Chapter 1009: The German War
Talleyrand immediately put on a grand performance, declaring that even if the loan amount had to be increased, they simply had to acquire such "intriguing" weapons.
Three days later.
A heated debate was underway within the halls of Schönbrunn Palace.
"Given the current state of the Empire's finances, an immediate ceasefire is our most advantageous option," Minister of State Cobentzel argued passionately. "The Empire has revealed many deficiencies in previous conflicts. What we need most right now is a period of reform."
"This will provide the Empire with greater tax revenue, stronger cohesion, and a larger pool of recruits, allowing us to defeat our enemies with minimal cost!"
As he spoke, he shot a meaningful look at the young man standing beside him.
Metternich, serving as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stepped forward and bowed to Franz II. "Your Majesty, Archduke Charles has secured a series of victories in the wars against the Ottomans and the Prussians, which has unified the Empire like never before."
"If you implement reforms now, you will face virtually no resistance."
"Take serfdom, for example; it has severely hindered the Empire's industrial growth and significantly reduced the number of soldiers we can recruit."
Austria had been seeking to abolish serfdom since the reign of Joseph II, so the topic was no longer considered taboo.
Implementing reform was the administrative path Metternich had mapped out for Cobentzel. The young man had gradually become the premier strategist for Cobentzel's political faction.
Metternich continued, "Then there is the tax system. Britain and France have less territory and smaller populations than the Empire, yet their tax revenues are far higher than ours. This is precisely because they have implemented unified government tax collection, preventing tax farmers from siphoning off profits."
"Regarding the rights of the nobility, adjustments must also be made as soon as possible..."
"Reform, yes, the Empire needs reform," Leo interrupted from the side, his voice booming. "But that must wait until after we have recovered Silesia."
"Your Majesty, if we miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we may have to pay ten or even a hundred times the price to ever possess our ancestral lands again."
Metternich countered, "A full-scale war with Prussia will consume vast amounts of military funding and manpower. It could leave the Empire unable to recover for over a decade..."
Leo waved his hand dismissively. "You clearly don't understand the situation. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of France has already promised us a low-interest loan of 12 million francs. Therefore, the military budget will not be a significant burden."
Minister of the Interior Spielmann immediately spoke up. "Marshal, 12 million francs is nowhere near enough to sustain a war against Prussia."
"It won't last long," Leo said with a smirk. "Britain is pinned down in Portugal. Prussia's petty King will surrender soon enough."
A nearby junior officer nodded in agreement. "Otherwise, Archduke Charles's army will shatter the Glogau defense line and march directly on Berlin."
Metternich frowned. "Aren't you being a bit too optimistic?"
"Young man, when I was thrashing the Prussians at Liegnitz, you probably hadn't even finished your schooling," Leo said, exchanging a laugh with several other officers. "You don't understand the situation in Silesia at all."
"Let me put it this way: right now, it's as if we have a gun pressed against the Prussians' chests. They have no choice but to surrender."
"That is, provided we don't accept a ceasefire for the sake of these meager immediate interests."
Another officer added, "That man Blücher, who is defending Glogau, was once sent running for his life by Marshal Leo."
In reality, they had been following behind the French army at the time, but Leo was happy to claim the credit as his own achievement.
Cobentzel's faction wanted to argue further, but Leo pointed at them aggressively and barked, "I swear, if the people find out you intend to abandon Silesia, they will curse you to hell every single day!"
Since recovering Silesia was the pinnacle of Austrian political righteousness, it was an argument that worked every time.
Cobentzel and his allies immediately scrambled to clarify that they had no intention of abandoning Silesia. If these radical military men were to spread word of their ceasefire proposal with their own added "embellishments," Vienna would likely erupt in protests against them.
For Cobentzel, whose position was already somewhat unstable, this would be nothing short of a political catastrophe.
Seeing the argument conclude, Franz II let out a breath and looked toward Leo. "Very well, Marshal Leo. I appoint you as the Special Envoy with full authority to handle negotiations with the Prussians."
"Yes, Your Majesty! I will certainly secure the maximum benefit for the Empire!"
...
Over ten days later.
Potsdam, Sanssouci Palace.
The recently crowned William III looked at Prince Heinrich, his voice raspy. "Is there truly no room for negotiation?"
The Prince nodded grimly. "The Austrians want all of Silesia except for Glogau."
"They have threatened that if they do not receive an answer within a week, they will launch an assault on Glogau."
"Furthermore, Paris has already announced its support for the Austrian claims and has provided them with a massive amount of material aid."
Both men fell into a heavy silence.
Tax revenue from Silesia accounted for nearly a third of Prussia's total income; it was the foundation that allowed Prussia to stand among the top-tier powers of Europe.
After the massive drain of the previous years of constant warfare, the national finances would collapse immediately if they lost the revenue from Silesia.
This was a battle they had to fight, no matter the cost.
After a long silence, William III spoke with great difficulty. "Is there any way out?"
Prince Heinrich braced himself and said, "We must obtain aid from Britain. Otherwise, we can hold out for a month at most."
"But they have already rejected Baron Friedrich."
"We can only use the Anglo-Prussian alliance to threaten London. And... we must consider abandoning our obligation to protect Hanover."
As a British enclave on the European continent, Hanover was constantly under threat from France. If the French army marched north through the Netherlands, there was no force along the way capable of stopping them. Only Prussia could deploy troops to assist in its defense.
However, this was the last card in Prussia's hand, and playing it would inevitably offend the British.
William III nodded. "You should go and meet with His Majesty King George III personally."
"But even if Britain can provide sufficient military funding, our troop strength will struggle to withstand the Austrian offensive."
Prince Heinrich replied, "A staff officer named Scharnhorst submitted a report to me. He suggests implementing a 'Universal Conscription System'."
"Universal conscription?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Prince explained. "He proposes that every adult male in the country must perform military service."
"At the same time, we would adopt a 'fast-track' model, giving recruits only twenty-three days of basic training before sending them to learn how to fight on the battlefield."
"And, following the French example, we would begin promoting officers from the ranks of common soldiers."
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