Chapter 420: Look, These Are Slaves!
Leopold II exclaimed furiously:
"What exactly do they want?!"
Marquis Hartmann said uncertainly:
"Your Majesty, the Hungarian separatists have always sought pretexts for rebellion. This is likely their way of humiliating Vienna. If we respond improperly..."
Although Hungary was currently part of the Austrian Empire, it had always maintained its "mini-court," independently managing its finances and possessing a complete system of officials at all levels, consistently demonstrating a strong tendency towards independence.
To stabilize Hungary, Austria had granted them numerous preferential policies, but the latter's separatists would cause trouble every year.
Joseph had seized on this very point, deciding to use Hungary as a scapegoat. And there was no way the Hungarian separatists would come to Schönbrunn Palace to plead their innocence — not unless they wanted to explain themselves from prison.
That afternoon, Austria's most influential high-ranking officials gathered in Joseph II's bedroom to discuss how to handle the current situation.
The anti-Prussian faction, led by Kaunitz, and the peace faction, led by Frentz, stood distinctly on opposing sides.
Count Lecamus of the peace faction was the first to speak:
"Your Majesty, we face no significant obstacles in reclaiming the Southern Netherlands. It is utterly meaningless for the Empire to continue exhausting itself in Silesia."
Someone from the anti-Prussian faction immediately retorted:
"My Lord Count, if we fail to achieve a strategic breakthrough this time, you know that our nation will struggle to mobilize so many resources for war against Prussia again in the short term. Reclaiming Silesia will then become a distant dream."
"Precisely because too many resources have been wasted, we should cut our losses as soon as possible!"
"Please, listen to the voice of the people!" Baron Ferrari held up a list. "When everyone heard that Marshal Lacy had achieved victory, they donated 35,000 florins to the front lines in just a single day yesterday! And now you want to make peace with the Prussians? Then please, you go and refund these donations to everyone."
"What victory? That was nothing but a rumor!"
By this point, all these high-ranking, influential ministers knew there had been no so-called "Great Victory of Liegnitz." It was merely a rumor spread by the Hungarians to humiliate Vienna.
"No, that is the fervent wish of all Austrians," Baron Ferrari declared with impassioned fervor, "They all believe it to be true!"
Count Frentz, recalling the benefits promised by the British, also joined the fray:
"Are we to continue fighting a war over a mere rumor?"
Marquis Lange stated gravely:
"Unless you take everyone to Silesia to see for themselves, some will undoubtedly remain convinced that Liegnitz has been recaptured. Furthermore, making peace would also damage Marshal Lacy's reputation."
Indeed, yesterday everyone was celebrating his overwhelming victory, but today the government would debunk the rumors, claiming he hadn't achieved a thing — Marshal Lacy's political and military career would be utterly ruined.
Frentz immediately interjected:
"In fact, Marshal Lacy also supports a ceasefire."
Count Lecamus added:
"I've been to the Liegnitz front. Given the current circumstances, our army simply cannot retake Silesia before our finances collapse."
Baron Thugut, the Foreign Minister, glanced at Kaunitz and stated: "The French Crown Prince has formally declared his willingness to increase support for the war in Silesia. French military intervention will help us defeat the Prussians, just as it did in the Southern Netherlands."
Baron Ferrari immediately followed up:
"The entire nation is currently immersed in the joy of victory. You all know what a retreat at this moment would signify!"
He pointed southeast: "The Hungarian separatists are the ones who most desire us to make peace with the Prussians!"
Ultimately, reclaiming Silesia was Austria's greatest political imperative. As the pro-war faction's arguments grew increasingly fierce, Frentz and the others found themselves almost unable to interject.
Just then, Kaunitz, who had remained silent, suddenly stood up, tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle to stare at the ceiling, clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and declared loudly:
"I wonder if any of you have heard of a poem that has recently been circulating among the common folk —
"If We Do Not Go to War"
If we do not go to war, The Prussians will, with bayonets, Kill us, And then point at our bones and say:
"Look, These are slaves!""
The entire bedroom fell into immediate silence. The peace faction instinctively lowered their heads, while the eyes of the pro-war faction blazed with fervent fire, some even on the verge of tears.
The poem pierced their very souls!
Every person instantly recalled the humiliation of Silesia's forcible occupation by the Prussians.
That final line, in particular, filled them with such fury that they wished to go to the front lines themselves, press a flintlock musket against a Prussian's head, and roar, "Austrians are not to be trifled with!"
This was the "ultimate weapon" Joseph had provided to Kaunitz — a short poem that, in later generations, had inspired countless patriotic soldiers to fight valiantly, and which, in any nation currently suffering foreign aggression, would be nothing short of a bombshell. Thus, Joseph had given the poem to Kaunitz, instructing him to recite it when necessary to turn the tide.
On the sickbed, Joseph II suddenly trembled, raised his emaciated right hand, and uttered a guttural "Uh-uh" sound.
Leopold II quickly leaned his ear close to his uncle's mouth to listen intently, then stood up a moment later, surveying the assembled officials:
"His Majesty says that Silesia must be retaken at all costs. We must immediately discuss aid with France and send reinforcements to the front."
He turned back, seeing the Emperor's lips move, and added:
"Austria will ultimately triumph!"
Baron Ferrari immediately raised his arm and cheered:
"Long live Austria! Long live His Imperial Majesty!"
The other members of the pro-war faction also shouted excitedly, and a moment later, Count Frentz and his colleagues were compelled to join the chorus:
"Long live His Imperial Majesty!"
"Retake Silesia!"
There was no helping it; in the current atmosphere, anyone who dared to suggest peace again would undoubtedly be sent home by His Imperial Majesty to feed pigs without a moment's hesitation.
......
Joseph tilted his head, listening to the crowd outside the window chanting loudly —
"And then point at our bones and say:
'Look, These are slaves!'"
He couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of relief. It seemed Kaunitz had secured a victory at Schönbrunn Palace, and France's strategic investment in the Southern Netherlands wouldn't be for naught.
Given Austria's current national strength, defeating Prussia would require leveraging France's power. This meant he could now set his terms.
However, this time, Austria would need some tangible support. Otherwise, once the fervor of the "Great Victory of Liegnitz" faded, Vienna would still opt for peace.
With Hanover and Prussia withdrawing from the Southern Netherlands, his Guards Corps would be free to redeploy to Silesia and demonstrate their prowess.
Of course, he couldn't allow the entire Silesia to be conquered. That would severely weaken Prussia and potentially enable Austria to re-unify Germany.
Essentially, helping Austria reclaim one province of Silesia would be sufficient. Exchanging a single province for the Wallonia region of the Southern Netherlands would be a clear win for Austria, both geographically and in terms of political and economic gain.
However, getting entangled in a major war against Prussia would require meticulous strategic planning — he needed to be able to seize a province, yet avoid excessive losses, and still retain the ability to withdraw at any time...
As Joseph was deep in thought, Eman entered, knocking on the door, accompanied by an elderly man.
Joseph recognized the man as Madame Delvaux's elderly butler. A dreadful premonition immediately seized his heart.
Sure enough, after bowing respectfully, the elderly man lowered his head and spoke in a subdued tone:
"Your Highness, the Madame... she has returned to the heavens..."
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