Life of Being a Crown Prince in France Chapter 506

Chapter 506: Chapter 419 “Look, this is a slave!

Leopold II exclaimed angrily:

“What exactly do they want to do?!”

Marquis Hartman said uncertainly:

“Your Majesty, the Hungarian separatists have always been looking for an excuse to rebel, and this could very well be their way of humiliating Vienna. If we handle this incorrectly…”

Although Hungary is currently a part of the Austrian Empire, it has always had its own “little court,” not only independently managing its finances but also maintaining a complete official system, hence having a strong tendency towards independence.

For the stability of Hungary, Austria granted them a significant number of preferential policies, yet the separatists in Hungary cause trouble every year.

It was precisely this point that Joseph had taken advantage of, deciding to let Hungary take the blame. And the members of the Hungarian separatist faction could hardly come to Schonbrunn Palace to defend themselves–unless they wanted to explain from a prison cell.

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

The anti-Prussian faction led by Kaunitz and the peace faction led by Franz clearly stood on opposing sides.

At this moment, Joseph II was so ill he could hardly speak; he just weakly raised his hand to signal the meeting to begin.

Count Lecam of the peace faction was the first to speak:

“Your Majesty, there is no significant obstacle in our way to retake the Southern Netherlands, and it's utterly meaningless for the Empire to continue depleting resources in Silesia.”

Members of the anti-Prussian faction immediately objected:

“My Lord Earl, if we fail to achieve a strategic breakthrough this time, you know that our country will find it very difficult to allocate so many resources to fight against Prussia and reclaim Silesia in a short time.”

“It's precisely because we have wasted so many resources that we should cut our losses as soon as possible!”

“Please listen to the people!” Baron Ferrari raised a list, “When everyone heard that Marshal Lacy had achieved victory, just yesterday, they donated 35,000 florins to the front line! And now you want to negotiate peace with the Prussians? Then please, go and return these donations to everyone.”

“What victory has been achieved? That's all just rumors!”

By this time, these high-ranking ministers all knew that there was no “Legnica grand victory”; it was merely a rumor circulated by the Hungarians to shame Vienna.

“No, that is the longstanding wish of all Austrians,” Baron Ferrari spoke passionately, “They all believe it to be true!”

Earl Franz, considering the benefits promised by the British, began to join the fray as well:

“Do we really intend to continue waging a war for a rumor?”

Marquis Lang spoke gravely:

“Unless you take everyone to Silesia to see for themselves, some will always believe that Legnica has been recaptured. Moreover, negotiating peace would also damage Marshal Lacy's reputation.”

Indeed, yesterday everyone was saying that you had won a complete victory, but today the government is denying you have achieved anything–the political and military career of Lacy could be over after this.

Franz immediately said:

“In fact, Marshal Lacy is also in favor of a cease-fire.”

Count Lecam added:

“I have been to the Gnitz frontline, and given the current situation, our army simply cannot recapture Silesia before the financial collapse.”

Foreign Minister Baron Tugut glanced at Kaunitz and began to say:

“The Crown Prince of France has officially stated his willingness to increase support for the Silesian war effort. The intervention of the French Army will help us defeat the Prussians, just as in the Southern Netherlands.”

Baron Ferrari immediately responded:

“The entire nation is now immersed in the joy of victory, as you all know, and at this time, a retreat means…”

He pointed towards the southeast: “The Hungarian separatist faction is indeed the one that hopes most for us to negotiate peace with the Prussians!”

Reclaiming Silesia remains the ultimate political correctness for Austria. As the pro-war faction's arguments grew fiercer, Franz and his group could barely get a word in.

Chapter end

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