Chương 56: The 56th Chapter, Bouncing Check

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The news that the Kingdom of Sardinia had occupied Lombardy reached France and caused a stir within the temporary government.

The French had supported the Kingdom of Sardinia in waging war against Austria only to expel Austria from Italy and allow Lombardy and Venice to become independent, but they had no intention of letting the Kingdom of Sardinia unify Italy.

Ever since receiving the news that the Kingdom of Sardinia had occupied Lombardy without a fight, the mood of Alphonse de Lamartine, the head of the temporary government, had soured.

Austria was one of the four major powers on the European Continent, yet it had been so weak as to give up Lombardy?

The correct course of action would have been for them to have a Pyrrhic battle with the Sardinian Army, then, weakened and unable to suppress domestic rebellions, be forced to give up the Italian Area, while the Kingdom of Sardinia, having suffered heavy losses in the war, would be unable to annex the Lombardy Region.