The sounds of successive demonstrations and slogans were heard in the Hofburg Palace, which made Karl I, who was staying in the palace, feel restless.
The soldiers guarding the palace did not bring him much sense of security. The bursts of slogans were like reminders, making him restless.
"Your Majesty, we still have to wait. The Prime Minister has already gone to negotiate with these demonstrators. I believe they can understand the current difficulties."
Listening to the comforting words of Earl Lawrence, the palace steward, did not reassure Karl I. It was just that he needed to find someone to chat with to relieve the torment of waiting. Moreover, Earl Lawrence was loyal to the Habsburg family, so he was also a suitable candidate to chat with.
As soon as Karl I was chatting, he thought of the current situation and no longer maintained the demeanor of a king. He said angrily. "I know everything you said. These people are just being incited. The real danger is those hiding behind them."
People. What do these people want? Don’t they know that if the empire loses, the price it will pay will be very heavy."
"Your Majesty, getting angry will not solve the problem. Please calm down and think about it before facing the proposals of these demonstrators."
As soon as Count Lawrence finished speaking, he discovered that the Austrian Prime Minister Heinlein, who had gone to negotiate, had returned. However, the Prime Minister did not look very good, and it seemed that the outcome of the negotiations with the crowd outside was not good.
Karl also saw what Earl Lawrence discovered, but he still wanted to know the result. "Prime Minister, how are the negotiations going?"
Facing the monarch's inquiry, Prime Minister Heinlein saluted and replied: "Not ideal. These demonstrators demand that the empire immediately cease the war, restore the army, and...and..."
Prime Minister Heinlein got stuck at this point, which prompted Karl to ask, "And what?"
Faced with Karl's questioning, Heinlein said his last condition with a heart: "And ask your Majesty to hand over the power to the people."
Heinlein's words immediately ignited Karl's anger, and he said with a cold face: "Leave it to the people? I think it is to the conspirators hiding behind these people. Czechs, Croatians,
The Slovenians are demonstrating for independence, the Hungarians want to leave the empire, and now even the Germans want power. Next, they will change the political system and kick me, the unlucky guy, away, right? In what way did the empire fail them?
Everyone wants to leave him."
Prime Minister Heinlein's words completely ignited the anger of Karl I, and the successive bad news made him lose control of his emotions. After ascending to the throne, there was first disobedience from the military and government veterans, then the defeat in the battle, and then again
It was a demonstration where public dissatisfaction broke out. In less than two years, various problems broke out, which completely destroyed his inner support. He had the urge to break the jar and give these mobs a taste of the bayonet.
However, the only reason in his heart prevented him from doing this, because after doing so, the nearly thousand years of history of the Habsburg family would be wiped out. No one would show mercy to a tyrant who ordered people to be shot and killed, and it was still doomed.
A failed tyrant. Everyone will come and step on him to improve his popularity. And Karl is not a fool. He does not want to be a stepping stone for these people at all, and he is also someone he hates.
Prime Minister Heinlein looked at the young emperor in front of him venting his dissatisfaction. Having been a politician for many years, the current situation is already considered a serious illness. I believe the emperor will understand this. Slowly, the roar of Karl I subsided.
He himself also knew that venting his emotions would not change the current situation. What needed to be considered now was the continuation of the Habsburg family.
After taking several deep breaths, Karl still felt that his mind was confused. At this time, he looked at the Prime Minister in front of him and couldn't help but ask: "Prime Minister, do you have any good suggestions for this situation?"
Facing Karl's inquiry, Prime Minister Heinlein flashed a few thoughts in his mind and said: "Your Majesty, the current situation is very dangerous for the empire and you. First, we need to appease the angry people, so let the Queen
It is a good idea to bring people to express condolences to the elderly, children and homeless people. Moreover, a lot of supplies must be used this time, so that people across the country can feel or see the benevolent side of the royal family, and it must be widely publicized in newspapers.
In addition, you can... you can also... let people spread rumors, saying that the Minister of War and I are in charge of matters related to the government and the army, and the royal family has no knowledge at all."
Prime Minister Heinlein's words made Karl feel that this veteran minister was passionate about the Habsburg family. He was planning to use his reputation and that of Archduke Friedrich to preserve the popularity of the royal family. Thinking of this, Karl I couldn't help but
He stepped forward and said to the Prime Minister: "I can understand by sending the Queen. You want me to follow the example of Great-Uncle Sissi. But you are going to take the blame to appease the people's anger? How is this possible? This will destroy you, Prime Minister."
Facing Karl's words, Prime Minister Heinlein lowered his head and replied: "This is the best and only feasible way."
"In addition to measures to deal with the domestic people, we must also leave Germany aside internationally. We must find a way to make the Allies forgive us for launching the war. Both sides have suffered too much in this war. If we are not forgiven, the Allies will give us up.
It was demolished. So we have to move quickly. First, the disputed areas between us and Italy must be given up. In addition, the Bosnia and Herzegovina area that triggered the war must be assigned to Serbia, and Transylvania, where Romanians make up the majority, also agreed to be handed over to Serbia.
Romanians. At the same time, the demands for autonomy from Croatia and Bohemia must also be met.”
The Prime Minister mentioned a lot of conditions for agreeing to the Allied Powers, which made Karl feel frightened and couldn't help but ask: "Is it necessary to do this? Doesn't this mean that the empire will be dismantled?"
Faced with Karl's question, Prime Minister Heinlein said with a wry smile: "We must do this. At least we can keep Austria and Hungary. The Austro-Hungarian Empire can at least maintain its name."
"Will this save the empire?"
"There is great hope to preserve the empire, but the royal family still needs to make sacrifices."
"What sacrifice?"
"Your Majesty needs to abdicate and let your son or brother inherit this position. In addition, you must let go of power. It is best to just retain the name and a few properties like the Kingdom of Sweden."
Prime Minister Heinlein's words made Karl's hands and feet feel cold. It wasn't that he didn't want to abdicate. In fact, he had no longer wanted to take this hot position. It was just that most of the wealth of the Habsburg family for generations had to be handed over.
Moreover, the Habsburg family must no longer have power, which is not his decision alone. After all, Habsburg is only the patriarch, and based on his understanding of other members of the family, this is completely impossible to accept. (At that time,
The Swedish royal family has the weakest sense of presence)
"It made me think again."
The Prime Minister stood quietly in front of Karl, waiting for his monarch to make a decision.
After a long time, when Prime Minister Heinlein thought that the emperor was about to fall asleep, Karl made his decision: "Prime Minister, regarding domestic matters, we can proceed according to your plan, but regarding foreign affairs and imperial power issues, I
This must be discussed with other Habsburg members, I hope you can understand."
Karl's words made Prime Minister Heinlein seem to have aged a few years. He bent down and performed a standard etiquette for a noble meeting the king before replying: "As you command, my majesty."
After sending Prime Minister Heinlein away, Karl summoned family members to discuss his proposal.
"I object. This is absolutely unacceptable. The descendants of the Habsburgs must not be driven out like this."
"Absolutely not, this is unacceptable."
Sure enough, when Karl mentioned Prime Minister Heinlein's proposal, he immediately aroused overwhelming opposition. Some even claimed that the Prime Minister was a spy and should be arrested and tortured.
Sure enough, power makes people intoxicated, with no regard for their own danger. Facing a group of excited family members, Karl's character flaws were exposed, and he hesitated. In other words, he backed down in the face of overwhelming opposition. In the end, about
The meeting that allowed the Habsburg family to relinquish power was suppressed in an anticlimactic manner.
When Prime Minister Heinlein heard the news at home, he sighed alone. His actions aroused the curiosity of his son Helifen Heinlein. "Father, why do you sigh about this? These
The Habsburgs are ruthless people, it’s up to you, father, to pacify these people."
It seems that he is very dissatisfied with his father taking on the responsibility for the war.
Looking at his angry son, Heinlein said with a smile: "Who told you that I took the responsibility?"
Facing his father who was still smiling at this time, Helifen Heinlein thought about the possibility that his home would be demolished by the angry people in the future. Or that his father would be arrested and tried by the Allied Powers, he couldn't help but question.
: "Isn't it?"
"no."
"Why?"
Prime Minister Heinlein looked at his confused son and couldn't help but worry about the future development of his family. His son seemed not to be a political candidate, so he might as well retire this time. Looking at his confused son, Heinlein
In order to reassure him, Prime Minister Inlein explained.
"Actually, the suggestions I gave to His Majesty are my response measures for things that are very likely to happen in the future. However, I added a little selfish suggestion to it, which is to convict Archduke Friedrich and I."
"How selfish is this? I think you are asking for trouble."
Seeing his son's righteous rebuttal, Prime Minister Heinlein felt that it was a wise decision not to let his son enter politics.
"Of course I am truly convicted alone, but together with Archduke Friedrich, it will save me from the danger of future political turmoil."
Seeing that his son still didn't understand, Prime Minister Heinlein asked directly: "What is the reputation of Archduke Friedrich?"
"very good."
"I understand, father, are you planning to tie yourself to Archduke Friedrich and use the public's sympathy for him to escape possible liquidation in the future?"
"You finally understand."
"Then father, what will you do next?"
"Implement the emperor's arrangements."
When Austria-Hungary was in turmoil, the Habsburg family sent Empress Zita, a former Princess of Parma, to express condolences to the people. She also contacted the Allied Powers to discuss peace talks.
But now facing the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire, I don’t know whether the Allies want to talk to it or to these ethnic regions with separatist tendencies. Only the Allies themselves know this.
