Chapter 909 National Martyrdom

The marching crowd became noisy again, and the news from the veterans was obviously inconsistent with the news known by the former.

"What? The Austrian army conquered Rome?"

"It should be said that it was liberated." The tall foreigner corrected.

"How is this possible? Isn't it said that Austria is now in internal and external troubles? The battlefield in Italy was beaten and the armor was abandoned. Marshal Radetzky's beard was burned!"

"Yes! I heard that the Hungarians broke into Pressburg and carried out a massacre."

"Not only that! The Bohemians also rebelled!"

"They are only a few hundred people."

"What's wrong with a few hundred people? Huss also had only a few hundred people back then! Didn't he still beat the Holy Roman Empire coalition to a loss of armor?"

But no matter what, the confidence of the marching crowd was shaken again.

In fact, when Franz was crowned King of Rome by Pope Pius IX in Rome, the information was immediately transmitted to Vienna.

Although this was just a political show, everyone knew how important this political show was to Austria at that time.

The only person who didn't take this matter so seriously was Franz himself. He was more worried about the international impact that this title would bring.

After all, the word "Rome" is too influential in Europe and will make people think of many things.

However, the Vienna government at this time was in extreme chaos. In the past less than a hundred days, more than twenty prime ministers had been replaced.

The average life span of a government is less than 15 days, and the longest is more than a week. The direct consequence of such frequent changes of power is not only chaos, but also poor communication of information.

In addition to the government, the royal family had different opinions on Franz's coronation. Mrs. Sophie and Archduke Franz Karl naturally thought it was a good thing.

The former had ambitions and naturally liked Franz's titles and titles to be longer, while the latter was just happy to see the author's expression was very excited.

As for Ferdinand I, he had no objection. To be honest, he didn't like this mess at all, and he knew very well that he would retire in a few months.

But the conservative Grand Duke Louis and Queen Anna were very dissatisfied, because Ferdinand I was still in power at this time, and whether a crown prince had the right to obtain titles from other countries was still under discussion.

They even brought up the Salic Law

Due to the fierce internal debate, the news that Franz became the King of Rome was repeatedly delayed.

The reason why the veterans of the Invalides knew this news was entirely because the herald who was responsible for delivering the order had an acquaintance in the Invalides.

The appearance of the disabled veterans on the streets at this time was not in Franz's plan at all. After all, he did not want these people who had shed blood for the country to make unnecessary sacrifices in their later years.

In fact, conspirators such as Lieutenant General Morka and Duke Fantro knew that Franz had won a great victory in Italy.

But because of this, they had to launch this coup immediately. After all, Archduke Franz never liked them, the great nobles.

Moreover, once Franz returns, he will have unparalleled prestige, and the power of the royal family will overwhelm the nobles again. At that time, they may face the scene of being at the mercy of others.

However, they are not completely desperate. According to their estimation, even if Franz sets out immediately after sending the message back, he will not be able to bring all the troops back to Vienna within two or three days.

In addition, in order to ensure victory, they also sent people to destroy several key railways and bridges.

In fact, in their hearts, if they can blow Franz to death on the way back and then put the blame on the Italians, it would be the best.

The appearance of the police and veterans has seriously affected the morale of the parade, and some of them have begun to retreat.

Lieutenant General Morka naturally cannot allow such a situation to happen, but he does not need to go into battle personally.

The leader of the parade knows very well that what they are doing is a business of losing their heads. Those big men may be forgiven, but if they fail, they will be doomed.

They will not sympathize with any disabled veterans, and the gunshots rang out again. As the crowd cried out, an old soldier fell straight down.

However, the neat ranks of the old soldiers did not disband, and no one ran away with their heads in their hands. The old soldiers did not even look at their fallen companions.

The gunshots rang out again, and another old soldier fell in a pool of blood, but they still had no intention of retreating.

People might panic at the first gunshot, but the gunshots rang out one after another, and the marching crowd soon found the position of the gunman.

A lame old soldier raised his crutches and pointed at the gunman, but he didn't say anything.

Suddenly, an old soldier sang the Austrian national anthem, which was their youth, their pride, and their greatest achievement in life.

After the marching crowd passed, only the bodies of the old soldiers were left. The tall foreigner watched all this in silence. He just silently saluted these warriors and disappeared with his men in the bloody street.

Gunshots, cannons, explosions, and screams continued to come from a distance, and Lieutenant General Morka put down the red wine glass in his hand.

"It's our turn! Today we will be the masters of Vienna!"

The adjutant carefully untied Lieutenant General Morka's scarf like a waiter and wiped the food residue from his mouth.

In the city defense camp, Lieutenant General Morka said to the soldiers in great sorrow.

"Our royal family and our government have taken off their merciful coats and revealed their brutal side!

Looking at the compatriots and innocent citizens being slaughtered by the royal guards, I feel heartbroken"

"Down with Austria! Down with the Habsburgs! We are going to rescue our compatriots! Long live Germany!"

Lieutenant General Morka's confidants cooperated very well and shouted slogans very loudly, but some people still found it incredible. They were just lower-level nobles and they had never thought about rebellion.

But with Lieutenant General Morka and his confidants, this part of the people could only remain silent.

Lieutenant General Morka still counted on this group of people to fight for their lives, so he naturally could not allow the existence of fence-sitters.

"Just now I received an order from Emperor Ferdinand I, who asked me to kill all the nobles without titles in the city.

My conscience prevented me from executing such a crazy order."

The range of nobles without titles is large, and the branches of hereditary nobles usually cannot inherit titles.

"Down with Austria! Capture Ferdinand I alive!"

The knife was already hanging over his head. At this time, after hearing the instigation of Lieutenant General Morka's men, those people had to join Lieutenant General Morka's team and shouted slogans.

Lieutenant General Morka knew that threats and fear alone could not fully mobilize people's enthusiasm.

So Lieutenant General Morka promised that as long as the Hofburg Palace was captured, this palace with hundreds of years of history could be looted.