Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 35
Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Turning Black into White
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
On March 9, 1848, Vienna became increasingly chaotic, with occurrences of arson, murder, and looting, and the entire city lost its order.
This was already the third day since the outbreak of the revolution, and due to the many contradictions between the working class and the bourgeoisie, conflicts had arisen between the two groups because of their interests.
If it were not for a common enemy, at this time the two sides would have already parted ways, even if they were nominally allied, they each did their own thing.
There was no helping it, as revolutions also require feeding, and so the capitalists in the grain industry were the first to suffer, their grain stores being “revolutionized” by the workers.
Workers who had been harshly oppressed, spurred by some inciters, started having thoughts of revenge at this time. Many decided to settle scores conclusively, venting their hatred and grudges.
They killed overseers and finished off the thugs hired by the capitalists, directing the spearhead of the revolution toward the bourgeoisie.
Once the first instance occurred, a second followed. The capitalists’ hands were stained with the blood of workers and, with no one to guide otherwise, the situation became uncontrollable once incitement began.
Many union representatives who wanted to intervene were immediately labeled as counter-revolutionaries or lackeys of the capitalists, and no reasoning could stop the workers’ quest for revenge.
Human desires are terrifying; when everyone killed the first capitalist and divided his wealth, they couldn’t hold back anymore.
This inflamed the contradictions between the two parties; to protect their interests, the capitalists hastily formed their own Revolutionary Army, leading to several violent clashes.
Now, the bourgeoisie-led Revolutionary Army turned its revolutionary goals toward the Viennese nobility, while the working-class Revolutionary Army revolutionized both the nobility and the capitalists.
In a Vienna manor, a large group of people had already gathered, all of them more concerned with money than their lives. Those fearful of death had already fled Vienna.
An old man in his sixties, with a trembling voice, said, “Mr. Owen, what do we do now? Those bumpkins have set their sights on us. In just two short days, thirteen gentlemen have been murdered!
The looted wealth is beyond calculation, and if this situation continues, it won’t be long before it’s our turn!”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward Owen, as it was he who planned this revolution. Now that the situation had spiraled out of control, everyone hoped he could present an effective measure.
Owen’s face turned ashen as he looked at the crowd; he too had not anticipated the situation to devolve into this. Originally, his only goal was to use the working class as cannon fodder to establish a bourgeois government.
Unfortunately, before the new government was established, control had been lost below, and the Revolutionary Party they supported was incapable of fulfilling the mission entrusted to them.
The union representatives they had wooed could not control the workers at the bottom, as the revolution had deviated from their predetermined trajectory right from the start.
“Regarding the unfortunate demise of these thirteen gentlemen, I too express deep regret. The dead cannot be resurrected, may they find peace in heaven!
Their blood will not have been shed in vain; we will claim this debt. Including everyone’s property losses, the current sacrifices are only made for a greater harvest in the future.
The current situation is extremely unfavorable; we are forced to start our contingency plan, sending someone to negotiate with His Majesty the Emperor while preparing to suppress these rebels!”
Everyone fell silent; negotiation was a choice made out of necessity. They were all intelligent enough to understand that the current situation was greatly disadvantageous to them, as the army still remained loyal to the Royal family.
This time, they caught the government off guard, but if the City Defense Army returned, the situation could change drastically.
No one believed that with their ragtag bunch, they could defeat a regular army.
Smart people are rational, and upon recognizing an unfavorable situation, naturally look for ways to extricate themselves. Especially after internal conflicts erupted, their revolutionary zeal declined even further.
Revolutionizing others is one thing, but when it comes to their own lives, there is no negotiation.
At this moment, a young man in his twenties, wearing glasses, stood up and questioned, “Mr. Owen, do you think it’s possible? Don’t forget that since the uprising began, we have had no way out.
Think about how many nobility we have executed these past two days? You are not unaware of the chaotic relationships among the nobility. Do you think the nobility will let us off now?
Even if they spare us for now, how can we be sure they won’t settle scores after autumn? Do you think our epileptic Emperor, Your Majesty, has the final say?”
The crowd, which had been prepared to accept reality and compromise, hesitated once more.
This revolution had dealt a heavy blow to the Viennese nobility, and the grudges between the two sides were well-established.
Even if they could force a compromise from the Vienna Court now with the power in their hands, once the City Defense Army returned, the balance of power between the two sides could be reversed again.
Their armed forces were not a Standing army; their dissolution was a matter of when, not if. If the two sides fell out, they would be powerless to resist.
This was different from their previous opposition to Prime Minister
Metternich; he played by the rules and did not resort to drastic measures.
Now it was they who had broken the rules. How could they expect the nobility to abide by the rules of the game afterwards?
This was a very realistic problem. Even if they took control of the government, they lacked the power to counter the repercussions from the nobility.
On hearing the young man’s words, Owen’s face grew ashen; how could he not have thought of these issues?
But there’s an old saying, “Better for my ally to die than for me.” He had ways to ensure his own safe escape. In this uprising, he had already made enough; worst case scenario, he would simply go into exile.
“Rams, everyone is aware of the issues you’ve mentioned, and I cannot provide guarantees. But let’s not forget, the severe casualties among the nobility — wasn’t it those bumpkins who dealt the blows? Our organization of the army was merely for self-defense and to suppress the rebellion, this uprising has nothing to do with us.
Aren’t there some nobles who supported our cause beforehand? Now it’s time for them to step forward and define this rebellion!”
Owen spoke these words of deception with an unchanged expression. Though it was self-deception, it was undoubtedly a good strategy to shift blame.
If the nobility sought revenge afterwards, it would be a case of sorrow for one’s own kind; defending class interests was a must, but that did not mean all of them wanted to avenge the dead.
In fact, many would celebrate; some families were now extinct, and they could inherit a title and possibly a fiefdom for free.
As long as a scapegoat could be found to shift the blame, and with some bribery, the matter would pass..
