Holy Roman Empire

The Hungarians dared to rebel, so there is nothing to say, it must be split up!If you miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it will be difficult to meet again later.

The Austrian Empire is a multi-ethnic country, and the Kingdom of Hungary is also a multi-ethnic country. The Hungarians want independence, but it does not mean that the Croats, Romanians, and Slovaks also want to follow them.

"Mr. Metternich is right, but while we are splitting the Kingdom of Hungary, we are drafting the National Equality Act, which can now be announced in advance.

Don't Hungarians advocate nationalism?We can also take advantage of it to classify the serfs and civilians in Hungary into the Austrian ethnic group, and directly draw their salaries from the bottom. " Chancellor of the Exchequer Carr proposed

Franz's eyes brightened. The proposal of the Minister of Finance was undoubtedly an artificial creation of a nation, separating the Hungarian nobles and commoners.

Open the history books and you will know that the so-called nationalities are artificially divided according to factors such as culture, language, history, geography, and economy.

If it is really about blood, it is a false proposition. In the vicissitudes of human history, basically all ethnic groups are of mixed blood, which is not clear at all.

Of course, the nobles would certainly not recognize their blood as commoners, just like the current "Hungarians" do not recognize serfs as one of them.

Because of the level of education, most of the serfs in southern Europe in this era had no nationality, or no one told them which nationality they belonged to.

In Franz's view, this is an opportunity, an opportunity to integrate Austria.

"Mr. Karl, I don't think there is any positive meaning to doing this. There are already many nationalities in Austria. Adding another nationality will only make our rule more troublesome!" Archduke Louis said with a frown

He has already heard Karl's implication, creating an Austrian nation is fake, and the real purpose is to integrate all Austrian nations together.

But this is not what Archduke Louis wanted. Once all the nationalities in Austria are merged, the Germans will be no exception. Since then, Austria and Germany have been separated, which is simply a disaster for the Greater Germanists.

Chapter 63 Shifting Strategic Focus

Franz was not in a hurry to express his position. It is not that simple to integrate all the ethnic groups in Austria. It is estimated that except for the common people at the bottom who do not know what an ethnic group is, most people will find it difficult to accept it.

If you can't get everyone's heartfelt approval and come out with a nominal Austrian, the final result may be very embarrassing.

Nationalism originated in Europe in the 18th century. In order to break the theocracy and feudalism, the nationalist movement launched by the bourgeoisie.

From 1789 to 1871, the victory of the bourgeois class revolution and the establishment of the nation-state system were driven by nationalism.

The southeastern European region is relatively conservative, and nationalism was born almost only under the ideological output of major powers.

For example, Hungarian nationalism was exported by the French, and it has just started now. After they absorb ordinary people, the Hungarian nation of later generations will really take shape.

In the middle of the 19th century, in order to launch a war of aggression, the Tsarist government set off "Pan-Slavism", nationalism spread to the Balkans, and the fuse of the World War was also triggered by this.

"Mr Karl, if we create an Austrian nation, what about the existing ones?

Shall we withdraw from Germany and establish a separate Austrian Empire? asked Prime Minister Felix, frowning.

The window paper was punctured, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became depressed.

"As early as 1806, when the Holy Roman Empire fell, Austria became independent from the German region. Can we now establish the Holy Roman Empire again?" Karl asked rhetorically

"It is impossible to unify the German region. Austria can be independent from the German region, but we cannot give up Germany. This is a matter of principle.

It is obviously not advisable to replace all the nationalities in Austria with one nation. Even we ourselves would not agree with it. However, it is still feasible to downplay the concept of nation and emphasize Austria. "Metternich said solemnly.

Franz frowned. Sure enough, everyone was in the opposition. In this era, the crisis of a multi-ethnic country has not been realized. For a long time, the governments of various countries have been using ethnic conflicts to cover up class conflicts.

At this time, Franz had no choice but to express his position. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Karl, was unable to support him. If he did not support him, the Austrian nation would be in vain.

"We can look at this matter separately. All the nationalities of Austria together constitute the Austrian Empire, and the Austrian nation can also be all Austrians.

Building a nation that everyone agrees with will gradually replace dozens of nationalities in Austria, which will greatly reduce ethnic conflicts in our country.

Among other things, at least the current Hungarian rebellion can be avoided. "

"Your Highness, even if there is no nationalism, careerists can also use other banners, as long as they think about it, there will be no shortage of excuses.

For this reason, we will lose the leadership of the German region, is it worth it? " Archduke Louis asked in embarrassment.

His words are already very polite, if he puts it another way, he will be sprayed - idiot, coward, traitor.

The core foundation of Austria is the Germans, at least until the completion of national integration, this situation will not change.To give up Germany now is to give up the foundation of rule.

"No, Grand Duke Louis! Who said that we will give up the leadership of the German region?" Franz asked back

Without waiting for anyone to answer, Franz continued: "Although the German region is a mess, it is located in the heart of Europe, and whoever controls it will control the European continent.

However, it is a pity that we do not have the strength to unify the German region, and European countries will not tolerate the unification of the German region.

In this context, Austria, the leader of the German state, is actually only staying in name. Internally, we have to face the challenge of the Prussians, and externally, we have to resist the pressure from various countries.

And our gains are only nominally glamorous. Has Austria actually benefited from the German region?

From an investment point of view, the resources we have invested in the German region over the years have been in a state of net loss, but the Prussians have benefited a lot.

That being the case, why don't we temporarily give up investment in the German region and turn to other regions with higher return on investment?

As for the German region, we only need to retain the influence of Austria. Maintaining the balance of the German region is not just our family's business. We will divide part of the responsibility to our allies so that everyone will not be idle. "

That's right, Franz wants to shift Austria's strategic focus.If you continue to fight in the German region, you will be restrained by Prussia on the inside, and the French will be watching you on the outside. What a mess?

Don't look at the bunch of Austrian younger brothers in the German region, who will respond with a wave of their arms. As long as Franz dares to reveal his ambition to unify Germany, the plot will soon take a 180-degree turn and become the enemy of the world.

For details, you can refer to his ancestor, Emperor Maximilian, who showed his ambition to unify the German region, and then ended in tragedy under the joint efforts of the French and domestic princes.

At that time, the Habsburg family was an empire on which the sun never sets. It was much stronger than the current Austria. It annexed the Kingdom of Spain at its peak and occupied most of Italy. The Netherlands and Belgium were all family territories.

As for whether he will be kicked out of the German region because of the Austrian nation, Franz is not worried at all.

The princes of Germany are not stupid. With Austria and Prussia in check, their life will be easier. If one family dominates, it will be their end.

After so many years of mergers and reorganizations, everyone knows that it is necessary to play a balance. The states of North Germany are moving closer to Prussia, and the princes of South Germany are falling to Austria.

Everyone knows what Franz meant. It is nothing more than abandoning the long-standing continental balance policy. Anyway, the "Metternich System" has collapsed now. If it is to be rebuilt, Austria will have to pay too much.

"Your Highness, are you planning to shift Austria's strategic focus to Italy?" Metternich asked with concern

"No, Austria's next strategic focus is at home. As for the Italian region, we just need to cripple the Kingdom of Sardinia and make an example to others!" Franz shook his head and said.

After hearing Franz's answer, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.The Italian region is not so easy to move, and Britain and France are also involved.

Just take the Sardinian Kingdom as the knife, then there is no problem. This is sent to the door by the Sardinian Kingdom itself. Can't Austria not fight back?

Chapter 64 Riding a Tiger

milan city

Marshal Badoglio has been very annoying recently. Since the Kingdom of Sardinia announced the annexation of Lombardy on April 4, a bunch of democrats have come out to protest.

Needless to say, he, the marshal, has no right to speak on major national affairs, let alone these small people who are promoted, they naturally sent troops to disperse them.

Fortunately, the Austrian army has already suppressed it for a round, and almost all the hard bones were killed. The people of the provisional government were also bought and bought, and they were under house arrest. The rest of these people are just talkative kings.

"Your Excellency Marshal, another group of people have come outside to petition, asking you to send troops to recover Venice!" the attendant whispered

This is not the first time that petitions have been opposed, petitions for independence, petitions for autonomy, petitions for increased food rations...

In short, regardless of whether Badoglio can make the decision, the people of Lombardy seem to recognize him, and if they have something to do, they will ask the marshal to petition.

It's not easy to be a hero. In order to maintain his glorious image, Badolio had to pretend to accept advice humbly.

Except for those who demanded independence, who were expelled by his troops, he would meet with the representatives of other petitions and explain his difficulties by the way.

For example: the military does not interfere in politics, which is the reason he used most often.

I have said too much, and now Badolio himself believes that this is true. Recently, he rarely interferes in the political affairs of the Lombardy region, unless people from the local government take the initiative to find him.

"Let them send representatives in!" said Badoglio, frowning.

There's no way, I can't escape this time.Sending troops to the Venice area is not only a political issue, but also a military issue. Now the command of the troops on the front line of the Kingdom of Sardinia is under his command, and this time he found the right person.

Soon two people who looked like students were brought in, and Bardolio's brows became tighter.

"Dear Marshal, I am Lim and he is Townsend. Nice to meet you!"

Looking at the excited two teenagers, Bardolio politely replied: "I'm glad to meet you too, can you show me the petition first?"

"Oh, yes!" Lim replied quickly

After receiving the petition, Bardolio quickly scanned it.This is a blood book, the content is very passionate, and there are many signatures behind it, he was almost moved.

"I have accepted this petition, and I will forward it to the king as soon as possible, but when the attack on Venice will be launched, it is a military secret and I cannot disclose it.

Now we are preparing for a military attack. Everyone knows what happened some time ago, because the preparations were not sufficient, and everyone was hungry.

This time we have learned a lesson, so the preparation time before the war should be longer, and we cannot be forced to stop military operations because of the food problem again.

The total strength of the Austrians is as high as 60 to [-]. Once the Venetian War starts, they will definitely send reinforcements. Now I have insufficient troops.

Domestic reinforcements are still on the way, and the newly recruited recruits in Lombardy are still in training, all of which will take time.

But don't worry, the final victory will definitely belong to us! "

After listening to Badoglio's explanation, the two teenagers kept nodding their heads. They were all novices in the military, and there was no Internet in this era, so they didn't know much about the domestic situation in Austria.

According to normal thinking, Austria is very powerful, and Marshal Badoglio who can defeat Austria is the No. 1 general in the world, and what he said must be right.

"Victory will definitely belong to us, Marshal, we all believe in you. You are definitely not the cowardly people in the rumors outside, they are all jealous of your talent!" Townsend said in a panic.

Bardolio suddenly felt a group of mud horses running past, could he not be so direct, otherwise he would have no friends.

Attack Venice?Isn't this nonsense, do you really think Austria is paper?

Now he has 15 troops in name, nearly one-third more than the Austrians on the opposite side, but the 15 troops are too heavy, and nearly 7 of them are recruited on the spot.

The Italians have always been distrusted by the Vienna government, so the Austrian army did not have a reserve force there. The soldiers recruited by Badoglio are actually farmers who have just put down their hoes, or urban workers.

There is even a gap in the grassroots officers. The Italian region is not the German region, especially Lombardy, which is heavily commercialized. The military literacy of the local nobles has plummeted.

It can be said that this temporarily reorganized army is used to make up the numbers. Now it doesn't even have a gun in hand. It is used for logistics and maintaining local law and order.

If it is sent to the battlefield, it is to send a head to the enemy. The real main force in this war is the Army of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

The 8 Sardinian Kingdom Army PK10 Austrian Army is unreliable no matter how you look at it. This is the reason why they stopped attacking.

But the people don't know that they are simply calculating the total number of troops. The Austrian army in Italy is only 10 in total. Because of the suppression of the revolution, there are still several thousand downsizing.

With the cooperation of the people of Venice, the 15 troops of the Kingdom of Sardinia could not defeat the more than 9 Austrian troops?

The pressure from Marshal Badoglio was not too great. The powerful faction in Lombardy had just defected to the Kingdom of Sardinia, and they didn't dare to do anything. Now the student representative came, and he was still bluffing in a short time.

King Charles is different. There are various groups in the Kingdom of Sardinia. He just used war to divert domestic conflicts, but he overplayed it. Now radical nationalists are urging him to send troops to Venice every day.

This is his own fault. In order to ease the domestic political pressure, King Charles made a big publicity that the Sardinian army defeated the Austrians in Lombardy, which made many people mistakenly think that Austria was nothing more than that.

Public opinion is the easiest to fall into madness. Charlie Albert forgot to go too far, or he knew it was useless, and public opinion was simply out of his control.

Nationalism in Italy is now on the rise, and the Kingdom of Sardinia is the strongest nationalism in Italy. Stimulated by the defeat of the Austrian army, nationalism has once again flourished.

At this time, nationalism mixed with patriotism has reached the verge of getting out of control, and some people are constantly reminding them that the Venice area is still under the rule of the Austrians.

Since the Kingdom of Sardinia annexed Lombardy, all the people are more happy for the unification of Italy. At this time, the Venice area controlled by Austria is very annoying.

The Kingdom of Sardinia is already riding a tiger!

Chapter 65 If you don't call, you will lose money

Late night

In a grocery store in a small alley in the city of Turin, three middle-aged men were gathering together, talking in low voices.

The older man asked, "Amor, how is the situation?"

"The plan is going very smoothly, and the patriotic enthusiasm of the people is very high. Even without our guidance, I am afraid they will go to protest spontaneously!" Amor replied with a smile

"You can't be careless. The more you get to this kind of moment, the more cautious you must be."

"You didn't attract the attention of others, did you?" the older man asked with concern

"Don't worry, Carmelo! My current identity is a patriotic small businessman from Venice, and my behavior now is completely consistent with my identity.

On the face of it, as long as the Kingdom of Sardinia captures Venice, I will be rewarded handsomely.

In this case, my hostility to Austria is necessary and unobtrusive. ’ Amor explained

For the benefit of the capitalists, there are not one or two people who advocate the attack on Venice. At most, Amor is a little more active, which is not a big deal.

"Well, it's fine if you don't have one. The most important thing in our business is to be cautious, just complete the tasks in your hands, and you must not be greedy.

Cecilio, how far have you reached in your quest? "The middle-aged man code-named Carmelo continued to ask.

"It's not going well. I'm just an unknown person. Big newspapers have no shortage of manuscripts. At present, my articles can only appear in street newspapers." Cecilio replied helplessly

He is just a literary youth, and the articles he wrote can only be said to be good, not to the point of shaking the world and crying ghosts and gods. In Italy, where the cultural industry is developed, he has no advantage at all.