Chapter 371: The Failed Uprising
On February 15, 1865, the rebel army, unaware that they had been betrayed, launched an armed rebellion according to plan. Thus igniting the flames of revolution in Milan and Venice simultaneously.
Under the leadership of the core members of the Hungarian independence organization, a group of Italian mercenaries unwittingly became rebels, launching an attack on the Austrian government.
In Venice, the rebels attacking the police station were met with a fierce counterattack by the police. Rebellion in this era was not just about having many people; it also required having guns.
Unfortunately, the few guns possessed by the Hungarian independence organization were insufficient, while the police station had over a hundred heavily armed police officers at the ready.
Taft said in panic, Ottokr, the situation is not right. The enemy was already prepared and the ambush failed, we should retreat immediately.
Looking at the fearless rebels who had been captured, Ottokr knew they were doomed. Dont be fooled by their numbers; their combat capability was utterly poor.
Just imagine, a group of rebels armed only with cold weapons facing fully armed police forces; the inevitable outcome was self-evident.
Moreover, these Italian mercenaries were only dragged into the battlefield. They had no resolve to shed blood for the revolution.
Ottokr said anxiously, The news must have leaked. Immediately disperse and break through. Every man for himself.
From the leaders of the Hungarian independence organization to the enthusiastic masses drawn in, everyone betrayed them. In just over a month, the number of reports received by the Venice Police Department and City Hall exceeded three digits. How could the uprising possibly succeed?
Ottokrs decision was not wrong. Realizing the failure, dispersing and breaking through immediately was the best choice. Stubbornly resisting would lead to the annihilation of the entire army, while dispersing might allow a few to escape.
Unfortunately, this was Venice. As a city on water, their means of transportation were not horse-drawn carriages but boats.
When Ottokr ordered the breakout, the rebel army was already in chaos. Sirens blared, intermingled with the roar of steam engines. The marine police had arrived.
When ordinary small boats encountered gunboats, what could they do?
Escape was impossible. These small gunboats were not something they could deal with. The rebel army lacked cannons, and even guns were scarce.
Smart individuals immediately chose to land ashore, relying on surrounding buildings to break through for a chance at survival. Some exceptionally talented individuals had already jumped into the water, preparing to escape from there.
This relied entirely on luck and side characters should never attempt it. The arriving marine police directly targeted and killed those in the water, for the Austrians had never demanded that rebels be captured alive.
Attempting to swim away was tantamount to courting death. Unless one could stay submerged without surfacing, there was simply no evading pursuit.
Taft was a clever individual. He immediately led the people on his boat to land ashore at a nearby building and abandoned the boat to escape.
Bang, bang, bang
Gunshots rang out one after another, and the sharpshooters lurking in the surrounding buildings began to show their prowess. Taft and the others who had just landed immediately came under heavy fire.
The gunfire grew increasingly intense. Judging by the sound the bullets made, it was unlikely that all of it came from the regular Austrian army. After all, Austria had standardized its weapon equipment many years ago.
The sound of guns from various countries could only be explained by the local residents using illegal firearms against them.
Nothing was surprising about it. Since they attempted to land ashore, both sides were now enemies. If the rebels were allowed to enter their homes and confront the police there, wouldnt that be disastrous for them?
Anyway, the rebels were currently at a disadvantage and destined to fail. Assisting the government in suppressing the rebellion might even earn them some merit after the battle.
This was simply bullying Taft and his people because they lacked guns. Nobody was afraid of them. What Venice lacked the least was sailors, most of whom were armed.
Guns were an indispensable part of overseas colonization and trade in this era, and it was easier for them to obtain firearm licenses than for ordinary people. After all, overseas was not the same as the homeland; often, fists were more convincing than words.
Guns represented bravery, and many people believed that their opportunity to shine had arrived. Even if the military achievements were minimal, there would always be no problem getting rewarded after the battle.
The bullets issued by the police station were all numbered and accounted for, so enthusiastic citizens had no fear of their achievements being taken from them.
Tafts face was deathly pale. He had accidentally been shot in the knee, crippling his right leg.
Through gritted teeth, he said, Dont worry about me, just run, every man for himself.
They did not experience the revolutionary fervor of the Italian people; instead, they encountered opportunists. They had originally hoped to escape with the protection of local residents.
Reality told them that propaganda slogans were all lies. Not everyone wanted a revolution, especially one led by Hungarians.
Regional discrimination existed in many places. Compared to the bustling Venice area, Hungary was seen as a rural backwater, and many Italians looked down on Hungarians.
How could they expect these people to risk their lives and fortunes to help the Hungarian independence organization?
Although most of the rebels were Italians, these hired mercenaries did not represent the will of the people, as local residents showed through their actions that they were unwelcome.
As the gunboats approached, the Italian mercenaries shamelessly surrendered. No matter how much the commanders of the Hungarian independence organization persuaded them, it was useless.
Berbatov was one of the mercenaries, and now he cursed the revolutionaries bitterly. They had promised to go overseas, establish colonies, and get rich together, but these fuckers had rebelled instead.
If he had known that the employer was the Hungarian independence organization, he would never have participated. Now he was doomed, with no easy way out.
To take revenge on these scoundrels, Berbatov decided to surrender and tie up the Hungarian independence organizations leader on his ship to use as proof of his surrender.
Milan, the capital of the Kingdom of Lombardy, has been surrounded by the city guard.
As the capital of the Kingdom of Lombardy, it was heavily fortified.
To suppress the rebellion as quickly as possible, the Lombard government made thorough preparations. However, lacking confidence, the king immediately ordered the city guard to crush the rebellion.
The cornered rebels stood no chance. Even if they wanted to fight to the death, its now a battle of cold weapons versus firearms, a fight they cant possibly win.
In the Port of Venice, one of the leaders of the Hungarian independence organization, Paul, urged, Come on, Stephen. The rebellion has begun, a doomed one, no need to pay so much attention.
Stephen smiled bitterly and replied, We cant leave now. The timing isnt right. If we leave at this moment and it gets out, how can we hold our heads high for the rest of our lives?
Paul nodded in agreement. Running away when the outcome of the uprising is uncertain would tarnish their reputation and they would be labeled as cowards for the rest of their lives.
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