Chapter 870 Twelve Articles (Part 1)

Since Pius IX brought up the concept of Italy again, the good days of the liberals in the Kingdom of Sardinia began.

The subsequent Sicily uprising gave them a ride, and the holy war of the Papal States and the decision of the Kingdom of Sardinia to send troops pushed it to the peak.

These "remnants of the Carbonari" began to fantasize that Carlo Alberto and Pius IX would accept their constitution.

Carlo Alberto did appoint a group of liberal officials and even pardoned the Carbonari who had opposed him.

The king's series of "wise" actions made them believe that that day did not seem far away.

The liberals and the domestic bourgeoisie also began to reciprocate, and they began to praise Carlo Alberto's reputation in newspapers and in public.

However, the king always thought of only one thing, that is, how to get rid of these troublesome guys in the country.

Although Carlo Alberto strictly ordered that the defeat should not be spread, Eusebio and Ettore de Sannaz almost simultaneously went to the newspaper before the expedition.

In addition to the professional reporters of those newspapers, there were also a large number of so-called civilian tabloid reporters accompanying the army.

All these people were released by Marshal Radetzky as non-combatants.

So rumors spread everywhere, true and false news were flying everywhere, and with the help of Austrian intelligence personnel, the people even got the news before the official.

At this time, Carlo Alberto's reputation was ruined. He simply claimed that he was bewitched by liberals and Jesuit priests.

The Kingdom of Sardinia was always a friend of the Austrian Empire, and then it began to arrest domestic liberals with great fanfare.

For a time, the entire Piedmont region was full of blood and rain, especially universities, newspapers and factories, which became the focus of the king's army.

The situation took a sharp turn for the worse, even making those naive people wonder if the king was really possessed by evil.

It is unknown whether the king was possessed by evil spirits, but some constitutionalists and liberals did not think that the king would arrest them until their death.

They wanted to scare off the army with a single call as before, but they suddenly found that those supporters were gone.

Most of their supporters were sent to the battlefield, and most of them were captured. Even if they escaped by chance, they would not be able to return for a while.

So Carlo Alberto's bloody action did not encounter much resistance, but the messenger of the Kingdom of Sardinia was directly arrested by Radetzky as a spy.

To be honest, this was the first time that the 82-year-old marshal had encountered such a shameless person in his life, but Alberto's behavior was Sima Zhao's intention, and Radetzky decided not to save face.

Anyway, the old man's eyesight was not good, and it was normal for him to be deaf.

However, the old marshal still underestimated Carlo Alberto. His cousin was the queen of the Austrian Empire, so he could skip Radetzky, the theater marshal, if he wanted to send a letter to Vienna.

Vienna, Hofburg Palace.

Count Raikkonen, Baron Kiel, Archduke Franz Karl, and Archduke Louis looked at each other. With their political wisdom, it was difficult to figure out what Carlo Alberto was doing.

Count Raikkonen and Baron Kiel were originally marginal figures. They used to do whatever others said.

As for Archduke Franz Karl and Archduke Louis, they were even more important. The four of them looked at each other for a long time and couldn't come up with a solution.

To be honest, they all had no good feelings towards the Sardinian Kingdom, which was jumping back and forth, but if the other party surrendered, it would be more beneficial to the Austrian side, after all, there would be one less enemy.

However, it was emotionally unacceptable, and at this moment, Madame Sophie broke in.

Generally speaking, women are not allowed to enter such a place to discuss military and political affairs, but the people who can preside over the overall situation are no longer there, so Madame Sophie naturally has nothing to worry about.

In fact, at this time, the members of the Regency Council were actually hoping for a backbone. Even the most conservative Grand Duke Louis showed a very happy look, but he still had to act like an elder.

"Grand Duchess Sophie, you shouldn't come here."

"Then I'll leave?"

Grand Duke Louis turned his face to look at his nephew.

"Take care of your wife. What a disgrace."

Archduke Franz Karl ignored Grand Duke Louis, but stood up and moved his chair next to Madame Sophie.

This move made Grand Duke Louis speechless instantly, and the two ministers of the Regency Council were also very terrified. After all, Madame Sophie's reputation was not very good. She would sink people in the Danube and hang them on street lamps at any time.

Of course, these are just rumors, but recently many nobles have been kidnapped by Bavarian gangs. The domestic secret police have investigated for several days but found nothing, and these problems are all directed at Madame Sophie.

"You four grown men have discussed for a whole day and still have no results?"

"No, Grand Duchess. This matter is very difficult."

"I don't think it's necessary to discuss this matter. If the Kingdom of Sardinia wants to go to war with us, then go to war. If it wants to stop the war, then push a few liberals out to die.

How can such a good thing happen in the world?"

Count Raikkonen and Baron Kiel looked at each other. It seemed that they had to fight to the end. However, this was nothing. After all, Marshal Radetzky had fought deep into the heart of the Kingdom of Sardinia and won a great victory. It was believed that it was only a matter of time before they surrendered.

Count Raikkonen finally asked, "What do you mean? Don't accept King Alberto's explanation?"

"Why not? Carlo Alberto's cousin is our queen. The Habsburg family has always been known for its kindness. We can't be too heartless."

"Then"

"The Papal States' army is still eyeing us, Milan and Venice are still in danger, and then, this is something sent by the Hungarians."

Mrs. Sophie put a document on the table.

"What is this?"

Count Raikkonen and Baron Kiel asked in unison, because this confidential document had been opened.

In theory, only the Regency Council and the Minister of War can view this kind of top-level confidential document. Mrs. Sophie's behavior is obviously a bit overstepping her authority.

"Let's take a look. The Hungarians proposed a twelve-point peace agreement. If we don't agree, they will go to war."

Count Raikkonen quickly took out the document and read it out:

[1. The Austrian Empire must completely stop the right to inspect and supervise all Hungarian publications.

2. Move the capital to Budapest.

3. Replace the original Great Council in Pressburg with the Small Council in Pest.

4. Religious freedom, legal equality, the Hungarian Parliament has the final right to interpret the laws of the Crown of St. Stephen.

5. Reorganize the army. Austrian officers must withdraw from the Hungarian army. All the troops in the Crown of St. Stephen are controlled by the Hungarian Parliament.

6. Abolish the labor service system. No one has the right to make Hungarians work for free. Hungary no longer has any feudal obligations to Austria.