Chapter 1117 Rumors
Kossuth, as in history, miraculously pulled out a force of more than 200,000 people in just over ten days.
But problems soon followed. At this time, Hungary's arsenal did not have many new muzzle-loading smoothbore rifles produced by Hungary, and even the old antiques produced by Austria in the last century.
In more than half a year, the Hungarian government has theoretically armed more than 600,000 people. However, anyone with a discerning eye can see the real strength of Hungary, but the difference is unknown.
The Hungarians' strategic reserves are seriously insufficient, which also proves from the side that the Hungarians were too optimistic before the rebellion or that they did not expect a rebellion to happen.
Over the years, the Hungarian government has refused to pay the cost of updating equipment on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is very common to sell weapons privately within the army and the government.
At this time, it is reasonable that the Hungarians have insufficient weapons reserves. Kossuth had no choice but to collect weapons from the public.
The word "collection" is well used, but the people below did not implement it well, and soon the collection turned into robbery.
Needless to say, ruthless people like Qiu Tekalai and his self-defense force, the police and gendarmes in the Budapest area were like tigers out of the cage.
But what was even more fucked up was that some smart people and gang members also took the opportunity to pretend to be the staff responsible for collecting weapons and spread rumors everywhere.
The collection of weapons also became the surrender of property. These people broke into houses with forged documents and killed and set fires everywhere, but no one dared to stop them. Many people thought that their actions were ordered by the government.
As a result, public resentment arose, and small-scale riots occurred from time to time.
In extraordinary times, extraordinary laws were implemented. Kossuth issued an order that those who participated in the riots could be directly executed without trial.
Severe punishments are indeed the fastest way to quell chaos in most cases, but it cannot solve the fundamental problem.
Especially at the moment, most of those who fish in troubled waters have deep backgrounds, and some are even relatives and subordinates of officials. They know more about the current situation than the detectives who come to deal with them.
But none of this is important to Kossuth. What is important is to stop the upcoming Austrian army. In addition to recruiting new troops, he also recalled most of the troops that had been dispersed to conquer various ethnic minorities.
After all, if Hungary was gone, the conquered lands and ethnic groups would have no meaning.
Transylvania.
In a small town called Bonye, the only tavern that was still open was booked.
Gergely Artur, who had not shaved for several months, looked a little down and out. His uniform was a little old, with serious wear and tear on the cuffs, and it also exuded an indescribable smell, but it was still insignificant compared to the stench in the bar.
Petofi, who was sitting opposite him, was not much better. Seeing Petofi at this time would not remind people of the great poet revolutionary, but a unkempt tramp.
They won many victories in Transylvania, but they could never take down Puchner's main force.
Puchner and Klosberg were like a stabilizing force that prevented the Hungarians from completely conquering Transylvania, let alone effectively collecting supplies from the local area.
The Hungarians occupied two-thirds of Transylvania, but these lands could not provide them with any help, and it cost a lot to maintain the occupation of these lands.
The ubiquitous guerrillas and mobs shuttled through the mountains and forests, and even a famous general like Gergey Artur had no good way to solve the problem.
After all, there were still Austrians watching covetously. If he attacked rashly, the Austrians would definitely take the opportunity to create more trouble.
Similarly, when Artur wanted to concentrate his forces to deal with the Austrians first, the guerrillas would definitely jump out and take a bite.
It was very uncomfortable to be stuck in the middle and unable to use your strength, and the security war was extremely energy-consuming. No wonder the two were so tired.
"Shandor, I think you shouldn't go back. Kossuth is crazy. The Austrians have hundreds of thousands of regular troops, while we only have a group of farmers who have just put down their hoes and students who have never killed a chicken.
I heard that there are no vagrants in Budapest now. They have all been sent to the army. Can such an army really fight?
Look at what Kossuth has done! We came here to massacre Transylvanians, Roma, Saxons, and maybe Wallachians and Moldavia.
What is the purpose of doing this? We massacred them today, and we will massacre their relatives and friends tomorrow.
But what did we get?
These medals?
I don't care! My family is rich, I can ask the best craftsmen to make some silver or even gold for me!"
After hearing this, Petofi sighed and said in a hoarse voice.
"Listen, Artur. My friend, maybe you can't understand what we did in Transylvania, but you can't stop a person from loving his motherland and his mother.
I don't agree with Kossuth's actions, but Transylvania is the land of our ancestors and the sacred and inviolable property of Hungary, and this will never change.
History will remember our sacrifices, and now I am going back to Budapest.
My motherland needs me! This reason is enough!
I am not afraid of strong enemies, let alone death."
"But Sandor is not afraid of you even if you die!"
"Then let my funeral be more magnificent!"
The two of them drank an unknown number of drinks later, and Gergey Artur revealed a question that had been hidden in his heart.
"But how are you going to deal with the Austrian war weapons flying in the sky?"
Petofi was stunned for a while before laughing.
"Artur, my friend. You don't think that's true, do you? I've been to Vienna, and their newspapers love to bluff."
Artur sat up straight and said solemnly.
"I don't find it funny, and I don't think the British and French would tell this lie on behalf of the Austrians."
"Don't be stupid, my friend. The great powers are all hypocritical. Whether it is the British or the French, their governments need to find a reason for defeat.
Only our Hungarian nation can have honest people like you in this world. "
Artur's face was flushed and he didn't know whether he drank too much wine or was holding it in.
"But it can't be unfounded."
"Well, probably a hot air balloon. We just need to cut his rope on the ground and don't have to worry about it anymore."
Petofi is still very optimistic about defending Buda-Pest. Theoretically speaking, the number of troops participating in the war should be similar between the two sides. Hungary still occupies a geographical advantage and is ready to work.
On the other hand, although the Austrian army won consecutive battles in 1848, they should have been exhausted by fighting in many places, and they might really have a chance to defeat them.