Chapter 35: To Call White Black
On March 9, 1848, Vienna became more and more chaotic. Burning, killing, and looting occurred, and the whole city lost order.
This was the third day of the revolution. Due to the conflict between the working class and the capitalists, there had been many scuffles between the two sides.
If it were not for the existence of a common enemy, the two sides would have parted at that time. Even if they maintained a nominal alliance, both sides were acting willfully.
The fact was that those in the revolution still needed to feed themselves; as a result, the first ones out of luck were the capitalists in the grain industry, as their grain stores were taken over by the workers.
The workers, who had been exploited severely for generations, at the encouragement of some "kind" people, began to think of revenge. Since the violence had already started, many people simply did everything they wanted to do to the capitalists, taking an eye for an eye.
They killed the supervisors, they finished the thugs hired by the capitalists, and then they turned on the capitalists themselves.
After the first time, there was a second time. The hands of the capitalists were covered with the blood of the workers. It would have been fine if there was no one to guide the workers, but once someone encouraged them, the workers could no longer stay back.
Many union representatives who wanted to stop them instantly became known as counter-revolutionaries and capitalists in the eyes of workers. Nothing could stop them from taking revenge.
The people's desire was deep and dark. After they killed the first capitalist and distributed his wealth, they couldn't help themselves.
This situation heightened the conflict between the two sides. In order to safeguard their own interests, the capitalists hurriedly formed their own revolutionary army, and there were many fights between the two forces.
The revolutionary army led by the capitalists aimed the revolution at the Vienna nobles, while the working class revolutionary army went against the nobles and capitalists together.
In a manor in Vienna, a large group of people gathered. These people were all putting money ahead of their own lives: people who were afraid of death had already fled Vienna.
An old man said in a trembling tone, "Mr. Owen, what else can I do now? The mob is targeting us. Within just two days, 13 gentlemen have been killed!
The property that has been robbed is even more difficult to count. If this situation continues, it will not be long before it is our turn!"
Everyone turned to Owen, who had planned the revolution. The situation was out of control, and everyone was hoping that he could come up with effective measures.
Owen looked at the crowd with a livid face. He hadn't expected the situation to become such a mess. His original purpose was to use the working class's lives to establish a capitalist regime.
Unfortunately, before the new government had been established, he lost control. The revolutionary party he'd raised had no ability to fulfill the mission entrusted to them.
The representatives of the labor unions, who were bought by the capitalists, could not control the workers at all. The revolution deviated from their predetermined purpose from the beginning.
"I am also deeply sorry for the accidental murder of these thirteen gentlemen. Death cannot be undone. May they rest in peace!
However, their blood will not flow in vain, and we will get revenge. Including everyone's property losses, the current loss is just the price we pay for future gains.
The current situation is very unfavorable. We have to start forming an alternative plan to send people to negotiate with the Emperor, and at the same time, we must prepare to suppress these rebels!"
Everyone was silent. Negotiation was the last choice. They were also smart enough to understand that they were at a disadvantage, and the Army was still loyal to the royal family.
This time, they'd just caught the government unprepared. If the City Defense Army returned, the situation would probably change.
No one thought that it was possible to beat the regular army with a group of rabble.
Smart people were all rational: if they found that the situation reversed, they would surely find a way to get out. Especially after the internal conflicts broke out, everyone's revolutionary enthusiasm was even lower.
It was all right to revolutionize others, but not their own; that was out of the question.
At that time, a young man in his twenties, wearing glasses, stood up and asked, "Mr. Owen, do you think it is possible? Don't forget, we've had no way out since the beginning of the uprising.
Think about how many nobles we have executed in the past two days! I am sure that you know the complicated relationship between ourselves and the nobility. Do you think they will let us go after all that?
Even if they let us go now, how can we guarantee that they will not hold it against us afterward? Do you think that our epileptic emperor can make the decision?"
People who had been ready to accept reality and prepare to compromise hesitated again then.
In this revolution, the nobles in Vienna suffered heavy losses, and the enmity between the two sides had already been set.
Even then, they could rely on their power to force the Court of Vienna to compromise. But once the City Defense Army returned, the dynamic between the two sides would be reversed.
The armed forces in their hands were not the regular army, whose dissolution was only a matter of time. If the two sides fell out, they would not even have the strength to resist.
This time was different from the previous confrontation with Prime Minister Metternich. They followed the rules and did not use extraordinary means.
For if they had broken the rules themselves, how could they expect the nobles to follow the rules of the game?
This was a very realistic question. Even if they had controlled the government, they had no power to fight against the nobles.
After listening to the young man, Owen's face was more livid. How could he have failed to think of these problems?
However, he still had a way to ensure that he himself could get out safely, even if it wouldn't work for the others. In this uprising, he had already had enough, and the worse deal for him was exile overseas.
"Rams, everyone recognizes the problems you stated, and I have no way to give a guarantee. But don't forget, even though the casualties of the noble are so great, it is not us who did it.
Obviously, it was all done by those bumpkins. We organized the army only to protect ourselves and suppress the rebellion. This uprising has nothing to do with us.
Aren't there some nobles who have supported us before? It is time for them to come forward to take on this rebellion!"
Owen called white black without a blink. Although it was self-deception, it was undoubtedly a good way to transfer hatred.
The nobles wanted revenge after what had happened, out of grief and honor. In order to safeguard the interests of their class, they had to do it, but this did not mean that all of them really wanted to avenge their dead.
Many people would even celebrate this. Since some families had no descendants, they could inherit a title and maybe a fief.
As long as they could find scapegoats, transfer the hatred, and then throw money at their problems, they might be passed over.
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