While Edel and Puleshan discussed how to continue dealing with his brother-in-law, in the palace of Vienna, Karl I, the emperor of Austria, also had his own troubles. And his distress comes from the failure of the battle against Italy.

In this war planned by him, the Austro-Hungarian army also suffered a lot of losses. The number of casualties and missing reached more than 100,000. This greatly reduced his prestige in the army, especially the officers who supported him. Funny to say, the main source of Karl I's support in the army was the army of all races. On the contrary, the Germans and Hungarians, who have always been the main body of the army, have a low support rate.

There are also some compelling reasons. Among them, Karl was established as the crown prince for too short a time to play a major role. It was only two short years from the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand to the death of Franz Joseph I. This was not enough for Karl to grow from an ordinary prince to the helm of a country.

And it's the broken ship that leaks everywhere in Austria-Hungary.

In fact, this unique dualistic empire founded by Franz Joseph I was inherently flawed.

The dominant German and Hungarian tribes accounted for less than half of the total population of the country. Moreover, there is also a huge gap between the two ruling nations. This makes Austria-Hungary often fall into internal quarrels on major issues, which is very detrimental to its development (the Austria-Hungary bill requires the approval of the Austrian and Hungarian parliaments, if inconsistency is another quarrel or compromise).

There are also problems with its military structure. In addition to the Imperial Defense Forces, there are also the Kingdom Defense Forces. This structure allowed the Austro-Hungarian Empire to have no problems in the face of small-scale wars, but it had huge flaws in world wars like World War I.

Its recruitment of soldiers of all races just because of different languages ​​to convey orders can make people a headache. The Austro-Hungarian method is also simple and rude. Since the language is not clear, you should be a separate army. In this way, a separate unit composed of soldiers of various races was conceived, which also brought huge hidden dangers to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

It is well known that regional independence requires its own armed forces, and this approach of Austria-Hungary is to bring hope to various regions of different ethnic groups. Of course, if the allies win this war, Austria-Hungary can slowly suppress this trend. Unfortunately, the last desperate fight between Germany and Austria has failed. This allows many people to see the opportunity to split and form their own country to be the masters.

Facing the undercurrents surging everywhere, this made Carl a little at a loss. It was all because Carl was too hasty to rise to the throne, so that he could not cultivate enough power, and the old military forces did not respect him enough, so he had to rely heavily on the armies of all races.

These are all manifestations of insufficient ability. Since General Carl Conrad was relieved of the post of Chief of Staff, his relationship with the Austrian and Hungarian officers in the army has not been too harmonious.

It's just that things have been done and there is no way to go back. Another incident that showed his lack of ability was that he negotiated peace with France through his brother-in-law, Prince Sixtus of Parma, but because he refused to cede any territory of the Habsburg family to Italy, the behind-the-scenes activities completely failed. On the other hand, because he supported France's demands on Alsace and Lorraine, he offended his ally, Germany.

This is a manifestation of the ability gap. Facing the possibility of defeat, I want to negotiate secretly to withdraw from the war, but I don't want to lose money. How is this possible? Moreover, his own words and deeds are not meticulous, so that the country and allies are very dissatisfied with him, thereby damaging his prestige. From the above, it can be seen that Carl is completely unqualified as the helm of an empire.

Now the situation has become quite unfavorable for the Allies, and the remarks of US President Johnson who participated in the war have made many people think differently.

At the beginning of this year, the President of the United States announced his 14-point peace plan to the world. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is to destroy the morale of the Allies, but many people know that they are pretending to be confused for the benefit of themselves or the National Party. With this remark. At present, such remarks have affected the Austro-Hungarian army. Many officers who are still loyal to the empire have responded upward. The soldiers have become out of training and have gathered to discuss the issue of national consciousness.

In particular, Article 10 allowed the autonomy of all ethnic groups in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This is a great gospel for other peoples who have been oppressed all the time.

Faced with this situation, the high-ranking army did not dare to pressure, so Karl I could only find Grand Duke Friedrich who had a high reputation in the army. I hope the Grand Duke can use his reputation in the army to appease these soldiers who have become different-minded.

"Marshal, the military's mind in the army has become a little impetuous at the moment, do you think there is any good way?"

The depressed Karl I, who was hit by this question, raised his spirits and asked sincerely after Grand Duke Friedrich came to him.

Archduke Friedrich has rarely asked about the specifics of the army, especially after General Conrad was removed from the post of chief of staff. But looking at Karl I, who was asking for advice in a sincere tone, the Marshal was naturally willing to help His Majesty find a way. This is because he has been loyal to the Habsburg family for many years, and it is also the reason why Karl I came to him for the first time.

"His Majesty."

After sorting out his thoughts and words, Grand Duke Friedrich said: "I also understand the current situation in the army. It is not suitable for forced suppression during the current war. This can only be solved by propagating patriotism and organizing personnel to sympathize with the army. Question. Of course, as a symbol of the empire, your Majesty will personally condole them. I think the effect will be better."

Archduke Friedrich stopped here. Karl I felt that he hadn't finished speaking and couldn't help asking: "Anything else?"

Facing the young emperor’s question, Grand Duke Friedrich thought for a while and continued: “In addition, sufficient material guarantees and necessary repairs can also alleviate this impetuous mood. Of course, we need to cooperate with the above methods. OK. Also..."

Archduke Friedrich stopped here again, with a hesitant expression on his face. When Karl I saw the Grand Duke’s expression, he asked a little curiously: "Is there anything inconvenient to say?"

The enquiry of Karl I, the Marshal could not help but speak. "It's not, but this method can eradicate the situation in the army, but it is very difficult to implement."

"Let's talk about it, just the two of us, I won't spread it out."

Faced with the emperor’s guarantee, Grand Duke Friedrich let go of his entanglement and said: "This method is the government's promise that after the war, all ethnic groups can be granted autonomy."

The last suggestion of Prince Friedrich made Karl I frowned.

The rights of autonomy mentioned by Archduke Friedrich did not finish talking about it. But Karl I knew he was talking about equal rights comparable to the Kingdom of Hungary. This is a major event that will shake the foundation of the empire's power. Even if Karl I was in power for more than a year, he knew how difficult it was to implement it. It can be said that Franz Joseph I, who founded the Austro-Hungarian Empire and had great prestige, would feel numb to this problem. This is a decision to deny the Austrians and Hungarians as the dominant position, and whoever will implement it will be afraid.

It is obvious that Karl I was afraid of the last suggestion. Because if the Grand Duke’s last suggestion is implemented, it is very likely that the people of Austria and Hungary will arouse fierce resistance ~ lightnovelpub.net~ no one will give up the rights they have gained, even if they are deprived of them from other nations. And Karl I still had some illusions, even if the Austrian Empire was defeated, it would not be a problem to keep Austria and Hungary. If you implement this proposal yourself, it will shake the foundation of the Habsburg family's rule.

So after considering everything, he said to Grand Duke Friedrich: "The other items will be handled as you said. As for the last one, let me consider it again."

Archduke Friedrich heard the Emperor's words and knew that this last one had been abandoned. But the decision has been made, and he can only obey.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Archduke Friedrich's lofty prestige comes from his seldom to deal with specific matters of the army, which makes him much less involved. And now that the Grand Duke comes off in person, then when it is of their own interest, how many soldiers will be subdued by the Duke’s prestige, this is only known to God.

But there is not much time left for them.

()

.. m.