Chapter 1411: Victor's Plan

"Aid Poland?"

The councilors looked blank; what was there in Poland worth aiding?

A nation under Serfdom, now partitioned by Tsarist Russia, Prussia, and the Ottoman Empire.

What benefits could Austria possibly gain from aiding Poland?

Besides...

"General Weikeduo, our current problem is the crisis in Vienna; shouldn't the issue of Poland be put on hold?" a councilor said, plucking up the courage.

Although he said this, he was still terrified that General Weikeduo might shoot him right then and there.

But now that the country was facing a disaster, if Vienna fell, no one would survive!

The other councilors were silent as cicadas in winter, glancing at him one after another, not daring to say a word.

But in their hearts, they had already determined this councilor's fate, yet not a single person sympathized, because this councilor was not quite like them.

General Weikeduo took a few extra looks at this young man who had dared to speak; he was a relatively young councilor who did not have any Noble backing.

He had become a councilor entirely through his own political achievements, but he was only in his forties, which made him quite young among this group of councilors.

Weikeduo did not say much more; he picked up a military report, placed it on the table, and handed it to the councilors to view in turns.

He stood before a map of Europe and said calmly, "Prussia is now completely surrounded; if there is no support, the annihilation of Prussia is fated."

"But why did Prussia attack Poland at this time?"

The councilors could not fathom it.

General Weikeduo continued, "Because the Ottoman Empire has also joined this battle. The Ottoman Empire is an ally of Longyan; do you think the Ottoman Empire will aid Prussia?"

At this point, the councilors all understood and were taken aback.

If Prussia were allowed to succeed, Prussia would certainly become powerful again once it received support.

By then, Prussia would have the Ottoman Empire as its rear, and with them providing reinforcements, Prussia's supplies and troops would all be replenished.

Then the siege of Prussia by Austria and other European nations would be a joke.

It would be impossible to succeed.

The annihilation of Prussia would also be a joke, but unfortunately, they knew what happened later: Tsarist Russia borrowed a path through Sweden and launched a lightning strike on Poland.

They built a wall between the Ottoman Empire and Prussia, completely blocking off these two countries that wanted to form an alliance.

Prussia also fell into a precarious situation, surrounded on all sides.

The price they paid was the loss of vast areas of territory, and Prussia, already in a precarious state, was hit while down.

It fell into a state of near-extinction.

In that case, Longyan's recent actions...

The group suddenly thought of a possibility!

"Longyan's target is Prussia; they want to aid Prussia!" the young councilor said coldly.

If Longyan's scheme were truly allowed to succeed, Prussia could turn danger into safety, and all the previous precarious situations could be broken.

The siege by Austria and the various European nations would completely lose its meaning!

"Since you all understand, I don't need to explain further why we must attack Poland."

The councilors nodded, agreeing with Weikeduo's proposal.

It was definitely not because General Weikeduo was currently holding their lives in his hands.

Weikeduo glanced at that young councilor; because of this councilor's background, he remembered his name: Liangduo.

Councilor Liangduo said again, "General Weikeduo, I believe the matter of Poland must be handled, but our aiding Poland now will not make Longyan withdraw its troops."

"Longyan will certainly strengthen its actions further because of this; perhaps next time, their goal will be to occupy our Vienna."

"Without withdrawing our troops, it is somewhat difficult to make Longyan retreat, but the current Longyan army has a major problem: provisions."

"If we use provisions and troops to lure them into retreating..." Liangduo pondered.

General Weikeduo showed a hint of appreciation in his gaze; he had not expected this Liangduo to have such thoughts—it was truly not easy.

Luring the enemy with troops and provisions is a good idea, but it has some loopholes.

"Have you thought about one question?" Weikeduo said, looking at Liangduo's face.

Liangduo looked puzzled, not having figured out what loopholes his strategy had.

"General, you mean..."

"One can lure the enemy, but the opponent's goal is not the provisions and troops, but the current situation in Prussia."

"The Poland of today is not just being fought over by these four countries."

Liangduo was confused; wasn't it just the four countries—Poland, Tsarist Russia, Prussia, and the Ottoman Empire—entangled on Polish territory right now?

And judging by the current military reports, Tsarist Russia had the greatest influence in Poland.

General Weikeduo's old eyes suddenly shone with a sharp light: "The Longyan army has already reached Poland; they are likely fighting against Tsarist Russia."

"If the Longyan army defeats Tsarist Russia in Poland, there will be a continuous stream of support pouring into Prussia."

"By then, our situation will be dangerous."

Hearing this, Liangduo finally understood that he had not grasped the key point of the problem just now.

How could Longyan watch Prussia perish? Now that Prussia was already not far from extinction, how could Longyan not think of a way?

It was his own carelessness; he hadn't thought deeply enough.

Liangduo lowered his head, silent; it turned out he knew nothing, and he had even thought General Weikeduo had overlooked the situation in Vienna.

General Weikeduo walked up to him, patted him, smiled, and said calmly, "You are already quite good; being able to think of this makes you much better than the vermin sitting here."

Liangduo smiled, looked at General Weikeduo, and responded to the goodwill he had released.

He sat down, but suddenly thought something was wrong, and immediately noticed that all the councilors had extremely ugly expressions on their faces.

Liangduo was stunned; he suddenly thought of the words General Weikeduo had just said and immediately understood why these councilors were wearing such expressions.

And yet they are so hostile toward him.

However, Liangduo agreed with Weikeduo; in his eyes, these colleagues of his were nothing but parasites of Austria.

When it came to lining their pockets, framing others, or plotting against Grand Duke Theresa, they were more ruthless than anyone!

But when it came to having them discuss a strategy, they were completely useless!

They were nothing but vermin.

Liangduo sneered and said without reservation, "Vermin."

The two words fell into the ears of the other Councilors, and their faces instantly filled with rage; they dared not show even a shred of dissatisfaction toward Weikeduo.

But what right did a newly appointed Councilor like him have to point fingers at them?

Just because of the appreciation Weikeduo currently showed him?

"Young man, don't be too arrogant!"

"Be careful of retribution!"

Liangduo was also a man with a temper, and he immediately retorted, "If you aren't arrogant, can you still be called a young man?"

"You..."

Weikeduo tapped the table to stop the farce, then said indifferently, "Everyone, cast your votes. Those in favor of aiding Poland, raise your approval votes."

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then one after another, they cast their approval votes.