Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 42: Chapter 42, Military Preparations

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Your Highness, given the current domestic situation, I propose that we immediately double the size of the Vienna City Defense Army and assemble a Rebellion Suppression Army of two hundred thousand men to crush the internal rebellion!” Prime Minister Felix said with murderous intent.

When it comes to suppressing rebellions, there is consensus among everyone; no nobility likes the Revolutionary Party.

“The proposal from the Prime Minister is very good. The City Defense Army is being replenished. Those useless ones who did nothing during the Vienna rebellion, I think it’s best to order them to retire!

The formation of the Rebellion Suppression Army is urgent. General Albrecht performed well in suppressing the Vienna rebellion, so I think we should put him in charge!”

Franz did not hesitate to mix his personal interests into the matter, not only taking the opportunity to clear the decay from the City Defense Army and replace them with his own people but also extending his reach to the soon-to-be-formed Rebellion Suppression Army.

“Your Highness, the formation of the Rebellion Suppression Army is of great importance. I’m afraid that General Albrecht alone might be too busy to handle it. Why not have Marshal Radetzky and Prince Windischgrätz return to take charge of the situation as well?” Felix contended.

(Note: Marshal Radetzky and Prince Windischgrätz are saviors of the Austrian Empire, with the former having suppressed the Italian rebellion and the latter having suppressed the Prague rebellion and the Vienna rebellion.)

Both were giants in the Austrian Army; if they returned, Albrecht would have to step aside, and since Prince Windischgrätz was Felix’s uncle by marriage, he was all the more opposed to having him return.

However, this was not a problem for Franz, who immediately said, “Indeed, both are excellent candidates, but unfortunately, a rebellion has already broken out in Lombardy. If we move Marshal Radetzky away from there at this time, who will be in charge of suppressing it?

I think we should endorse Marshal Radetzky to also serve as Governor of Lombardy and Venice, having full authority over the suppression work in the Italian Area.

And then we’ll mobilize fifty thousand troops from Austria to reinforce the Italian Area, aiming to crush this rebellion in the shortest time possible.

Furthermore, the Bohemian region (Czech) is also unstable. If we move Prince Windischgrätz from there, who will be responsible for suppressing a possible outbreak of rebellion?”

They were needed at the front to command the suppression of rebellions; this reason was compelling. Since Franz proposed it, no one dared to change it lightly, for if something went wrong at the front, they would have to take responsibility.

Austria was still the Austria of the Habsburg Family, and even strong-willed Prime Minister Felix had to back down in the face of Franz’s insistence.

Political struggles are incredibly complex. Today’s concession meant that in the years to come, the government of Austria would revolve around Franz, with the Cabinet in a supportive role.

Seeing that there were no objections, Franz spoke again, “Considering the special situation in Hungary, we must also take action.

I propose appointing J6zsef Jellacic as the Governor of Croatia and concurrently as the City Defence Commander;

(Note: József Jellacic is one of the three heroes who saved Austria, mainly known for stabilizing Croatia and participating in the suppression of the Vienna and Hungarian rebellions.)

Appoint Julius Jacob von Haynau as the Governor of the Slovakia region and also as the City Defense Commander, ready to suppress the Hungarian rebellion. ”

(Note: Julius Jacob von Haynau, an Austrian Marshal, is infamous for the brutal suppression of the Italian and Hungarian rebellions, known as ‘The Hangman of Arad’, ‘The Hyena of Brescia’, and ‘The Tiger of Habsburg’.)

Franz’s plan was simple: to activate in advance the historical figures who were heroes in suppressing Austrian rebellions. As for those failures who had been

nothing but fodder for the enemy, they were not worth sending to the enemy’s

doorstep.

“Your Highness, the rebellion in the Hungarian Region has not yet erupted; I fear that taking such actions now could lead to major unfavorable consequences!” Felix pondered before speaking.

He had not expected that while the Vienna Government was still negotiating with the Hungarians, the Crown Prince was already preparing to suppress the rebellion, completely undermining the negotiations.

However, should the Hungarians truly revolt, these preparations would be extremely useful. In this era, both Croatia and Slovakia were under the domain of the Kingdom of Hungary, yet the people there tended to lean towards Austria.

Securing control of these two places in advance would be very useful in suppressing the Hungarian rebellion; historically, during the suppression of the Hungarian rebellion, the province of Croatia had deployed an army of 40,000.

Franz shook his head and said, “Prime Minister, do you think it’s good to let the Hungarians continue like this?”

“Over the past many years, the Vienna Government has made numerous concessions to them. If we keep making concessions, we might as well let them become independent! ”

This wasn’t said in jest. While Hungary was nominally part of the Austrian

Empire, the taxation from the Hungarian Region had nothing to do with the Central Government in Vienna. Even between Austria and Hungary, there were customs duties.

Yet they still clamored, claiming that Austria was oppressing and exploiting Hungary. In Franz’s view, this was utter nonsense.

The Vienna Government did obtain certain benefits from Hungary, but Austria had ensured Hungary’s safety. Did they not deserve a protection fee?

Without Austria, Hungary would either be annexed by the Russians or the Ottomans, and the outcome would only be worse than the current situation.

On the surface, it looked like Austria’s industry was more developed, and Hungary was mainly focused on agriculture, becoming a market for Austrian products.

But in reality, in this era of the survival of the fittest, the weak could not demand too much from the strong. Even for the ordinary Hungarian public, the Habsburg Family was still the protector of their interests.

Under the current system, the truly affected were only the Hungarian capitalists and nobility, and those who had always wanted to stir up trouble were precisely these capitalists and nobility.

After the great revolution, someone commented: “In the Kingdom of Hungary, with a population of over ten million, only half a million belonged to the

Hungarian nationality.”

In fact, the ones who really exploited and oppressed the Hungarian people were these half a million capitalists and nobility. Now, Franz was preparing to eradicate this parasitic group and redistribute their land to the Hungarian populace.

So this was not about suppressing a revolution but bringing a revolution to the Kingdom of Hungary, a revolution that truly liberated over ten million ordinary Hungarian people.

There will be bread, and there will be milk. From this perspective, Franz believed he was engaged in a sacred mission.

“Your Highness, we cannot speak like this. Hungary is our granary, an inviolable and indispensable part of the Empire, we absolutely cannot let them become independent!” Felix said earnestly.

Smiling, Franz replied, “Prime Minister, there’s no need to be so anxious. I’m merely stating facts. The Hungarians are welcome to reform, but it all has to be based on the premise of integration with Austria.

They can’t expect to gain benefits without paying a price; where in the world does one find such a good deal? Rather than debating with them daily, it’s better to resolve everything once and for all!”

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