The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 890 It's an honor to be a dog of the Great Yu!

November 15, 1809. The 34th year of the Guangzhong reign of the Great Yu Dynasty, which was originally the 14th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, the 8th day of the 10th lunar month.

As with the first fall of Vienna in 1805, Archduke Karl and Mogonse abandoned Vienna and continued their retreat along the Danube towards Pozzoni (Bratislava).

This is because large cities like Vienna, as well as Paris, London, and even the two capitals and one capital of the Great Yu Dynasty, were basically unable to hold onto their positions after the modern industrial revolution.

Putting aside everything else, just the fact that the enemy set up howitzers on high ground outside the city and hurled incendiary and explosive bombs into the city would have made it impossible to withstand the attack.

At that time, there were not many cement buildings. Most of them were wooden buildings with a few brick and tile houses. As for limestone buildings, they were the exclusive property of nobles and royalty. Ordinary people could forget about them.

In such a situation, a single incendiary bomb would turn the city into a living hell. Even if the nobles could withstand it, the residents of the city certainly couldn't.

Therefore, once the satellite fortresses and key locations outside the city are lost, these large cities are basically taken over peacefully.

With the fall of Vienna, Napoleon's campaign at Linz and the subsequent pursuit finally came to an end.

Just as the Battle of Wagram was a Pyrrhic victory in history, the Battle of Linz and the pursuit were also Pyrrhic victories.

Of course, there is a very big difference between the two battles in terms of how devastating they were.

In the Battle of Linz and the pursuit, Napoleon mobilized an army of 200,000. More than 15,000 were killed or wounded in the Battle of Linz alone, and the total losses in the pursuit before and after that came close to 20,000.

In other words, the French army did win, but suffered at least 30,000 casualties, of which the number of guards and veterans was conservatively estimated at around 10,000.

If we include prisoners of war, those who died from injuries or were unable to return to their units, and a small number captured by the Austrian army, the total French losses were around 50,000.

The number of casualties was nearly 20,000 more than at the Battle of Wagram, and the loss of elite troops was 1.5 times that of Wagram. This was basically the largest loss since Napoleon ascended the throne.

However, the losses suffered by Austria were even more staggering.

Excluding the Xia and Anxi armies, the Austrian army conscripted a total of about 140,000 men. The Battle of Linz resulted in a direct loss of 30,000 men. After retreating to Kolnovc, the number of men remaining was reduced from 110,000 to just over 60,000.

Admittedly, a large portion of them were scattered or hid somewhere, so it's impossible to lose 50,000 people at once, but the loss of 15,000 to 20,000 people is certain.

In other words, the most conservative estimate is that the Austrian army lost nearly 50,000 men in the battle of Linz and the pursuit. Based on the remaining forces, the loss reached an astonishing 80,000.

This may seem similar to the losses suffered by the French army, but in reality, the difference is enormous.

The French army did not suffer significant losses; most of those killed were Dutch, Irish, Italian, and Germans from the Confederation of the Rhine.

The Austrian army's losses were mainly its most elite troops, and the loss of heavy weapons such as artillery must have exceeded half.

To be responsible, the Austrian army had basically collapsed and was no longer able to participate in large-scale battles involving more than 100,000 people.

Moreover, the Austrian Empire's misfortunes were far from over. While the Franco-Austrian conflict was raging, the Tsarist Rus' Empire launched an attack and captured Galicia, north of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, which is located in southeastern Poland and western Ukraine.

Subsequently, the renowned Russian general Prince Balagedian led 130,000 Russian troops through a gap at the junction of the Eastern and Western Carpathian Mountains into Moravia (western Czech Republic).

After conquering Moravia, the Russian army divided its forces again. Count Mikhail Barclay of Benihisen led 50,000 troops westward into Bohemia, defeating the last Austrian garrison in Bohemia. Thus, the Rus' Empire essentially controlled what would later become Czechoslovakia.

Prince Balaghdian left 10,000 troops to garrison Moravia, while he personally led 60,000 elite Russian troops along the Vakh River towards Pozoni (Bratislava).

The only thing that could give the Austrians a sigh of relief was that after the Russian army had marched fifty or sixty kilometers, it suddenly began to slow down, seemingly not wanting to wipe out Austria entirely, or perhaps they were still waiting for a better price.

Schönbrunn Palace, near Vienna.

Although Napoleon won the war, he was still somewhat anxious.

Because the level of the Seres Empire's Imperial Guard and the new weapons they displayed far exceeded Napoleon's estimates.

At the same time, Napoleon was disgusted.

The people who disgusted him were the Russians.

Before the Battle of Linz, Napoleon made a promising promise and was eager for the Russian army to quickly enter the Austrian Empire to help relieve his pressure, but the Russian army moved slowly.

But after he paid a heavy price to win the Battle of Linz, the Russians suddenly became very swift in their actions.

In just two months, they swallowed up Galicia, Moravia (western Czech Republic), and Bohemia (eastern Czech Republic and parts of Poland).

The French and Austrian armies lost 70,000 to 80,000 men in the two battles, but they didn't salvage as much as the Russian army did in the past two months.

And now, the Russian commander-in-chief, Prince Balagdion, has shamelessly sent someone to say that the Russian army can take down Pozzoni for the French emperor.

However, they hope to receive the territory east of Pozoni (two-thirds of Slovakia) as compensation.

"Damn beggars, white-skinned Tartars, I want to kill all these disgusting things right now!" Napoleon became more and more furious and started cursing.

The surrounding officers all kept their eyes down and didn't dare to offer any advice.

In these two battles against Austria, the French army not only suffered heavy losses, but also lost Marshal Lannes, the king of hussars Lassalle, and General Saint-Hilaire, the most perfect division commander in large-scale decisive battles.

These three men were all the emperor's darlings, especially Rana and Lasalle, who were not only the emperor's most valiant generals but also his closest friends.

The emperor's emotional collapse upon losing them is unimaginable.

“Your Majesty, if we look at things from a different perspective, things might be different.” A few minutes later, Marshal Berthier, Napoleon’s trusted chief of staff, arrived and persuaded Napoleon to relent.

"Gallicia and Bohemia were originally promised to us, so it's not unreasonable for the Rus' to take them now."

Most importantly, while our main forces are in Spain and Portugal, we need the Rus' army.

“But the territory east of Pozzoni cannot be given to the Rus’ people; they are too greedy.” Napoleon was still somewhat angry.

"Balaghdian is a soldier, so naturally he wants to acquire as much land as possible, because it can bring him glory and status."

But I think Tsar Alexander and Speransky will understand the importance of allying with us.

Berthier unconsciously rubbed his forehead as he said this, "The Seris Empire is too powerful. We cannot fight against it alone, and the Ross Empire is even less capable."

Moreover, the threat they face from the Seres Empire is far more severe than ours. Unless His Majesty Tsar Alexander has lost his mind, he knows who needs whom more.

Napoleon thought for a moment and agreed with Berthier's opinion, but then suddenly said, "I want to take down Bozzoni."

Moreover, the objectives must be achieved at least one of the following: to weaken the Austrian Empire to the greatest extent possible and to severely cripple the Belgian army and the Seres-Ancien Army.

“Then I will go to the Russian camp immediately and persuade Prince Balaguetion to march.” Berthier understood Napoleon’s meaning.

The French army is now very exhausted, while the Belgian army and the Serres-Ancien Army still maintain good combat effectiveness.

To capture Pozzoni and achieve one of these two objectives, it is necessary to get the Russians to play a significant role in this battle.

After Pozzoni (Bratisla) and Mogonze led their troops to this place, they immediately drove away the Austrian nobles living in the Hungarian Royal Guard Palace and the Archbishop's Summer Palace.

Of the two palaces, the former was the garrison of the Austrian Empire's Hungarian Guard, while the latter was the palace used for the coronation of Hungarian kings; it was here that Franz was crowned King of Hungary.

Mogonze's immediate occupation of the two palaces was a clear disregard for Franz's authority and conveyed a very clear message. What terrified Franz and the other Austrian nobles even more was that Mogonze's assertive stance garnered significant support from the citizens of Pozzoni.

At this time, the Kingdom of Hungary in a broad sense covered a very wide area, and the concept of Slovaks had not yet emerged; many people here identified themselves as Hungarians.

Meanwhile, Mogonze has long been the de facto King of Hungary, lacking only the formal ceremony.

In particular, his southward expansion policy was designed to expand Hungary's economic pie, which was far more appealing than the Austrian aristocracy's mere exploitation.

By now, Emperor Franz realized that he had once again kicked a hornet's nest.

And at these times, this guy's IQ would briefly but quickly recover.

This is also why, despite Franz I's series of disastrous actions, the empire did not come to a complete standstill.

He's the kind of jerk who brags as soon as he's free, but begs for mercy as soon as you grab him by the neck. In a pinch, he knows how to save his life.

"Aunt Maria, what brings you here? Please sit down." Mo Gongze had been sitting there with an air of superiority, ready to thoroughly humiliate the envoy sent by Franz, but upon seeing the newcomer, he realized that not only could he not humiliate him, but he also had to hurry over to greet him.

Because the visitor was Maria Carolina, Queen of Sicily and the only surviving child of Queen Theresa, the aunt of Mogok, and the only surviving child of Queen Theresa.

“Ferdinand, I’m here to speak on behalf of Franz. Others may ignore him or laugh at him, but I can’t.”

Because poor Maria left her children so early, I, as their grandmother, cannot let them lose their father as well.

Maria Carolina was quite direct, and she burst into tears after she finished speaking.

This gave Mo Gongze a bit of a headache, because Maria Carolina was not only Mo Gongze's aunt, but also the Austrian Empress who died in childbirth last year, and the mother of the two Sicilian princesses Maria.

In other words, she was the aunt and mother-in-law of Emperor Franz of Austria; she was also the maternal grandmother of Princess Maria, the Queen of Liaodong; and the aunt of Mo Gongze's half-brother, Prince Cuckoo, and Prince Mo Zhouyao of Goa.

Even if this identity were applied to Mo Zibu, it would still warrant special treatment.

“I cannot forgive Franz, Aunt Maria. Even if I were willing to forgive, my followers would not be. No one would want to follow a monarch who is repeatedly tricked and never fights back.”

After thinking for a moment, Mo Gongze clearly expressed his attitude: he wanted to see what conditions Franz could offer first.

“I know, I know,” Maria Carolina said, holding Mo Gongze’s hand.

"I know you have sacrificed a lot for the empire and the Habsburg family, for the entrustment of your grandmother and mother."

But that's precisely why you can't give up supporting Franz now, otherwise all your previous efforts will be wasted.

This makes sense, and it's why Mogölze didn't break with Franz I in the end. Even without considering his maternal grandmother, Queen Theresa, and his mother, the sunk costs of a complete break would be too great.

"Franz and his ministers have decided to formally cede the title of King of Hungary to you, but this Kingdom of Hungary cannot include Upper Hungary, Croatia, and the Duchy of Carniola."

At this time, Slovakia was officially known as Upper Hungary in Austria, and the Duchy of Carniola was the later Slovenia, which was administered by the Governor-General of Croatia.

Maria Carolina explained this because, whether in the Holy Roman Empire or the present Austrian Empire, the Hungarians, as the second-ranking empire, enjoyed certain privileges.

For example, the governor of Croatia is usually a Hungarian, who in turn has a great deal of influence over Slovenia.

When Mo Gongze's father, Mo Zirong, held the most power, he could issue orders to Croatia and Slovenia.

Mo Gongze sighed, "Aunt, please don't put me in a difficult position. Even if I'm willing to accept the Emperor's belated compensation, is a Hungarian Kingdom that doesn't even have a proper Hungarian territory still a Hungarian Kingdom?"

"Aunt, Pozony is the capital of Hungary!"

"Yes, Auntie understands how you feel, but now that the Empire has reached this point, if the Austrians cannot retain Upper Hungary, then it will truly become the Electorate of Vienna."

Maria Carolina lowered her voice, "Ferdinand, you are also a member of the Habsburg family, an Austrian. If you weaken the Empire excessively at this time, it will definitely arouse dissatisfaction among all Austrians."

If you only want to be the King of Hungary, not the godfather of the next emperor, and not the regent of the future Austrian Empire, then you may freely humiliate Franz during this time of national crisis!

Mo Gongze fell silent. No wonder Grand Duke Karl said he could help Mo Gongze become the godfather of the next emperor; it turned out he had invited Maria Carolina, this great goddess.

"Aunt Maria, you're willing to support me?" Mo Gongze was also a little surprised. Apart from being a bit mentally challenged, Emperor Franz was in very good health.

The emperor, who is 41 years old this year, is in good health. Logically speaking, it would be at least another one or two decades before Mo Gongze becomes the godfather of the next Austrian emperor and the regent of the Austrian Empire. It is indeed strange that Maria Carolina has taken sides so early.

“It’s not just me who supports you, it’s many of us, including Duke Karl of Tyson.”

Because we knew very well that if Franz continued to act recklessly, Austria and the Habsburg family would be doomed.

A wise monarch must step forward to reform the empire after its numerous defeats, restore the glory of the Habsburg family, and revive the Holy Roman Empire of the Germans.

Maria Carolina said, a bitter smile creeping onto her face. “I am the Queen of the Kingdom of Sicily, but that damned Corsican ogre sent troops to occupy Naples and installed that madman Joachim Murat as the King of the Kingdom of Sicily.”

Ferdinando did his best to reclaim the kingdom, but for a small country like his, it was almost impossible.

Our only hope is that the Austrian Empire can regain its glory and then help us restore our nation.

"This is something Franz could hardly accomplish on his own; only you can do it, because you have the Seres Empire behind you."

This was practically blatant defection, representing a large segment of the Austrian Empire who were extremely dissatisfied with Franz's reckless actions.

If Mogongze can further demonstrate his strength and the support of the Seris Empire, these people will likely force Emperor Franz to exit the game prematurely.

Whether it's declaring someone insane and imprisoning them, or creating some kind of accident.

"I understand, Aunt, you've set your sights on the power of the Seris Empire." What Mo Gongze really meant was that these Austrians had finally seen the light after being beaten down by reality and now wanted to become the Seris Empire's dogs.

"Suffering always makes people grow. What about Easterners and Westerners, what about Seres and Europeans, what about the fourth Yellow Peril after the Huns, Turks, and Mongols?"

Hmph, anyone who believes that is a fool!

This is clearly a conspiracy theory concocted by the French, trying to get all Europeans to become their lackeys, helping them fight against the Seres Empire and ultimately dominate the world.

Maria Carolina muttered, revealing what Mo Gongze wanted to say but hadn't.

"Serving as dogs for the French means we can't even get leftovers; we can only eat the excrement that comes out after the French have enjoyed their delicacies, and we might even have to fight over it to get some."

But if you serve the Seris Empire like a dog, at least your great emperor uncle will allow us to dip black bread in the broth after he's had his fill of delicious stew.

Mo Gongze stared dumbfounded at his aunt, who was always so elegant and self-assured, as she threw out the seemingly reasonable theory of eating shit.

It seems that the sacrifice of more than a thousand soldiers from Anxi was not in vain, because they showed everyone the power of the Seres Empire, so much so that the Austrian nobles quickly made their choice.

Since they had put it so clearly and were so sincere, Mo Gongze naturally didn't hesitate. However, given how many pancakes he had eaten before, Mo Gongze was a little scared.

“Aunt, I hope that while becoming the King of Hungary, I can also become Ferdinand’s godfather, since the ceremony will be held at the Archbishop’s Summer Palace anyway.”

Maria Carolina hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded. It was understandable; anyone who had been fooled so many times would not fall for it again.

(End of this chapter)