I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 420 "Look, this is a slave!"

Leopold II said angrily:

"What on earth do they want to do?!"

Marquis Hartmann said uncertainly:
"Your Majesty, the Hungarian separatists have been looking for an excuse to rebel, and this may be a humiliation for Vienna. If we do not handle it properly..."

Although Hungary is currently part of the Austrian Empire, it has always had its own "small court". It not only has independent financial settlements, but also has a complete system of officials at all levels. It has always had a strong tendency towards independence.

In order to stabilize Hungary, Austria gave them a lot of preferential policies, but the latter's separatist faction caused trouble every year.

Joseph saw this and decided to drag Hungary into the blame. And the Hungarian separatists could not come to Schönbrunn Palace to defend themselves - unless they wanted to explain in prison.

That afternoon, Austria's most influential ministers gathered in Joseph II's bedroom to discuss how to deal with the current situation.

The anti-Prussian faction led by Kaunitz and the peace faction led by Ferencz stood on two distinct sides.

Joseph II was so sick at this time that he could hardly speak. He just raised his hand with difficulty to signal the meeting to begin.

Count Lekam of the peacemaking faction was the first to speak:

"Your Majesty, there are no more obstacles for us to take back the Southern Netherlands. It is completely meaningless for the Empire to continue to consume Silesia."

Someone from the anti-Putin camp immediately refuted:
"My Lord Count, if we fail to achieve a strategic breakthrough this time, you know that it will be difficult for our country to concentrate so many resources to fight against Prussia in a short period of time, and the recovery of Silesia will become a distant dream."

"It's because we've wasted too many resources, so we should stop the losses as soon as possible!"

"Please listen to the people's voices!" Baron Ferrari held up a list. "When everyone heard that Marshal Lacy had won the victory, they donated 3 florins to the front line yesterday alone! And now you want to make peace with the Prussians? Then please return these donations to everyone."

"What victory? Those are just rumors!"

At this time, these powerful ministers already knew that there was no so-called "Battle of Liegnitz"; it was just a rumor spread by the Hungarians to humiliate Vienna.

"No, that is the long-cherished wish of all Austrians," Baron Ferrari said passionately, "They all believe it is true!"

Count Frunz thought of the benefits promised by the British and began to join the battle:
"Are we going to continue fighting over a rumor?"

Marquis Lange said in a deep voice:
"Unless you take everyone to Silesia, there will be people who will firmly believe that Liegnitz has been recaptured. Besides, the peace talks will damage Marshal Lacy's reputation."

Yes, yesterday everyone was saying that you had won a great victory, but today the government denied the rumor and said that you had not achieved anything - Laxi's political and military career is over from now on.

Ferencz immediately said:

"In fact, Marshal Lacy also favors an armistice."

Lord Lecam added:

"I've been to the Gneitz front. Judging from the current situation, it is impossible for our army to retake Silesia before the financial collapse."

Foreign Minister Baron Turgut glanced at Kaunitz and said:

"The French Crown Prince has officially expressed his willingness to increase support for the Silesia campaign. The French intervention will help us defeat the Prussians, just as we did in the Southern Netherlands."

Baron Ferrari immediately replied:
"Now the whole country is immersed in the joy of victory. You all know what retreating at this time means!"

He pointed southeast: "The Hungarian separatists are the ones who most want us to make peace with the Prussians!"

After all, retaking Silesia was Austria's greatest political correctness. As the firepower of the war faction grew stronger and stronger, Frunz and others could hardly get a word in.

At this moment, Kaunitz, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stood up, looked up at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle, clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and said loudly:

"I wonder if you have heard of this poem that has been circulating among the people recently:

If We Didn't Go to War

If we don't go to war,

The Prussians killed us with bayonets,

And he pointed to our bones and said:

'look,

This is a slave!'"

The entire bedroom suddenly fell silent. The peace faction lowered its head, while the eyes of the war faction were filled with blazing flames, and some were even about to cry.

This poem is so soul-stirring!
Everyone instantly recalled the humiliation of Silesia being seized by the Prussians.

Especially the last sentence, which filled them with anger. They just wanted to go to the front line themselves, put flintlock rifles on the heads of Prussians and yell, "The Austrians are not easy to bully!"

This is the "killer weapon" that Joseph provided for Kaunitz - this short poem, which has inspired countless patriotic soldiers to fight bloody battles in later generations, is a heavy bomb in any country that is invaded by foreign enemies today. So Joseph told Kaunitz this poem and asked him to recite it when necessary to turn the situation around.

On the hospital bed, Joseph II suddenly trembled all over, raised his skinny right hand, and made a "uh uh" sound.

Leopold II put his ear close to his mouth and listened carefully. After a moment, he stood up, looked around at everyone and said:

"His Majesty said that we must retake Silesia at all costs. Discuss aid with France immediately and send more troops to the front."

He turned around and saw the Emperor's lips moving, and added:
"Austria will triumph!"

Baron Ferrari immediately raised his arms and shouted:
"Austria will win! Long live the Emperor!"

The other war advocates also shouted excitedly. After a moment, Count Frunz and others had to join the shouting:
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Take back Silesia!"

There is no way. In the current atmosphere, if anyone dares to propose peace again, His Majesty the Emperor will definitely throw him back to his hometown to feed the pigs without hesitation.

……

Joseph turned his head to listen to the crowd outside the window chanting loudly -

"And he will point his finger at our bones and say:

'look,

This is a slave!'"

He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed that Kaunitz had won the victory at Schönbrunn Palace, and France's strategic investment in the Southern Netherlands would not be wasted.

With Austria's current national strength, if it wants to defeat Prussia, it must rely on the power of France. Then you can make an offer.

However, this time some practical support must be given to Austria, otherwise after the "Battle of Liegnitz" has passed, Vienna will still choose to negotiate peace.

Now that Hanover and Prussia have withdrawn from the Southern Netherlands, his own Guards Corps will be able to go to Silesia to show its prowess.

Of course, it was impossible to conquer all of Silesia, as that would seriously weaken Prussia and make it possible for Austria to reunify Germany.

Basically, helping Austria to recover one province of Silesia is enough. One province is used to exchange for the Southern Netherlands Wallonia. Whether in terms of area, politics or economy, Austria is a sure win.

However, getting involved in a war against Prussia requires detailed strategic planning - you have to be able to take over a province without suffering too much loss, and you have to be able to withdraw at any time...

While Joseph was lost in thought, Emmanuel knocked on the door and came in with an old man.

Joseph recognized the man as Madame Delvaux's old housekeeper, and he immediately had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, after the old man bowed respectfully, he lowered his head and said in a low voice:

"Your Highness, the lady...has returned to heaven..."

(End of this chapter)