I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 923 The Empire's New Team
Twelve days later, a Hungarian insurgent army of nearly a thousand people attacked Targu Mures, an important town south of Essenmarkt.

As a large number of troops were withdrawn, there were less than 300 defenders in the city.

It took the rebels only two days to capture the place.

At the same time, the Serbian rebels swept through Timisoara and did not stop until they reached the Temes Fortress.

The Romanians also attacked everywhere in the eastern provinces.

Suddenly, war broke out in southeastern Austria. The Hungarian nobles, who originally controlled the area, panicked and sent a few troops from the north to suppress the rebellion while rushing to Brno to appeal to the emperor for help.

Encouraged by the rebels' continued victories, more forces that had been waiting and watching also joined the fight.

From Dorental to Essenmarkt, almost all towns are responding to the independence movement, and the countryside has long become the base camp of the rebels.

Even Slovakia is starting to get excited...

It can only be said that the accumulated drawbacks of Austria as a "bulk" empire were fully exposed at this time.

The different ethnic groups within the empire were clearly divided and had different languages. For example, Hungary, Slovakia, Bohemia, etc. were originally principalities, but were only ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor.

It was fine when the empire was strong, but once there was any sign of trouble, each family would immediately think of leaving and living on their own.

Northern Austria.

Brno.

Interior Minister Kobczer walked quickly out of the emperor's temporary palace with a gloomy look on his face, preparing to have a private talk with representatives of the Hungarian Parliament.

Just now, the Hungarians actually asked His Majesty the Emperor to transfer the Bajahaza Legion back to Transylvania to quell the rebellion.

According to them, the number of rebels has now exceeded 1 and is still increasing rapidly.

With the firm support of Baron Turgut, His Majesty the Emperor rejected the request of the Hungarian Parliament - the Bajahaza Corps was the main force defending the Klagenfurt Fortress, and it was indeed impossible to transfer him away.

Kobzl was about to get on the carriage when a young man in black came up to him, touched his chest and saluted, saying, "Your Excellency, my master invites you to come and reminisce about the past."

Kobzl frowned. "I'm busy. So, please tell me who you are delivering the message for?"

The young man glanced around, took two steps forward, and whispered a name.

Kobz's pupils shrank immediately, and he was stunned for two seconds before nodding and saying, "Address."

20 minute later.

Kobzl's carriage stopped in front of an inconspicuous villa in the north of Brno.

As soon as he got out of the car, a servant came forward to greet him and then took him to the second floor.

The door facing the corridor was pushed open, and Kobzl saw the old man sitting in the armchair at a glance - Count Kaunitz.

The senior imperial official who had served as Minister of State to three imperial rulers: Queen Theresa, Joseph II, and Leopold II.

Kobzl straightened his collar and walked into the house.

When his sight turned past the door frame, he discovered that there were several other people in the room.

They were all big shots that surprised him secretly——

Assistant to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Stadion.

Justice Minister Spielmann.

Assistant Foreign Minister Trautmansdorff.

Marquis of Becerral, senior advisor to the Military Council.

And his uncle Johann Karl von Kobzl, who was always fascinated by art. Next to his uncle stood his cousin Ludwig von Kobzl, the Imperial Minister to Russia.

The only unfamiliar face was the blond young man with a high nose behind Kaunitz.

The servant closed the door behind him.

Kobzl let out a sigh of relief and bowed to Kaunitz and the others.

After several people returned the greetings, Kaunitz immediately said in a weak voice:

"Your Excellency, you should be very aware that the empire is now in an extremely dangerous moment."

He gestured to the people around him: "We must make a decision."

Kobzl's heart was pounding, and he said carefully: "I, don't quite understand what you mean..."

Kaunitz was very weak, and he rested for a few seconds before continuing:
"The Empire has mistakenly entered a war. And now it is clear that we have no chance of defeating France."

He took a deep breath and raised his hand to the young man behind him: "This is my son-in-law, Metternich. From now on, he will be the spokesperson for the Kaunitz-Ritberg family. Clemens, you will talk about the rest."

"Yes, father-in-law."

The young man took a few steps forward and bowed to Kobzl:
"Your Excellency, the rebellion in the southeast has shaken the foundation of the empire. If the rebellion is not suppressed immediately, the empire will collapse from within before the French capture Klagenfurt."

He picked up a letter from the table and handed it to Kobzl: "This is from Archduke Karl to his father-in-law.

"He made it clear in the letter that Napoleon could attack Klagenfurt at any time. And he needed at least 3 soldiers to reinforce the fortress in order to barely hold off the enemy."

The young man sighed and said, "Although the riot in Vienna has been quelled, you know that the riot exhausted the last strength of the empire.

"General Grashakovich is cleaning out the recruit camp, which won't be able to provide any new recruits for at least three months.

"And the rebellious behavior in the recruit camps made people more reluctant to accept the conscription order.

"In any case, it won't be long before the fortress falls."

Kobzl swallowed and looked at Kaunitz: "You, want to suggest a ceasefire to His Majesty?"

Metternich continued: "It is most beneficial to end the war as soon as possible before the empire is conquered. Yes, although I hate to say this, this is the only feasible way.

"As long as the French withdraw, Archduke Karl's army can immediately go to Transylvania to quell the rebellion."

Kobzl swallowed hard again.

He knew that given Austria's current situation, whoever proposed surrendering to France would have his political career over immediately.

Especially since he was a member of the Tugut faction who had advocated the war in the first place, he was bound to be liquidated.

He also recalled how Baron Thugut had joined forces with Baron Walter and led himself and others to plot against Kaunitz and drive him out of office.

Count Kaunitz is about to take revenge...

Kobzl’s uncle, Johann von Kobzl, spoke up: “Johann, Count Kaunitz wants you to give up your support for Baron Turgut.

“Baron Turgut, Baron Walter, Count Rheinfels and others will bear the full responsibility for the failure of this war.

"The Kobzl family has decided to fully support Count Kaunitz's decision."

Metternich continued: "Everyone here thinks that you are the most suitable candidate to serve as Minister of State after Baron Turgut is dismissed."

Kobzel's eyes widened when he heard this.

Minister of State? They were actually going to hand over the most important authority under the Emperor to me!

(End of this chapter)