Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Chapter 68, Zero Risk High Return

Translator: 549690339

By now, retreat was not an option for him. Rost gritted his teeth and said, “Your Excellency Marshal, there were many innocent civilians caught up in this rebellion, coerced by the Rebels and have now been arrested.

They all have families to feed. When do you think they can be released?”

Marshal Radetzky chuckled and replied, “That certainly is a problem, but you can rest assured. We are in the process of sorting things out, but it will take some time.

As for the problem of their families, that has been easily solved. The Venice City Government has already started distributing food, so every person can receive their share of rations and won’t go hungry!”

Distinguishing the real rebels from the civilians who were dragged into this is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

The enemy is about to strike, and during such a time, stability overrides everything else. Marshal Radetzky does not want to take risks, and Franz is even less likely to. That’s why the Vienna Government took people away as soon as possible.

After all, most of these people are workers, and it does not matter if there is a mistake. The government can simply issue back pay later and relocate them to state-owned factories to quell any resentment in their hearts.

With a little guidance, their animosity can be shifted onto the Rebels. After all, if these people hadn’t dragged them down, none of this would have happened.

Of course, the government is just in its actions. If a mistake is made, isn’t a

salary still issued? And with the additional arrangement of employment, the state-owned factories, no matter what, are far better than how the capitalists treat them.

Without comparison, there is no sense of grievance. People are pragmatic, especially those ordinary folks who worry every day about basic needs. They naturally align with whoever makes life easier for them.

This has been proven, as the serfs in the Venice Area who initially participated in the revolution have now turned into staunch supporters of the Habsburg Family, haven’t they?

Wasn’t Marshal Radetzky able to easily deal with the Venice Rebel army because of the defection of the serfs? As long as they helped the government forces suppress the rebellion, they could receive land. Who could refuse that?

The Revolutionaries’ extravagant promises, when it came down to concrete actions, never really took into account the interest of the lower-class citizens. Independence or republic, it mattered little if it didn’t fill their stomachs.

Upon Franz’s insistence, the Austrian Army strictly enforced the policies of suppressing the Rebels and distributing land. Besides dividing the land, the government also thoughtfully distributed the Rebel Aristocrats’ farm tools and food.

The countryside of the Venice Area has stabilized now. The portion of Nobility who escaped disaster also had to be extremely cautious, fearing any relation to the Rebels.

Now that the serfs have been forcibly liberated, these freshly freed peasants are watching the Nobility closely, hoping they join the rebellion so their land can be divided.

This is also why the Nobility, grieving over the slaughter by the Austrian

Government, didn’t revolt in response – they were simply too frightened.

There’s no other way; the Austrian Italian Region has always been somewhat unstable and naturally looked down upon within the Austrian Empire, politically oppressed, with little say in matters.

Marshal Radetzky has been slaughtering in Venice, almost turning it into a river of blood, and the Vienna Government hasn’t shown any response. It’s as if they’ve taught them a harsh lesson with their bayonets, making them understand who’s in charge.

In just over a month, nearly seven-tenths of the Nobility in the Venice Area have been stripped of their titles, and nearly eight-tenths of the capitalists have been plundered. Those who haven’t fled have been executed.

For the remaining capitalists, this is a golden opportunity. With so many competitors down, anyone who doesn’t seize the market now is a fool.

No matter who rules over Venice, capitalists will need to pay taxes. As long as they don’t run off to rebel, no one will touch them.

The Austrian Government has been particularly harsh this time, but isn’t it because some people played too wildly? Did they think once their wings were strong, even if they provided the Revolutionaries with funds and weapons, it wouldn’t be a big deal?

Well, actually, these are not impossible activities as long as one is careful and doesn’t get caught by the Austrian Government, but the problem is that these people were too arrogant.

Why follow the French and get involved with banquets and movements, as if they were desperate to connect with the Revolutionary Party? Now that the Austrian Government is settling accounts, there is a plethora of witness testimony.

Those who survived are the smart ones, seeing that the Roth family and the Marshal Radetsky Family had some relations, the capitalists, in order to resume production and seize the market as soon as possible, have now publically nominated him to represent them in negotiations.

After listening to Marshal Radetsky, Rost knew there were troubles, but he still attempted to bargain with determination.

“Your Excellency, since the rebellion broke out in the Venice Area, the local economy has been devastated. If production can’t resume quickly, I’m afraid this year’s taxes will become a problem!” he said.

Marshal Radetsky looked at him, smiled, and replied in an unhurried manner, “Isn’t that obvious, Rots?

Due to the war, the local economy has suffered catastrophic damage. I have already reported this to the Vienna Government and requested exemption from this year’s taxes.

Do you mean to say that if I release these people, you can guarantee that this year’s tax revenues from the Venice Area won’t decrease?”

Rost stuttered in response, “No!”

He truly couldn’t make that promise. If this year’s tax revenues from the Venice Area could reach one-fifth of those of previous years, it would already be a miracle.

What to do about the shortfall? They couldn’t possibly be expected to cover the difference out of their own pockets, could they? They weren’t like the Thirteen Factories, carrying out a tax-farming contract!

Marshal Radetsky insidiously suggested, “I understand your objective now. We are about to go to war with the Kingdom of Sardinia, and in order to ensure stability in the Venice Area, these individuals definitely cannot return before the review is completed.

I understand your desire to seize the opportunity to expand production and claim the market. Don’t worry; once we have defeated the Kingdom of Sardinia, your gains will be even greater.

Since the capitalists from the Lombardy Region have sided with the Kingdom of Sardinia, as losers, they naturally have no right to continue existing. I think you can fill the void they leave behind!”

It was a naked hint that as long as they supported Austria to win the war, the main commercial sphere of the Northern Italy Region would become Venice.

Rost managed to control his emotions and said, “Your Excellency, what would be the price for us to pay?

“It’s simple. You just need to create a movement in the Kingdom of Sardinia, forcing them to deploy their troops to Venice ahead of time!” Marshal Radetsky calmly answered.

Rost’s eyes sparkled with excitement; this was an investment of low input, high return, and zero risk. He really couldn’t find a reason to refuse.

If it failed, at worst, they would pay a bit of propaganda expenses. If successful, everyone’s industries could double or even multiply several times over..