Chapter 751: Diplomatic Preparations
"Foolish! You made no preparations for battle, just let your soldiers rush in recklessly?" Count Radetzky glared fiercely at Lieutenant Colonel Buseck. "And then they were routed by a group of police?"
Buseck lowered his head, whispering in defense, "General, those police officers have remarkably high military proficiency, especially their firing speed..."
"Silence!" Count Radetzky snapped, "You've brought shame upon the imperial army!"
It was no wonder he lost his temper; Buseck had truly underestimated the enemy.
If Buseck had arranged most of his soldiers in a line formation, leaving only two or three hundred skirmishers to harass the front, they might have stood a chance, especially since the Walloon Police lacked confidence in engaging regular troops.
Instead, he had sent all his soldiers charging forward in a skirmisher formation, and under the dense volley fire of the opposing infantry line, they were decisively routed.
Count Radetzky glanced at his pocket watch; the hour hand pointed to 4 PM. They certainly wouldn't reach Wavre today.
Moreover, time would be needed to rally the scattered troops of Buseck's legion.
He took a deep breath to compose himself, then told the orderly, "Gather the troops. Tomorrow morning, Croÿ's legion will be responsible for dealing with those police officers.
"Yes, General!"
The next day.
Emboldened by their victory the previous day, the Walloon Police once again bravely repelled Croÿ's first assault. This time, Croÿ didn't underestimate them, committing three regiments in a line formation for a direct confrontation with the police, while also dispatching three cavalry squadrons to harass their flanks.
Fortunately, two Six-Pounder Cannons for the Walloon Police had also arrived on the battlefield last night, once again surprising the Austrians.
Indeed, the Walloon Police even had an artillery unit!
However, they had also sustained nearly 300 casualties in the previous battles.
As the Austrian army prepared to launch its second wave of attack, the Walloon Chief Superintendent, recalling the principles of command he had learned, ordered all police officers to retreat back into Wavre.
No matter how high their training level, they were still ultimately police officers responsible for maintaining order, and they lacked qualified commanders.
What they faced was a regular Austrian army numbering over ten thousand, supported by cavalry and artillery.
Yet their excellent prior performance, coupled with the appearance of the cannons, put Count Radetzky on alert.
He cautiously spent another full day, ordering his Hussars to repeatedly scout Wavre, only deciding to launch an attack after confirming that there were only just over three thousand police officers in the city.
Southwest Wallonia.
The city of Mons.
Chevènement, President of the Walloon Chamber of Commerce, surveyed the assembled committee members, then raised the newspaper in his hand, declaring furiously, "You've all surely seen it! The Flemish, in collusion with the Austrian government, intend to use their military to control Wallonia!
"Our police bravely repelled them twice north of Wavre, but the Austrian army is too large. The police cannot possibly hold Wavre."
All the committee members looked at their president with grave expressions.
Chevènement slammed the newspaper onto the table:
"Recently, the riots in Wallonia were also orchestrated by them. Fortunately, I received a warning from the French government and redeployed the police to Wavre; otherwise, even Mons might be under Austrian military control by now!"
Indeed, the French Intelligence Bureau had noticed a month and a half ago that Dutch-speaking individuals in Wallonia were secretly plotting 'something big'.
Joseph immediately realized that Austria was likely preparing to move against Wallonia.
But he did not rashly intervene in Wallonia's situation. Instead, he proposed at the General Staff Headquarters meeting that the Walloon Chamber of Commerce should ignore the rioters and use all its police forces to guard against an Austrian invasion.
After careful consideration, Chevènement accepted the French Intelligence Bureau's suggestion, which led to the Walloon Police's confrontation with the Austrian army.
Seeing anger flash across the faces of the committee members, Chevènement continued in a loud voice:
"Now we have only one choice left: to seek assistance from France, to ask them to send troops to drive out the Austrians!"
The committee members in the hall immediately exchanged glances, then began to whisper among themselves.
An elderly man rose and said, "Monsieur Chevènement, this would undermine Wallonia's status as a 'demilitarized zone'."
Someone else chimed in, "Yes, this could easily lead to French military control over Wallonia."
"The Chamber of Commerce's independence might also cease to exist."
The Walloon Chamber of Commerce held significant authority here, operating almost like a small independent government, and naturally, they wouldn't want anyone to control them.
Chevènement stated gravely, "The moment the Austrian army entered Wallonia, the so-called 'demilitarized zone' ceased to exist!"
He then cast a meaningful look at the dissenting committee members:
"Those Dutch-speaking and German-speaking fellows, their objective is certainly Wallonia's coal mines and factories.
"Please, let us not forget, we are all French-speakers."
The previously boisterous hall instantly fell silent.
These committee members were all major shareholders in Wallonia's coal mines, ironworks, and similar industries.
As Wallonia's largest shareholder, the French government would certainly protect their interests.
However, the Austrians, who had arrived as disruptors, were very likely to seize their assets!
Compared to Wallonia's meager 'independent administrative authority', their personal fortunes were paramount.
Or rather, without money, administrative authority would quickly vanish.
After more than ten seconds of silence, a committee member raised his hand. "I agree to invite the French army into Wallonia."
Immediately, others voiced their agreement. "I also concur."
"Let the French come. When the Austrians managed Wallonia previously, the situation was far worse than it is now."
"Exactly. The Flemish would make things even harder for us. Only the French army can change this situation."
A quarter of the Chamber members were already French, and they eagerly joined in, quickly silencing all opposition.
Chevènement gestured for silence, then waved his hand. "Very well, let us now vote. All those in favor of seeking assistance from the French government, please raise your hands."
Of the 78 committee members present in the hall, 75 raised their hands.
...
That afternoon, Joseph received the news of the Walloon Chamber of Commerce's request for French military intervention in Wallonia via the Chappe Telegraph.
Of course, the official document was still en route, but that didn't stop him from mobilizing troops.
Just 40 minutes later, the French Southern Netherlands Army, stationed in Lille, set out, rushing towards Wavre.
Concurrently, the Royal Fourth Infantry Division from Artois entered forced march, heading north along the wooden railway line.
The total troop strength reached 23,000 men.
...
Upper Hesse.
Marburg.
Count Segur, Assistant to the French Foreign Minister, was vehemently denouncing Austria before hundreds of nobles for tearing up the agreement, sending troops into the Walloon demilitarized zone, and causing severe damage there.
Suddenly, his assistant quietly approached him from behind and whispered a few words.
Segur nodded, then turned to the Hessian nobles, waving his hand vigorously, and declared impassionedly:
"The Walloon Chamber of Commerce formally requested the French army to enter Wallonia three days ago, to protect their demilitarized status!"
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