In order to successfully launch the war, in the ultimatum, the Austro-Hungarian Empire deliberately provoked and used insulting language to vigorously arouse Serbia's dissatisfaction. The Austrians believed that in order to maintain the dignity of a national nation, Serbia obviously could not accept these conditions, and the result was only war.

Although it has decided not to participate in the war for the time being, Russia, as a major European power, still needs to do some superficial work. After Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum, the Russian ambassador to Austria notified Austria that attacking Serbia would cause Russia's general mobilization, and said that Russia would not allow Austria to defeat Serbia and become the overlord of the Balkans.

On July 26, Serbia responded to the ultimatum, but the result was unexpected: in order to avoid war, the Serbian government tried its best to restrain and tolerate. Except for disagreeing with Austro-Hungary's interference in Serbia's internal affairs, all other items were accepted. On the same day, British Foreign Minister Grey proposed that Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Italy mediate the disagreement between Austro-Serbia and Serbia, so that peace seems to have hope.

However, the secret visit of the British envoy made Anna understand the British's intentions.

This British gentleman with the title of Earl immediately stepped forward to hold the other party's hand as soon as he saw Mikhail, "The British Empire will always be a friend of the Russian Empire!"

The British envoy seemed to be too enthusiastic. It was clearly the first time I met Mikhail, but that seemed like an old friend of many years. "No matter what your country's choice is, we will support it unconditionally!"

The French also heard the same words...

......

Even though Serbia made such concessions, the Austro-Hungarian Empire still declared war on Serbia on July 28 as planned, according to the pre-determined plan. On the morning of the same day, the enthusiastic Austrian soldiers pushed the border sign hard and rushed into Serbia.

On July 29, France announced a general mobilization of war, while Russia was just repeatedly "protesting", demanding that the Austrian army retreat immediately, and at the same time, it used Romania to continuously transport military supplies to support Serbia's war of resistance.

At this time, the true face of Britain was exposed publicly. The British Foreign Secretary met with the German ambassador and made a clear statement that if the conflict was limited to Russia and Austria, Britain could remain neutral; if Germany and France were involved, the situation would immediately change, and the British government would be forced to make an emergency decision under certain conditions. In this case, it would not be possible to watch the wall for a long time.

This statement made German Emperor William II wake up from a dream: After a long time of work, you British guys still have to fight! No, given the disadvantages of the German navy, William planned to stop and advise the Austro-Hungarian Empire to accept British mediation.

However, it was too late. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had declared war on Serbia for two days, and the army had already entered Serbia. Things had come to this point and it was impossible to recover. The war machines were running at high speed and could never stop unless the oil was exhausted.

On July 31, Germany issued an ultimatum to France, demanding it to stop mobilizing, but was flatly rejected. On August 1, Russia announced that it would cut off all diplomatic relations with Germany and Austria and continue to increase military aid to Serbia. This time it was not just materials. A Russian unit of 20,000 people was ready to go to Serbia in the name of the "volunteer army", put on the uniform of the Serbian army, and fight the invasion with the Serbian allies. Anna's brother-in-law, Tukhachevsky, was the commander of this unit.

On August 3, Germany declared war on France. On August 2, in order to implement the Liffen plan, the German General Staff sent an ultimatum to Belgium, demanding that the German army be allowed to fight against the French army through Belgium, and responded within 24 hours. Belgium, with a population of 7 million, bravely rejected Germany's unreasonable request and asked Britain for help. On August 4, Germany brazenly undermined the 1839 treaty that guaranteed Belgium's permanent neutrality, and the 4 German troops invaded Belgium.

When Britain learned that Germany had the intention to invade Belgium, it issued an ultimatum to Germany on August 4, demanding that Germany unconditionally respect Belgian neutrality. However, the Germans who were deceived by the British ignored it. German Prime Minister Bateman claimed to the British ambassador to Germany: "International treaties are nothing more than waste paper." So Britain declared war on Germany on the pretext that Germany destroyed Belgian neutrality.

Then, on August 6, Serbia declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy declared neutrality. On August 12, Britain declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the war broke out in full swing.

......

Obviously, Russia's performance was disappointing. Although it was biased towards Britain and France, it did not formally send troops to participate in the war. For this reason, the French ambassador to Russia hurriedly found Grand Duke Mikhail, the "actual" ruler of the Russian Empire, who tried his best to persuade Russia to join the war.

"Come on, Mr. Martin, it's lunch time now, let's have a chat while eating..." Mikhail said calmly.

"..." I don't know what to say, the French ambassador had to go to lunch with his grandfather first.

......

"This...is this your lunch?" Ambassador Martin looked at such a shabby meal and could not believe that this was the lunch of the noble regent of the Russian Empire: a piece of black bread, a few slices of jerky, a short and thin sausage, and finally a cup of coffee.

Mikhail picked up the bread and took a bite, and slowly said, "Yes, Mr. Martin. I said that the financial situation in our country is very unoptimistic. If I want to mobilize to participate in the war, I am afraid I will only eat bread slag in the future."

"Haha, Mr. Da Gong, you are too worried... "Martin put up his sausage and swallowed it in one bite. After chewing it twice, his eyebrows turned into the character Sichuan, and his face turned blue: Damn, what kind of sausage is this? Is it expired?

In the end, out of diplomatic etiquette, Martin swallowed the sausage that he would never forget for life.

"Why, are you full?"

"Yes...yes, I had lunch in advance, haha..." Martin said immediately, "Mr. Grand Duke, our government has made a decision to reduce all interest on your country's loans, and your country will only need to repay the principal at the end of the period."

After Martin finished speaking, he stared at Mikhail...

"Oh?" Mikhail seemed very happy. He picked up the coffee cup. "Cheers for the friendship between our two countries!"

...........

Two days later, on August 6, Ambassador Martin once again requested to meet His Highness the Grand Duke.

"Our army is mobilizing, and it will take about 6 weeks. Our country will definitely participate in the war!" said Grand Duke Mikhail.

Martin shook his head obediently, "6 weeks?! Oh! Dear Your Excellency, we can't wait. Our brave soldiers are fighting on the front line and trying to resist the invasion of the Germans. I ask you, declare war on Germany now!"

"No! Sir Ambassador, you are not a soldier, and you don't understand military affairs." Mikhail spread his hands, "If there is insufficient mobilization, the soldiers will fight on hunger. Therefore, I must formally declare war on Germany in 6 weeks, which is the bottom line."
Chapter completed!