful picture that is!"
Fantasy is always beautiful. Bismarck and his secretary imagined the wonderful scene of ceding two French provinces, but finally shook their heads and gave up the fantasy.
The document was finally put aside and Bismarck did not sign it, but at this moment, great news came from the telegraph room.
"Report...report to the head of state...a telegram from Strasbourg asking for credit. Just three hours ago, the French defenders of Strasbourg finally surrendered!"
"Surrender! Really... great, long live!" The headquarters was filled with joy, and the last hidden danger on the Prussian army's back was finally blocked.
The geographical location of Strasbourg is so important. It is a traffic artery in eastern France next to Switzerland.
To the west is the Vosges Mountains, to the east is the Rhine River, and to the east of the Rhine River is the Alps. It can be said that this is the only artery between the Vosges Mountains and the Alps that can pass the army.
And Strasbourg happens to be stationed at the northern exit of this important road!
France's Southern Corps has been blocked by Prince Karl on the Marne River. These Southern Corps are taking a long detour to Strasbourg!
As long as the Prussian army can capture Strasbourg, there will no longer be any possibility for the French Southern Army to enter the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine!
Bismarck looked at the report again, "Seriously, I really want to sign it... Strasbourg has surrendered, and now Alsace and Lorraine are completely under our control and are impregnable!"
"The battle situation has changed. We have become the defending party, while the French have become the attacking party... Haha, I really want to completely occupy this place!"
At this time, the old Chief of Staff Moltke, who had been resting on the camp bed in the corner of the tent, suddenly said, "Don't throw away the report yet. You can see what happens tomorrow before making plans!"
"The spirit of nationalism in France is terrible...but don't forget, the aristocrats and politicians have never been nationalists!"
"The Chief of General Staff is right..." Following the voice, a figure appeared in the candlelight, and Xiao Letian, whose face was red from drinking, suddenly walked in.
"France is a country that is good at producing traitors and spies. The French Emperor will definitely step down this time, and there will be a power vacuum in the future!"
"How to fill this vacuum period? Who will fill it? Who will win in the partisan fight? Let's wait quietly...someone will take the initiative to reciprocate!"
"I told you in advance! I have to go with you to see the Emperor tomorrow... To be honest, this is my first time seeing him!"
