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Chapter 701: The Deal

Papal States.

Rome.

A black carriage rumbled over the muddy road, splashing large amounts of dirty water onto the exquisite red trousers of the cavalry guards flanking it.

Inside the carriage, Austrian Minister of State, Baron Thugut, refolded the secret letter he had just received before departing and placed it back into its envelope.

Baron Walter, seated opposite him, watched his furrowed brow, picked up a nut from the table, and tossed it into his mouth, remarking casually, "It seems His Majesty still hasn't secured that silver mine?"

Though Thugut had no desire to converse with the fool, he was unwilling to offend a royal relative, so he nodded.

"General Wurmser lost an entire battalion ten days ago. He requested reinforcements and heavy artillery. You know, his soldiers are extremely lackadaisical..."

After all the miners had relocated to the mountains, they fought desperately, holding off the Austrian invaders for eight more days until finally, reinforcements arrived from Warsaw.

Five regiments of soldiers greatly improved the situation in Krakow. They even temporarily recaptured the town of Czepienia by utilizing the familiar terrain. Although they couldn't hold it afterwards, it dealt a significant blow to Wurmser.

Wurmser attributed the poor military situation to low morale, and the biggest factor affecting morale was the damned rumor of "the Pope calling for a Holy War."

Consequently, Franz II and his ministers, after repeated discussions, finally settled on a solution.

Thugut was in Rome as the Emperor's special envoy to execute this plan. Walter, wanting to latch onto some of the credit, insisted on accompanying him.

"The Pope certainly can't refuse such a huge temptation, and then the lie will unravel," Walter declared triumphantly, making an exploding gesture. "The poor Poles will surrender Krakow. You and I will receive His Majesty's commendation. It's that simple."

"I hope it goes as smoothly as you say," Thugut murmured, glancing out the window with a complex expression.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Thugut emerged from St. Peter's Basilica, his expression grave.

Walter, waiting in the corridor, quickly scurried over and asked, "How did it go? When is the Pope going to Vienna?"

Thugut frowned and shook his head. "His Holiness has rejected our proposal."

"How is that possible?!" Walter shrieked, eyes wide. "All the archbishops in our country are nominated by the Holy See, and we protect the absolute integrity of the Papal States, yet he only needs to go to Vienna and say a few words. How could he refuse such a good deal!"

It was no wonder he was so surprised; the terms Franz II had offered this time were indeed generous.

During the reign of Joseph II, Austria had begun to emulate France in severing ties with the Roman Curia. Archbishops in important dioceses within the country no longer accepted appointments from the Holy See, which significantly reduced the Curia's sphere of influence.

Furthermore, while the Holy See held immense influence in Europe, the Papal States had territorial disputes with nearly all surrounding countries. The Papal States' territories were essentially seized from them during the eras of Pepin and Charles.

Moreover, since the Papal States had very few troops, even small states like Modena could threaten them.

The various Italian states had always merely lacked a pretext; otherwise, they would have immediately declared war on the Papal States.

Historically, once Emperor Napoleon provided the justification, the Papal States were quickly carved up by the Italians, leaving only the small city of Rome.

Thus, the Holy See had always lacked a sense of security, and no major power had pledged to protect it—

France would have been delighted for the Roman Curia to collapse, allowing Avignon to become the leader of the Catholic world.

Spain was willing but powerless, and its close relative, the Two Sicilies, had immense territorial claims on the Papal States.

Austria, too, had previously undergone religious reforms, aiming to minimize the Holy See's influence.

This time, all Franz II requested was for the Pope to travel to Vienna and publicly deny the rumors that he had called for a "New Crusader Holy War."

It was foreseeable that as soon as the Pope personally debunked the rumors, the soldiers invading Poland would no longer bear a heavy psychological burden, and their morale would instantly recover.

Concurrently, the Poles would see their morale decline.

With one side gaining and the other losing, the battle for Krakow would soon conclude.

However, the Pope rejected the Austrians' deal.

For no other reason than that Joseph's original "New Crusader Holy War" design was an Open Scheme, an unsolvable trap.

Currently, Poland and Russia were engaged in a national war, and under Mesmer's "swindling," everyone perceived it as a clash between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

If the Pope were to declare at this moment that there was "no such thing as a Crusader Holy War," it would be an admission of defeat to Eastern Orthodoxy, tantamount to throwing the Holy See's reputation to the ground and trampling on it.

The Roman Curia, already in decline, would likely suffer an irreversible setback from this incident.

Especially Pius VI himself, who would bear the full brunt of the responsibility.

He couldn't afford to gamble.

Three days later, Thugut again sought an audience with Pius VI, but still failed to convince him.

In despair, Baron Thugut had no choice but to prepare for his return to Vienna.

That very evening, however, Walter mysteriously led him to a coffee shop.

In the private room, a hooded man was already waiting.

Seeing the Austrian Minister of State arrive, he immediately rose and gestured, "We meet here by God's arrangement, esteemed Baron."

When he pulled back his hood, Thugut couldn't help but be taken aback. "Archbishop Muzzarelli?"

Muzzarelli was one of the most powerful cardinals in the Holy See, overseeing the Papal Secretariat and holding significant influence over the Holy See's finances.

Muzzarelli courteously invited Thugut to sit down, then spoke directly, "I hear His Imperial Majesty has a small problem that needs solving?"

Thugut immediately turned his head to look at Baron Walter. 'This fellow actually told someone else about such a confidential matter!'

Muzzarelli smiled faintly. "With all due respect, Baron Walter was correct to mention this to me."

Thugut turned back, stating calmly, "Then you've brought me here concerning this matter?"

"Indeed," Muzzarelli said, his hands clasped, a smile in his eyes. "In this matter, only I can help His Imperial Majesty."

"Oh? And how would you do that?"

"I frequently serve as the Pope's special envoy, engaging with dignitaries from various nations. That is to say, I can speak on behalf of the Pope."

...

Eastern Poland, Minsk.

The Polish-Russian War front.

An unassuming carriage slowly made its way along a village road into Russian-controlled territory, accompanied by the distant sound of cannons. Immediately, several Russian soldiers raised their rifles and aimed. One of them called out loudly in Polish, "Halt! Who goes there?"

Spione Piattoli, the Secretary to the Polish King, stepped out of the carriage and addressed the highest-ranking Russian officer. "I am the King's Secretary, and I have a matter of extreme importance. I need to see General Korezenikov immediately."

An hour later, in the command post of the Russian Lithuanian Front, Korezenikov stared at Piattoli with a shocked expression. "Are you saying... His Majesty the King intends to surrender?"