Empire Rising: Spain

The remaining large forces continued to march eastward grandly. At a location approximately tens of kilometers east of Kaf, there is a small town called Bulaarad.

The destination of the French Army was less than 100 kilometers northeast of Bulaarad.

In order to occupy the entire Tunisia before the Italian Government could react, the French Army issued orders from the top down, demanding that this operation must be swift and that more time be saved at all costs.

Because the Ministry of the Army had given strict orders, the French General in charge of commanding this army dared not waste any time.

Aside from some time spent capturing towns, the French Army was rapidly advancing in a grand and orderly manner along the way.

From the small town of Kaf, the forty-thousand-strong French Army chose to divide into two routes.

One route headed north and, after capturing small towns like Baj, Mater, and Bourguiba Camp, would reach their destination, Biserta.

They would construct a defensive line at Biserta to guard against possible surprise attacks by the Italians.

The remaining main forces would continue eastward and quickly surround Tunis.

As long as they could capture Tunis City, the capital of the Tunis area, victory in this war could basically be declared.

France did not encounter resistance in the Tunis area.

As a vassal kingdom under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, Tunisia also has its own ruler and government.

Much like the Ottoman Empire, the Tunisian Bey, Muhammad III al-Sadiq, once tried to Westernize and carried out a series of reforms including improving infrastructure, building railways and highways, improving education, and striving for economic development.

However, if the Ottoman Empire’s reforms weren’t successful, Tunisia could achieve even less.

With a population of less than one million and a country with numerous internal tribes and relatively decadent political systems, the tax revenue available to the Tunisian Government each year was pitifully small.

Most of the tax revenue was controlled by those tribal chiefs, and only the cities controlled by Tunisia could collect some taxes.

This led to almost no effect from the Tunisian reforms, aside from the establishment of a new army of approximately just over 2000 men by Tunisia’s rulers; post-reform Tunisia was no different from pre-reform Tunisia.

The only obstacle encountered by the French Army was this newly established army by the Tunisian rulers.

Although its number barely exceeded 2000 men, since it was the army crafted personally by Muhammad III al-Sadiq, and because this war was one to defend their own country, this new army faced the vastly outnumbering French Army with courage and launched one brave attack after another.

But reality quickly crushed their dreams.

The French Army, besides outnumbering them, also had more cavalry and artillery; their rifles, needless to say, were abundant.

Under such circumstances, the Tunisian army of just over 2000 men had no way to resist.

The first charge led to a loss of over a third of the Tunisian army, and after two consecutive charges, the Tunisian army barely retained any fighting strength.

After the French Army dealt with the new Tunisian army, several days had already passed since France officially started the war.

Even if European countries were any slower, by this point they would have received the news.

When the news of Tunisia being invaded by France reached Italy, it immediately attracted the high attention of the Italian Government.

Compared to France, Italy had larger and more colonial investments in Tunisia. If Tunisia is occupied by France, it means that Italy’s years of colonial input will be all in vain.

This is something Italy absolutely could not accept, thus on the day the news was received, the Italian Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli convened an emergency Cabinet meeting and invited the current Italian King, Umberto I, to attend.

In the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli explained to Umberto I the reason for convening the emergency Cabinet and indicated that the French Army was not far from Tunis City at this point.

”Your Majesty, gentlemen. It’s time to make a final decision. If Tunisia gives up resisting, the efforts we have put in Tunisia over the past decades will be completely wasted.” Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli said solemnly.

Being among the great powers, Italy and Germany are somewhat unique. Both countries have no colonies, relying entirely on their accumulation at home for overall strength.

Germany, on the other hand, was slightly better off, due to its glorious record in the Franco-Prussian War and its active participation in colonizing Africa and other regions, achieving more results than Italy.

Italy currently hasn’t acquired any colonies, the Tunisia and Libya regions on Italy’s boot are also included in the French colonial plans.

If Tunisia is simply abandoned, it not only means that Italy’s previous colonial input in Tunisia will be all for naught but also represents that Italy’s colonial pursuits will lose all targets, making it the only great power without a colony.

”Damn it, when did the French invade Tunisia?” At this moment, Umberto I looked both surprised and baffled. Italy, from the top down, never expected that France would suddenly invade Tunisia like this.

”They were clearly prepared, Your Majesty,” Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli shook his head helplessly, sighing, ”if we do not respond timely, perhaps Tunisia would really drift away from us.”

”What about the stance of the United Kingdom and Germany? Are the British and the Germans willing to let France occupy Tunisia?” Umberto I continued to ask.

”Several days have passed since France started the war. So far, the United Kingdom and Germany have not expressed any opposition.

Perhaps we can infer that even if Britain and Germany are not supportive of France’s war, they are very likely to remain neutral in this war, not interfering with France’s war actions.” Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli continued to shake his head.

”Damn it, didn’t they consider Italy’s opinion? We have invested so much in Tunisia, we cannot allow France to just occupy Tunisia like that!” Umberto I stood up in anger. Newly crowned, he was full of ambition, and how could he accept the reality that his strong country plans hadn’t been implemented, and Italy was about to lose the only potentially colonizable land.

”Prime Minister, first express Italy’s stance to France, we cannot possibly accept France just occupying Tunisia like this.” Umberto I remained silent for a few seconds, then instructed Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli.

After seeing Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli nod in agreement, Umberto I looked toward the Italian Secretary of State for War and continued instructing, ”The army needs to be mobilized, the military must be ready to go to war with France until this matter is fully resolved.”

The Secretary of State for War nodded as well. Regardless of whether the Italian Army could defeat the French Army, this matter concerned honor and disgrace. If he dared refuse, he would face dismissal and responsibility.

”Your Majesty, perhaps we still have some hope,” Prime Minister Benedetto Caroli stood up to encourage: ”Although it is very likely that the United Kingdom and Germany will remain neutral, we still have hope to gain support from Spain.

After Spain exchanges colonies with the United Kingdom, they will engage in even fiercer colonial competition with France in the West Africa region.

We believe that Spain would never want to see France occupy Tunisia because once France fully occupies North Africa, they will not likely give up their coveting of Morocco.

As long as we can gain Spain’s support, our two countries united don’t need to worry about threats from France.

Moreover, if the situation becomes stalemated, the Germans might also change their attitudes. Even if they remain neutral in this war due to certain factors, we believe they would not want to see France benefit in the war.”

Umberto I nodded, turning his gaze to the Foreign Secretary, ordering, ”The task of contacting the Spanish Government falls to the Foreign Department. I hope you can do your best to persuade the Spanish Government.

I will contact Carlo in the name of the Royal Family to seek support from the Spanish Royal Family. Tunisia is extremely important to Italy; the Cabinet must make all necessary preparations. If the French are unwilling to back down, we need more means to intimidate them into retreating.”