Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 962 - 870: England and Austria’s Last-Ditch Effort
Chapter 962: Chapter 870: England and Austria’s Last-Ditch Effort
On the tallest tower of Mantua Fortress, Bolieu and Wilmsze watched as four riders dashed out of the fortress, braving the French Army’s concentrated fire, and soon disappeared from view.
The two Austrian commanders silently made the sign of the cross over their chests, praying that those cavalrymen could break through the encirclement and deliver their joint plea for help to Vienna.
Outside the fortress, the French Hunters armed with rifled guns quickly shot three riders dead, then the company commander hastily pressed down the soldier’s guns still eager to fire:
"Let him go! Hey, stop shooting!"
This was Napoleon’s order.
Allowing the messenger to escape was meant to hasten Austria’s dispatch of reinforcements to Mantua, while the killing of the other three added urgency on the Vienna front.
...
Vienna.
Schonbrunn Palace.
In the Grand Gallery Hall, Mainz diplomat Mayer knelt on the scarlet carpet, wiping away tears with his sleeve, choking out to Franz II:
"The people of Mainz are in urgent need of the great Emperor’s rescue... Every day there are people fleeing from the Rhein West Shore to our side, while people in Mainz city are flocking to Frankfurt.
"Across the river, there are seven or eight thousand French troops staring at Frankfurt like hyenas, begging you to grant them an eagle flag to give us the courage to face their cannon..."
The Bavarian Crown Prince Maximilian loudly interrupted him: "Your Majesty, the French clearly do not care about Northern Germany.
"Currently, more than 30,000 French troops are heading south and could cross the Rhine River at any time to launch an attack on Mei Minggen, we are the real target of the French.
"You know, our country lost a large number of troops in Luxembourg, and we have no strength to resist the French."
He glanced at Franz II, his tone faintly threatening: "If you do not send reinforcements, the Elector will have no choice but to compromise with the French. Once the French Army crosses Bavaria, they will face Linz directly."
Linz is in the western province of Austria, only 150 kilometers from Vienna.
Next to him, the Foreign Minister of Cologne also knelt down, about to speak, but saw Franz II stand up with a stony face, turn around the chair, leaving a sentence "Baron Tugut will reply to you", and quickly walked out of the hall.
Mayer hurriedly turned and knelt, raising his hand to Franz II’s back: "Your most supreme majesty, we’ve received your solemn promise that you will make up for the losses this war has caused to the various states..."
Franz II forcefully kneaded the letter in his pocket, a letter perilously delivered by Wilmsze.
Currently, Mantua Fortress only has 20,000 soldiers left, surrounded by a massive 55,000 French Army outside that could fall at any moment.
And those damn Bavarians and Mainzers are still asking him to divert troops for reinforcements.
He didn’t even know where the troops to reinforce Mantua would come from!
Suddenly, a thought emerged in Franz II’s mind, maybe, just negotiate peace with France...
At this moment, Count Rhinefeels, the Foreign Minister, walked up to him, quickly making a chest salute upon seeing him: "Your Majesty, Lord Grenville requests an audience."
"He’s finally here. Damn British," Franz II gritted his teeth and muttered, "It was him who said they could easily defeat France...
"Let him go to the Grand Gallery Hall... No, send him directly to my reception room."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A dozen minutes later, Lord Grenville appeared before Franz II, bowing in salute.
Without waiting for the British Foreign Minister to speak, the Emperor of Holy Rome spoke angrily: "Great Britain can hardly even restrain its allies, ha, first Holland surrendered, then even Prussia was scared by the French!
"Please tell me, how should this war be continued!"
"Confidence and perseverance." Grenville said calmly, "Please believe me, France is facing no fewer difficulties than we are.
"Our country has cut off all of France’s maritime trade, which will bring devastating damage to their finances.
"As long as we resolutely fight on, maybe next month, or the month after, the French will retreat!"
Franz II waved a hand: "Your fleet suffered in the Mediterranean..."
"Indeed, the French used despicable tricks to scheme against Lord Hood," the British promptly replied, "but our country has already planned a massive shipbuilding program; in six months, the Mediterranean Fleet will have 60 steam battleships.
"You know, the French rely on these ships for raids.
"By then, France will lose all Mediterranean trade, as well as control over North Africa. This will completely destroy France’s finances!
"And you, the great Emperor, just need to lead the Empire in holding out until that moment, and the scales of victory will tip back to our favor."
"Six months?" Franz II shook his head, "That’s too long. What I need now is a way to deal with the Northern Italy situation!"
"1.2 million British pounds." Lord Grenville proclaimed, "Our country will provide you with a 1.2 million pound interest-free loan, I have brought people from the Bank of England with me, it can be disbursed within a week."
1.2 million British pounds is 30 million francs, which shows Britain is going all out this time.
The British cast a glance at the Emperor of Holy Rome’s expression and added: "Your Majesty, I can also disclose a confidential matter to you.
"Actually, half a month ago, when the French Army invaded Manheim, Mr. Wilberforce discovered a major loophole in France’s finances.
"He has already prepared to attack on that point soon. If successful, perhaps without waiting for six months, France’s finances will collapse."
Indeed, in this world, gold coins can solve most problems.
1.2 million British pounds clearly gave Franz II new courage.
He exchanged a look with Count Rhinefeels, who promptly told the British Foreign Minister:
"His Majesty will seriously consider your proposal. At the latest tomorrow afternoon, I will personally reply to you."
Two hours later, Austria’s high officials gathered at Schonbrunn Palace, under Franz II’s chairmanship, to discuss the expansion of conscription.
By dusk, the new conscription decree was already signed.
The decree stipulates:
First, in all German provinces in the Empire, landlords must delegate one person to join the army for every 15 male serfs they own (age limit between 16 to 40).
Second, the Hungarian Nobles Council must dispatch 17,000 soldiers within a month, and the Galicia Nobles Council must dispatch 10,000 soldiers within a month, all to assemble at Goz.
Third, in the name of the Emperor of Holy Rome, summon all noble men aged 16 to 45 across the Empire to join the holy war.
In addition, Baron Tugut also suggested sending 10,000 troops stationed at Legnica in Silesia to Italy.
The plan is to summon a total of 80,000 troops, commanded by Marshal Alvinczy, to regain control of Northern Italy.
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