Chapter 1007: 915: The Storm Approaches

Chapter 1007: Chapter 915: The Storm Approaches

Franz II immediately frowned and looked out the window.

Count Kobutsel, the Austrian Minister of the Interior, hurriedly walked to the entrance of the meeting room, scowling at his assistant Feodot and shouting sternly, “What’s going on outside? Where are the police?”

The political environment in Vienna is not as relaxed as in Paris. Protest marches typically get dispersed by police within two blocks, and as for causing a ruckus near the Royal Palace, that’s out of the question.

Feodot bowed his head and said, “This morning there were two larger protests on Silver Street and by St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the police were called away to handle those.

“The people outside must have gathered near Graben Street. I’ve already sent someone to deal with it…”

The Austrian police are still under the control of the Minister of the Interior, so Count Kobutsel can’t evade responsibility for such incidents.

He gritted his teeth and said to his assistant, “You have 20 minutes to disperse those idiots outside! If there aren’t enough police, have the Court Guard assist.”

“Yes, my lord Count.” Feodot bowed and left.

Shortly thereafter, sixty or seventy policemen wielding short sticks marched into the protest crowd, instantly provoking cries and curses.

About a hundred paces away, a company of the Court Guard stood coldly with their flintlock guns, watching the police at work.

As the first few dozen protesters got beaten bloody and fell to the ground, the crowd began to retreat bit by bit, and the chanting grew weaker…

One street away from Schonbrunn Palace, in a café on the eastern side of Graben Street.

A slightly disheveled Baron Scheller folded his hands and pitifully looked at the portly middle-aged man sitting across from him, and spoke in a low voice:

“Count Graf, Lukas is only 17, and in front of those French people, he’s as fragile as a blade of grass. I’m begging you, you must find a way to help me.”

Count Graf took a sip of coffee and shook his head slightly:

“You know, this conscription order was personally signed by His Imperial Majesty, leaving no room for ‘maneuvering.’

In agitation, Baron Scheller grabbed his hand: “No, you can’t just watch him go to his death. He’s my only son left, for the sake of Jesus, I’m begging you…”

Graf pulled his hand away and picked up a napkin to dab his lips: “The Count of Cologne asked me to help you no matter what, so here’s what I can do. I can arrange for the boy to work as a logistical officer in Klagenfurt. It’s very safe there, twenty miles from the battlefield.”

Graf is an official at the military recruitment office and holds considerable power.

Scheller was overjoyed, thanking repeatedly: “Thank you so much, I really don’t know what to say. You’ve saved our family…”

Graf coughed lightly and continued, “But you know, many people are eyeing that position, and I need to make some arrangements above to ensure it’s not snatched away.”

Scheller nodded repeatedly: “Yes, that’s absolutely necessary. Uh, how much money do you think that would take?”

“Prepare 2,500 florins first, though maybe 3,000 florins would be safer.”

Scheller was stunned.

Austria has been at war for years, prices are high and making money is tough; his family savings barely reach 1,000 florins.

He took a deep breath and nodded forcefully again: “Okay, that’s definitely not a problem. But, could you give me some time to gather the money…”

“I can wait half a month for you. You know, the French could attack at any time.”

Scheller found it hard to breathe. Two thousand florins is a huge amount, and half a month is certainly not enough.

Suddenly, he raised his head with difficulty: “About that, David’s compensation is 3,000 florins, if you could help expedite it, all that money could go to you…”

“That money’s not for me,” Graf interrupted unhappily, “And as for the compensation, that’s not under my purview… In any case, I can only wait half a month for you, and that’s for the sake of the Count of Cologne.”

After speaking, he got up and left.

The whole country is conscripting recently, and there are many who seek his assistance.

Scheller buried his head in his arms and painfully closed his eyes.

Yesterday, he had someone inquire at the military commission that his elder son’s compensation won’t be given until at least a year later.

It’s simply too late to smooth the way for his younger son.

Half a month—whether he can find someone willing to buy the manor in Trondheim Village…

Just then, voices rang out from outside the café, “No war!”

“Let’s petition His Imperial Majesty.”

“Everyone, join together to resist the conscription order!”

“Yes! Immediately ceasefire with France!”

Scheller couldn’t help but stand up, looking out at the signs-bearing crowd, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes.

Indeed, if only there’s a ceasefire, Lukas won’t have to go to war!

May His Imperial Majesty agree.

He grabbed his hat and rushed out of the café, joining the parade, raising his arms, and shouting alongside his mason and tugboat companions: “Abolish the conscription order! Ceasefire with France!”

…

Trondheim Village.

Under the scorching sun in the farmlands, seven or eight serfs gathered, leaning on their hoes, frowning and discussing.

“It’s what Master Niklas of the neighboring village said, it surely can’t be wrong. His Imperial Majesty’s decree will be announced soon.”

A middle-aged man with a missing ear was rubbing dirt from his hands, his head lowered as he spoke: “Many have gone to war this year; the landlords need enough people to sow crops, so the Emperor will definitely extend the serfs’ labor hours.”

The others all furrowed their brows, “But if there’s labor five and a half days a week, where will we find time to tend to our own land?”

“On top of that, if they increase the Empire tax, will we have to resort to high-interest loans this year?”

“Masinger’s loans have already reached 20% interest, and there must be two grown men at home to even borrow…”

Historically, the Great Revolution originated in France, but in reality, France doesn’t have as high a tax level as other parts of Europe.

Take Austria, for instance: the farmers bear both the Empire tax and the feudal lord tax, and they also pay a tithe tax to the Church.

The tax rates are all higher than in France. For example, the tithe tax in France is 7%, while in Austria it is 13%.

This is for self-cultivators. If it’s serfs, they must serve their lord 3 days a week in labor, which is unpaid work.

The 3-day labor was stipulated after Joseph II’s reforms, but after Leopold II came to power, many lords increased it to over 4 days.

It must be said that, after all, the French are “old hands at revolting,” and they dare make trouble when life gets tough.

As for Austria’s lack of large-scale revolts, it’s partly due to the Emperor ruling sternly.

Secondly, Austria started cultivating potatoes early, preventing the starvation of the lower classes.

Thirdly, regions like Hungary and Bohemia have their own systems and never meddle in Vienna’s affairs, so the protests have always been limited.