The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1876 Escape
As night falls, the bright lights of Prague's New Town illuminate the entire area as if it were daytime.

The opera house was bustling with traffic, and the silk gowns of the upper-class men and women shone even brighter under the lights.

The shops lining both sides of the street are filled with people who stay up all night, the loud new music, the clinking of glasses, and the shouts and jokes in German and Czech—this is truly a city that never sleeps.

The competition between coachmen and rickshaw pullers has reached a fever pitch, and the coachmen's guild has used every means to counter the rickshaw boom.

Not every city is Vienna; some areas have made some flexible adjustments within the framework set by Franz.

For example, in Bohemia at that time, coachmen had to pay double taxes and even road maintenance fees.

In addition, rickshaw pullers' working hours are strictly limited to eight hours, and they must give way to horse-drawn carriages; there are also road closures.

However, these laws are not intended to protect the rights of rickshaw pullers, but rather to limit their competitiveness.

Even so, the cost advantage of human-powered tricycles put immense pressure on the entire carriage industry, but the carriage economy was not just about the coachmen.

This also includes those industries that manufacture carriages, breed horses, and provide related services. These people do not want rickshaws to replace horse-drawn carriages, and since their livelihoods are at stake, they are willing to fight for it.

With Franz in Vienna, his strong push could solve many problems.

In Prague, however, the opposite is true. These people are unwilling to relinquish their niche or innovate their technology to embrace the new era. Instead, they choose to suppress others by bribing officials.

This is the wisdom and tradition they have accumulated over hundreds of years: in Bohemia, power is more useful than wisdom.

It's common for police and thugs in Prague to stop rickshaws; they're capable of extortion, robbery, driving away customers, and confiscating the vehicles.

Prague police, on the other hand, attributed all the problems to the bustling train station and the influx of foreigners.

Some local officials are similar; they don't mention the value created by outsiders, but only say that those outsiders have ruined their original happy lives.

This understanding clearly contradicted Franz's original intentions, which is why officials changed frequently throughout Bohemia.

However, Franz's actions actually fueled the resurgence of another force: the local aristocratic families. After all, officials may change, but the patriarchs will not.

This situation has been repeated from 1836 to the present day. If it weren't for the efforts of several emperors, it would probably have failed long ago.

Besides coachmen, the streets were lined with vendors selling all sorts of snacks, flower girls, street performers, newsboys, shoemakers, and even tobacco vendors and prostitutes—things you wouldn't see in Vienna.

Brothels were not uncommon in the 19th century, but those gangs didn't want to pay taxes to the state. Most of the prostitutes on the streets of Prague were rural girls who had been tricked into coming to the country, and immigrants who had been tricked into coming. Even in the formal hometown associations of the 19th century, there were many swindlers.

Despite its current openness, the Czech Republic was a relatively conservative region in the 19th century.

Smoking is prohibited in public places in Vienna, but there is no such law in other parts of the Austrian Empire, unless the emperor is dreaming again.

However, Franz had no intention of pursuing such dreams; he still needed tobacco to make money. Bohemia was the region with the most booming tobacco sales in the entire Austrian Empire, so tobacco vendors were a common sight.

The same applies to newspaper boys and shoe boys; laws that are strictly enforced in Vienna may not be effective in Prague.

Local officials explained that nighttime is not considered working hours, so newspaper boys and shoe boys are not only not breaking the law, but are also a normal hobby for children.

In addition to traditional roasted sweet potatoes, roasted chestnuts, and roasted potatoes, street food also includes some snacks that came from Vienna, such as jianbing guozi (Chinese crepes) and oden (Japanese stew).

These snacks are especially suitable for Prague's cold winter nights, and they are easy to replicate without any complicated procedures.

Charles Bridge was a popular spot for taking photos back then, with a constant flow of people day and night, and the ship lights at night forming a continuous line.

On the other side, the mansions in the new city district had tall doors and windows, were heavily guarded, and the cold, dim light reflected off the soldiers' iron-like faces.

The dim light inside the room barely penetrated the heavy curtains, and several of the most powerful people in all of Bohemia sat in the room with worried expressions.

The fire crackled and popped in the fireplace, but they felt no warmth at all.

"Is there still no news from His Highness the Prince?"

A bald, middle-aged man asked; he was Ben Gell, the president of the local chamber of commerce.

"What a load of rubbish! People from Vienna have arrived, and that Alfred guy just wants to hide like a coward."

The army has blocked all news; our people can't get in at all.

The first person to speak was Earl Jan Cherny, the real boss behind the two largest gangs in the area.

"General MacRae, please say something. We're all in the same boat now."

Police Chief Hasek said with some concern.

General Markre was feeling frustrated; he shouldn't have stepped in to protect Hašek, that dog. It was just a dog; if it died, he could simply get another one.

As a result, these idiots insisted on protecting a dog, and now everyone's in trouble. Being on the same boat as a dog like Hašek was a disgrace to him; he'd definitely eat dog meat when he got home to make up for it.
"You all know he's an important person. Would His Highness the Prince really let us know who he is?"

He's probably negotiating with Vienna; we'll know the outcome once they've reached an agreement.

"Wouldn't that mean he could say whatever he wanted? And give him as much as he wanted? What if Alfred demands an exorbitant amount?"

Count Cherny said, his face flushed, while President Ger, standing to the side, showed no reaction.

"Your Highness's uncle is the Imperial Chancellor. Who are you? If your father and two brothers hadn't died in Vienna, would you, a mere illegitimate child, be worthy to sit with us?"

General Markre became increasingly angry as he spoke, and the future of Bohemia was truly worrisome.

"What did you say!"

Count Cherny hated it most when people talked about his status as an illegitimate child, and as soon as he stood up, his men rushed forward.

However, General Markre had his own faction, and both sides drew their guns and pointed them at each other. The atmosphere instantly became tense, and Director Hašek said with a smile.

"Let's not let this ruin our harmony."

But his men had already retreated almost to the doorway.

At this moment, President Ger said.

"What are you doing? His Highness the Prince is showing us care by giving us the opportunity to plead guilty and accept punishment."

There aren't many opportunities in this world to take back a move; Yang, you should really thank your master.

Count Cherny was sent to the Wendysgraitz family as a servant to Alfred from a young age, and Alfred also helped resolve the issue of succession. That's why Chairman Gel addressed Cherny as "your lord".

However, after rising to prominence, Count Cherny had been trying to cover up his less-than-glorious past, but now he realized that without the name of Prince Wendyschreitz, they would have a hard time getting through this.

He wasn't sure if the rumors about the emperor were true or false, but the several raids on Bohemia were real.

Count Cherny vaguely remembered the Winster family, who were once an all-powerful force.

In Bohemia, there are plenty of people who are unaware of the laws of the Austrian Empire, but almost no one is unaware of the rules of the Winster family.

Such a great man, who held the power of life and death and ruled arbitrarily, was wiped out in a single day, his entire power eradicated, leaving not a trace behind.

"Don't compare me to a bunch of cowards! I didn't get my position today because of anyone! Aren't those more than a thousand policemen and Imperial Guards still around?"

"If anyone dares to make me pay even a penny more, I'll take them all down with me!"

"You dare! Do you want Grand Duke Albrecht to come again? Who do you think you are?"
You're not even worthy to carry Winster's shoes!

Kill the Imperial Guards? How many heads do you have?

General Markley was utterly disappointed; he shouldn't have recruited such low-class trash into the landlords' association.

"One! But the same goes for them! Anyone who dares to mess with me, I'll kill them all!"

"You're asking for it! I don't care about a madman like you!" General Markley said, and was about to leave when someone walked in and said.

"Prince Wendyschgretz ordered all those men from Vienna to be released."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief; they even wanted to celebrate. But before they could settle down, the man spoke again.

"Prince Wendy Schreitz's family has already gone to the train station with them; they haven't even had time to pack their luggage."

"What happened? Have you found out?"

"Absolutely true!"

Everyone initially thought that the matter was over once Prince Dischgrentz personally saw them off, but the fact that they were still carrying their families and hadn't even packed their bags clearly indicated that they were fleeing.

Just as they were wondering what was going on, another telegram secretly sent from Vienna sent chills down their spines.

There is only one brief message above.

"Hainau has departed from Vienna."

"What do you mean? Why send that butcher?"

"Was it Hai Nao who negotiated with His Highness the Prince?"

"What wrong have we done? Are you going to kill us all?"

"Enough! Stop His Highness the Prince right now, we need to get to the bottom of this!"

President Ger roared, knowing he absolutely could not allow this panic to spread, or they would all be finished.

"But that's His Highness the Prince."

General Markley knew the situation was urgent.

"We can't worry about that now! Immediately! Chief Hašek! You take men there yourself!"

Hasek's legs suddenly went weak. He tried to force a smile, but his face looked worse than if he were crying.

“General Markley, I am but a lowly police chief. How could I possibly stop His Highness the Prince’s carriage?”

"It's all your fault! If you had been less greedy, there wouldn't be so much trouble! 1,200 people and not a single good item! If you don't go, who will?"

President Ger once again interrupted their bickering.

“Let’s go together! Don’t waste time! General Markre, we still need your troops.”

Mark Rey's expression was equally grim.

"In Prague, who would dare to stop His Highness the Prince? Even if I gave the order, no one would dare to go."

"Does anyone dare to stop the Royal Guard?"

President Geer directly hit the other party's sore spot.

"Since the last time we tried to stop the Royal Guard, quite a few soldiers have deserted. Trying to do it again this time won't be so easy."

"Stop making excuses! You give a hundred florins to anyone who orders them to go, I don't believe no one will go!"

As the saying goes, "a great reward will surely bring forth brave men," and two regiments of troops entered the city immediately upon receiving a telegram.

These soldiers didn't care about pedestrians or vendors on the street; anyone who blocked the road was whipped or shot with a rifle butt.

Hašek also gathered a group of outlaws whose mission was to block the path of Prince Wendyschreitz and his entourage.

These desperados have money and are willing to do anything. With the police chief backing them up, they simply moved vendors' carts and furniture from surrounding shops onto the road to create roadblocks.

By this time, Prince Schwarzenberg had already left Prague with the rest of the Wendyschreitz family.

He had thought his nephew would be more cautious, but he hadn't expected Alfred to make such a big fuss.

The main reason is that the name of Prince Wendy Schgretz is so prestigious that no matter how remarkable Alfred was, he would immediately submit upon hearing the name of his family.

He has never met many people who can be his equals, nor has he ever been bound by so-called rules.

Alfred had never imagined that anyone would dare to stop him in this situation, but now he had encountered one.

As the carriage swayed, a servant stepped forward to report.

"Your Highness, there are roadblocks ahead."

"Make them move out! Do I need to teach you that?"

Alfred said irritably.

"Tell them I'm going to the train station! Tell them to make way!"

The attendant spoke cautiously.

"I've already said that."

"Then why aren't they leaving?"

Alfred was furious, but then he suddenly thought of another possibility, the one that Prince Schwarzenberg had mentioned earlier. He immediately summoned his attendant.

"You lead the men there yourself, and if they refuse, kill them all!"

The attendant was somewhat surprised; this was murder in the street. However, he nodded vigorously, after all, the other party was no good person.

The attendant led a group of people carrying something over; from a distance, it appeared to be something like silk.

The leaders exchanged knowing smiles.

"These stupid nobles only know these two tricks. I feel like I could be one too."

"Haha! You can only blame your mother for being incompetent!"

Upon closer inspection, they found it was indeed covered with silk, and they immediately felt much more at ease.

"Are you going to give way or not?"

The attendants of Prince Wendy Schreiter spoke very rigidly, but the outlaws found it amusing to tease them.

What are the benefits of giving up?

However, the other party doesn't seem to be interested.

"To give way or not to give way?"

"What can you do to us if we don't let you?"

Before the desperado could finish speaking, he was shot in the eye, and the leader next to him, who was about to raise his gun to return fire, was also shot in the head.

As soon as the gunshot rang out, the other desperados swarmed over, but the next second they ran away crying and screaming.

Those silks were wrapped with grenades, and hundreds of grenades fell continuously, terrifying the desperados.

The battle didn't last long; the difference between the regular army and the gangsters was so vast that these notorious ruthless men couldn't even last ten minutes.

It was supposed to be an escape, but it felt more like a stroll.