Chapter 1663 - 1569: Austro-Hungarian Empire

Chapter 1663: Chapter 1569: Austro-Hungarian Empire

The hall of Petőfi Palace fell silent instantly, and a look of avoidance appeared in Janos and the others’ eyes.

The Hungarian Parliament had been avoiding the topic, but now the French had laid it out on the table—

The "August Decree" of Hungary clearly stated that Croatia, Slovakia, and Serbia were parts of Hungary, and representatives had been sent to implement Magyarization in these areas.

However, the current laws of the Austrian National Assembly included all Austrian territories, except the Hungarian core area, into the newly formed republic.

This was a compromise reached after much debate in the Congress. According to the Radical Faction’s proposal, Hungary was also a part of the Austrian Republic.

In other words, there was a significant territorial dispute between Hungary and the Austrian National Assembly.

Currently, both sides were temporarily ignoring these matters to confront their common enemy, but once the Royalist Party was repelled, the question of who would control the newly occupied lands would arise immediately.

After a long pause, Janos stammered, "There will always be a way, won’t there..."

The Chevalier Chamber of Commerce president replied calmly, "Yes, and the way is to start a war."

Janos remained silent because the French were right.

President Dipon continued, "Actually, according to the intelligence I have received, the National Assembly’s troops will withdraw to Vienna before your final battle with the Russians."

Member of Parliament Parfi widened his eyes, "How is that possible? We have an oath!"

Dipon glanced at him, "Do you know the financial situation in Vienna?"

"It’s said that their funds are very ample, not only have they purchased a large amount of weapons and equipment, but they even paid the old soldiers’ pensions owed by the Emperor for many years."

Dipon shook his head, "That’s just a superficial phenomenon. Though the National Assembly did confiscate properties from the Viennese nobles, most nobles have fled abroad, and those who haven’t have hidden their money.

The National Assembly’s income will soon decrease sharply, while military expenses continue to rise.

Currently, Vienna has implemented price controls on flour, salt, oil, timber, and even paper, requiring their Financial Committee to provide substantial subsidies.

If I’m not mistaken, they will soon face a financial crisis, and the reinforcements for your troops will be withdrawn accordingly."

Indeed, His Royal Highness the Regent had long predicted that the revolution in Vienna stood little chance of success, and later the intelligence from the Security Bureau confirmed that the governance capability of the National Assembly was chaotic. It was so bad that even during peacetime, they could bring Vienna to ruin.

Janos and the others exchanged glances, falling silent once more.

However, Dipon showed no concern for their mood, "The Parliament’s troops have already exerted all their strength just to deal with Carl Ludwig, and Kutuzov’s large army might launch a lethal strike at any time, at which point they will likely be defeated."

Members of Parliament like Parfi and Bedlan typically made comments suggesting reluctance to concede, but Janos raised his hand to interrupt them, looked at Dipon, and asked, "So you suggest we sign a ceasefire agreement?"

President Dipon nodded, "That is also the opinion from Paris."

"But..."

"If I may, your biggest bargaining chip is the 70,000 troops, and it’s best to reach an agreement before they suffer losses on the battlefield."

Dipon raised his hand to stop the Members of Parliament from wanting to refute, continuing, "What do you truly want?

"It’s as much autonomy as possible in trade, taxation, and administration, rather than fighting a decisive battle with the Habsburg army.

"If there could be a scenario where the Emperor recognizes Hungary as an entity equal to Austria, retaining only military and diplomatic rights over Hungary, while everything else is managed by the Hungarian Parliament, would you find such an arrangement acceptable?"

Janos again exchanged glances with the Members of Parliament, hesitantly responding, "It’s worth considering..."

"Very well," Dipon nodded, "to ensure Hungary attains a status equal to Austria, I propose that after the agreement is signed, the nation’s name should be changed to the ’Austro-Hungarian Empire’.

The historical name of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was extremely complex—the royal lands and principal lands represented by the Imperial Assembly and the Holy Stephen Crown Territory of Hungary.

Joseph preferred simple and clear names.

Yes, now that France had integrated most of the Germanic market and effectively ended Britain and Prussia’s alliance, there was no longer a need for the Holy Roman Empire to ’attract resentment’.

Now, the Holy Rome had instead become an obstacle to France expanding its influence in the Germanic Region.

This internal chaos in Austria was the perfect opportunity to throw it into the trash heap of history.

In the future, the European Continent would have, and only have, one core, that being the ever-growing France!

Janos subconsciously joined Dipon in nodding.

If Hungary and Austria were parallel and most matters were governed by the Hungarian Parliament, it was practically no different from independence.

An elderly Member of Parliament sitting in the back row furrowed his brow and asked, "You mean no longer using the name ’Holy Roman Empire’?"

Dipon replied without hesitation, "Of course, look at the current Germany, where is there any trace of the Holy Roman Empire? It’s merely a memory of the bygone era. Austria and Hungary need new order, and this is a new beginning!"

"But what if the Emperor does not agree?"

"Trust me, he will consent."

...

April 24, 1802.

After a feigned attack on the southeastern part of Pest, Kutuzov unexpectedly marched north to Slovakia and launched a fierce attack on the National Assembly’s army from Presburg.

With cooperation from the Slovakian army, 36,000 soldiers of the National Guard were defeated in less than a day.

At the same time, the Bohemian army advanced from the north, soon encircling Vienna on three sides.

The National Guard had no choice but to withdraw the 20,000 troops attacking Graz and barely hold off the Austrian-Russian Allied Forces on the outskirts of Vienna.

Hungary consequently lost all foreign aid, and under the Emperor’s call, several thousand troops in Croatia and Serbia in the south mobilized independently, beginning attacks on Hungary’s heartland.

After much debate, the Hungarian Parliament decided to send diplomats to Paris secretly.

After securing France’s promise to mediate, the Hungarian Parliament formally submitted a ceasefire request to Graz—Franz II had arrived in Graz months earlier, since it had the most troops loyal to him and could pose a threat to Hungary’s rear at any time.

...

March 15, 1802.

Rome.

Two tall guards approached a black carriage and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, those people are demanding the abolition of the Pope’s secular powers, so they should not pose a threat to us."

Charles finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked toward the distant, vast crowd of protesters, regretting inwardly that he should not have come to Rome.