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Chapter 1192: Traitors

"I can swear on my life that as long as France stands, we will do everything in our power to protect Poland!"

The French Prince spoke only a few sentences, but his slightly youthful yet profoundly sincere demeanor deeply moved the Polish King.

Stanisław II took two steps forward and bowed solemnly to the young man. "Józef and I have never doubted that France is Poland's most reliable friend. We both fully support the Crown Prince's plan."

Prince Regent Poniatowski added, "But the deputies will be difficult to persuade. You know as well as I do that asking them to bow to the Russian, Prussian, and Austrian invaders is more painful to them than the fires of hell."

Poland was now a constitutional state; the King could not bypass the Sejm to make major decisions.

Following his brother's instructions, Charles asked, "Your Majesty, are you and the Prince Regent willing to sacrifice everything for Poland?"

The uncle and nephew exchanged a look and replied simultaneously, "Of course."

"I would do anything for Poland," the King declared.

Charles produced a personal letter from Joseph and handed it to Stanisław II. "This is my brother's recommendation for you."

The Prince Regent's eyes scanned the paper, his brow furrowing. "I am willing to try, but the army might very well refuse an order to retreat."

Charles immediately produced another letter. "This one is for Marshal Kościuszko."

...

Three days later.

An "earthquake" struck the Polish Great Sejm.

The cause was a sudden proposal by the veteran deputy Kołłątaj, demanding the liberation of all serfs in Poland, excluding only those in Masovia and Podlaskie. The proposal was incredibly radical; it suggested that serfs could acquire most of the land they previously farmed without paying almost any redemption fees.

Since the Prince Regent showed support for the bill, the Liberals and the Patriot Party were instantly galvanized, immediately setting to work to push the legislation through.

Meanwhile, the Hetman Party, representing the conservative nobility, opposed it tooth and nail.

Deputies from both sides nearly came to blows during the session on Wednesday.

What followed was a storm of speeches across Warsaw by both Liberals and Conservatives. The former even organized a march of several thousand people, petitioning outside the parliament building.

After more than half a month of turmoil, and with the persistent push from the Polish Regent, the Serf Emancipation Act narrowly passed.

Excluding core regions like Warsaw and Drahichyn, the national process for serf registration began. According to the plan, land redistribution would be completed within six months.

Now it was the Conservatives' turn to cause an uproar. They first organized protests and then launched impeachment proceedings against Kołłątaj.

The Great Sejm ground to a near-halt, unable to function normally under the weight of the controversy.

A week later, citing that "the chaos in the Great Sejm has hindered war preparations," Prince Regent Poniatowski announced the dissolution of parliament, with new elections to be held within three months.

Dissolving the Sejm was a prerogative of the Polish King, currently exercised by the Prince Regent.

While the Liberals and Conservatives were busy accusing each other of "destroying the Commonwealth's system," Poniatowski had quietly promoted Dominic Radziwiłł and Henryk Chodkiewicz to the positions of senior advisors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

One was a pro-Russian noble from Kiev, and the other was a deputy of Prussian descent.

Simultaneously, the elite 3rd Division of the Royal Guard, which had been guarding Warsaw, was reassigned to the northern city of Wizna—effectively the Polish rear, even further back than the capital. The defense of Warsaw was handed over to the 7th Royal Guard Brigade, which had been restructured from the former Regent's Guard.

In mid-April 1798, massive numbers of Prussian and Austrian troops began massing on the Polish border.

A dark cloud hung over Poland. Everyone knew that war was coming once again.

Soon, the three powers—Russia, Prussia, and Austria—formally declared war on Poland, citing the Polish government's failure to strictly implement the Treaty of Dresden.

Yet, the military preparations within Poland appeared utterly chaotic.

The garrison in the direction of Minsk numbered fewer than thirteen thousand men. The main force of the Lithuanian Legion could barely be mobilized due to a severe lack of funds from the dissolved parliament.

The situation was the same in the west and south. The army had been intentionally scattered across multiple cities, clearly unable to withstand the massive numbers of the invaders.

Just as the Prussian and Austrian commanders were ordering the planned offensive, special envoys from the Polish Regent unexpectedly arrived in Vienna and Berlin.

In a small room within Schönbrunn Palace, Count Mawalofski wore a fawning expression as he spoke to Cobentzel. "His Highness the Prince Regent has always desired to live in peace with the Empire. But you know those fellows in the Patriot Party—they've been inciting the army to make pointless resistance."

Cobentzel looked at him with cold, squinted eyes. "Hmph. Then let them face the fate they deserve."

Mawalofski hurriedly replied, "We all know this is a war we cannot win, but surely you see that it would also cause Austrian soldiers to suffer unnecessary casualties.

"Therefore, the Prince Regent hopes to exchange certain interests for His Imperial Majesty's forgiveness."

Cobentzel let out a disdainful snort and was about to offer a mocking retort when the Pole continued.

"If our country is willing to relinquish all of Lesser Poland, do you think you could persuade Russia and Prussia to withdraw their troops along with you?"

The Austrian Foreign Minister nearly thought he had misheard. The primary strategic goal of the Austrian army in this campaign was the occupation of Lesser Poland. If they could obtain it without losing a single soldier, it would be the best possible outcome.

He narrowed his eyes and asked, "You mean the entire region of Chęciny and everything south of it, including Krakow?"

Mawalofski nodded, wringing his hands. "That is indeed the Prince Regent's intention. However, as you know, there are many interests involved in the silver mines of Tarnowskie Góry, so he hopes to delay the handover by a few months... Oh, don't worry, it won't be later than the end of July."

Seeing the suspicious expression remain on the Austrian's face, he added quickly, "To show our sincerity, the Prince Regent is willing to withdraw all troops from the Lesser Poland area immediately. You may send men to verify this at any time."

Cobentzel finally allowed a faint smile to cross his lips. "I will consider conveying this to His Imperial Majesty."

In Berlin.

Inside the City Palace, Prince Heinrich squinted at Count Chodkiewicz. "The French troops in the port of Gdańsk have already withdrawn. His Majesty's army can occupy it with ease. That is hardly enough of a condition."

The Count immediately nodded obsequiously. "You are quite right. According to what I've gathered, the Polish Regent's bottom line should be all provinces west of Łęczyca. If you make a demand based on that, he will most likely accept."

This man had always considered himself a pure Prussian who was merely serving as an official in Poland; consequently, he felt no hesitation in selling out the country.