Chapter 343: Divine Wisdom, or Common Sense?
The Kaiser of the German Reich needed to do very little regarding the negotiations between himself and the Kingdom of Italy. As the disputes that existed between them and the Central Powers primarily revolved around claims regarding lands in Austro-Hungary.
Fundamentally, the Kingdom of Italy, the House of Savoy, and any other parties with any stake in the game were required to completely withdraw any claims they may have over the disputed lands in perpetuity, specifically those revolving around lands in Southern Tyrol and Trient.
In addition to this, the Kingdom of Italy was made to pay war reparations in an amount that did not exceed the reasonable. Ultimately, Franz Jospeh was wise enough to understand that with gains made in the Balkans, specifically revolving around Serbia, and the already tumultuous nature of the region. Adding anymore lands to the Austro-Hungarian Empire at this time would be borderline suicidal.
Because of this, he ultimately settled for reparations, and the Italians relinquishing claims they had over lands owned by the Habsburgs. It was a wise decision, made by a man who had been an emperor for several decades, and had listened to several personal lectures by a mind he considered to be perhaps the greatest in the world when it came to Grand Strategy.
Over the years, Bruno had maintained close contact with the three European Emperors and their families. And personally meeting with the Emperor of Austria was something he had done on several occasions when he was granted the means to do so.
In these private meetings, Bruno had spoken of a great variety of topics. As a well-educated man with a vast library of knowledge from past, present, and future embedded within his grand archive of a brain, Bruno could speak like a preacher with divine knowledge regarding the subjects he was so familiar with.
A preacher, who the most wise would listen to, and treat his word as if it were gospel itself. These discussions had reached topics such as overextension, and the difficulties with maintaining the stability of an empire like the one the Habsburgs ruled.
Bruno was a man, after all whose tongue was slightly loosened when he partook of drink. Not even to give away critical secrets, but enough to impart what he believed to be common sense, but in reality, was profound wisdom to those around him.
Hence why Franz Joseph was hesitant to push for a "punitive peace" and to seize any lands from Italy?
The Austrian Emperor would never forget the almost bitter expression on Bruno’s face when they shared drinks together many years ago, the look in his eyes that was filled with scorn as he spoke of how a peace based upon punishing the defeated in ways that were excessive and humiliating would only inspire further violence in the future.