Chapter 255 Reasons for Killing

As the Austrian imperial government officially issued a notice to the Hungarian region, demanding severe punishment for the "horse bandits", a total of sixteen people, including the bandit leader, were sentenced to death by hanging, marking the end of the civil strife.

But in fact, this number is far lower than the actual number of participants. Since the beginning of the horse bandit rebellion, Archduke Albrecht has wiped out at least tens of thousands of "horse bandits" on the Hungarian Plain, and the number of civilians killed by these bastards is countless.

However, neither Austria nor Hungary wanted to expand this scandal, so sixteen people was a relatively reasonable number. After all, too few people would not be convincing. If there were too many people, under the instigation of people with ulterior motives, Austria's cruelty would be highlighted while washing the responsibility of the Hungarian side clean.

The unlucky person who was hanged was originally a death row prisoner with no hope of survival, so it was not a wrong killing, and it was a result that everyone could accept.

After the influence of this incident, Kossuth understood a truth, that is, the unreliability of the great nobles. The limited strength of the small and medium nobles made them powerless against the regular army, so the only way to defeat the powerful army was to mobilize the serfs and the citizen class.

At the same time, the great nobles' resentment towards Kossuth was also increasing day by day. Previously, many prestigious families suffered losses due to this guy's two-faced face, and even some "rural nobles" sent people to hunt him down in order to vent their anger.

The urban nobles in Hungary represent the great nobles living in Austria and abroad, while the rural nobles represent the local forces born and raised in the land. They should not be confused with the Polish aristocratic system.

Kossuth, who was familiar with the awakening movement of the European nation triggered by the French Revolution, knew that nationalism was the only way to increase cohesion and defeat powerful enemies. Therefore, he decided to join hands with some great Magyar scholars this time to set their ancestral home from Europe to Asia.

Their original intention was to distinguish themselves from other European nations, but because the Austrian Empire successfully recovered Western Bosnia not long ago, the great feat made the unruly Croatians unprecedentedly confident.

A Croatian scholar stood up without hesitation and pointed out that it was the Magyars who seized the Croatians' territory and drove them from the plains to the mountains, which made the situation awkward for a time.

What's more terrible is that this statement immediately caused a fierce reaction in the Croatian region, because the Magyars have been oppressing the Croatians for hundreds of years.

The prevalence of Greater Magyarism in recent years has made the Croatians feel uneasy. The Magyars' assimilation methods are too brutal. Not only do they want to eliminate other races spiritually, but they also want to make them die physically.

This Magyar style was first started by Szechenyi. His ultimate idea was to make the nobles recognize and accept the serfs, and through this channel, they would eventually make them equal to the nobles.

Unfortunately, the originally good idea soon deviated from the expectations of this noble man and became a tool for them to prove that their nation was superior.

Under the crown of St. Stephen, the Croats, who had the most say and the strongest power, became the first target of the Magyars.

Croatia has always been divided into two factions. One is the imperial faction, which advocates loyalty and reliance on the Austrian Empire, hoping to be free from oppression through the dealings between the empire and the royal family.

The other faction is the kingdom faction, which advocates loyalty to the Kingdom of Hungary, and then actively embraces Magyarization and becomes a true Hungarian, so that it can be free from oppression.

Both factions regard Count Korolav as their spiritual leader, but this harsh miser is completely uninterested in his compatriots and has even clarified his relationship with them more than once.

Historically, the Croats made their choice at the last minute, and at this time, due to the return of Western Bosnia, they felt the sense of being valued that they had not had for hundreds of years.

So the Croatian scholar received strong support from his compatriots, and this situation was exactly what Metternich wanted to see.

He thought that he could use the Croatians to check the Hungarians, and it would be best if both sides were defeated, so that it would be convenient for Austria to rule.

Although Count Korolaf despised his compatriots and even often mocked them for not being smart enough, he was indeed a Croatian, and naturally did not want Metternich to use those poor guys as guns.

As an old rival for many years, Count Korolaf knew Metternich very well, and most of the blank checks issued by the latter could not be cashed.

Rather than letting his compatriots sacrifice in vain for an invisible dream, it is better to be a happy idiot.

The two people's bickering has brought the Regency Council to a deadlock again. Grand Duke Louis belongs to the political indifferent faction. As long as they do not threaten the fundamental interests of the Habsburg royal family, he is happy to let them go.

Franz is quite satisfied with the current situation. Croatia will sooner or later cut off from Hungary, because the territory of the Crown of St. Stephen is too large and it is really difficult for Austria to control.

Slovakia can move later, but Croatia and Transylvania, where ethnic conflicts are acute, should be separated from it as soon as possible.

Slovakia's terrain is mainly mountainous, with the characteristics of high north and low south. Attacking from the south is like rushing across a flat plain. In addition, about 80% of the population is concentrated here, making it difficult for it to form a separate force.

As for Galicia, it is mainly populated by Poles and Ukrainians, who are at odds with other ethnic groups in the empire, and the terrain is also flat and undefensible, plus the almost zero industrial capacity makes it difficult for it to gain independence.

Because Belgrade was taken back at this time, the Austrian imperial government could legitimately use the reason of sending troops to plant another nail behind Hungary.

Before, the total number of garrisons in the Nordsavi Fortress was only one regiment. If a war really broke out, the role it could play would be minimal.

And Belgrade is surrounded by Serbia, and there is nothing wrong with stationing 50,000 to 60,000 troops in a strategically dangerous place.

When it really comes to a critical moment, this force can take advantage of the transportation convenience of the Danube to seize the initiative on the battlefield at a critical moment and go to most of the places where they should appear.

Schönbrunn Palace, Royal Garden.

After many days, the two brothers Albrecht and Friedrich met again, and the latter congratulated his brother on his brilliant achievements on the "Great Plains".

"How is it, brother? Franz's special operations method has benefited you a lot, right? I heard from those soldiers that you can often achieve extremely exaggerated results of dozens or hundreds to 0 with it."

Friedrich became more and more excited as he spoke. He knew his elder brother's talent very well, and at this time he was sincerely happy that he could prove his ability.

But Archduke Albrecht seemed to be in a bad mood. He did not answer Friedrich's words, but said to Franz.

"The things you gave me were useless."

Franz saw the other party's expression and roughly knew the situation. After all, he had the same feeling when he first saw the dead, but he did not expect to see it on a general who was destined to go down in history.

And last time in Hungary, Albrecht didn't care at all when he killed the traffickers.

"I'm glad you didn't use it. If you did, it would mean you're in a desperate situation. What should I say? Uncle Albrecht, you are worthy of being the future star of the army."

Friedrich sneered at Franz's flattery. He disdained such tricks.

Albrecht drank a glass of wine in one gulp.

"Before I went, you didn't tell me that the enemies were all civilians."

Franz poured himself a glass of juice and drank it in one gulp.

"As long as civilians take up weapons and ride on war horses, they are enemies."

Albrecht said after a moment of silence.

"I don't know why you politicians must fight total war."

Franz sighed.

"When there is an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent."