Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 185: Dont Dig Your Own Hole (BONUS)

Sch?nbrunn Palace

Prince Windisch-Gr?tz marked the Ottoman forces’ retreat routes on the map. Then a group of people from the Austrian government just stared at the map.

Yes, they were just staring, and they were all stunned. Anyone who knew the detailed situation would be surprised at the current actions of the Ottoman Empire.

Withdrawing defense lines was very normal. but the Ottoman’s actions this time clearly went too far.

Abandoning the northern plains of Serbia can be understood; it’s a vast plain that wouldn’t withstand a single attack from the Austrian army. However, why abandon the southern mountainous areas, Kosovo, and Bosnia altogether?

Even if they only left behind a small number of troops, organized some militia, and utilized the advantages of the terrain, they could still have slowed down the Austrian advance.

If the situation was bad they could still flee to the hills as guerrillas, harassing Austrian supply lines. This was basic military common sense.

In other areas, it’s uncertain, but at least in Bosnia and Serbia, the Ottoman Empire still has a significant number of supporters. Abandoning them like this is simply a stupid move.

If you’re going to give up, just give up. Why hold onto Belgrade in the middle? Even if this city is crucial, having abandoned it from all sides, can a solitary city still be defended?

Anyway, Franz truly could not comprehend the Ottomans’ rationale, whether militarily or politically, this made no sense.

This is almost like giving up...more or less.

Feeling intellectually inadequate, Franz asked, “Can someone tell me what the Ottomans are trying to do?”

Metternich speculated, “Your Majesty, it’s possible that after the failure of the Battle of Bulgaria, the Ottoman government panicked and wanted to concentrate its forces against the Russians. The decision might have been made hastily.

The unfortunate soul left to guard Belgrade is likely a loser in the power struggle within the Ottoman Empire, a victim of political maneuvering.

There might not even be twenty thousand troops in Belgrade now. It could be a motley crew intentionally left there to meet their doom.”

Such peculiar occurrences in the magical realm of the Ottoman Empire were not surprising. The performance of the Ottoman government was still acceptable; at least, they hadn’t abandoned the capital and were organizing troops to fight against the Russians. They only gave up the “barbaric and uncivilized” territories.

Everyone nodded. When normal logic doesn’t make sense, it must be an issue with the Ottoman government. It seems that, in everyone’s impression, they were truly incompetent.

The Sultanate having done many foolish things, one more was not so unacceptable. As one of the world’s two most bizarre empires, not doing some flabbergasting things would be the real issue.

Franz waved his hand and said: “Let’s assume the Ottoman government lost their minds. What should we do now? Send troops following behind the Ottomans reclaiming lost lands, or find an excuse to stay put?”

No need to ask why it became reclaiming lost lands. One glance at Franz’s long list of titles and you’ll understand. If they search carefully, they can always find a legal basis.

It’s okay even if it’s a bit far-fetched; it is going to be used as a cover to prove that Austria is not launching an aggressive war but reclaiming its territories anyway.

The House of Habsburg is too ancient, and their talent for intermarriage is a bit too strong, leaving behind a bunch of titles.

These regions, even if they were not ruled by the House of Habsburg, were once ruled by families connected through intermarriage. As long as it’s necessary, it can always be traced back.

Franz did not expect Europe to recognize this. As long as he could dupe some locals it was fine, or provide those who want to defect to Austria an excuse to do so.

In this world, there are many pretentious people, and everyone cares about their reputation. Restoring order and reestablishing legitimate rule is indeed a good reason.

Currently, the progress in the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia is quite impressive. Those willing to align with Austria have acknowledged Franz’s legitimacy.

Naturally, those against Austria were Ottoman remnants needing to be struck down. With collaborator aid, they were mostly suppressed already.

Successful governing experiences can be replicated. If Austrianized Romanians can rule Romania, similarly, Austrianized Serbians can govern Serbia.

Recalling something, Franz added: “Let me reiterate, Serbia and Bosnia are not within our goals this time. Austria lacks such an appetite. Regardless of final results, we will not annex these regions this time!”

Prime Minister Felix said: “Your Majesty, at this stage, if we’re putting on a show, let’s go all the way. Mobilize a batch of reserve forces and take over the territories abandoned by the Ottomans first. Even if we decide to relinquish them in the future, we can still negotiate for our interests at the negotiating table.”

To avoid dispersing the main forces, at this moment, the available option is to utilize the reserves. Austria has a massive reserve force, and mobilizing tens of thousands of them was not an issue.

These troops have limited combat capabilities and may face disadvantages against the British and French forces, but would not flinch against Ottomans.

Franz can proudly say that the training of Austria’s reserve forces is stronger than that of the Ottoman regular army.

Finance Minister Karl shook his head and said, “It’s not that simple; the Ottomans are prepared. According to the intelligence we’ve received, the roads and bridges in these areas have been destroyed by the Ottomans.

They’ve also damaged farmlands, burned crops and supplies they couldn’t take, and forcibly conscripted a large number of young and able-bodied individuals to leave with them.

If we occupy these areas, we won’t be able to obtain any local reinforcements. It’s even difficult to find labor to repair the roads. We’ll have to allocate a significant amount of food to aid war refugees. The Ottomans are prepared to use this to slow us down.

But we don’t plan to continue the war. Occupying these areas not only brings a heavy financial burden but also provides benefits only in post-war negotiations.

I don’t believe the benefits we gain at the negotiation table will offset our current expenses. It might be better to support a local regime and save ourselves from the financial strain, especially since we don’t plan to annex these territories.”

Faced with the Ottoman Empire’s tactic of killing eight hundred enemies at the cost of three thousand of their own, Franz had to admit — he was impressed.

After all this trouble, even if they manage to secure these regions in the future, there’s no guarantee of stable rule.

Of course, one could argue they had foresight, understanding that the Balkan Peninsula was no longer defensible and choosing to abandon it, concentrating their forces to defend the core regions along the straits.

Since they decided to abandon it, they couldn’t leave anything good for the enemy. If it weren’t for the fact that the cities were built of stone and couldn’t be burned, they might have considered following Dong Zhuo’s example with a fiery destruction of the cities.

Prince Windisch-Gr?tz objected: “Impossible! Even leaving these regions in Ottoman hands is better than a local regime.

Under Ottoman rule, they won’t win the hearts of the people, and we can take them back at any time. If we let them become independent, it might be easy to annex these regions in the future, but ruling them will be difficult.

The territorial boundaries of the European continent are basically stabilized. The only place we can continue to expand is the Balkan Peninsula, and this path must not be blocked.

This concerns Austria’s long-term development. Once overseas colonial strategies are obstructed, we can only seek Balkan expansion.

In this era of great conflict, we’re going against the current, and if we don’t move forward, we’ll fall behind. We must leave room for future development.”

After listening to Prince Windisch-Gr?tz’s explanation, Franz’s eyes brightened. Indeed, those who can leave a great name in history often have extraordinary qualities.

Prince Windisch-Gr?tz’s military abilities might be ordinary, but his strategic vision for national development was accurate.

Especially the phrase ‘leave room for future development,’ Franz found it extremely insightful.

In the capitalist economy, if the road for external expansion is blocked, then one must rely on internal development. This implies that if external plundering is cut off, it will turn into internal exploitation, and disaster will be imminent.

Historically, did the Germans challenge the world order purely out of ambition?

Reality is extremely cruel; Germany had already developed to its limits. If they didn’t provoke a war, they would face only two fates:

Either internal conflicts would intensify, leading to a revolution and a redistribution of wealth;

Or they would artificially suppress the pace of development, using extreme methods to survive the crisis and slowly decline.

Neither of these fates was acceptable to the German government. Faced with a lack of industrial raw materials and markets for selling goods, they chose war to gain the space needed for continued development.

“Militarily, capturing Belgrade is extremely important for Austrian national defense. Controlling this city secures the Pannonian Plain.” Marshal Radetzky analyzed.

The Pannonian Plain stretched across Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Czech, Slovakia, Serbia, and Ukraine, with surrounding regions including Slovenia and Bosnia.

It serves as Austria’s granary, holding significant strategic importance. Occupying Belgrade not only resolves military threats from the Balkan Peninsula but also turns the strategic situation from defensive to offensive.

Franz is reassured having such a strategic location in Ottoman hands; the declining Ottoman Empire lacks the courage to cause trouble. However, if it were in the hands of a newly emerged Balkan state, it would be a different story.

Historically, Balkan countries have resorted to various suicidal tactics. If the small ally supported now were to stab Austria in the back at a critical moment, it could be deadly.

Franz could not dare to gamble on their integrity. Before national interests, all gratitude and loyalty were illusory, only interests were real.

An intense Serbian nationalism would cause the fledgling regime to diverge from Austria, becoming an unbreakable mortal enemy. Franz couldn’t possibly allow himself to give away a significant portion of Austria to a subordinate.

Franz sternly stated, “Serbia must never be allowed to become an independent state in Serbia. No matter the cost, we cannot allow a major power to rise in the Balkan Peninsula, and if it happens, it must be Austria.

If we have to choose, I would rather see the Ottomans occupy the Balkan Peninsula or share it with the Russians than witness their independence.

Austria is a multi-ethnic country. Now is the critical period for ethnic integration. Any independence could bring uncontrollable consequences.

Balkan nationalism has just sprouted. We cannot provide them with a space to develop and grow, at least not the Serbians and Romanians.

Consider what Serbians and Romanians in Austria would think if independent Serbian and Romanian states appeared.”

Stance dictated thoughts. Perhaps Franz once sympathized with Balkan states in his past life, but that was no longer the case now.

In this era of the strong devouring the weak, all were desperately strengthening themselves. Right or wrong was irrelevant, only interests mattered.

Changing perspective, the struggles of Balkan countries in history were quite tragic. However, the conflicts of interest were too severe; making concessions meant death, so they had no choice but to fight.

Unfortunately, due to an excessive focus on immediate interests, Balkan countries all ultimately failed, and none of them achieved their goals.

Balkan independence for other ethnicities doesn’t matter, as Austria itself doesn’t have many of them. However, specifically for Serbia and Romania, it’s a different story; these two ethnicities together make up almost nine percent.

Assimilation had just begun with such difficulty. If two independent states appeared, to avoid problems, Franz’s only option would be to package and send all these people back to the two nations.

Such a foolish act is something Franz cannot do. He hasn’t forgotten that in history, the Austro-Hungarian Empire supported the independence of Serbia and Romania, only to dig a pit for itself and ended up buried.