After Felix left, Henry, who had been standing silently aside, said:
"Your Majesty, now that we have agreed to Felix, will it cause some misunderstandings on Giovanni's side? In addition, we have invested a lot of manpower and material resources in Giovanni before. Wouldn't changing our attitude now mean that our previous efforts
Is everything void?"
Henry's suspicion was not unreasonable. You must know that the Prussians had invested heavily in Giovanni before.
Although Felix promised to give up church property in the Holy Roman Empire in exchange for William's support, you must know that William also promised to give the Papal State a certain amount of territorial supplements in the future.
In Henry's view, the Prussians did not take advantage of this transaction, and even the church property promised by Felix was not handed over to the Prussians at once. Under this situation, giving up his support has always been
Giovanni turned to Felix's side, which was not worth the loss.
But after hearing about Henry's culture, William's face showed a smile and said:
"Your Highness, although at present, we do not take advantage, and may even suffer some losses, after all, we have already paid for the investment in Giovanni, and although Felix has made a promise, it is
On the premise that he can become pope.
But our eyes cannot only see this little point. When I was discussing with Giovanni, you were also there. Giovanni, a man who has not yet ascended the throne of the Pope, actually emphasized in front of me.
What principle? Doesn’t he know that everything he does today relies heavily on our help!”
As he spoke, William showed some anger on his face.
During the previous talks between William and Giovanni, although Giovanni's attitude towards William could be described as respectful, in subsequent talks with Giovanni, many of William's requests were rejected by Giovanni.
In addition to church property, William also proposed that the Holy See should stop annexing land in various places. Even this article was vetoed by Giovanni.
As mentioned before, Giovanni is a relatively fanatical believer. In Giovanni's view, the church's property is by no means an individual's private property. Even the pope has no right to deal with church property because these properties are used for
Worshiped to God.
Regarding Giovanni's ideas, William could not find any other word to describe him except that he was naive.
But it was because of Giovanni's insistence that William felt that perhaps Giovanni's ascension to the papal throne would not significantly strengthen Prussia's influence in the Holy See, and at the same time it would not significantly strengthen Prussia's influence in the Holy See.
It would bring a lot of envisaged benefits to Prussia.
"Our support for Giovanni makes Giovanni feel as if our support for him is deserved. This situation is absolutely intolerable in my opinion! So we must make Giovanni recognize
Know your position!
Of course, in order to prevent Felix from escaping our control, even though I have promised Felix that I will support him to become the pope, we cannot destroy the relationship between Giovanni for the time being. There is a degree in the middle.
We need to grasp it well!"
............................
After hurriedly arriving in Brandenburg, Mehard immediately asked to see Rocks.
According to the previous itinerary, Rocks was to follow William to Rome, but after the accident in Venice. In order to enable Prussia's rule to take root in Venice, and also to prevent problems in Venice, some of the current territories of Prussia
The rebels took the opportunity to cause trouble, for William immediately ordered Lockes to return to Brandenburg to take charge.
And just as William expected, the events in Venice did cause some turmoil in the newly occupied areas of Prussia. Fortunately, after returning to Brandenburg, Rocks' series of decisive killing methods prevented these things from expanding.
After learning about Mehad's request for an interview, Rocks thought for a while and then understood the meaning of Mehad's request for an interview.
The news from Relengael through the emergency channel arrived in Brandenburg one day earlier than Mehard. Rocks naturally attached great importance to this news, and at the same time he was very concerned about Relengaier's handling of the matter.
, Rocks also felt somewhat satisfied.
Especially after Rirengel mentioned that the Baltic Fleet might have carried the Romanov dynasty's century-old savings, Rocks was even more moved.
After all, even if the strength of the Baltic Fleet is not considered, the huge wealth carried by the Baltic Fleet alone is enough to make Lockes and the Prussian government tempted, not to mention that the Copenhagen area is the home base of the Prussian Navy.
Especially after Rirengel mentioned that the Baltic Fleet might have carried the Romanov dynasty's century-old savings, Rocks was even more moved.
Although the Prussian army was majestic on the battlefield and constantly expanding its territory, behind the army, there were Prussian government agencies that were constantly busy with the logistics of the army and the rule of the occupied areas.
Prussia's fiscal revenue is not large, but at the same time the Prussian government also spends a lot of money every year, of which military expenditures constitute the bulk of Prussia's annual fiscal expenditures.
Although Prussia currently occupies a large amount of territory and has gained a lot of wealth from these people after eradicating the original local ruling class, there is an old saying that it is always easier to destroy than to build.
Although the Prussian army has captured these territories, it is not a simple matter to integrate Prussian rule with these lands.
Regarding the construction of newly occupied areas and the rewards and pensions for army soldiers, these made the Prussian government's finances far less optimistic than people imagined.
This situation once made Rocks very worried, but now the news from Relengaier has made Rocks see hope of improving Prussia's finances.
Although the method may be despised by others, and may even be called despicable, for Rocks, if it can improve Prussia's financial situation, then there is nothing wrong with it even if it has a bad reputation.
After receiving the news, Locks also sent the situation to William in Rome urgently. As for Locks himself, he began to mobilize forces in Brandenburg, trying to keep the Russian Baltic Fleet in order to obtain the wealth.
!
After an attendant introduced Mehad into Rocks' office, Mehad didn't wait for Rocks to speak, and immediately said to Rocks:
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you must also be aware of the news about the appearance of the Russian fleet in Copenhagen. What is more important to us is the news that St. Petersburg has been captured by the rebels. Under such circumstances, the Russian fleet can be said to be
In exile, I feel that our government should take immediate action, and it is best to leave this Russian fleet for my use!"
Mehad talked a lot, speaking so fast that even Rocks couldn't get a word in.
However, for Mehad's slightly rude behavior, Rocks did not feel grudge against Mehad because of it.
The strength of a country is not due to one person, but the result of the struggle of a group. Although Prussia is now strong because of William, it has to be said that people like Rocks and Mehard are among them.
It also played an indelible role.
Rocks can understand Mehad's mood.
"Oh, Mehad, can you tell me what you are thinking?"
After hearing Rocks' words, Mehad immediately said:
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, in my opinion, since the Russian Baltic Fleet has stayed in the port of Copenhagen, there is no reason for us to let this force that can bring about complete changes to the Prussian Navy leave!
Therefore, I think our government should come forward to negotiate with Russia, and the best way is to hire this Baltic Fleet to join the battle order of our Prussian Navy!"
William proposed a five-year development plan for the development of the Prussian Navy. Although after William proposed this plan, Prussia's finances began to tilt significantly toward the navy, but it has to be said that completing this five-year naval plan was not a
Simple things.
Take the navy's warships as an example. If a first-class ship wants to be built from scratch, it will take at least two years to build it. This time is actually the fastest. After all, building the planks and keels of a warship requires a certain amount of time.
The exposure time is to compress the moisture in it.
After the battleship is launched, it will take some time for the subsequent deployment of personnel and equipment and training. In other words, if you want a first-class battleship to reach its strongest combat effectiveness, it will take at least three years.
The Navy's five-year plan proposed by William not only included increasing the number of large warships such as first-class and second-class ships, but also put forward requirements for the backbone of the navy such as third- and fourth-class warships.
It was precisely because of the urgency of time that the dignified Prussian Navy Minister Mehard had to go to Copenhagen in person, because in the Navy's five-year plan, these original Danish shipyards played a major role.
In addition, in addition to battleships, although the Prussian navy was greatly expanded in William's hands, and William also specifically ordered the Unbrandenburg Military Academy to focus on strengthening the naval department in the academy, compared with the army, Prussia
The number of personnel the Navy receives each year is still limited.
After all, Prussia is a big land country. Under such circumstances, most Prussians still yearn for the ability to perform meritorious service on the battlefield with a sword. As for the navy, despite the high-level attention, Prussia has not yet achieved the same level as the British.
The public attaches great importance to the navy.
Therefore, the number of naval officers is also a headache for Mehad.
But now with the arrival of the Russian Baltic Fleet, Mehard felt an opportunity to quickly develop the Prussian Navy.
Before the rise of the Prussian Navy, the Russian Empire's Baltic Fleet could be said to be the dominant force on the Baltic Sea. Even after the Kingdom of Prussia began to pay attention to the development of its navy, it still did not have the ability to challenge the Russian Navy's status as the largest Baltic Sea fleet.
The Russian Baltic Fleet ranged from Marshal Ushakov to an ordinary sailor. Each of them had rich maritime experience, which was a huge temptation for the Prussian Navy.
Mehard did not have the ambition to dominate the Russian Baltic Fleet. Even though Mehard wanted to make the Prussian navy develop by leaps and bounds, it did not mean that he was a fool.
In Mehard's view, if the Prussian Navy annexed the Russian Baltic Fleet, let alone whether it would cause a fight between the Russian Baltic Fleet and the Prussian Navy, it would simply cause damage to the reputation of the Prussian Navy.
It made Mehad feel very worthless.
Under this situation, Mehard wanted more to hire the exiled troops according to the past practice in Europe!
That's right, it's hiring! The Prussian Navy pays for it, and then allows the Russian Baltic Fleet to join the Prussian Navy's combat sequence. In this way, the Prussian Navy does not have to consider whether its reputation will be affected, and at the same time, it does not have to worry about whether it will cause trouble.
The hostility of the Russians even led to war.
Mehad's words gave Rox a look of surprise on his face.
When he heard Mehard's words before, Rocks meant that Mehard would ask the Prussian government to directly forcibly expropriate this Russian naval force.
But apparently after listening to Mehard's words, Locks understood that the Admiralty Minister in front of him was not a fool. It is naturally easier to hire the Baltic Fleet than to forcibly acquire the warships of the Baltic Fleet, and if hiring is used, then
There is no need to worry about whether the combat effectiveness of these battleships will be reduced, because the original people are still manning these battleships.
And this means that as long as the employment agreement can be completed, Prussia's naval power can be doubled immediately.
"Mehad, you really surprised me. I originally thought you would ask me to forcibly expropriate these Russian warships, but obviously, your words now let me see that your eyes are not just
It’s limited to the present!, I’m very proud of you for this!”
After Rocks finished speaking, Mehad laughed, and then Mehad tentatively asked:
"So what I want to say is, can the government agree to come forward?"
"Of course, why not, as long as it can bring benefits to Prussia. Then the government should do it!"
Rocks said categorically, and Rocks' words also made Mehad feel excited.
"Okay. I will convene a cabinet meeting immediately later. You can leave first. Don't worry. Since I promised you this matter, I will send people to implement it immediately after the cabinet meeting. Of course, you will also do the same for the navy.
We need to be more careful. If the Russians reject our good intentions, we in Prussia will also have to properly show our strength!"
After Rocks finished speaking, Mehad bowed to Rocks and left in a hurry.
After Mehard left, Locks immediately began to convene cabinet meetings with the cabinet ministers of the Prussian government in Brandenburg.
Having served as the Prime Minister of Prussia for more than ten years, coupled with Rocks' huge influence in the Prussian government, this matter can bring unexpected benefits to Prussia after all. Therefore, in response to the questions raised by Rocks, at the cabinet meeting,
All these members of the Prussian cabinet were in favor of its adoption.
Subsequently, Rocks sent an envoy to Copenhagen in the name of the Prussian government. This envoy would negotiate with the Russians on behalf of the Prussian government, including matters regarding the Russian wealth and the employment of the Baltic Fleet.
.....................................
"Have you done everything I arranged for you?"
"Your Majesty the Governor, of course, how dare I not carry out what you have ordered me to do immediately!"
Hearing this answer, Rirengel, who was standing in front of the window, smiled with satisfaction, and then he continued to look out the window. From his position, he could just see the masts of the battleships that blocked the sky in the Copenhagen port area.
After the Russian envoy returned, Relengaier immediately began to make arrangements. He not only ordered the port of Copenhagen to reserve enough berths for the arrival of the Russian navy, but Relengaier also specially arranged for people to be at the pier in the port area.
A welcome team was organized.
Of course, in order to retain the Russian fleet, Relengel did more than that.
Relengaier ordered people to bring out a large number of fallen women from various red light districts in Copenhagen, and then placed all these fallen women in the pubs in the port area.
For these contented women, Relengaier's only request is that they must make every Russian naval soldier who comes so weak that they cannot leave!
Amidst the long whistle sound and under the guidance of the Prussian naval patrol, the Russian fleet began to sail into the berths that had been reserved in the Copenhagen port area.
Seeing the Prussian troops arrayed neatly and orderly on the pier, standing on the flagship Peter the Great, Ushakov frowned tightly.
Although Ushakov also knew that even if Prussia agreed to the stay of his fleet, he would definitely make some corresponding arrangements, but when he saw the solemn Prussian army on the pier, Ushakov still felt uncontrollable in his heart.
There was a hint of cloud.
"Don't let the soldiers disembark yet. Send a few people to communicate with the Prussians first to see if they can replenish supplies for us immediately!"
"But, your Excellency, Marshal, the soldiers have been wandering at sea for three or four days. If they are not allowed to disembark and relax, I am afraid that the soldiers will have some complaints!"
It is undeniable that what the staff officer next to Ushakov said is indeed very reasonable.