Chapter 178: , The second league

In the waters near Ireland, the British failed to return to several flying shears. But after losing a few ships, the British finally figured out what happened to them. But the British were unable to replicate this "Greek fire" for the time being, so they could only suspend the interception of these French flying shears.
　　 On the other hand, British diplomatic envoys began to run around Europe again, trying to organize a new round of anti-French alliance.
　　 Their first win was naturally Austria. At this time, Austria also felt that the last peace talks was really unfavorable to itself, and... and the French also left a tail for themselves. The places where the French have stayed are not very safe until now. When the nobles go back to collect rent, they are half less than in other places.
　　 If it was just this area, the Austrians would grit their teeth and endure it. But the trouble is that guys in other regions have also started to learn, asking for rent and interest reduction as well-this is simply intolerable.
　　 Therefore, although the British are persecuting Catholics, and even though the pope has called on all the Europeans to support the "Irish brothers," in the eyes of the Austrian emperor, the French are much worse than the British.
　　 Of course, if the Austrian army can't beat the French, then the emperor can only grit his teeth. But now, the Austrians have just made new progress in the military. In the last war, Austria has successfully imitated the Mini rifles and revolvers that made the Austrian army sore. So when the emperor asked Grand Duke Carl, "Can our army now resist the French army?" Grand Duke Carl also gave this answer:
"Your Majesty, the current situation is much better now than then. But our infantry is still not as good as the French infantry. Compared to us, the French infantry, especially their skirmishers, is stronger. And I believe there is After such a long time, their line infantry will not be under-trained as they were at the beginning of the last war. So I think that although we have weapons equivalent to them, in general, our infantry is still No better than French infantry.
　　 Of course, we are not without advantages. After acquiring new weapons, our cavalry should be able to rebuild its advantage over France. But your Majesty, even so, on the whole, France is still stronger than us. Austria will not be able to defeat France alone in the short term. "
　　 "So, what if Prussia is added?"
　　 "That's still not enough." Grand Duke Karl said, "Unless the Russians are added. War may not be good for us."
So the emperor said to the British: "Unless Prussia and Russia join in, Austria cannot join the British and French wars. Moreover, the Russians must honestly send troops, and don’t talk like the last time. To fight the French, the French army didn’t know the color of the Russian uniform until the peace talks!"
　　 So the British went to the Russians and Prussians again.
Russia thinks that this time it is very straightforward and willing to teach the French together. This is because the great queen has passed away, and the newly enthroned majesty is not cunning enough, and secondly, because the French are so unscrupulous. , So sad for the Russians. They also do not look at how much Russia has helped France drag Prussia and Austria before, and how much it has helped them. Had it not been for Russia's help, the white flag would have been flying in Paris.
　　 But those French guys, one by one, are ungrateful bad things. They actually sold so many dangerous things to those Poles. Those Poles took these things every day to assassinate or something. Although the number of people who have been assassinated is not particularly large, but the Russian nobles in Poland dare not hold a ball casually-this, this is really unbearable.
　　Besides, Russia and France don’t border. Even if they send troops, if the situation is unfavorable, the big deal will not be the case. The risks are also limited. Moreover, it happens to take this opportunity to ask the British or two other allies for some money and some skills.
　　 But it is not so easy to convince Prussia. The Russians do not worry about their own safety, but Prussia has to worry about their own safety. Unlike the last time, after occupying the Rhine region, the French have already reached the gate of Prussia! It's really fighting, if you can't win-this is really not a small probability, what about Prussia?
　　 So the Russians only want money and technology, and Prussia first stated directly that we have always loved peace, and then said that if I want to join, you can take Hanover down by yourself, and then we will talk. otherwise. If you lose the fight, you Britons shrink your necks to the other side of the strait. What shall we do?
　　 However, if the British could get Hanover back from the French by themselves, would it still be necessary to pull Prussia? Besides, where does Britain have the strength to do this at this time? I'm too busy for Ireland!
　　 At this time, the Duke of Norfolk’s second raid began after a period of preparation.
　　 The Duke of Norfolk used the same number of "Irish Security Forces" in addition to 40,000 British troops in this raid. In the eyes of the Duke of Norfolk, although these people have poor combat effectiveness, even if it is forty thousand pigs, does it have the effect of pigs?
For example, when the road is open, let these people go ahead and clear mines while walking; another example, enter the village to set fire, enter the forest into the swamp; another example, let them deal with those who have not completed training and have not yet been armed Rebel army (women and children). They are still very useful.
　　Of course, using these people will also bring some troubles, such as the degree of confidentiality of the operation has decreased. The speed of the army's actions has also been greatly reduced. After all, the "Irish Security Forces" cannot compare with the British Army in terms of training.
But considering that after the first major sweep, the rebels of the United Irish Federation would not be able to commit the paralysis again as long as they were not fools, so this operation, even without the 40,000 pigs Ah, that's not right, it is 40,000 "Irish Security Forces", and it is unlikely that the raid will be as effective as the last time. And what needs these guys to do, as long as they have no conscience, they don't need too much training.
　　 As for the fact that the guerrillas may not be caught because of slow action? This is not a problem. Although the priest has a donkey, the church does not have long legs. Even though the guerrillas and the ordinary people ran away and hid, their villages could not run away. Even if their villages are all rammed-earth thatched houses that are worthless and don't feel distressed if they burn, but the potatoes in their fields can't run away. Of course, the British army has no time and energy to ruin the crops, but didn't they bring 40,000 pigs? Speaking of ruining the crops, is there a more efficient way than putting pigs directly into the crops?
　　 Of course, the pig will not keep it secret. Especially after the guerrillas attacked the "Irish Security Forces" some time ago, many pigs of the "Irish Security Forces" started to step on two boats. While they were chasing with the British, they secretly contacted the guerrillas and said to them, "Everyone is Irish. We are just eating and eating, and don’t really want to embarrass you." They even simply said, "We I am in love in the British camp."
　　 In this way, this raid, at least strategically, has almost become a bright card. Before the British army was dispatched, the Federation had already learned the timing, strength, and objectives of the British army's upcoming raid through the intelligence it had obtained.
　　 But even so, the pressure of this anti-mopping is still very heavy. It's like playing poker. The cards in the opponent's hand are really good. Even if you open up the cards, you don't see any countermeasures. Of course, the base area is not without preparation during this period. At least, in terms of how to transfer the masses, the base area has made various efforts according to local conditions.
For example, some villages close to the hills have dug hiding holes in the hills; some villages close to the marshes have opened safe passages and temporary refuges by nailing wooden stakes and laying planks in the marshes. So. Coupled with the support of intelligence, everyone in the federation can guarantee that the loss of the lives of the direct masses and soldiers will be much smaller than the previous one.
　　 But this did not make everyone feel relieved, UU reading www.uukanshu.com because the first target of the British raid was not aimed at people, but aimed at agricultural production in the base areas. Potatoes will soon enter the harvest season. If the British were allowed to run around in the base area at this time, agricultural production would be greatly destroyed, and the entire base area would fall into a man-made famine.
　　 This terrible prospect makes almost all the members of the federation worried.
"Some comrades hope that our comrades in France can bring us more food to ensure that there will be no famine in the base areas in the future. But after a little calculation of the amount of food needed, everyone immediately understands this hope. How unrealistic.
　　 Some comrades hope that our French comrades can organize a large army to land directly in Ireland and defeat the British on the frontal battlefield with us. But when we were in Toulon, we knew that the shipping forces from France to Ireland could not support a large army in regular operations.
So some comrades suggested to us that if we fight the British bluntly and clearly, it is better to die desperately than to starve to death-this is of course not a solution. Our revolution is to make the Irish people live better. Not taking everyone to die.
Just when everyone was hesitating, our friend, Comrade Joseph Bonaparte, after learning about the current situation, wrote to us. His letter was like a gust of wind, blowing away the dark clouds and thick clouds in front of us. The fog suddenly revealed a golden avenue leading to victory. "
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