Chapter 1174 Transylvania
Before the news of the murder of Archduke Stefan spread, where were the people who hated the Magyars the most, and where were the people who were targeted the most by the Magyars.
That is none other than the various ethnic groups in Transylvania. Among them, the Transylvanians have suffered the greatest losses. Since the war began, two-thirds of the Transylvanians have lost their homes, and more than five One hundred thousand people died tragically.
On average, one in four people died in the war, or from hunger and disease brought about by the war.
Due to the existence of the poll tax during this period, it was common for various places to underreport the population, so the actual number of deaths was much higher than the official statistics of the Austrian Empire.
The Transylvanians suffered such tragic casualties. In addition to the Hungarian massacre policy and the continuous war, the most important casualties came from Transylvanian warlords and bandits.
Many powerful local families in Transylvania were unwilling to join Hungary as Magyars, nor were they willing to accept the recruitment of the Austrian imperial government.
Even if it is accepted, it is only formal obedience. In fact, one side of the separatist regime still disrespects the order, let alone the law.
These local emperors were unable to withstand foreign humiliation, and could not even protect the country and the people, but they were good at bullying ordinary people.
When encountering royalists, they would execute them in the name of the Hungarian government and seize their property. When encountering republicans, they would use the name of the Austrian Empire. Those who did not occupy either side would just slap the hat on them. What stands out is that they can continue to drain the lake.
The Saxons (German immigrants) suffered the greatest property losses. They became the target of everyone except the Austrian Empire almost from the beginning of the war.
Historically, the Austrian Empire treated the Transylvanian Saxons very favorably, so the latter accumulated a lot of wealth over hundreds of years.
But it is precisely because of this wealth and land that their will is not strong, and many people have turned to Hungarians and Transylvanians in order to keep their wealth.
However, how easy would it be for a group of fat sheep to seek skin from a tiger? The result was naturally a loss of wives and soldiers. Except for a few Saxons living near Kolossberg, most Saxons became refugees.
As a branch of the Magyars, the Sekesh people immediately joined the Hungarian camp. They actively participated in the war and paid taxes.
But they are not considered orthodox Magyars within Hungary.
Yes, the republicans also engage in orthodoxy within themselves, and the liberals also have hierarchies within them.
Coupled with the fact that the war was not going well, the Sekesh people naturally became cannon fodder, and a large number of young men were sent to fill the lines in the most dangerous places on the battlefield.
The old, weak, women and children were sent to the rear. In the name of protection, they were actually hostages, and they had to bear heavy logistical work. The fate of this nation can be imagined.
Anton von Puchner, as the highest military commander in Transylvania at this time, had actually been holding his breath.
He didn't like the feeling of being a coward, and he didn't like those clowns showing off their power in front of him.
The news of Archduke Stefan's death caused panic in the entire Transylvanian war zone. After all, the situation in the war zone at this time was not good.
Artur Gergay cut off the railway to Kolosberg, and supplies in the war zone continued to decrease, especially gunpowder and weapons.
It is hard to imagine that there would be a mixture of muskets, bows and arrows on the battlefields of great powers in the 19th century, and Artur Gergay's Hungarian army was also in very bad shape.
The main force led by Heinau has been besieging Budapest, and Kossuth has deployed all the troops he can mobilize to defend the capital in his heart.
Therefore, the situation of Artur's army at this time was not as good as that of Puchna. Most ordinary people around Kolossberg and those under the protection of the Austrian army did not know the situation.
The execution of Archduke Stefan by the Hungarians frightened many people, and some originally wavering speculators fled the royal territory and defected to Hungary.
Although the Hungarian government did not make the news public, Artur received news of the murders of Archduke Stefan and Petofi from his own channels.
The death of his friend made Artur feel sad and angry. He did not believe that Petofi would betray the revolution, let alone that such a strong man would commit suicide in prison.
Perhaps Petofi had long been prepared to face death, but he would not choose to die so cowardly.
The news of the murder of Archduke Stefan's family was so frightening that he almost fell to the ground. Such an outrageous act of executing the royal family would undoubtedly greatly boost his own morale if it was his own advantage.
But at this time, the cut off supplies, the dwindling number of soldiers, and some vague rumors made him feel desperate.
Executing members of the royal family at this time has completely angered the Austrian Empire and is completely cutting off a way out. After all, as long as the matter is not done, Austria will usually handle it very mildly.
This approach is completely forcing the Habsburg family to retaliate. If they choose not to retaliate, no one will praise their kindness, but they will be despised by all monarchies.
"Kossuth has gone crazy, it's time for us to consider our options."
Artur said to himself.
A figure flashed out of the shadows.
"General Gergei, your commanding skills are admirable. Maybe you deserve better."
Artur was silent. To be honest, he didn't want to come to this point. He had always regarded himself as a Hungarian nationalist, but now he had to be a lackey of foreigners to survive.
"Please give my regards to Duke Liubai."
"I will bring your greetings to you."
The figure retreated into the shadows again.
Anton von Puchner's talent as a general was very mediocre, but his loyalty to the empire with Jelachich was indeed worthy of praise.
So when he received the order for a full-scale counterattack, Puchner did not hesitate at all. In the shortest possible time, he gathered all the forces that Transylvania could mobilize to prepare for a decisive battle with Artur.
After several purifications, most of the people in Transylvania at this time were people loyal to the Austrian Empire, and some people who were forced into a desperate situation.
In this almost desperate situation, a strong leader can easily gain everyone's trust. The improvement in combat power brought about by ideological unity is huge, but it is not enough to eliminate the gap between mediocre generals and famous generals.
But one side planned how to run away, and the other side planned how to kill the other side, and there was a gap in the mentality of the two main generals.
Franz had been preparing for this day for many years. Klosburg was not without weapons, but Puchner did not know the existence of these weapons.
When the secret warehouses were opened one after another, Puchner knew that the Battle of Transylvania was won.
With these three victories, the Transylvanian Army finally defeated the Hungarian Army outside Kolosberg, and the whereabouts of the Hungarian Army's main general Artur Gergely were unknown.