Chapter 86: Getting Ready to Slaughter the Sheep
Winning over hearts and minds is paramount, while capturing cities comes secondary.
Many people understand this principle, but few can truly implement it. Julius did an excellent job this time, and perhaps no one would associate him with the name Butcher General anymore.
Liberating the serfs and distributing land are effective tools for buying popular support. Even though the peasants still need to pay for the redemption of these lands, Julius gained a wave of public favor.
Once the local population learned that they could receive land for free by cooperating with the government forces to suppress the rebellion, the farmers near Budapest spontaneously turned into volunteers.
Given the Kossuth government’s limited capabilities under siege-like circumstances, they were unable to effectively block the spread of information.
After news of the land distribution reached the city, many people’s thoughts underwent a transformation. The nobles seethed with deep resentment, the capitalists trembled with fear, while the lower-class workers glimpsed a new ray of hope.
Since the Austrian government had already fulfilled its promise of land reform for the peasants, it naturally raised the possibility of enacting protective legislation for the working class.
In this situation, Franz’s intelligence organization also sprang into action. Seeing that the sinking ship of the Hungarian Republic was about to go under, there were many who were unwilling to be buried with it.
Even if the high-ranking nobles are infuriated by the actions of the Austrian government, they now have to reluctantly accept it. They have significant estates and wealth and were not willing to risk their lives.
With the collaboration of these local powerbrokers, the intelligence organization’s operations were smoothly carried out. The inexperienced Kossuth government was unaware of these developments.
Perhaps due to the extensive persecution they suffered under the secret police, once the revolutionary party assumed control, these organizations were dissolved. The security of Budapest is now upheld by the internal defense forces, which have become the hired hands of the capitalists and nobles.
If the situation continues like this, it is possible that within three to five months, Budapest could be liberated by the Austrian government without shedding a drop of blood.
Vienna.
“Your Majesty, the Croatian Corps has successfully joined forces with the Bohemian Corps in Budapest. It is time to bring an end to the Hungarian War. Continuing this conflict any longer would be highly detrimental to us!” Prince Windisch-Gr?tz spoke solemnly.
He did not exaggerate. The rebel forces were nothing more than a disorganized group because their uprising was rushed and they lacked proper training.
Such enemies could easily be dealt with by the regular army. However, if given enough time, these inexperienced rebels would become a formidable force to be reckoned with once they received proper training.
In history, the Hungarian Revolution consumed so much of Austria’s resources that even with the assistance of Russian forces, it took significant effort to suppress it. It was the ample time for preparation given to the rebels that posed such a challenge.
“Very well, in that case, let us launch the attack. Command the troops to exercise restraint, I do not want to clean up after them!” Franz spoke with great seriousness.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Prince Windisch-Gr?tz replied.
“Prime Minister, how are the preparations for the aftermath coming along? Once the Hungarian Revolution is suppressed, how does the government plan to govern the Hungarian region?” Franz asked with concern.
Prime Minister Felix confidently replied, “Your Highness, considering the unique situation in Hungary, our cabinet is prepared to further divide the Hungarian Province. We will divide them into three provinces, with the Danube River and Tisza River as the boundaries.
The first is the Western Hungarian Province, located west of the Danube River, with its capital in Pécs. The second is the Central Hungarian Province, located east of the Danube River and west of the Tisza River, with its capital in Miskolc. And the third is the Eastern Hungarian Province, located east of the Tisza River, with its capital in Debrecen.
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In addition to the already divided Croatian Province, Transylvania Province, Slavonia Province, and Vojvodina Province, the Kingdom of Hungary will be divided into a total of seven parts.
After the war, the gathering places of the Magyar people will also be divided into three parts. The government will allocate significant funds to local education to help the local population integrate into Austria as quickly as possible.”
Frantz nodded in satisfaction. With the division of administrative regions and the assimilation of language and culture, using this combination of strategies, Hungary would merely be reduced to a regional term decades later.
“How will the education funds be addressed?” Frantz asked with concern.
Austria’s current wartime economic system, known as planned economy, had also confiscated a significant amount of property from rebel forces, leaving no shortage of funds.
This economic model was only suitable for short-term emergencies or sudden bursts of growth. As time passed and the system became rigid, it would inevitably restrict economic development. Eventually, efforts would have to be made to restore to a normal economic model.
If they were to rely on central government funding, the financial burden on the government would be too great once the economy returns to normal. After all, there was a need for assimilation in the Hungarian region, and other regions of Austria would also require the same.
“Your Majesty, we are considering abolishing the church tithe and replacing it with a government-imposed compulsory education tax to address the funding gap!” Felix hesitated as he spoke.
Frantz’s eyes lit up. He had long wanted to abolish the church tithe but as a devout Catholic, he needed a suitable reason to do so, as abruptly abolishing it would bring him into conflict with the Church.
Now that the Prime Minister has brought it up, Frantz naturally fully supports this idea. If the Church has any objections, they can take it up with the Cabinet, as it was their proposal. Frantz cynically thought to himself.
After all, this era was no longer the Middle Ages. The Pope has been driven into exile by the revolutionary party in Naples, and the Church was ultimately no match for the government. Of course, they still have the power to tarnish someone’s reputation.
“Do we have enough funds? Significant education expenses will be required throughout the country in the coming years. Will the abolition of the tithe be sufficient?” Frantz asked, full of concern.
Felix said firmly, “Your Majesty, there is a serious moral decay among the religious personnel in our country. As devout believers in God, it is necessary for us to rectify the misconduct within the Church.
The Cabinet is prepared to conduct a thorough investigation of the clergy and impose strict punishments on those who violate the precepts. We will also seize any illegal assets held by the Church.
These funds will be allocated to the field of education, along with the obligatory education tax. I believe Austria’s educational expenses will be well covered.”
Since they have already offended the Church once, Frantz thought it best to continue targeting this lucrative source of money by breaking the jar completely.
During the mid-19th century, it was difficult to provide an accurate answer regarding the wealth of the Austrian Church. However, the Church had accumulated significant wealth over the years, much more than the Austrian government.
Though it is said, “A guilty conscience needs no accuser,” having excessive wealth may not necessarily be a good thing. Now, the Austrian government has set its sights on the Church’s riches. Franz, being a “devout Catholic,” felt obliged to cleanse the Church’s ranks in the name of God.
“The Prime Minister’s words are reasonable. The moral development of religious personnel must be strengthened. As faithful followers of God, it is our duty to help guide the wayward servants of God and lead them back onto the righteous path!”
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