Chapter 359： The crumbling empire (continued)

"For peace, not war."

"We want bread."

One after another, the slogans of demonstrations and slogans spread into the Hofburg Palace, which made Karl I staying in the palace restless.

The soldiers guarding the palace did not give him much sense of security. These bursts of slogans were like reminders, making him restless.

"Your Majesty, we still have to wait. Your Excellency Prime Minister has already gone to get involved with these protesters. I believe they can understand the current difficulties."

Listening to the comforting words of the court chief, Earl Lawrence, did not reassure Karl I. It's just the suffering of waiting, I really need to find someone to chat to ease it. And Earl Lawrence is loyal to the Habsburg family, and is also a suitable person to chat.

Carl I thought of the current situation as soon as he chatted, and he no longer maintained the manner of the king, and said something angrily. "I know what you said, these people are just being instigated, and the real danger is those people hiding behind them. What do these people want, don't they know that the empire will pay a very heavy price if it loses? "

"Your Majesty, getting angry will not solve the problem. Please calmly think about it and face the suggestions of these demonstrators."

As soon as Count Lawrence finished speaking, he discovered that the Austrian Prime Minister Heinlein, who had gone to negotiate, had returned. However, the prime minister's look is not very good, and it seems that the results of his negotiations with the crowd outside are not very good.

Carl also saw what Earl Lawrence discovered, but he still wanted to know the result. "Prime Minister, how are the negotiations?"

Facing the monarch’s question, Prime Minister Heinlein replied after saluting: "Not ideal. These demonstrators demanded that the empire immediately cease the war, restore the army, and...and..."

Prime Minister Heinlein said that he was stuck here, which drew Karl's questioning. "And what?"

Faced with Karl's questioning, Heinlein said the final condition in a straightforward manner: "And ask your Majesty to hand over the rights to the people."

Heinlein’s words immediately ignited Karl’s anger, and he said with a cold face: "Give it to the people? I think it’s to the conspirators hiding behind these people. Czechs, Croats, The Slovenians are demonstrating for independence, the Hungarians are going to leave the empire, and now even the Germans want power. Then they will change the political system and kick me away, right. The empire is sorry for them at all, Everyone wants to leave him."

Prime Minister Heinlein's words completely ignited Karl I's anger, and the series of bad news made him lose control of his emotions. After ascending to the throne, there was first the disobedience of the army and the government veterans, then the defeat of the battle, and then the demonstrations of popular dissatisfaction. The outbreak of various problems in less than two years completely defeated his inner support. He has the urge to break the jar and let these mobs taste the bayonet.

But the only reason in his heart prevented him from doing this, because after doing so. The nearly thousand-year history of the Habsburg family will also be wiped out. No one will show mercy to the tyrant who ordered the shooting and killing of the people, and it is a tyrant who is doomed to fail. Everyone will step on him to increase his popularity. And Karl is not an idiot, he doesn't want to be a stepping stone for these people at all, and he is still a person he hates.

Prime Minister Heinlein watched the young emperor vent his dissatisfaction. I have been a politician for many years, and the current situation is already a plaster. I believe the emperor will understand this. Slowly Karl I's roar subsided. He himself knows that venting his emotions has not changed the current situation. What needs to be considered now is the continuation of the Habsburg family.

After taking a few deep breaths, Carl still felt confused in his mind. At this time, he looked at the Prime Minister in front of him and couldn't help asking: "Prime Minister, do you have any good suggestions for this situation."

In the face of Karl’s questioning, Prime Minister Heinlein flashed several thoughts in his mind and said: "Your Majesty, the current situation is very dangerous for the empire and you. First of all, we need to appease the angry people, then let the queen. It is a good way to show people to the elderly, children and the homeless. And this time, we must use a lot of materials, so that the people all over the country can feel or see the kindness of the royal family, and the newspapers must be promoted. In addition, it is okay to...you can also... let people spread rumors, saying that the Secretary of the Army and I are in charge of the government and military affairs, and the royal family has no knowledge of it."

Prime Minister Heinlein’s words made Carl feel the veteran’s enthusiasm for the Habsburg family, and he planned to use his reputation and Prince Friedrich’s reputation to preserve the voice of the royal family. Thinking of this, Carl I couldn’t help stepping forward and saying to the Prime Minister: “I can understand that you send the queen. You want me to emulate the uncle Sissi back then. But you go to quell the people’s anger? How can this be, this will ruin you, the Prime Minister. of."

Facing Karl's words, Prime Minister Heinlein bowed his head and replied: "This is the best and only feasible way."

"In addition to measures to deal with the domestic people, Germany must also be aside from the international community. We must find a way to allow the Allied Powers to forgive us for launching the war. The losses of both parties in this war are too great. If we are not forgiven, the Allied Congress will give us to Demolished. So we must act fast. First of all, the disputed area between us and Italy must be given up. In addition, the Bosnia and Herzegovina area that caused the war must be allocated to Serbia, and Transylvania, where the Romanians occupy the majority, also agreed to give it to Romanians. At the same time, the autonomy requirements for Croatia and Bohemia must also be met."

The Prime Minister said a lot of conditions to agree to the Allied Powers, so Carl couldn't help but ask in shock, "Is it necessary to do this? Isn't this about tearing down the empire."

Facing Carl’s question, Prime Minister Heinlein said with a wry smile: “It must be done, at least we will keep Austria and Hungary. At least the Austro-Hungarian Empire can maintain its title.”

"Doing this can save the empire?"

"There is great hope to keep the empire, but the royal family still needs to make sacrifices."

"What sacrifice?"

"Your Majesty needs to abdicate and let your son or brother inherit this position. In addition, the power must be let go. It is best to just keep the name and a small amount of property like the Kingdom of Sweden."

The words of Prime Minister Heinlein made Carl's hands and feet cold. It's not that he doesn't want to abdicate, in fact, he hasn't wanted to do this hot position a long time ago. It's just that most of the wealth of the Habsburg family in the past has to be handed over, and the Habsburg family is not involved in power, this is not his sole decision. After all, Habsburg is just the patriarch, and according to his knowledge of other members of the family, this is completely impossible to accept. (At that time, the Swedish royal family had the weakest presence)

"This makes me think again."

The Prime Minister stood quietly in front of Karl, waiting for his monarch to make a decision.

After a long time, when Prime Minister Heinlein thought that the emperor was going to fall asleep, Karl made his own decision: "Prime Minister, the domestic part can be carried out according to your plan, but regarding the issue of foreign and imperial power, I It must be discussed with the other members of Habsburg. I hope you can understand."

Carl’s words made Prime Minister Heinlein seem to be a few years old. He was only seen bending over to Carl and performing a standard aristocratic etiquette for meeting with the king, and then replied: "Yes, my majesty."

After sending off Prime Minister Heinlein, Karl invited members of the family to discuss his proposal.

"I object, this is absolutely not possible. The descendants of Habsburg, absolutely cannot be driven out just like that."

"Absolutely not, this cannot be accepted."

Sure enough, Carl uttered Prime Minister Heinlein's proposal, which immediately evoked a one-sided opposition. Some people even claim that the Prime Minister is a spy and should be arrested and tortured.

Sure enough, power makes people fascinated, completely ignoring their own dangers. In the face of a group of passionate family members, the flaws in Karl's character were exposed, and he hesitated. In other words, he flinched in the face of overwhelming opposition. In the end, the meeting about letting the Habsburgs lay down their power was overwhelmed.

When Prime Minister Heinlein heard the news at home, he sighed alone. His actions aroused the curiosity of his son Heinlein. "Father, why do you sigh about this? These Habsburg families are ruthless people. Use your father to calm these people."

It seems that he is very dissatisfied with his father's responsibility for the war.

Looking at his angry son, Heinlein said with a smile: "Who told you that I took the responsibility?"

Facing his father who was still smiling at this time, Helifen Heinlein thought that his home might be demolished by angry people in the future. Or the scene where his father was arrested by the Allied Powers for trial, he couldn't help but question: "Isn't it?"

"No."

"why?"

Prime Minister Heinlein looked at his confused son and couldn't help worrying about the future development of his family. It seems that my son is really not for political reasons, so it's okay to retreat this time. Looking at his son who didn't quite understand, Prime Minister Heinlein explained it to make him feel at ease.

"Actually, the advice I gave to your Majesty is my response to the very possibility that things will happen in the future. However, there is a little selfish advice added to it, that is, to convict Prince Friedrich and me."

"How selfish is this, I think you are asking for trouble."

Seeing Yizheng retorting his son, Prime Minister Heinlein felt that it was a wise decision not to let his son enter politics.

"Of course I am really convicted alone, but the addition of Prince Friedrich is to free me from the danger of future political turmoil."

Seeing that his son still didn't understand, Prime Minister Heinlein asked directly: "How is the reputation of Archduke Friedrich?"

"that's good."

"I see. Father, you intend to tie up with Grand Duke Friedrich and use the people's sympathy with him in order to get rid of possible liquidation in the future?"

"You finally understand."

"Then father, what do you do next?"

"Implement the emperor's arrangement."

When Austro-Hungary was in turmoil, the Habsburg family sent Empress Zeta from the Parma princess to offer condolences to the people. And also contacted the Allied countries wishing to discuss peace talks.

It's just that now facing the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire, I don't know whether the Allies want to talk to him or these ethnic regions with a tendency to divide. Only the Allies themselves know.