Published at 13th of February 2023 07:05:24 AM

Berlin, the night is already dark. But Paulo Boselli, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Italy, still did not rest. In his hand, he held a telegram from Rome.

After a long time, Paul Boselli put down the telegram in his hand.

"His Majesty the King and Your Excellency the Prime Minister are planning to use the power of the Germans to suppress the Austro-Hungarian Empire? But no matter what, we will still suffer heavy losses. However, under the current situation, this is the only way to do it. This For the Kingdom, it is already the best solution." Paul Bocelli murmured.

"Come here, prepare the car, I'm going to see the German Foreign Minister." Paul Bocelli said to the secretary.

"Yes, Your Excellency. However, it is almost 12 o'clock in the evening. Is it too late?" The secretary was a little worried.

"Some things are just right to talk about at night."

"Okay, sir, I will arrange it immediately."

The secretary first contacted the secretary of German Foreign Minister Waschter, and after confirming that the meeting could be held at this time, he prepared the car and sent Paul Boselli there.

The place where the talks were held was not at the German Foreign Office, but at Vachter's mansion. It is relatively more hidden and confidential here.

"Your Excellency, I'm really sorry to bother you at such a late hour." Paul Boselli apologized after seeing Wasit.

"Your Excellency, please don't say that. I know you must have something important to see me at such a late hour." Wahit said.

Wachter could almost guess the reason why Paul Boselli wanted to see him. The peace talks during the day put a lot of pressure on the Italians. So, now is the time for the Italians to seek a breakthrough. In any case, the interests of the German Empire must be guaranteed. As for whether the interests of other countries will be damaged by this, it is not his concern. As an important minister of the empire, it is natural to put the interests of the empire first.

The place where the two talked, was located in a secret room in Vacht's mansion. Apart from the secretaries of both parties, there was no fifth person in the secret room. Talk here and stay safe.

After some pleasantries, the conversation between Vachter and Paul Boselli also got to the point.

"Your Excellency, I have already contacted the country. The country thinks the conditions proposed by your country are too harsh. Therefore, we hope that your country can lower some requirements appropriately. In terms of war reparations, we can pay your country 10 billion Mark. Your Excellency knows that our country is not rich, and ten billion marks is already the maximum amount we can pay. In terms of territory, Sicily can be ceded to your country, but please leave Sardinia to us. After all, Sardinia It has different meanings to us. The rest of the conditions can be agreed." Paul Boselli said.

Before the Kingdom of Italy was unified, it split into several countries. It was the Kingdom of Sardinia that eventually unified Italy. It is because of this that the meaning of Sardinia is different. If Sardinia is ceded to Germany, it will be a heavy blow to Italy.

Wacht frowned, thought about it, and then said: "Sardinia does not need to be ceded to us. However, the war reparations of 20 billion marks is our bottom line, and a single mark cannot be missed."

"Your Excellency, the Kingdom of Italy cannot afford that much money." Paul Bocelli began to cry poor.

"Italy is indeed not too rich, and 20 billion marks is a relatively large amount for you. However, we did not ask you to pay it all at once, and you can pay it in three or five years. In addition, I I know that when your royal family was uniting the Kingdom of Italy, they collected a lot of wealth. After more than forty years, I believe that the wealth has not been used up. All kinds of gold and silver treasures and works of art can be used To mortgage war reparations!" Wahit said.

"Your Excellency, those wealth have already been used up!" Paul Boselli said.

However, Wahit did not believe it at all. Not to mention anything else, the Kingdom of Sardinia plundered a lot of wealth from the Catholic Church back then. If they can make good use of this wealth and use it to develop industry, maybe Italy's strength will be stronger than it is now. But it is a pity that the Italian royal family has huge wealth, but they are unwilling to use it like a miser. In the end, Kong left a huge fortune, but the national power did not increase much. Now, after being defeated in the war, everything becomes the spoils of others.

Paul Boselli felt his firmness from Wachter's words, and knew that the Germans would probably not make concessions in terms of war reparations. However, being able to make the Germans spit out Sardinia is already a very good victory.

"Your Excellency, if Italy agrees to the conditions of the German Empire, what about the Austro-Hungarian Empire? Their conditions are too harsh. It is impossible for Italy to agree to such harsh conditions. But the Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire issued another Threat of force." Paul Boselli looked distressed.

"The conditions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire are indeed a bit harsh. If the Kingdom of Italy is unwilling to agree, then it is better not to agree." Vachter said.

Paul Boselli felt a burst of ecstasy in his heart. He believed that Germany supported them on this issue.

"However, what should we do if the Austro-Hungarian Empire continues to attack Italy?"

"The army of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not strong in combat. If the Kingdom of Italy can do its best, it may not lose to them, right? If you can defeat the Austro-Hungarian Empire on the battlefield, then you don't have to pay them war reparations." Wahit said.

Paul Boselli frowned immediately. He was also very disappointed with the combat effectiveness of his country's army. Although the fighting power of the Austro-Hungarian army is not strong, the overall strength of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is undoubtedly stronger than that of the Kingdom of Italy. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire fails to be defeated, but is defeated by the Austro-Hungarian Empire again, then the problem will be serious.

"If the Kingdom of Italy needs it, we can secretly provide you with a batch of weapons and equipment." Wahit continued.

Paul Boselli's eyes lit up immediately, which undoubtedly represented Germany's clear attitude.

"Your Excellency, if it is possible not to fight, that would be the best. Can Germany put some pressure on the Austro-Hungarian Empire to let them give up the harsh conditions for us. The current German Empire is the world's most powerful country. Austria The Hungarian Empire will also seriously consider Germany's opinion." Paul Boselli said.