Chapter 923: The Scapegoat and the Hero
Cobentzel’s excitement lasted only a heartbeat before reality set in.
If he was to seek a truce with France, then as the Minister of State, he would be the one responsible for signing the terms of surrender.
That was a thankless task destined to draw the ire of thousands. If he wasn’t careful, his reputation would be utterly ruined...
His mind raced, and a realization struck him: the defeat was the fault of Thugut’s government. The decision to surrender could be framed as something Thugut had already "decided."
He would merely be the one responsible for cleaning up the mess.
Yes, that was how they would promote it. He might even emerge as a hero who saved the nation from the brink of destruction.
Once he held the reins of power, he could collaborate with the Kaunitz family to implement vigorous reforms, restoring the Empire’s strength. Then, one day, they would defeat France and wash away this humiliation.
By then, his name would be etched forever into the glorious history of the Empire!
At that thought, Cobentzel no longer hesitated. He bowed slightly toward Kaunitz.
"I am glad you have made the right choice," Kaunitz replied with a nod.
Beside them, Metternich continued, "The other Mr. Cobentzel will take over as Foreign Minister."
He was referring to Ludwig von Cobentzel.
"Count Spielmann will serve as the Minister of the Interior. Count Stadion will take over as the Minister of Finance..."
Just like that, the Kaunitz, Cobentzel, and Stadion families formed an alliance, redistributing the core positions of the Austrian political landscape among themselves.
Indeed, Kaunitz was not at all worried that Cobentzel would betray him—Ludwig von Cobentzel was his student, and Ludwig's father, Johann von Cobentzel, had already agreed to the alliance.
Even if Cobentzel could resist the temptation of the Minister of State position, he could never betray his family’s interests.
Cobentzel immediately stepped into his new role, expressing his concerns. "What if the French refuse the truce? That man Napoleon could launch an attack on Klagenfurt at any moment."
Metternich replied calmly, "As long as the benefits are sufficient, the French have no reason to push the Empire to a fight to the death.
"In fact, my father-in-law already sent someone to Paris to mediate two weeks ago."
Cobentzel was taken aback. "Doing such a thing... His Majesty will be furious if he finds out."
For Kaunitz, a retired minister, to be secretly colluding with an enemy state could easily be branded as high treason.
Kaunitz waved his hand dismissively. "I was merely catching up with an old friend."
"An old friend?" Cobentzel quickly remembered that the former Austrian princess had married Louis XVI through Kaunitz’s own maneuvering. He was referring to the current Queen Marie.
That was indeed a connection that could be put to good use.
The men in the room continued to discuss the specifics of their plan, not dispersing until well into the night.
The following day, acting on Cobentzel’s advice, Franz II ordered Baron Thugut to return to Vienna to handle the chaos there and prepare for the Emperor’s return to the capital.
Thugut accepted the order gladly. He saw this as a favorable turn of events—it was a perfect opportunity to purge his political opponents and tighten his grip on the government.
On the afternoon of Thugut’s departure, Baron Walter was placed under house arrest at his residence by soldiers sent by Marquis Becerelar.
Although Walter was the Emperor’s uncle, Thugut had only used his royal influence without granting him any actual power. Consequently, the man could do nothing now but fume in impotent rage.
Immediately afterward, the Cobentzel brothers, Count Spielmann, Count Stadion, and several other ministers arrived at Franz II’s temporary palace.
The process of persuasion proved remarkably easy.
Without the interference of Thugut’s faction, Cobentzel took less than an hour to convince the Emperor to accept the proposal for a truce.
The Emperor’s greatest virtue was his willingness to listen to advice. Others, however, simply called it a lack of personal conviction.
Of course, the two consecutive uprisings in Vienna and Transylvania had also severely rattled Franz II.
The Holy Roman Emperor sat slumped in his chair, his eyes glazed and vacant, as he muttered to himself.
"But... if I do this, I will become a monarch despised by all... I have brought shame upon the House of Habsburg..."
"No, Your Majesty," Cobentzel said, his voice firm and reassuring. "This was all the fault of Thugut and his ilk! Their incompetent management allowed the French to successfully ambush us time and again, despite the Empire’s massive numerical advantage.
"It is they who have brought shame upon the Empire!
"You, Your Majesty, have always done your utmost to keep the Empire from falling. It is simply that you and the entire nation are exhausted.
"We only need a few years of rest. With capable ministers to assist you, the Empire will surely wash away today’s disgrace!"
Franz II stared blankly for a moment before slowly nodding. "You are right. It was Thugut, Beaulieu, and the others who squandered countless opportunities, leading us to this point."
Count Stadion took the opportunity to step forward. "Your Majesty, I suggest we relieve Baron Thugut of his duties as Minister of State."
Franz II nodded again. "Yes, it is time for a change..."
Meanwhile, in Paris, France.
At the Palace of Versailles.
Joseph tossed a report into his drawer and turned to Berthier.
"Please use the Chappe signal towers immediately to command General Napoleon. He is forbidden from launching any offensive against Austrian soil without my express permission."
"Yes, Your Highness!" The Chief of the General Staff snapped to attention, but then hesitated. "Your Highness, Austria is currently in the midst of internal strife, and the morale of the Austrian troops defending the Klagenfurt fortress is at an all-time low. This is truly a golden opportunity. I mean, if all goes well, Napoleon’s legion could very likely march into Vienna."
Joseph gestured dismissively. "First of all, attacking the Austrian heartland now would only give the Austrians a profound sense of crisis. It would force them to set aside their internal conflicts and unite against a common enemy.
"It might even help them..."
He had intended to say 'awaken their national consciousness prematurely,' but realizing the term might sound out of place, he adjusted his phrasing. "...it would boost the morale of their people."
"Secondly, even if we captured Vienna, it wouldn't mean much to us. It would only make the Prussians ecstatic.
"It would be difficult for us to maintain stable control over Austria. The Habsburgs have spent centuries failing to resolve the endless rebellions of the Hungarians, Romanians, and Bohemians. We would only waste vast amounts of military funds suppressing revolts there.
"Furthermore, without Austria to keep them in check, Prussia would quickly unify the German states—or at least North Germany. In fact, the Austrians might even beg the Prussians to help them deal with us."
Berthier nodded thoughtfully. "I see, Your Highness. It seems I was shortsighted."
He then asked, "But Your Highness, the war cannot simply be dragged out forever."
Joseph allowed a small smile to cross his face. "If I am not mistaken, the peace envoys from Vienna will be arriving in Paris very soon."
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