Chapter 5: The Second and Third Attempts to Form the German Customs Union (Part II)

Time to rewind to before the nobles approached the French; because of Haynau’s existence, the great nobles could not act directly.

After all, no one wanted to test whether the blade of this mad dog was still sharp.

Consequently, the great nobles resorted to their old tricks, propagating the idea that Austria had designs on the three South German states. The three kings of South Germany were completely indifferent, and their officials even began inquiring whether they could retain their official positions and salary benefits after joining Austria.

The reason the three South German states—Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden—chose to lie flat was out of sheer helplessness. After the Napoleonic Wars, France had not been weakened much. The situation of being caught between the two lions of France and Austria had not been broken.

On the contrary, the Napoleonic Wars had caused great destruction to the rule of the three South German states. Although they were on the winning side, their strength had not increased; instead, it had suffered a massive decline.

Coupled with Prussia’s acquisition of the Rhineland, the pressure this wolf exerted on South Germany grew with each passing day.

At this time, the three South German states had no access to the sea and were themselves agricultural nations. To develop, they could only rely on the powerful neighbors eyeing them like tigers.

Dealing with a tiger for its skin was never an easy task.

Austria once treated them as a barrier against France; the French used them as pawns, with the expedition to Russia nearly draining the three South German states dry and burying tens of thousands of their troops in the frozen wilderness of Russia; the Prussians supported them only to have them weaken Austria—as for the cost, those who understood, understood.

The domestic populace, the noble class, and even the capitalists had long been dissatisfied with such incompetent governments. Everyone hoped to change the status quo and have a powerful nation to protect their lives and property. A unified country and a unified market were their most urgent desires.

This is why South Germany became the main gathering place for the Greater German faction.

As the former imperial family of the Holy Roman Empire, and with the Austrian Empire currently serving as the president of the German Confederation, the fastest path to unifying Germany seemed to be relying on the authority of Austria and the House of Habsburg.

On the other hand, the reputation of the House of Habsburg was not bad; the status and property of the nobles could be guaranteed, and they could even receive a decent amount of compensation. For those nobles whose finances were in deep deficit, this was a significant temptation.

And while taking advantage of the regime change to get rid of a batch of creditors—wouldn't that be wonderful?

Austrian law stipulated that officials must know German. This was a godsend for the officials and young talents of the three South German states. A larger country meant more positions.

After all, the number of the Austrian core ethnic group appeared quite insufficient relative to its size.

Since the great nobles could not succeed with conspiracies, they could only rely on open schemes: manipulating public opinion.

However, Metternich was well-prepared. Before the negotiations, he had specifically sought out Archbishop Rauscher to explain the pros and cons.

At the negotiating table, a group of church bishops arrived uninvited. Facing this group of "god-stick" clerics, the great nobles of Austria could not act tough; after all, the only ones who could defeat the Kshatriyas were the Brahmins.

"Public opinion? Who said public opinion opposes joining the German Customs Union?" the Archbishop of Linz said with some disdain.

The previously arrogant aides of the great nobles immediately wilted like deflated eggplants. Only one young man whispered, "This is the conclusion we reached after our investigation."

"Oh?" The Archbishop of Linz couldn't help but laugh. "Which diocese are you from, child?"

The surrounding bishops looked at each other and also began to laugh. But these aides to the great nobles could not laugh.

"The Diocese of Bohemia," the young man replied.

"Very well, child." The Archbishop of Linz turned to the Archbishop of Prague. "Your Bohemian diocese should hold a vote, and then let this child see the conclusion."

At this time, the Church still held considerable weight in the Austrian Empire. It might be difficult to get the parishioners to hand over their property to go to war, but manipulating a vote could be done in a matter of minutes.

"Alright, now who else opposes us accepting our Catholic brothers from South Germany?" Archbishop Rauscher’s words were even more explicit, and there was no lack of contempt in them.

In this era, the relationship between the Church and the nobility was not very good, especially with the new nobles involved in industry and commerce. This was because they refused to pay tithes and refused to pay tithes for their employees.

Especially after the Austrian Empire implemented religious freedom, the nobility and the Church gradually parted ways. The Church relied on the state, while the nobles hoped to gain more power.

Of course, there was both opposition and cooperation between the nobility and the Church. Many bishops were of noble birth, and at the same time, many nobles would send their second sons and daughters who couldn't fetch a good dowry to the Church to avoid the division of property.

Moreover, when it came to manipulating public opinion, the great nobles were truly no match for the Church.

Facing the Church, no great noble was willing to come forward and court such trouble; the only method they could think of was to drag things out.

Metternich had also long anticipated the "delaying tactic" employed by the great nobles, but he didn't think these nobles could do anything more. At most, they would stir up local uprisings. He had already ordered the Minister of War, Count Latour, to closely monitor domestic movements.

However, Metternich still underestimated the bottom line of this group of great nobles.

Not long after, a letter and 200,000 francs were placed on the desk of the French cabinet minister, Guizot.

"Respected Excellency Guizot,"

"The great France is suffering from a shameless conspiracy. The despicable Germans are preparing to unite to oppose the great French Empire. The evil Prince Metternich intends to use an alliance to gradually annex the three South German states."

"Once the Germans' conspiracy succeeds, the balance of power in Europe will inevitably be broken. The haze of war will once again shroud the skies of Europe. For the sake of freedom and peace—"

"I hope you can save the kind and innocent people from being baptized by the flames of war."

——A European who truly loves peace

The British received similar letters, but before the British could react, the French had already made the first move.

Guizot immediately borrowed the name of Marshal Soult to issue a note to the three South German states, demanding that they not join the customs union organized by Austria, otherwise, France would reserve the right to use force to dissolve this alliance.

The leaders of the three South German states were immediately panicked and hurriedly recalled the envoys sent to Austria for negotiations. Regarding the French note, the pro-war faction led by Minister of War Count Latour advocated for immediate mobilization of troops and notifying the nations of the Holy Alliance to prepare for war against France.

The great nobles warned the Emperor that the Austrian treasury was empty and its military strength was insufficient. Most importantly, if they went to war with the French, Austria would bear the brunt and would certainly suffer huge losses. If they did not want the tragedy of the Napoleonic Wars to repeat itself, the best way was not to fight.

"You cowards! Do you think that by acting like turtles, the French won't see you? France is powerful, but have you forgotten who defeated them?" Count Latour had a fiery temper. As a veteran of the anti-French wars, he could not stand the sight of others boosting the French's morale.

"Latour! You brute, without money, are you going to the battlefield yourself? Besides, are we to bleed Austria dry just because of Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg?" Prince Windisch-Graetz retorted.

"Ferdinand (Prince Windisch-Graetz's name), this is not for others! The French have bullied us to our doorstep; this is something no soldier can tolerate."

"A soldier's duty is to obey and serve the country, not for your damn dignity—"

The two sides were at daggers drawn, and Francis II wavered in the middle. To be honest, he was very disgusted with France, but the Napoleonic Wars had brought him too many bad memories, and he was somewhat fearful.

At this moment, bad news arrived: an uprising had broken out in Bohemia, protesting the entry of South German goods into Bohemia.

The local garrison could not suppress it and requested reinforcements from Vienna.

Francis II made the final decision: stop the formation of the South German Customs Union and focus all efforts on suppressing the domestic rebellion.

After the Emperor left, Count Latour glared at Prince Windisch-Graetz. "You scoundrel! How dare you!"

Every clear-sighted person knew that there were 80,000 regular troops in Bohemia, which was more than enough to suppress an uprising.

(End of chapter)