Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 126: Chapter 113: Changing History? (Part 2)

So why did the Triple Alliance collapse after it was formed? First, conflicts between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russia intensified, partly due to the British continuously sowing discord between the two nations.

Moreover, the Germans, who were originally supposed to mediate, repeatedly chose the Austro-Hungarian Empire during these conflicts, which further distanced German-Russian relations.

However, regardless of the situation, the relationship between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russia is not great but also not hostile enough to be considered enemies.

For the Russians, if there are signs of rapprochement between the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy, and Spain, they would attempt to sign a non-aggression pact with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, temporarily ending disputes in the Balkan Region and focusing more energy on competing with the British.

For Germany, this marriage has presented a possibility, a possibility of completely isolating the French.

Looking closely at the positions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy, and Spain, they form a solid defensive line to the east, south, and southwest of France.

In addition to Germany’s blockade of northeastern France, this effectively confines France to its homeland. This perfectly aligns with Bismarck’s policy of isolating France, which is also why the Germans are interested in this marriage.

After all, Italy is also Germany’s ally, providing Germany with some advantages. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Spain intend to form an alliance, it would be better to expand this alliance infinitely, creating a Four-Nation Alliance of Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain.

Even if the alliance is not directed towards war, its symbolic isolation of France is enough to cause France significant trouble.

This is because the alliance of these four countries would isolate France in such a small area of Western Europe. Apart from influencing the Low Countries, France would only have the United Kingdom across the English Channel.

Prime Minister Bismarck thought seriously and increasingly felt that such a Four-Nation Alliance could be formed. The biggest conflicts within the Four-Nation Alliance are between Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

However, these two major conflicts have been adequately resolved. The German-Austrian conflict, essentially the Prussian-Austrian conflict, has ceased to exist since the unification of the German Empire by Prussia.

Moreover, Austrians are continuously showing goodwill to Germany, likely noticing this point.

As for the conflict between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it has largely been resolved. The conflict was over the Venice Region and South Tyrol; Venice is entirely occupied by Italians, and the southern part of South Tyrol, where Italians are most concentrated, has also been taken by Italians.

The remaining northern part of South Tyrol is predominantly Austrian, and Italy cannot seize it from a still-strong Austro-Hungarian Empire, no matter what ideas it may have.

From the current situation, both conflicts have been alleviated, with little resistance to forming the Four-Nation Alliance.

Of course, if there were any resistance, it might be from the British, who would not want to see the emergence of the Four-Nation Alliance. The alliance could target not only the French but also the British.

Once Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain unite, what business is it of other countries? Not only was the once-powerful United Kingdom incapable of facing the four countries, but even England and France combined were unlikely to match them.

France is already troubled by Germany alone, let alone being attacked from three directions by Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Combined with the strong army of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Four-Nation Alliance poses a significant threat to France, capable of invading Paris at any moment.

But such external interference was irrelevant to Prime Minister Bismarck. If the Four-Nation Alliance could be formed, it could indefinitely isolate the French government.

Thus, if concerns within Germany about the possibility of France launching a short-term war for revenge could vanish.

Isolated by the Four-Nation Alliance, it would be impossible to break through the blockade of the four countries, barring a Napoleon-Empire-like power surge.

If France dared to declare war on Germany after the formation of the Four-Nation Alliance, Prime Minister Bismarck would not hesitate to show France the consequences.

In Madrid, celebrating his wedding, Carlo was unaware that history might have shifted significantly because of him.

The atmosphere in Madrid was joyful on the wedding day. To celebrate the occasion, Carlo painfully spent over 2 million Pessetas from his personal treasury, distributing gifts to Spaniards for free.

The gifts, though not valuable, were accessible to everyone. Spaniards could queue at designated distribution points set by the Spanish Government and, upon offering heartfelt wishes to the King and Queen, receive a gift.

After the wedding ceremony, a grander banquet took place in the largest hall of the Royal Palace. As one of the Three Great European Palaces, the Madrid Royal Palace’s largest banquet hall was naturally vast.

Even with the presence of hundreds of nobles and officials, including foreign guests, it could easily accommodate them.

To showcase the hospitality of the Royal Family, sumptuous Spanish dishes from various regions, along with fresh seafood, fruits, and special wines from the Royal vineyard, were served at the banquet.

To celebrate the wedding of Carlo and Grand Duchess Sophie, 1,872 barrels of wine were prepared in advance, with 225 barrels specially reserved to commemorate the wedding.

Unless a major event occurs, these over 200 barrels of wine would remain sealed for a long time. The older the wine, the more expensive it becomes, like the long-rumored 1982 Lafite.

Actually, there isn’t much authentic 1982 Lafite; most available in the market are forgeries.

The wedding has been portrayed as a significant Catholic alliance under the media’s promotion.

Spain is a Catholic country, as is the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Naturally, Italy is also one of the Catholic countries.

Many media outlets have conceived of the alliance of these three Catholic countries, calling it the Catholic Alliance.

People have different attitudes towards such reports. Prime Minister Bismarck is naturally pleased with these reports.

The presence of such reports indicates public approval in these countries for their closer alignment.

Doesn’t this suggest that the previously conceived Four-Nation Alliance still has potential for formation?

However, the British are not as delighted.

The alliance between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Spain is already troubling, and the addition of Italy would indeed make it Britain’s biggest headache in Europe.

The British Government was initially worried about whether the Spanish Government might consider reclaiming Gibraltar, a concern intensified after the marriage between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Spanish Royal Family.

If the alliance with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy, and Spain were truly formed, it would inevitably pay attention to Gibraltar.

Losing Gibraltar would thwart much of British strategy in the Mediterranean. However, defending Gibraltar would mean direct conflict with the so-called Triple Alliance, which the British are reluctant to face.

The UK’s policy is to maintain regional balance, supporting two relatively balanced powers in a region to counter each other rather than joining in.

If the so-called Triple Alliance has no intention of forming, it is fine; otherwise, the UK may need to assemble a related alliance to minimize the Triple Alliance’s risks.

Thinking of this, the British representative, initially smiling, gradually adopted a serious expression, scanning the attending nobles, including some foreign guests, with his gaze.