The atmosphere in the Royal Palace in Vienna was very tense today. The maids also felt the irritability of the dignified and self-respecting big shots in the past. They put down the wine bottles and water bottles and quickly exited.

All members of the Austrian State Council were summoned. Ladislaus stood high on the throne, observing and evaluating everyone's calmness. These are the most senior figures and the source of confidence for many of his subordinates.

"Everyone, His Majesty King François of France seems to be really planning to carry out military operations in the winter." Sazastan informed everyone of the latest emergency information. "His army has once again passed through the Principality of Savoy and entered Milan.

region, the latest news is that he has occupied Bicca and is moving towards the city of Milan."

"What did Spain say?" Although Chief Hohenzollern had heard some rumors, he still wanted to confirm it officially.

His reaction made Ladislaus quite worried. If his own territory was in danger, he would first think of the status of his allies. This was an extremely bad mentality, even if there were family ties between the Habsburgs.

"The Spanish army under the Marquis of Pescara has retreated to Urbino and Siena, two friendly city-states, in accordance with the winterization plan. If we don't respond immediately, the Spanish army will obviously not help us defend Milan," Sazhastan said.

This made several senior officials change their minds, but they finally knew that they were top political players, so they did not whisper to each other, but just stared at Ladislaus.

The Spaniards' attitude had already been widely circulated, but when it was actually confirmed, they were still panicked.

Milan is one of the most fertile and fertile regions in Europe and the world. When Austria gets it, it also gets a huge burden.

"If necessary, the treasury can provide military expenditures of half a million thalers." Machiavelli was not as panicked as several of his colleagues, although the treasury had actually been drained of liquidity by the construction of Wiener Neustadt and several military operations. He

Or the maximum amount that the treasury can provide is stated.

Ladislaus nodded to him. Although coming up with this figure meant giving up the construction of Vienna Neustadt, Machiavelli's speech was timely anyway, and it was a key statement to stabilize people's hearts.

Frunzberg hesitated and said: "Although our army has been engaged in very frequent military operations in the past twenty-four months, considering that the French army has been fighting for years like us, I think it is not a problem to mobilize again, but I still

I doubt the King’s determination. After all, the cost of conducting military operations in winter is much greater. Regardless of victory or defeat, it will be a disaster for the national finances.”

"The cost, scale, and efficiency of transportation will all drop significantly in winter. Winter requires the army to need more food, more fuel, and more medicine." Director Jones also said, "Although we don't know the Kingdom of France.

financial details, but we

They are already exhausted. They have suffered successive setbacks in the previous battles, and the burden will only be greater than ours. I think His Majesty the King of France would be crazy if he does not stay in Marseille for the winter, not to mention Milan, even in Savoyard.

The Principality of Yi is no longer able to be exploited."

"What do you think, Your Highness the Archbishop?" Ladislaus asked the Archbishop of Würzburg, who had been silent.

It was the first time for the Archbishop of Würzburg to participate in the Council of State. He was undoubtedly the most vulnerable person in the Council of State. Although in order to get help from him and his family to control the Würzburg area, Ladislaus fulfilled his promise to retain

His property even allowed him to enter the Austrian State Council, the core of power, but the real top power cannot be obtained by distribution, and power must be fought for by oneself.

"I believe that His Majesty the King of France will definitely attack Milan." The Archbishop of Würzburg said with certainty.

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Ladislaus squinted his eyes and guessed whether he really had any reason or knew his weak position and chose to be independent.

"Everyone knows that I have just come to Vienna to serve the cause of the unification of the great Holy Roman Empire, thanks to the love of the Cardinal Archbishop of Habsburg." The Archbishop of Würzburg first put a little something on his master's face and his own face at the same time.

Kim got down to business. "I was once fully responsible for all secular and religious powers in the Würzburg area, including diplomacy, of course. In my

When implementing foreign policy, I have always paid close attention to the gains and losses on the Italian battlefield. This is not my only idea. I can be sure that my former neighbors also regarded the gains and losses in Milan as a bellwether for the war situation. All the princes of the Holy Roman Empire were also involved.

Pay attention to who owns the rich plain of the Po River. Whoever holds the city of Milan is considered to have the upper hand in this contest."

"Are you saying that once the French army captures Milan, there will be many hesitant princes who will lean towards France?" Officer Hohenzollern realized that this new member was providing information candidly. "But those small princes really

Will they form an alliance with the Kingdom of France?"

"What's more, haven't all the princes already fought in a group?" Jones also immediately questioned the Archbishop of Würzburg.

"It is of course extremely dangerous to form an alliance. All the German princes are indeed fighting against each other for reasons of religion and wealth." The Archbishop of Würzburg did not care about the suppression of his senior colleagues. This was a natural reaction to the newcomers.

"But I think it's not just the princes of the Holy Roman Empire who are paying attention to this contest. Whether they are enemies who are jealous of the power and glory of the Warlock Royal Family, or allies who are in awe of the power and glory of the Warlock Royal Family, I think there are many

We are following this conflict closely."

Ladislaus understood what the Archbishop of Würzburg meant. In fact, the key is those countries that are neither enemies nor allies and are considering taking sides, such as the Kingdom of Hungary, the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of England.

"So in order to avoid a possible change of camp, you suggest to defend Milan with all your strength?" Machiavelli asked. Although he had just said that he could support the war budget, in his heart he still hoped to avoid a war.

"No, I suggest that it is better not to face the French Kingdom's troops directly." The words of the Archbishop of Würzburg were somewhat unexpected. "This kind of gain and loss is actually only at the beginning of the war. After the disastrous defeat of Bickka and the Polish

After the betrayal of Duke Pont, even if His Majesty François achieved some success, it was not enough to make other countries make up their minds."

Ladislaus nodded. This was also his idea. Although he was very opposed to pinning his hopes on Spanish allies, if he could not communicate and do a good job of contact first and entered Northern Italy hastily, it would be very likely that he would not be able to survive without

With their cooperation, they were defeated by the French army one by one.

"Your Highness Sazastan, send another company to the city of Milan, and send two Austrian mages to subsidize the mages on the roster." You can't turn a blind eye to the city of Milan, lest your subordinates feel cold. "At the same time, please make sure that only Only mages who actively respond to the call of the country may receive the gift of red robe."
Chapter completed!