Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Out of Control

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Two stone pillars, one taller than the other, stood at the sides of the entrance like two formidable sentinels, with an iron gate securely closed.

The security inside seemed to have slacked off, paying no attention to the people outside calling at the gate.

“What do we do, Sheriff? The people inside the school aren’t cooperating.

Should we storm in with our men?”

An eager officer blurted out, loyally trying to impress but failing to realize that he was barking up the wrong tree.

“Storm in your head, damn it!”

“Are the people inside just ordinary folks?”

“In this pitch-black mess, what if we charge in and an accident happens, resulting in loss of life? Would you take the responsibility or would I?”

Winston lashed out at his subordinate, unleashing a torrent of abuse, venting his internal frustration.

He was already a seasoned veteran in his field, aware that the sullen teenagers inside the school were not to be trifled with—each one a little expert in courting death. If they rushed in now, they might even get ambushed.

Without firearms, they probably couldn’t overpower the students inside, and he dared not use them either, for if he accidentally killed someone with connections, he would be oblivious to how his own demise would come when they retaliated.

This insight was derived from his rich professional experience, or Winston wouldn’t have climbed from being a rank-and-file to the position of the Sheriff.

He was already satisfied; to aim higher would involve delving into politics. Winston knew his limitations; with his education not beyond elementary school, dabbling in politics would sooner or later be the end of him.

“Everyone, hold your positions, and don’t let the suspects inside escape!” Winston came up with a simple solution, to block the entrance here. After all, as long as the people were contained and prevented from causing further trouble, handling the situation would become much easier.

Other places were not as lucky as the school; without anything to make the police hesitate, many were clapped in irons and sent to jail.

The actions of the Vienna Government not only failed to intimidate the public but instead inflamed their collective animosity. Orchestrated by the

Revolutionaries, a more massive protest erupted in Vienna the following day.

Inside the government building, Prime Minister Metternich was panicked. As per usual practice, the anti-government movement would crumble once the leaders were arrested.

Unfortunately, this time was different. Everyone was backed into a corner. If the government couldn’t solve the real issues, how could people just let things

The massive demonstration defied the police blockade, marching straight toward the Imperial Palace. The Vienna Government was in a frenzy, and in its rush, Prime Minister Metternich ordered the City Defense Army to enter the city to maintain order.

A horse galloped wildly on the mountain road, a sight all Austrians knew signaled a messenger. In front of the military camp, the Messenger dismounted and was led inside.

“Excellency Commander, urgent military intelligence!”

Albrecht, prepared for this situation, took the urgent message and opened it immediately, and as expected, Vienna was in chaos. The government, worried about losing control, commanded the troops training in the field to return to the city at once.

“Send the orders to cease training immediately, pack your bags, and prepare to return!”

Albrecht said calmly. It took only half a day for the Messenger to arrive, but it would take the army at least two to three days to return. Such a long time was enough for many things to happen.

Franz did not obstruct the army’s return to the city; doing so would be too conspicuous. What he needed was for the Austrian Empire to break down before rebuilding, but he certainly didn’t want Austria to truly fall apart.

The Vienna rebellion could erupt, but it had to be quashed immediately. He intended to use the opportunity of the rebellion to clear the government of its rotten elements, without any intention of allowing the rebel army to overthrow the government.

“Franz, the situation in Vienna has become very bad. Yesterday, a hundred thousand people participated in the protest march. If the government mishandles this, I fear the consequences will be very serious!”

Albrecht said gravely, at this moment his concerns about Franz’s plans had grown, fearing it would turn into a revolution like the February Revolution in Paris.

Franz smiled faintly, then pointed at the military camp and spoke slowly,

“Don’t worry, Austria is not like France, we still have an army loyal to the royal family!”

This was the source of his confidence, as in Vienna there was still a Palace Guard that could protect the Palace. Even if the remaining five thousand City Defense Army were all useless, they were loyal to the Emperor nonetheless.

Unlike France, not just anyone could enter the Austrian Army, the officers were mostly nobility, and they would not easily betray their own class.

A rebellion without the support of the army is at most a loud riot, which would ultimately be suppressed.

Franz had already prepared. After returning, he would first dismiss the Metternich Cabinet as a gesture to the people.

Then, announce the abolition of serfdom and the enforcement of the “Labor Protection Law” to appease the people. Afterwards, the petty offenders wouldn’t be questioned, only the ring-leaders would be pursued.

At worst, he could arrest a few corrupt officials, sentence them, and shift everyone’s attention.

Even after World War I, the Habsburg Family had a very high status in the eyes of ordinary people. If it weren’t for the fact that their later descendants were utterly hopeless, the Austro-Hungarian Empire would not have collapsed.

In history, after the outbreak of the Vienna revolution, there were proposals to abolish the Emperor, but they were met with opposition from the people of Vienna.

Vienna

The protesting crowd had already surrounded the government buildings,

Palace, and parliament, demanding the government agree to their conditions.

Dismiss the Cabinet, release political prisoners, carry out constitutional reforms, open up election restrictions, abolish serfdom, confiscate the estates of the nobility, distribute the land to the serfs, abolish the press censorship system…

The situation was still teetering on the brink of chaos. The Vienna Government couldn’t possibly agree to these terms, as it would mean the destruction of the Empire.

History had changed, and at this time, the bourgeoisie could no longer be satisfied with ordinary reforms. They wanted to seize control of the state to get through the crisis.

To achieve this goal, everyone had stopped caring about the future of Austria, patriots were being used by conspirators, never considering the consequences of these actions.

Ordinary people had even less discernment; most were just making an uproar without understanding. Even more workers joined the march because they were paid for it.

Indeed, there was payment for participating in the protests; otherwise, the revolution didn’t have the resources to organize so many people in such a short time.

Without the cooperation of the capitalists, and in an age where communication was all about shouting, trying to do the ideological work for these hundred

thousand people, even with that hundred and eighty members of the

Revolutionary Party, they wouldn’t be able to organize it in a month.

Someone cried out “Metternich, get out here,” and it rapidly spread. Thousands upon thousands of people joined in unison:

“Metternich, get out here!”

At this moment, the situation was already out of control, and the aging Prime Minister Metternich had turned pale, no longer exhibiting his usual grace..