NOVEL NEXT Chapter 419
Chapter 420 "Look, this is a slave!"
Leopold II said angrily:
"What on earth do they want to do?!"
Margrave Hartmann was unsure:
"Your Majesty, the Hungarian separatists have been trying to find an excuse to rebel. This is probably their humiliation to Vienna. If we don't handle it properly..."
Although Hungary is currently part of the Austrian Empire, it has always had its own "small court". It not only settles finances independently, but also has a complete system of officials at all levels. It has always had a strong tendency to be independent.
In order to stabilize Hungary, Austria gave them a large number of preferential policies, but the latter's separatists would cause trouble every year.
Joseph took a fancy to this and decided to pull Hungary out to take the blame. And it is impossible for Hungarian separatists to come to Schonbrunn Palace to plead their innocence - unless they want to explain themselves in prison.
That afternoon, Austria's most influential ministers gathered in Joseph II's bedroom to discuss how to deal with the current situation.
The anti-Prussian faction headed by Kaunitz and the peace-making faction headed by Ferenc were clearly on opposite sides.
Joseph II was so ill that he could hardly speak. He just raised his hand with difficulty to signal the meeting to begin.
Count Lucham of the peace faction was the first to say:
"Your Majesty, there is no big obstacle for us to take back the Southern Netherlands. It is completely meaningless for the empire to continue to consume Silesia."
Someone from the anti-Putish faction immediately retorted:
"My lord, if we cannot achieve a strategic breakthrough this time, you also know that it will be difficult for our country to concentrate so many resources to start a war against Prussia in a short period of time, and the recovery of Silesia will become far away."
"It's just that too many resources are wasted, so we should stop the loss as soon as possible!"
"Please listen to the people's voices!" Baron Ferrari held up a list. "When everyone heard that Marshal Lacy had won, yesterday alone they donated 35,000 florins to the front line. ! And you want to make peace with the Prussians? Then please return these donations to everyone."
"Any victory is just a rumor!"
At this time, these powerful ministers all knew that there was no so-called "Victory of Lignitz", it was just a rumor used by the Hungarians to humiliate Vienna.
"No, that is the long-cherished wish of all Austrians," Baron Ferrari said impassionedly, "They all believe it is true!"
Count Ferenc thought of the benefits promised by the British and began to join the battle group:
"Are we going to continue fighting over a rumor?"
Marquis Lange said in a deep voice:
"Unless you take everyone to Silesia, there will be people who are convinced that Lignitz has been recovered. Moreover, the peace negotiation will also damage the reputation of Marshal Lacy."
Yes, yesterday they were still saying that you had won a great victory, but today the government refuted the rumor and said that you didn't even beat the shit out of it - from now on, Lacy's political and military life will be over.
Ferenc immediately said:
"In fact, Marshal Lacy also favored an armistice."
Lord Lecum added:
"I have been to the Gnitz front line. Judging from the current situation, it is simply impossible for our army to recapture Silesia before financial collapse."
Foreign Minister Baron Turgut glanced at Kaunitz and said:
"The French Crown Prince has officially expressed his willingness to increase support for the Silesian war. The intervention of the French army will help us defeat the Prussians, just like it did in the Southern Netherlands."
Baron Ferrari immediately answered:
"Now the whole country is immersed in the joy of victory. You all know what it means to retreat at this time!"
He pointed toward the southeast: "The Hungarian separatists are the ones who most want us to negotiate peace with the Prussians!"
Recovering Silesia was, after all, Austria's greatest political correctness. As the main militant faction's firepower became more and more intense, Ferenc and the others were almost unable to speak.
At this moment, Kaunitz, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stood up, raised his head and looked at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle, clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and said loudly:
“I wonder if you have heard of such a poem that has been circulated among the people recently——
"If We Don't Go to War"
If we don't go to war,
The Prussians use bayonets,
killed us,
He also points his finger at our bones and says:
'look,
This is a slave! ’”
The entire bedroom suddenly fell silent. The main peace faction couldn't help but lower their heads, while the main war faction's eyes were filled with blazing flames, and some were even about to cry.
This poem pierces the soul!
Everyone instantly recalled the humiliation of Silesia being overrun by the Prussians.
Especially the last sentence made them full of anger. They just wanted to go to the front line in person, put a flintlock on the Prussian's head and roar, "The Austrians are not easy to bully!"
This is the "big killer" that Joseph provided for Kaunitz - this short poem that has inspired countless patriotic soldiers to fight bloody battles in later generations. It is a blockbuster in any country that is invaded by foreign enemies today. . So Joseph told Kaunitz the poem and asked him to recite it if necessary to turn the situation around.
On the hospital bed, Joseph II suddenly trembled, raised his skinny right hand, and made a sound of "uh huh".
Leopold II hurriedly put his ear to his lips and listened carefully. After a while, he stood up, looked around at the crowd and said:
"His Majesty said that Silesia must be recaptured at any cost. Immediately discuss assistance with France and send more troops to the front."
He turned around and saw the Emperor's lips moving, and added:
"Austria will win in the end!"
Baron Ferrari immediately raised his arms and shouted:
"Austria will win! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
Other war advocates also shouted excitedly. A moment later, Count Frunz and others had to join the shouting:
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
"Take back Silesia!"
There was no way. In this atmosphere, whoever dared to propose peace again, His Majesty the Emperor would definitely throw him back to his hometown to feed pigs without hesitation.
...
Joseph turned his head to listen to the crowd outside the window chanting loudly-
"And point to our bones and say:
'Look,
These are slaves!'"
He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed that Kaunitz had won the victory in Schönbrunn Palace, and France's strategic investment in the Southern Netherlands would not be in vain.
With Austria's current national strength, if it wants to defeat Prussia, it must rely on the power of France. Then he can make an offer.
However, this time, some practical support must be given to Austria, otherwise Vienna will still choose to negotiate peace after the "Victory of Liegnitz" has passed.
Now that Hanover and Prussia have withdrawn from the Southern Netherlands, their own Guards Corps can also withdraw to Silesia to show their prowess.
Of course, they cannot conquer the entire Silesia, which will seriously weaken Prussia and make it possible for Austria to reunify Germany.
Basically, helping Austria to regain a province in Silesia is enough. One province is used to exchange for the Wallonia region of the Southern Netherlands. Whether in terms of area, politics or economy, Austria is a sure win.
However, being involved in a war against Prussia requires detailed strategic planning - it is necessary to be able to take down a province, but not to suffer too much loss, and to be able to withdraw at any time...
While Joseph was thinking, Emman knocked on the door with an old man.
Joseph recognized the man as Mrs. Delvaux's old butler. He immediately had a bad premonition in his heart.
Sure enough, after the old man bowed respectfully, he lowered his head and said in a low voice:
"Your Highness, the lady...has returned to heaven..."