"This is really tragic news, isn't it? The Italians are like a knife pressing on our backs. If they suddenly turn against us, our situation can be described as terrible." Baldu shivered and said.

"But according to our tips, the Allies do not seem to want to accept Italian conditions with good cards. This is an opportunity for us. So it's not easy to worry too much, so let's just wait and see." Herbert said calmly.

At this time, in the palace in Rome, the Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy Giovanni Gioliti, the Italian Navy Commander Duke Abuzilu, and the Italian Chief of Staff General Luigi Cardorna were holding a talk to determine the fate of the entire Italy.

"Under the command of Bavarian crown prince Ruprecht, the German Eastern Front Army has completely annihilated the Russian troops in the Russian Poland and Riga. If they continue to go north, they will directly approach the Russian capital. If they go east, they can easily take Belarus and Ukraine. The situation in Russia is already very bad. Now Britain and France are eager to open up the Dadanil Strait to transfusion blood for the Russians. They have made great efforts. The number of ships traveling to and from the Mediterranean every day exceeds four digits. Hundreds of thousands of troops are deployed in the Balkans. It is estimated that the attack on the Turkish capital Constantinople will soon be launched." General Luigi Cardona introduced the situation of the warring sides in front of a huge sand table.

"In other words, there are still great changes in this war? When Germany's military power is concentrated on the Baltic coast, if Britain and France can seize the time and kill the Turkish capital, it will not only save Russia, but also cut off an important arm of the allies? If I remember correctly, more than 60% of the fuel used by the Germans were transported from the Turkish Mesopotamia?" Prime Minister Giovanni asked.

"That's right, now it's the point of this war. The Western Front is a stagnant pool, and neither side can do anything to each other. The Russians on the Eastern Front have reached the brink of collapse, not only military but also economically. Turkey, the weakest link in this ally will also face the blow of Britain and France to do their best!" General Luigi said.

"What about our position in this war?" said Emanuele III, Italy. "At this critical moment, don't we take some action?"

"Our ambassador to Germany has already made a vague suggestion to Germany that if the Austro-Hungarian Empire could allocate places such as Riast in Transtino to Italy, then we will consider standing on the side of the allies. After all, there are 1.5 million Italians here. We should let these compatriots return to the embrace of our motherland. Libya should also be our reward for helping the Ottoman Empire, but the German emperor has unclear attitude. They did not reply to us directly."

"At the same time, the French said that if we join the Allies and win, then we can gain the entire Trento and Grizia region, the Austrian Litro region including Trieste, not the Istria region of Rijeka, part of the Tranisca and Dalmatia region, control of the port of Valona, ​​Antalya in Turkey and part of the German African colonies."

"The French are indeed generous. Unfortunately, this is not a place to send it to you, but to rely on the victory of the war." Emmanuele III sneered.

"So, the most important thing now is to see that the probability of both sides winning will be greater. Well, from the current situation, you think, what will happen to the war when Italy chooses one side?" said Emmanuele III.

"Overall, if we stand on the Allies, the significance is very limited, because the boundary between us and the Austro-Hungarian Empire is very narrow and has mountain barriers, so it is difficult for anyone to break through. Apart from restraint, it is difficult for us to reverse the situation. As for the navy? In fact, whether we have us or not, the Allies currently have absolute maritime advantages in the Mediterranean. However, in the air force, if we give us some time, our air force size is not as large as that of Britain, France and Germany, but it can definitely surpass that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire." General Luigi thought for a while and said.

"But if we stand on the side of the Allies, then we can directly cut off the Allies' Mediterranean transportation line, and the British and French armies across the Balkans will be in desperate situations. Relying on mines, submarines and planes, we can even trap the Allies' Mediterranean fleet in the Eastern Mediterranean! So I think, if I were William, then they should hope that we would join the Allies at this time."

"But there is a premise that we must be fully prepared. The empire has not entered a state of war at present. Our industry, military strength and national economy all need to be adjusted to adapt to the needs of war. Otherwise, Italy will not be able to fight against these real powers at all." Relatively speaking, Prime Minister Giovanni is relatively rational. In fact, he is more inclined to remain neutral, which is different from the Prime Minister Antonio Sarandela, who decided to join the Allies in history.

"I mean, we can wait and see. At the same time, we are ready for war, stockpile supplies, and prepare for the army. After the situation becomes clearer, we will decide which side to join." Giovanni said.

"If that happens, our role will be lower and lower, and we can obtain less and less." said Duke Abuqilu, the commander of the navy, who had not spoken.

"But this is the safest, isn't it? At least until the Germans give the answer, I think we should remain neutral. Of course, as a neutral country, we can do business with Britain and France, or with Germany and Austria. Maybe we can't get territory in the end, but we at least make money." The king sitting in the main seat said thoughtfully. In fact, he is also somewhat optimistic about Germany and Austria now. However, considering the relationship between Germany and Austria, as well as the feud between Italy and Austria, he is still a little undecided. He is also worried that when the whole of Europe succumbs to the bayonets of the Allies, will Germany still care about the little brother Italy?

But if you defect to the Allies, the outcome of the war is a question, and Britain and France are not good at plagiarism, so they may not necessarily abide by the agreement set for now. After all, Italy is still too weak. The rights of a country that is too weak are not guaranteed! (In history, Italy has not received all the promised benefits.)
Chapter completed!