Chapter 5: Two or Three Attempts to Form a German Customs Union (Part 2)

Time goes back to before the nobles approached the French. Because of the existence of Heinau, the great nobles could not directly take action.

After all, no one wants to try to see if the knife of this mad dog is still sharp.

So, the great nobles used the same trick again, publicizing that Austria had ambitions for the three southern German countries. The three kings of southern Germany did not care at all, and the officials began to ask whether they could retain their official positions and salary benefits after joining Austria.

The three southern German countries of Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden chose to lie down because they had no choice. After the Napoleonic Wars, France was not weakened much. The situation between the two lions of France and Austria has not been broken.

On the contrary, the Napoleonic Wars caused great damage to the rule of the three southern German countries. Although the three southern German countries are victorious countries, their strength has not only not been strengthened, but has experienced a huge landslide.

In addition, Prussia has obtained the Rhine region, and the oppression of this evil wolf on southern Germany is increasing day by day.

At this time, the three southern German countries have neither outlets to the sea nor are they agricultural countries. If they want to develop themselves, they can only rely on the powerful countries around them.

It is never an easy thing to seek the skin of a tiger.

Austria used to use them as a barrier to defend against France; the French used them as guns, and the expedition to Russia almost drained the three southern German countries, and buried tens of thousands of troops in the ice and snow of Russia; the Prussians supported them only to let them weaken Austria. As for the price, those who understand naturally understand.

The people and the aristocracy in the country, and even the capitalists, have long been dissatisfied with this incompetent government. Everyone hopes to change the status quo and have a strong country to protect their lives and property. A unified country and a unified market are their most urgent needs.

This is why southern Germany will become the main gathering place of the Greater German faction.

As the royal family of the former Holy Roman Empire, the Austrian Empire is now the chairman of the German Confederation. The fastest way to unify Germany seems to be to rely on the authority of Austria and the Habsburg family.

On the other hand, the Habsburg family has a good reputation, and the status and property of the nobles can be guaranteed, and they can even get a good compensation. This is a great temptation for those nobles who have a serious overall fiscal deficit.

Wouldn't it be great to take advantage of the change of regime to get rid of a group of creditors?

Austrian law stipulates that officials must know German. This is a great thing for officials and young talents in the three southern German countries. A larger country means more jobs.

After all, the number of Austria's main ethnic groups is very insufficient compared to its size.

The great nobles can't play conspiracy, so they can only rely on open conspiracy, that is, playing with public opinion.

However, Menet was well prepared and specially found Archbishop Rauscher to explain the pros and cons before the negotiations.

At the negotiation table, a group of bishops of the church came uninvited. Facing this group of charlatans, the great nobles of Austria could not be tough, after all, only Brahmins could defeat Kshatriya.

"Public opinion? Who said that public opinion is against joining the German Customs Union?" Archbishop Linz said with some disdain.

The aides of the nobles who were so arrogant just now immediately became deflated. Only one young man whispered, "This is the conclusion we have drawn after our investigation."

"Oh?" Archbishop Linz couldn't help laughing, "Which diocese are you from? Child."

The bishops around looked at each other and laughed. But the aides of these nobles couldn't laugh.

"The Diocese of Bohemia." The young man replied.

"Okay, child." Archbishop Linz turned to Archbishop Polslu, "Your Diocese of Bohemia should hold a vote and let this child see the conclusion."

At this time, the church still had considerable weight in the Austrian Empire. It might be difficult to ask the believers to hand over their property and go to the battlefield to kill the enemy, but it could be done in minutes to manipulate a vote.

"Okay, who is still opposed now? We accept the Catholic brothers in southern Germany." Archbishop Rauscher's words were more explicit, and there was no lack of contempt in them.

The relationship between the church and the nobles in this era was not very good, especially those new nobles who were engaged in industry and commerce. Because they refused to pay tithes and refused to pay tithes for their employees.

Especially after the Austrian Empire implemented religious freedom, the nobility and the church gradually parted ways. The church was dependent on the state, while the nobility hoped to gain more power.

Of course, there was both opposition and cooperation between the nobility and the church. Many bishops were of noble origin, and many nobles would send their second sons and daughters who could not get a good dowry to the church to avoid property division.

And when it comes to manipulating public opinion, the nobles are really no match for the church.

Facing the church, no noble was willing to come forward to find such bad luck, and the only way they could think of was to procrastinate.

Metternich had long anticipated the procrastination tactics used by the nobles, but he didn't think these nobles could do anything. At most, they would start an uprising in the local area. He had ordered the Minister of War, Count Latour, to pay close attention to domestic developments.

However, Metternich still underestimated the bottom line of this group of nobles.

Not long after, a letter and 200,000 francs were placed on the desk of French Cabinet Minister Guizot.

"Dear Mr. Guizot."

"Great France is suffering from a shameless conspiracy, and the despicable Germans are preparing to unite to fight against the great French Empire. The evil Prince Metternich intends to use an alliance to gradually annex the three southern German countries."

"Once the German conspiracy succeeds, the balance of power in Europe will inevitably be broken. The haze of war will once again cover the sky of Europe, for freedom and peace."

"I hope you can save the kind and innocent people from the baptism of war."

--True peace-loving Europeans

The British also received similar letters, but before the British had time to react, the French took the lead.

Guizot immediately sent a note to the three southern German countries under the pretext of Marshal Soult's order, demanding that the three southern German countries not join the customs union organized by Austria, otherwise they would retain the right to use force to dissolve the alliance.

The leaders of the three southern German countries immediately panicked and quickly recalled the envoys sent to Austria for negotiations. In response to the French note, the war faction, led by the Minister of War Count Latour, advocated the immediate assembly of troops, notifying the Holy Alliance countries, and mobilizing for war against France.

The great nobles warned the emperor that the Austrian treasury was empty and the troops were insufficient. The most important thing was to go to war with the French. Austria would bear the brunt and would definitely suffer huge losses. If we don't want the tragedy of the Napoleonic Wars to repeat itself, the best way is not to fight.

"You cowards! Do you think that the French will not see you if you become turtles? France is powerful, but have you forgotten who defeated it?" Count Latour had a hot temper. As an anti-French veteran, what he couldn't stand the most was the French's prestige.

"Latour! You are a reckless man. You have no money. Do you want to go to the battlefield yourself? Besides, just because of Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg, we are going to shed the last drop of Austria's blood?" Prince Wendigoretz retorted.

"Ferdinand (Prince Wendigoretz's name), this is not for others! The French have bullied us to our doorstep, which is intolerable for any soldier."

"The duty of a soldier is to obey and serve the country, not for your shitty dignity"

The two sides were on the verge of a fight, and Franz II was wavering in the middle. To be honest, he was very disgusted with France, but the Napoleonic Wars brought him too many bad memories, and he was a little scared.

At this time, a bad news came that an uprising broke out in Bohemia, protesting the entry of South German goods into Bohemia.

The local garrison could not suppress it and asked Vienna for help.

Francis II made the decision to stop the formation of the South German Customs Union and to suppress the domestic rebellion with all his strength.

After the emperor left, Count Latour glared at Prince Wendigoretz, "You dare!"

Everyone with a discerning eye knew that Bohemia had 80,000 regular troops, which was enough to suppress an uprising.