Chapter 870 Twelve Articles (Part 1)
Since Pius IX revived the concept of Italy, the good days of the liberals in the Kingdom of Sardinia began.
The subsequent Sicilian uprising gave it a free ride, and the Holy War of the Papal States and the Kingdom of Sardinia's decision to send troops pushed it to the top.
These "Carbonari remnants" began to imagine that perhaps Carlo Alberto and Pius IX would accept their constitution.
Carlo Alberto did appoint a number of liberal officials and even pardoned Carbonari members who had opposed him.
The king's series of "wise" actions convinced them that that day seemed not far away.
The liberals and the domestic bourgeoisie also began to reciprocate. They began to praise Carlo Alberto's virtuous name in newspapers and in public.
But the king always had only one thing on his mind, and that was how to get rid of these troublesome guys in the country.
Although Carlo Alberto strictly ordered that the story of the defeat should not be reported, what was helpless was that before the expedition, Eusebio and Ettore de Sanaz found the newspaper office almost coincidentally.
In addition to professional reporters from newspapers, there were also a large number of so-called civilian tabloid reporters accompanying the army.
These people were all released by Marshal Radetzky as non-combatants.
As a result, rumors spread everywhere, true and false news flying all over the sky. In addition, Austrian intelligence agents interfered with it, and the people even got the news before the official.
At this time, Carlo Alberto's reputation was in disgrace. 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 began to arrest domestic liberals with great fanfare.
For a time, the entire Piedmont region was full of bloodshed, especially universities, newspapers and factories, which became the focus of the king's army.
The situation took a turn for the worse, even making those naive people wonder whether the king was really possessed by evil spirits.
I don’t know if the king is possessed by evil spirits, but some constitutionalists and liberals never believed that the king would arrest them until their death.
They wanted to scare off the army with just one response as before, but they suddenly found that the support was gone.
Most of their supporters were sent to the battlefield, and most of them were captured. Even if they escaped by chance, those people would not be able to return for a while.
Therefore, Carlo Alberto's bloody actions did not encounter much resistance, but the messenger from the Kingdom of Sardinia was directly arrested by Radetzki as a spy.
To be honest, this was the first time in his life that the 82-year-old marshal had encountered such a shameless person. However, Alberto's actions were known to everyone, so Radetzky decided not to be ashamed.
Anyway, it is normal for the elderly to have trouble seeing and hearing.
However, the old marshal still underestimated Carlo Alberto. His cousin was the empress of the Austrian Empire, so he could skip Radetzky, the war marshal, if he wanted to send a message to Vienna.
Vienna, Hofburg Palace.
Count Raikkonen, Baron Kiel, Archduke Franz Karl, and Grand Duke Louis all looked at each other in confusion. With their political wisdom, it was difficult to figure out what Carlo Alberto was doing.
Count Raikkonen and Baron Kiel were already marginalized figures. They used to do whatever others said.
As for Archduke Franz Karl and Grand Duke Louis, these two were even more heavyweights. The four of them looked at each other together for a long time but couldn't come up with a solution.
To be honest, none of them have a good impression of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which has repeatedly jumped, but if the other party surrenders, it should be more beneficial to the Austrian side. After all, there is one less enemy.
But it was emotionally unacceptable, and at this moment Mrs. Sophie broke in.
Generally speaking, women are not allowed in this kind of place where military and political matters are discussed, but the kind of people who can take charge of the overall situation are no longer there, so naturally Mrs. Sophie has nothing to worry about.
In fact, at this time, everyone in the Regency Council really hopes to have a backbone. Even the most staid Grand Duke Louis showed a very happy expression, but he still had to act like an elder.
"Grand Duchess Sophie, you shouldn't be here."
"Then shall I leave?"
Grand Duke Louis turned his face to look at his nephew.
"Take care of your wife. What a shame."
Archduke Franz Karl ignored Archduke Louis, but stood up and moved his chair next to Madame Sophie.
This move made Grand Duke Louis speechless for a moment, and the two ministers of the Regent Council were also frightened. After all, Madame Sophie had a bad reputation, and she easily drowned people in the Danube River and hung up street lamps.
Of course, these are just rumors, but recently many nobles have been kidnapped by Bavarian gangs. The domestic secret police have been investigating for several days but have not found anything, and these problems are all pointed at Mrs. Sophie.
"You four grown men have been discussing for a whole day and still haven't come up with any results?"
"Not yet, Princess. This matter is very difficult."
"I don't think there is any need to discuss this matter. If the Kingdom of Sardinia wants to start a war with us, it can start a war. If it wants to stop the war, it can push a few liberals to die.
How could such a good thing happen in this world? "
Count Raikkonen and Baron Kiel looked at each other, and it seemed that they were going to fight to the end, but that didn't matter. After all, Marshal Radetzki had fought deep into the heart of the Kingdom of Sardinia and won a great victory. I believe it would only be a matter of time before he surrendered. The problem.
Count Raikkonen finally asked, "What do you mean? You don't accept King Alberto's explanation?"
"Why don't you accept it? Carlo Alberto's cousin is our queen. The Habsburg family has always been known for its kindness, so we can't be too ruthless."
"That"
"The Papal State's army is still watching, Milan and Venetia are still in danger, and then, this is what the Hungarians sent."
Madame Sophie placed a document on the table.
"What's this?"
Count Raikkonen and Baron Kiel asked in unison, because the confidential document had been opened.
In theory, this top-level secret document can only be viewed by the Regent Council and the Minister of War. Mrs. Sophie's behavior was obviously overstepping her bounds.
"Let's see. The Hungarians proposed a twelve-point peace agreement. If we don't agree, they will go to war."
Count Raikkonen quickly pulled out the document and read out:
[1. The Austrian Empire must completely cease its right to censor and supervise all publications in Hungary.
2. Move the capital to Budapest.
3. Replace the original Great Parliament of Pressburg with the Small Parliament of Pest.
4. Religious freedom, legal equality, and the Hungarian Parliament have the final right to interpret the laws of the St. Stephen’s Crown Territory.
5. Reorganize the army. Austrian officers must withdraw from the Hungarian army. All armies in the crown territory of St. Stephen are controlled by the Hungarian Parliament.
6. Abolish the labor service system. No one has the right to let Hungarians work for free. Hungary no longer had any feudal obligations to Austria.