On July 19, French Emperor Napoleon III ordered the declaration of war against Prussia. From that day on, all of Europe, all countries, and all people were paying attention to the progress of the Franco-Prussian front. The war seemed not to go as Prime Minister Olivier said.
It went smoothly that way, not as easy as he said.
Although three French divisions launched an attack on Prussia on August 2, their attack was repelled two days later. Prussia not only turned to counterattack and crossed the border on August 4, but also
In two days, the Prussian Prince Carl Friedrich's Second Army severely damaged Marshal MacMahon's First Army. On the same day, the French General Frossard's Second Army, which belonged to the Bazin Army, was also captured in Forbach.
The Prussian First Army was repulsed with overwhelming numerical superiority, opening the door to Lorraine.
The defeat in the first battle had an immediate political impact, with the collapse of Émile Olivier and the formation of a government by Charles Couzin Montauban on August 10.
When the news reached the Nanhua Embassy in France, Zhuge Jun had only one thought in his mind.
"The French are going to lose!"
His judgment immediately aroused the approval of Du Chengyuan, Li Yunzhi and several young officers.
"Why did the cabinet collapse immediately after the defeat?"
Du Chengyuan said angrily.
"What France needs most now is a stable political situation. Only when the political situation is stable can the front line fight without worries. And this is just the beginning. If the front line loses a little bit, the rear will be in chaos. How can it be undefeated like this!"
As officers of the staff department, the six of them were ordered to go on a "staff trip" in France. They encountered this war without even thinking about the "trip". When the war was first declared, they were in the same mood as the French. I believe
The French can win, but who would have thought that the French's performance would blind everyone's eyes...
"It's too early to say failure, Ambassador."
Li Yunzhi walked to the map, pointed at the border between France and Germany on the map and said.
"Although the French army has suffered a temporary setback, the main force of the Prussian army has not been fully deployed and cannot attack continuously, let alone pursue the victory. Although the French army lost the battle in the border area, the main force has not been attacked by the Prussian army.
A major blow with limited losses; their border positions were set up for offense and not suitable for defense at all. Under this situation, the main force of the French army should have a planned withdrawal deep into the theater, replenish troops, adjust deployment, and then wait.
In a decisive battle with the Prussian army, with France's economic and industrial strength, as long as the French persist, they will definitely win in the end."
After listening to Li Yunzhi analyze all this from a soldier's point of view, Zhuge Jun shook his head and said.
"This is a soldier's point of view. The problem is, this is definitely not the case in France! You have to know that France has its own national conditions!"
As Zhuge Jun spoke, he walked to the window, opened the window, and pointed at Paris outside the window.
"Where will the French withdraw? The current defeat on the front line has caused the cabinet to collapse. The new Prime Minister Charles Couzin Montauban belongs to the Queen's war faction. The Queen is now regent in France. Now for the Queen
For her part, what does she care about? It's definitely not the front line, but here, in Paris!"
Pointing to Paris outside the window, Zhuge Jun sighed helplessly.
"If the troops on the front line retreat, it will definitely cause a new political crisis in Paris, and even the Republicans in Paris will follow in the rebellion! Failure! How could Napoleon fail? As powerful as Napoleon Bonaparte, if one side fails, there will be another
They were abandoned by the citizens of Paris. What do you think will happen if Napoleon III, who became emperor in the name of Bonaparte, fails? Parisians will abandon them immediately! So..."
Pursing his lips, Zhuge Jun stared at the city of Paris and said.
"The emperor will definitely order the troops not to retreat, and they will definitely defend the border!"
In fact, just as Zhuge Jun guessed, even before the cabinet collapsed and the new prime minister took office, at the suggestion of the so-called "Earl of Baliqiao", the new prime minister, the queen wrote to the emperor to prevent the front-line troops from retreating to the rear.
.It was yesterday, August 9, that the French Emperor changed his original plan, stopped the retreat of his troops, and decided to defend Metz at all costs.
On August 12, 1870, Napoleon III, who was suffering from illness, handed over the command of the Rhine Army to Marshal Bazin. However, Bazin only had the courage of an ordinary man and did not have good command and strategic abilities. He was hesitant and sometimes determined to retreat to Xia.
Long joined MacMahon, sometimes determined to defend in Metz. When he finally decided to retreat to Chalon, the opportunity was lost and the Prussian army was approaching. Five days later, the French army led by Marshal Bazin was surrounded in Metz.
The fate of France seems to have been decided on this day!
The news that Marshal Bazin and 180,000 French troops were surrounded shocked the entire Europe, and of course Napoleon III.
At MacMahon's suggestion, Napoleon III agreed that he would lead his army to retreat to Chalons, preparing to lure the enemy deep into the city and fight the Prussian army under the walls of Paris. As for himself, of course he fled back to Paris.
However, before escaping back to Paris, he still wrote a letter to Queen Eugenie, the regent, telling the queen that he was planning to flee back to Paris.
"Queen, you must never allow your Majesty to return to Paris!"
After learning of the emperor's plan, Montauban, the prime minister who had been given the title "Count of Bali Bridge" for his contribution to "Bali Bridge", immediately said.
"No matter what, we must prevent His Majesty from returning to Paris. As soon as he comes back, the people of Paris will revolt. By then we will be finished, and the entire empire will also perish! Queen, we must prevent Your Majesty from making such a reckless decision!"
"Your Majesty cannot return to Paris. Parisians will not accept a failed emperor, but I am worried that my letter alone may not be able to stop him."
After the Emperor's personal expedition, Empress Eugenie, who became the regent, was naturally very worried that continued retreat would cause turmoil or revolution in the country. Compared to her husband's safety, this beauty was famous in Europe for her beauty and was as famous as Princess Inyin, the Queen of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
, chose the empire without hesitation. After all, what she has always been afraid of is the revolution, which will make her be killed by the mob like Queen Mary!
"We can ask Speaker Raul to lead a delegation to tell His Majesty the current situation in Paris. In addition..., I think we need to give His Majesty a hope!"
"Hope? What hope?"
Looking at the Queen, Prime Minister Montauban said.
"When we declared war, Nanhua expressed its willingness to provide us with all assistance within its power. Now, Her Royal Highness, please ask for help there and ask them to send their airship troops!"
If you want to prevent the emperor from returning to Paris, there is only one way, which is to give the emperor hope. At this time, what can bring hope to the emperor?
It's Nanhua's airship.
"Airships? Would they like to have their airships photographed in France?"
Queen Eugenie was a little worried. She said that he and his niece were not very close. Even the emperor and his niece were not close at all.
"Your Majesty the Queen, they have said they are willing to provide us with all the help they can. Now it is when France needs their help. I believe they will be willing to send their airships. After all, their efforts will win the friendship of France.
"
Of course, as Prime Minister, Montauban knew very well that there must be interests behind the so-called friendship.
As long as Nanhua can be persuaded to send their airship, then even if some interests are sacrificed, what's the big deal?
But what does Nanhua want?
Montauban found that he really didn't have any bargaining chips to convince Nan Hua.
But just a few hours later, in the French embassy in Nanhua, Montauban was moved.
Facing France's request for help, Zhuge Jun said.
"Please rest assured, we will definitely send our troops."