Chapter 1292: Withdrawal
Puertoliano, a small town in the Austrian Empire occupied area.
The Austrian Empire transformed the city as usual, but hired more workers. At this time, almost no local gentry had any problems with the Austrian Empire.
After all, the Austrian Empire had a lot of official orders, and they would not lose money after the two were offset. And those poor people would eventually spend money after taking the money.
The refugees in the city had jobs, and the order of the city was also improving. Repairing roads and cities further promoted the economic recovery.
Although life was still a bit hard, the vitality of the city had returned.
At noon, the church bells rang, and the citizens lined up to receive the meals distributed by the priests as usual. The food seemed to be more abundant than before, and the mood of the citizens became better.
The devout believers were praising God, and those who worshipped the empire were praising the emperor, but there was no hatred between the two sides.
Most people were just enjoying the food.
It was no surprise to people that the local bishops and officials of the Austrian Empire appeared together.
"Citizens of Puertoliano, peace has come. The terrible Queen Isabel II has been overthrown, and you will be protected by King Carlos VI.
The Austrian army will fulfill its promise and gradually withdraw from the Real Province from today. I hope you can continue to maintain your faith and abide by the law. I wish you happiness and good health."
The officials of the Austrian Empire returned the keys to the city gates and warehouses to Puertoliano, left some supplies, and then withdrew from the Real Province as expected.
The sudden withdrawal of the Austrian Empire made many Spaniards confused. To be honest, they really thought that Austria was here to occupy Spain, but they didn't object.
At this time, the withdrawal of the Austrian Empire made them feel strange, but most people could accept it. In fact, as long as there was no war, it would be a good day for civilians.
Many people have begun to study how to curry favor with the new emperor and new officials. Only a very small number of diehards of the Austrian Empire or those who have invested heavily in the Austrians will really consider following the Austrian Empire.
Years of war have resulted in a large number of orphans and widows on Spanish soil. Most of the soldiers of the Austrian Empire are young men full of vigor and vitality. In addition, it is inevitable that something will happen when they are far away from their homeland.
The military discipline of the Austrian Empire is very strict, but if the woman is willing to accept monetary compensation or get married under mediation, it will not be considered a violation of military regulations.
Therefore, the military priests of the Austrian Empire are particularly tired. They not only have to be witnesses of death sentences, but also mediators and even witnesses.
However, in the Austrian Empire or the German Confederation, soldiers are usually required to be forced to retire and then receive a resettlement fee to settle down locally.
But in Spain, they can only ask their other half to accompany the army, and there are strict regulations for the military dependents who accompany them. After all, the military discipline of the army is too important.
Of course, there is also a part of the vagrants who joined the Austrian Empire Army. These people have no feelings for their homeland, and they don’t care whether they are Spanish or Austrian.
For them, leaving their hometown is not a burden at all
The Austrian soldiers still feel a little pity. Although they don’t understand it very well, they always feel a little bit of loss.
The senior officials and generals are even more unhappy.
"We just retreated like this? Why do we feel like we've been cuckolded?"
An officer said angrily in the carriage.
"Your analogy is a bit inappropriate. We are outsiders. Her husband has returned. Aren't we going to run away and get beaten?"
A civil servant looked at the roof of the carriage shed with some disappointment.
"It's not like we can't beat the Carlos faction!"
The officer said indignantly.
"The empire always has to save face."
"Then our efforts for so long have been in vain?"
"It's hard to say. His Majesty only asked us to retreat to the second line, but he didn't say we had to withdraw from Spain."
"So there's still hope?" The officer was a little excited.
"I didn't say that, and His Majesty didn't make a clear will. It's not realistic for us to withdraw from Spain all at once, and the Spanish haven't paid yet.
If we leave now, do you think the Spanish government can keep its promise with its credibility?"
"I hope they don't keep their promise, so that we can drive the Bourbon family out of Spain in a fair and square manner."
"It's not that easy! The Arabs failed to conquer this land for hundreds of years, and Napoleon sacrificed his empire to conquer this land.
We, the Austrian Empire, can't follow in their footsteps."
In Puertoliano, with the departure of the Austrian Empire's army and government, the city fell into chaos again.
After all, Carlos VI's men could not fill the vacancy in the first place, and during this vacuum period, the most evil desires in many people's hearts were triggered.
But some people resisted the temptation of desire and did not let the order of the city return to chaos, but a series of storms were inevitable.
The situation in a specific area mainly depends on the character and pattern of the local gentry and nobles. However, most gentry are studying how to sever ties with the original Spanish government and the Austrians. After all, the rulers have changed again, and their thinking must also change.
Finally, on the third day after the Austrian imperial army left, Carlos VI's army arrived. Under the organization of the local gentry and nobles, the citizens took to the streets to welcome the royal army.
The citizens welcomed the army of Carlos VI with great enthusiasm, but the general on the tall horse didn't care at all, and the soldiers showed greedy eyes.
"Marshal Cabrera, welcome to the city. We have prepared the highest standard of welcome ceremony for you, please accept it."
The slightly fat president of the Chamber of Commerce and the mayor of Puertoliano both had humble and flattering smiles on their faces.
The local celebrities on both sides of the road were looking forward to it.
Cabrera just waved his hand.
"No thanks!"
This made a group of officials and celebrities feel a little embarrassed.
"Marshal, please come! Everyone has been looking forward to your coming for a long time."
The mayor of Puertoliano came over and asked again, but Cabrera obviously didn't want to give this face.
"Can't you hear me? I heard that you all swore allegiance to Isabel II?"
"Look at what you said. Were we not forced to do so? We..."
Before the mayor of Puertoliano finished speaking, Cabrera said again.
"Did you do the same when the Austrians came?"
This time, the smile of the mayor of Puertoliano froze on his face. He didn't expect that the other party would be so embarrassed.
You know, for hundreds of years, his family has been in charge of this city, and even when the Austrians came, they didn't give him face like this.
"Am I right? Mr. Mayor?"
Cabrera asked with a smile.
"Marshal, we were also forced to do so."
Although he was very angry, the mayor could only greet him with a smile. Who made the situation stronger than people?
"Mr. Mayor, the kingdom's military expenditure is not enough now, you see."