Chapter 237 is too small, the pattern is too small.

Replacing France as the protectorate of the Papal States would allow the Austro-Hungarian Empire to criticize Italy in public opinion in the name of religion, and most importantly, would delay the process of Italian unification, which was a huge temptation for the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Although the Papal States are now very small, it is not some other region, but Rome, one of the most economically developed regions in Italy, and its cultural, historical and political status are unmatched in Italy. The most economically developed regions are Venice and Lombardy, which were once the territories of the Austrian Empire.

Ernst only proposed a rough plan. If he wanted to make it a reality, he needed professionals to perfect the details. If he could attract Franz's attention, it would mean that the plan was halfway accomplished.

…

"Ernst!"

Ferdinand, who had just walked out of Schönbrunn Palace, called out to his future son-in-law.

"Father-in-law, what's wrong?"

"Do you have any grudge against the Italians? You came up with such a mean idea!"

"Hahaha, how is that possible? Italy has never offended me, and my business dealings with Italy are not small. How could I have any opinion about them?"

"You are a businessman. According to your past style, you will not do anything without profit. There must be some reason for you to cheat the Kingdom of Italy."

"Nonsense, where did you hear this rumor? I have always been honest in my business. My business partners are willing to cooperate with my company, and my business has always been legal and compliant. I am not comparable to those unscrupulous capitalists. Tell me who spread the rumor, and I will definitely teach him a lesson!"

"Franz said so."

"That's fine, but an emperor shouldn't be confused about right and wrong."

"What on earth is the reason that makes you take the initiative to dig a hole for Italy?"

"Don't think about it. The reason is simple. East Africa needs a strong Austro-Hungarian Empire, not a strong Italy. It's that simple." Ernst interrupted Ferdinand.

"Yes, that's how it is! It seems that I thought too much. By the way, what did you mean when you said in Schönbrunn Palace that you could make a fortune if there was a fight between Prussia and France?"

Compared to politics, money is also very attractive to Ferdinand. If someone else said this, Ferdinand would definitely not believe it. Ernst has an extraordinary talent in this regard.

"If you want to make a profit without losing money, just buy bonds issued by the Prussian government."

"You are so pessimistic about France!"

Ernst's words were equivalent to saying that France would definitely lose, otherwise Prussia would have to pay back the debt with its head? The military expenses spent on the previous war had not yet been paid off.

"France's army is only slightly stronger than Austria-Hungary's. In other aspects, it has no obvious advantage over Austria-Hungary. What can it use to fight Prussia?"

"Although I am Austrian and a member of the Habsburg family, to be honest, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is far inferior to France. The Hungarian issue alone is very thorny."

"Do you think France is also a monolithic country? There are three royal families in France now. The Orleans and Bourbon families are both opponents of Napoleon III. In addition, France also has the largest reactionary group - the Republicans."

Ernst's statement that the French Republicans were a reactionary group was an understatement. A government that was a representative of big capitalists and colluded with enemy countries in the war and brutally suppressed the people could be ranked among the top two most disgusting governments in France. The other was the French government during World War II.

"You mean the French would backstab Napoleon III?"

"Those guys are all soft bones. They're okay when the situation is favorable, but as long as Napoleon III makes the slightest mistake on the front line, these idiots will definitely cause trouble," said Ernst.

To be honest, Emperor Napoleon III was quite capable, and France did develop vigorously under him. In terms of national strength, France was indeed superior to Prussia. However, during the Franco-Prussian War, the actions of the French rear government were such that it was an exaggeration to say that they were insects.

Napoleon III was not ruthless enough. If he had been half as decisive as Napoleon, he would not have been stabbed in the back by his subordinates.

…

Schönbrunn Palace.

"Go and call the generals from Vienna."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The main high-ranking generals of the empire in Vienna gathered at Schönbrunn Palace before dusk.

"Do you think the Franco-Prussian War can break out?" Franz asked, sitting on the sofa.

"We have to fight, but it's hard to control the timing."

"Suppose the Franco-Prussian War breaks out in two months!"

"Your Majesty, that's unlikely!"

"Tell me first if there is such a possibility."

"It is definitely possible. France has always had evil intentions towards the German region. Prussia is not a pushover either. The size of its army has always been at a high level."

"Then, suppose the Franco-Prussian War suddenly breaks out, what should our Austro-Hungarian Empire do?" Franz asked.

"Well, to be honest, it would be better for our Austro-Hungarian Empire not to leave early."

"But if we don't leave early, we won't get anything and can only sit back and watch as the French general enjoys the spoils alone."

"What can we do? Our chances of winning won't be very high if we join the battlefield. The risk and benefit are totally disproportionate."

Franz remained silent as he watched his men arguing fiercely. Austria was indeed in decline, and the generals' attitudes towards Prussia and France became unclear. In other words, they were not confident enough.

"Okay, let's not discuss this anymore. How about we not take sides in the Franco-Prussian War but open up a new battlefield?" Franz said.

"Huh?" The Austrian general was confused by Franz's words!

"Just think about it. If the Franco-Prussian War breaks out, will there be a country that will also be ready to take action?"

"Your Majesty, it's England!"

Franz shook his head and said, "I've already said that we won't discuss the Franco-Prussian issue. The Empire will not interfere with the Franco-Prussian conflict this time. But if a war really breaks out between Franco-Prussian and Prussia, Italy will not sit idly by."

"Italy? Your Majesty, could it be that you are referring to the Papal States?" An astute general immediately noticed the clue and asked.

"Yes, if a war breaks out between Prussia and France..." Franz told Ernst all his analysis and plans in detail.

"Do you think this plan is feasible?"

"Interfere with the Papal States and prevent Italy from unifying the Apennine Peninsula! If this is the only goal, it doesn't seem too difficult."

"What's in it for us?"

"The biggest benefit to us is that Italy is not unified. I think Italy's threat to the empire is far greater than that of Tsarist Russia and Prussia. A unified Italy will definitely be unfavorable to us. In addition to the navy, it may also have ambitions for the Balkans." said Navy Commander-in-Chief Wilhelm von Tegersoff.

The Ottoman Empire can actually be counted, but the Ottoman Empire only has strength on paper, and is actually weak.

"Well, if the action is aimed at Italy, I think the scope of this plan is still too small. Can we take this opportunity to regain Venice?" An army general suddenly suggested.

His words instantly opened the minds of the Austro-Hungarian generals.

"Yes, this is an opportunity. If the Franco-Prussian War breaks out, Italy will be left without a backer. In order to win us over, Prussia and France..."

"Great! We all know Italy's combat capability. If it hadn't been for the support of France and Prussia in the previous times, it would have been impossible for it to pose a threat to us."

"Your Majesty, if you want to go to war, you should act now. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The military generals who had just been submissive to Prussia and France suddenly changed their tone, as if the Austro-Hungarian Empire was on the verge of victory and Italy was a piece of meat on the chopping board.

Franz was very satisfied with the morale. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was at the bottom among the four major powers and was more than enough to defeat Italy. Now it was just a matter of sending personnel and weapons to the Papal States as soon as possible.

As long as the French army withdraws and the Pope reaches an agreement with Austria-Hungary, there will be an excuse for war. At the same time, as the generals said, it is not impossible to consider taking Venice back.

As for the risks, even if the front line does not advance smoothly, Italy will not be able to counterattack into Austria, but if it succeeds, then Venice...

Venice was too tempting for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As for the population problem, too many lice would not itch, and too much debt would not worry. Didn't that kid Ernst want to emigrate? Then he could pack up the opponents and send them to him to contribute to the development of Africa.

"Now, you must come up with a detailed plan. This operation must not attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. When the time comes, we will catch the Kingdom of Italy off guard."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" This time everyone was in favor of war.

(End of this chapter)