Chapter Five: Several Attempts at Forming the German Customs Union (Part Two)

Returning to the time before the aristocrats approached the French: the high nobility could not act directly because of Haynau. After all, no one wanted to test whether the blade of this mad dog was still sharp.

Consequently, the high nobility resorted to their old tricks, propagating that Austria had designs on the three South German states. The three kings of South Germany were unconcerned, and their officials even began inquiring whether they could retain their positions and salaries should they join 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 was not significantly weakened. The situation of being sandwiched between the two lions, France and Austria, remained unchanged.

On the contrary, the Napoleonic Wars caused immense destruction to the governance of these three states. Although they were on the winning side, their strength did not increase; instead, it suffered a massive decline. Furthermore, with Prussia acquiring the Rhineland, the sense of oppression from this ravenous wolf grew daily.

At that time, these three states lacked access to the sea and were primarily agrarian. To develop, they had to rely on the powerful nations lurking around them. Dealing with such predators was never an easy task. Austria had once used them as a bulwark against France; the French used them as cannon fodder, draining them dry during the Russian campaign and burying tens of thousands of their soldiers in the frozen wastes of Russia; the Prussians supported them only to weaken Austria—as for the cost, those in the know understood all too well.

The domestic populace, the aristocracy, and even the capitalists had long been dissatisfied with such incompetent governments. Everyone hoped to change the status quo and have a strong nation to protect their lives and property. A unified country and a unified market were their most pressing desires. This is why South Germany became a major stronghold for the "Greater Germany" faction.

As the former imperial house of the Holy Roman Empire, and with the Austrian Empire currently presiding over the German Confederation, the fastest path to German unification seemed to be through the authority of Austria and the House of Habsburg. Moreover, the reputation of the Habsburgs was relatively good; the status and property of the aristocrats could be guaranteed, and they might even receive a handsome compensation. For those aristocrats suffering from severe fiscal deficits, this was a significant temptation. And while the regime was changing, wouldn't it be wonderful to get rid of a batch of creditors?

Austrian law stipulated that officials must be fluent in German. This was a godsend for the officials and young talents of the three South German states. A larger country meant more positions, especially since the core ethnic population of Austria was quite insufficient relative to its size.

Unable to succeed with their conspiracies, the high nobility had no choice but to use overt maneuvers—specifically, manipulating public opinion. However, Metternich was well prepared; before the negotiations, he had specifically consulted Archbishop Rauscher to explain the pros and cons. At the negotiating table, a group of bishops showed up uninvited. Facing these men of the cloth, the Austrian high nobility could not act tough, for only a Brahmin could triumph over a Kshatriya.

"Public opinion? Who says public opinion opposes joining the German Customs Union?" the Archbishop of Linz asked with a sneer. The previously arrogant aides to the high nobility immediately deflated, save for one young man who 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. The aides to the high nobility, however, could not find it in themselves to do so.

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

"Very well, child," the Archbishop of Linz said, turning to the Archbishop of Prague. "Your Bohemian diocese should hold a vote and let this boy see the result."

At that time, the Church still held considerable weight in the Austrian Empire. While it might be difficult to get the parishioners to surrender their property to go to war, manipulating an election was something they could do in minutes.

"Now, who else objects to us welcoming our Catholic brothers from South Germany?" Archbishop Rauscher’s words were even more blunt, laced with unconcealed contempt.

In this era, the relationship between the Church and the nobility was not particularly good, especially with the "new nobility" engaged in industry and commerce, who refused to pay tithes or pay them on behalf of their employees. Especially after the Austrian Empire implemented religious freedom, the nobility and the Church gradually drifted apart. The Church leaned on the state, while the aristocrats sought more power.

Of course, there was both opposition and cooperation between them. Many bishops were of noble birth, and many aristocrats would send their younger sons or daughters who could not secure a good dowry into the Church to avoid the splitting of estates. When it came to manipulating public opinion, the high nobility were truly no match for the Church. Facing the Church, no aristocrat wanted to invite such trouble, and the only strategy they could think of was delay.

Metternich had anticipated this "delay" tactic, but he did not believe these nobles could achieve anything. At most, they might stir up local uprisings, so he had already ordered the Minister of War, Count Latour, to closely monitor domestic movements.

However, Metternich underestimated the low depths to which these high nobles would sink. Shortly thereafter, a letter and 200,000 francs were placed on the desk of the French Cabinet Minister, Guizot.

"Respected Minister Guizot, the great France is suffering from a shameless conspiracy. The despicable Germans are preparing to unite against the great French Empire. The evil Prince Metternich intends to use a union to gradually annex the three South German states... Once the German conspiracy succeeds, the balance of power in Europe will surely be broken. The clouds of war will once again shroud the sky of Europe. For the sake of freedom and peace... we hope you can save the kind and innocent people from being baptized by the fires of war."

—A truly peace-loving European.

The British received similar letters, but before they could react, the French had already struck. Guizot immediately issued a démarche to the three South German states under the guise of Marshal Soult’s orders, demanding they not join the Austrian-led Customs Union, otherwise France would reserve the right to use force to dissolve it.

The leaders of the three South German states were immediately thrown into a panic and hurriedly recalled their envoys. Regarding the French ultimatum, the pro-war faction led by the Minister of War, Count Latour, advocated for immediate mobilization and notifying the powers of the Holy Alliance to prepare for war against France.

The high nobility warned the Emperor that the Austrian treasury was empty and their forces insufficient. Most importantly, if they went to war with France, Austria would bear the brunt and suffer massive losses. If they did not want to repeat the tragedy of the Napoleonic Wars, the best method was not to fight.

"You cowards! Do you think that by playing the turtle, the French won't see you? France is powerful, but have you forgotten who defeated them?" Count Latour, a hot-tempered veteran of the anti-French wars, could not stand seeing the French prestige inflated.

"Latour! You brute, without money, do you intend to go to the battlefield yourself? Furthermore, are we to bleed Austria dry just for Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg?" Prince Windisch-Graetz retorted.

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

"A soldier’s duty is to obey, to serve the state, not to serve your bullshit dignity..."

The two sides were at each other's throats, and Francis II wavered in the middle. To be honest, he was deeply disgusted by France, but the Napoleonic Wars brought back too many bad memories, and he was somewhat fearful.

Just then, bad news arrived: an uprising had broken out in Bohemia, protesting the entry of South German goods. The local garrison could not suppress it and requested reinforcements from Vienna.

Francis II made his 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!"

...Everyone with eyes knew that there were 80,000 regular troops in Bohemia, more than enough to suppress an uprising.