Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 77:

Chapter 77: Chapter 77, Hungarian Liberator (Bring the extra tickets)

Translator: 549690339

The Hungarian patriot poet and one of the leaders of this Hungarian Revolution, Petofi Sandor, couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Count, are you just going to watch Hungary fall? Even if the odds of success are low, isn’t doing nothing unacceptable?

For the love of God, at this time you must do something for this country!”

Istvån smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, “I only regret not stopping you. If I had been more adamant initially, perhaps this situation would never have arisen.

Indeed, I need to do something now, but not by entering the government. Don’t hurry to refuse. Let me finish speaking.

In terms of military command, I am mediocre at best. Duke Leopold and Marquis Roki are far stronger than I am, and I suggest you seek military advice from them.

As for propaganda, Kossuth, you are much stronger than me and do not need my help.

The only advantage I have is self-awareness, and I will not meddle in governmental affairs.

I will simply take charge of coordinating ethnic relations. At this juncture,

Kossuth, it’s time for you to put away your damned nationalist theories!”

Kossuth was furiously angry. If not for needing Istvån’s support at this time, he feared he might have rushed forward to pummel him.

This guy was truly obnoxious, coming up with bad ideas and constantly picking at scars.

If there had been any choice, Kossuth would not have wanted to resort to nationalism, but his supporters wouldn’t allow otherwise!

Capitalists need cheap labor, and the majority, who are excluded from power, are the cheap labor force left for the capitalists.

Yes, Kossuth’s nationalism did not exclude the minority ethnicities, but rather all of the lower classes. In addition to the five to six hundred thousand capitalists, nobility, and middle class, everyone else was oppressed.

Of course, outwardly this boundary was only against minority ethnicities, while Hungarians were also excluded on the basis of property, rank, and educational level.

In theory, these people might have the potential to obtain the right to participate in politics, provided you first become wealthy. Once you become wealthy, you will have political rights.

Beyond that, you should not even dream about it. Nobility is innate; from the moment of birth, it is set in stone; cultural knowledge is not for the poor to touch, as without money, what books could you read? Hungary does not have compulsory education.

The upper echelons of the Revolutionary Party do not have anyone who is truly poor, including Petofi, who comes from the humblest background, but are actually not from the very bottom, as they had enough economic strength to be educated.

Although his mother was a serf, she had also served as a maid for the nobility, belonging to the knowledgeable household servants; his father was a butcher, but also a small capitalist with business acumen.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, He Jin is also a butcher; why does no one mention that his family monopolized most of Nanyang County’s meat supply?

A posterior determines the stance; they may sympathize with the plight of the lower class, but class position ensures they won’t sacrifice their interests for them.

Istvån, coming from the nobility, naturally approaches military problems seeking assistance from others of noble birth like Duke Leopold and Marquis Roki at this time.

But in Kossuth’s eyes, this was tantamount to seeking death. With the situation so dire, who could guarantee that these nobles wouldn’t switch sides?

Even if the Vienna Government had moved against their estates, in reality, a compromise was still possible; it was just a matter of price. The nobility naturally leans towards monarchist states, and this class position can’t be changed.

Having achieved his purpose, Kossuth naturally wouldn’t stay and be subject to more insult. Not even having had a drink of water, he did not expect Istvån to provide a meal.

“Mr. Kossuth, what should we do now?” Petofi asked expectantly.

With no way out, Kossuth was unreliable, and Petofi was even less so. His talent lay in poetry, with representative works like “National Song” and “Against the King.”

“Life is precious, love is more costly; if it’s for freedom’s sake, both can be forsaken!”

He was the original creator of this phrase, which enjoyed a market among intellectuals. However, he also had all the traits of a young artist, typically lacking in practical experience.

Helpless, Petofi, born in 1823, was only 25 years old. To expect him to worry about the fate of a country was truly too much to ask of a person.

“I have already sent someone to contact the Kingdom of Sardinia, hoping they defeat the Austrian army in Venice quickly and force the Austrians to divide their forces and provide reinforcement.”

Kossuth did not mention seeking help from the Ottomans; this matter could not be revealed, especially in front of Petofi, who would surely object if he heard.

Bohemian Corps

Upon receiving the orders from Vienna, Julius was plunged into confusion. Budapest was within reach, yet he was not allowed to attack, which was utterly unreasonable.

A young staff officer asked discontentedly, “Commander, what is the meaning of this domestically? Not allowing us to attack Budapest, could it be that at this time, they are considering resolving issues through negotiation?”

“That question, you can only ask the Vienna Government, or perhaps the Army Department might know. We just need to carry out the orders!” Julius thought for a moment and replied.

This was his greatest strength, being able to fully complete the tasks assigned by his superiors. No matter how great his inner doubts were, they would not be brought into his assignments.

“Commander, doesn’t that mean we have nothing to do now?” another young officer complained.

Without a battle, there would be no military achievements. Out of all major Austrian forces, the Bohemian Corps was geographically positioned the best. With Budapest so close, capturing it would bring them the highest honor.

Chief of Staff Yerachich spoke leisurely, “What, do you find it boring without a battle to fight?

Then go and paint some propaganda slogans, place the surrounding area under military control, and free the serfs. This is also part of our mission!”

Indeed, the task of liberating the serfs had been entrusted to the military by Franz. In this day and age, nobles were not easy to provoke, especially the Hungarian nobility, accustomed to autocratic rule. Without using force, mere words were insufficient.

“All of you, keep your men under strict control. We’ve come here to liberate Hungary and to bring happiness to the Hungarian people. Anyone who dares to breach military discipline will be executed without exception!” Julius said sternly.

Loyal dogs naturally remain loyal to the Emperor. This time, they came as “liberators,” to win over the hearts of the Hungarians for the Emperor, and good military discipline is a good start..