Louis XIV tried to persuade Leopold earnestly for three days, but this move could not change Leopold's mind. Perhaps under the bewitchment of his son, the other party had already decided to part ways with the Ming Empire.
Taking this opportunity, Leopold instead encouraged Louis XIV. Since both of them were emperors of Europe, they should integrate the power of all Europe to deal with the Ming Empire.
Both Leopold and his son Joseph believed that the Ming Empire was an increasing threat to the civilized world. As a European emperor, Louis XIV should step forward and set an example for European heads of state.
Joseph, in particular, has said on many private occasions that this will be the ultimate battle between civilization and barbarism, light and darkness, justice and evil!
The Ming Empire in the east takes the dragon as its totem, but in the western countries, dragons are the source of evil. Humans must kill evil dragons to protect themselves from life threats!
The two sides are born with an irreconcilable antagonistic relationship. This was true in ancient times, and it is also true today. It is just that the evil dragon continues to threaten the countries, and it has left a psychological shadow on the heads of state.
As long as Louis XIV can stand up bravely, it will surely inspire the confidence of the heads of state in other countries to fight against the evil dragon. With everyone united, we will surely be able to defeat the evil dragon and win the final victory!
Joseph hated the dragon flag national emblem of the Ming Empire, which was almost directly linked to the occupied Hungary.
If the Ming Empire had not deliberately supported the Ottomans, the Holy Roman Empire would have regained its homeland long ago.
If the Ottomans occupy Hungary for one day, they can threaten Vienna, the heart of the empire, at any time!
This is intolerable to everyone who loves the empire, especially as a crown prince.
Joseph believed that the civilization and order spoken by the Ming emperor were hypocritical and ridiculous.
Especially in Europe, it was at the expense of the fundamental interests of the Holy Roman Empire.
This emperor never considered the feelings of the empire at all. Every time he came to the Ming Empire, it was a humiliation to the emperor!
Considering the huge disparity in strength between the two sides, and the fact that the Ming Empire was very biased towards the Ottomans, Joseph could only suggest that his father Leopold protest by taking in fugitives from the Ming Empire.
If the Ming Empire could give up supporting the Ottomans and help them regain Hungary.
Then the Holy Roman Empire would not only refuse to accept fugitives, but would also hand over all fugitives it had already taken in.
In Joseph's view, the Ming Empire seriously damaged the interests of the Holy Roman Empire, and we only took in some fugitives, causing minimal losses to the Ming Empire.
If the emperor of the Ming Empire is not even willing to agree to this condition, then he is using the banner of civilization to harm his allies.
"Colbert, what do you think?"
Louis XIV did not want to be the head of state who took the lead against the Ming Empire, but he also agreed with some of Leopold and Joseph's views.
"The Ming Empire is the hegemon of the world. Even if we unite the power of the entire Europe, it will be difficult to compete with this behemoth. Europe can organize an army of no less than one million people, but in the face of the opponent's advanced weapons, the combat effectiveness of this army will not be able to compete. I don’t dare to expect too much. Our country has just experienced the anti-rebellion, and the national treasury has consumed a huge amount. Unless we can defeat the Ming Empire quickly, if we are dragged into a protracted war, let alone ten years, we will also go bankrupt. With the current state of the treasury , plus the issuance of hundreds of millions of silver coins in bonds, it can only support a three-year battle of ten thousand troops at most. The premise is that we must win, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous..."
The second half of Colbert's sentence was that France was destroyed by the Ming Empire, and the bonds did not need to be repaid, but in front of Louis XIV, of course, such words could not be said directly.
Although he didn't understand military affairs, Kolbe also knew that the Ming Empire Navy had a bunch of aircraft carriers, and this new tactic had been used quite skillfully.
Even Tourville was envious of this and refitted a similar warship locally. However, all the techniques and tactics were still in the exploratory stage, and it was far from the level of the Ming Empire's navy.
Not counting aircraft carriers, the Ming Empire had more than ten battleships alone, and the combined naval battleships of France, the Netherlands, and Sweden could barely compete with it.
As for the air force, the gap is even greater. Many fighters of the Ming Empire Air Force have been replaced by twin-engine heavyweights.
fighter jets, as well as a large number of helicopters, the latter being new equipment that no other country has.
His Majesty the European Emperor sent people to imitate this aircraft. However, without the actual object and drawings, the progress of the helicopter project was not optimistic.
In terms of income, due to the anti-insurgency operations, France's treasury income has been greatly shunned by the Ottomans and Inca, and even Zheng Zhilong, who occupied southern Africa, cannot compare. @·No mistake first release~~
Even according to the most optimistic estimates, France's total annual income is only equivalent to about one-tenth to one-third of the Ming Empire.
In this case, once France was tied to its own chariot by Leopold to fight against the Ming Empire, the result would be self-evident...
The whole of Europe unites, but it only looks powerful, but it is far from being truly powerful.
The Ming Empire led the entire Europe in six major aspects: population, food, resources, revenue, military, and technology!
"They have the final say in the new alliance organized by the Ming Empire!"
After listening to Colbert's narrative, Louis XIV did not immediately express his attitude. Instead, he said another thing, which was also very important to France.
If France joins the new alliance with the Ming Empire, the relationship between the two parties will no longer be equal in the future, and France can only be the younger brother of the Ming Empire.
Louis XIV, who had a strong self-esteem, could not accept this. As a European emperor, he could not be called around by the Asian emperor and was as humble as a servant.
"Perhaps we can establish a new type of bilateral relationship with the Ming Empire to ensure that our country's interests are not damaged!"
"Oh? You might as well tell me!"
"I also learned this from some business books of the Ming Empire. Assuming that our country does not join the new alliance, and given the friendly relationship between our country and the Ming Empire, we can strive for most-favored-nation status from non-member states of the alliance!"
"...Hmm! This is a good idea, but I don't know if the emperor of the Ming Empire will agree!"
"Your Majesty, as long as the emperor of the Ming Empire has no intention of occupying the entire world, then there will be a place for France. In my opinion, if the emperor does not attack a certain place, it is probably because he despises the natural conditions there, rather than because he lacks strength. Attack."
"..."
Although this does not sound good, it is indeed in line with the actual situation.
For example, in West Africa and India, the other party has no regard for these two territories at all.
I had previously wanted to use Indian land in exchange for new technologies and weapons, but the other party was unwilling, which was indeed quite embarrassing.
"I would make a bold guess. Assuming that the emperor of the Ming Empire needed France to manage Europe, it would not be difficult for us to obtain most-favored-nation status. It would be nothing more than..."
"What is it?"
"Can't help Leopold!"
"……that's it?"
"Maybe in the future, the Ming Empire, us, and the Ottomans will join forces to carve up this empire!"
Although Kolbe did not want to think so, the situation in Europe has already developed in this direction.
Obviously, the Ming Empire had superior military strength and had the Ottomans as its traditional ally.
France had only two choices, either to join the other party and participate in the carving up of the Holy Roman Empire, or to fight against it.
Fighting against the extremely powerful Ming Empire would not end well, so they had no choice but to kill Leopold.
"...Hmph! Your speculation is very bold, but it is not impossible to become a reality!"
Louis XIV became increasingly fed up with the overestimating Leopold and his son, who always fed themselves self-righteous content.
As everyone knows, on the premise that their own strength is not strong enough, these contents are almost the same as the gossip published in newspapers and magazines sold on the street.
If the situation in Europe really develops according to Colbert's speculation, then maybe France can regain the eastern territory during the Frank Empire.
There is no doubt that in terms of civil and military skills, he will greatly surpass Charlemagne and even Caesar and other emperors, becoming the first emperor in Europe through the ages!
Since the emperor of the Ming Empire could become an emperor through the ages, why can't I be like him?
Regarding this matter, Louis XIV was very unbalanced.
Once there is a chance.
To achieve the goal of one emperor through the ages, Louis XIV does not mind joining forces with his old friends in the Eastern world...
There are only interest relationships in this world. As for other relationships, they are not worth mentioning in the face of interests!
The result of the discussions among the heads of state in Europe was that small countries such as Venice chose to continue to be the younger brothers of the Ming Empire.
Venice is really afraid of the two behemoths France and Ottoman. If it were not for the reinsurance of the Ming Empire, the other party might eat them at any time.
Giving up following the Ming Empire was tantamount to self-destruction for Venice.
France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, the Holy Roman Empire, Prussia and other countries chose to stay in the original alliance so that they could have dignity.
However, after the heads of state of these countries heard about France's strategy, they applied to the Ming Empire for most-favored-nation status from non-member states of the Alliance.
We need both face and lizi, commonly known as - two-skinned face!
Zhu Cixiang was very generous and granted most-favored-nation status to six countries: France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, and Prussia unconditionally.
Excluding the Holy Roman Empire, the specific reasons are self-evident.
If the other party deliberately goes against you, you don't need to treat the other party well.
If you want to die, just keep going and see if you can win in the end!
Starting from January 1, 1730 AD, the Ming Empire severed diplomatic relations with the Holy Roman Empire and no longer established embassies, consulates, or offices.
At the same time, it will no longer transfer any technology, export any goods, assist any weapons, train any personnel, or settle any transactions to this country.
If official communication is required, it can be conveyed through France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and other countries.
Don’t even worry about the elixir. From now on, the father and son will no longer need this stuff...
For European heads of state, this scene seems familiar, because the previous war against Annan was such a prelude.
Is the Ming Empire really going to launch an attack on the Holy Roman Empire?
No one knew the thoughts of the Emperor of the Ming Empire and could only speculate in secret.
In order to prevent the extremely possible invasion, Leopold and his son, who returned to Europe, ordered the digging of two trenches on the eastern and southern fronts for the Ming and Austrian armored forces.
After the excavation is completed, river water can be introduced, so that it can delay the opponent's rapid advancement and buy precious time for our own side to gather troops and strengthen the wall and clear the field.
Leopold also sent Joseph to European countries to seek assistance, hoping to use this method to arm a reserve force of 200,000 for free.
Together with the 300,000 regular troops, the empire's total military strength reaches 10,000.
If France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Prussia, Switzerland and other countries are willing to send troops, the coalition's strength can easily exceed one million, and it is possible to reach two million.
This will greatly increase the possibility of victory against the evil Ming army. At that time, everyone can divide the fruits of victory according to the strength of their respective troops.
Out of hatred for the loss of southern Scandinavia, Denmark gave Joseph a hundred artillery pieces and 10,000 breech-loading guns. Although they were single-shot and loaded, they were much better than flintlock muskets.
Frederick, who controlled Prussia, was afraid of Sweden and the Ming Empire around him, so he only dared to give Joseph thirty artillery pieces and three thousand muskets.
The Netherlands and France are rich and wealthy. Each of them provided assistance with a hundred fighter planes, a hundred artillery pieces, and a hundred tanks and muskets, but all of them were second-hand goods.
Seeing the huge gap, Leopold personally came forward to request a batch of weapons and equipment, and finally achieved the set goal.
Louis XIV could also give Leopold greater help, allowing him to arm 100,000 men, but the price was the northwest German region centered on Hamburg and Bremen.
Leopold saw the ambition of the European emperor, so he did not dare to agree easily. Otherwise, before the Ming army came, his country would lose a large area of land.
With a formidable enemy in front of him, he could not openly accuse Louis XIV of betraying his trust, working with Zhu Cixiang in an attempt to carve up the Holy Roman Empire.
The Ming Empire continued to expand westward, while France continued to encroach on the land of the Holy Roman Empire.
Joseph believed that there was another bloodthirsty and cruel dragon in the east of the Holy Roman Empire, and another in the west.
A vicious dog ready to attack!
They are all sent by Satan to try to destroy the Holy Roman Empire. In order to survive, the empire must unite and fight the enemy bravely.
Wield the sword of justice to kill the evil dragon first, then kill the evil dog later!
In the late spring of 1730, the Ming army held a large-scale exercise in the Minsk area.
The number of participating troops reached 200,000, tens of thousands of tanks, and more than 3,000 combat aircraft. The Baltic Fleet also participated in the beach landing part of the exercise.
Zhu Cihong heard that Leopold and his son had already begun to stir up troubles, so he could ask his disciple Zhang Huangyan to lead troops to stimulate the other side in the border area. @
Even if I don't hit you, I still make you feel the huge threat of overwhelming me every day!
Zhang Huangyan began to increase the size of the garrison in the western border area and strengthen patrols.
There has been no war here for many years, and everyone in the army is looking forward to making contributions to the Ming Dynasty...
