Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 505

Chapter 505: Chapter 78: Loyalty in Struggle

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The lightning failed to tear through the thick dark clouds, and after the thunder rolled through the lower layers, torrential rain poured down, washing over everything as if the heavens themselves were weeping for the misfortune of Mexico City.

In the Imperial Palace, Maximilian I sat motionless as if he had entered a sage state, unaffected by joy or sorrow, seemingly detached from everything around him.

“Your Majesty, we must go now! The enemy will surround the city soon, and it will be too late to escape!”

The anxious words of the guard snapped Maximilian I back to reality. The heavy rain came at the right time, successfully slowing down the rebel army’s advance.

Maximilian I shook his head and said, “There’s no need, Ferren. Mexico doesn’t have an emperor who flees. I will wait for them here. You all should leave!”

Seeing that the situation was beyond hope, Maximilian I chose not to fight to the end. Instead, he dismissed his subordinates and faced failure alone.

This decision was undoubtedly the right one, as it allowed him to avoid the ugliness of human nature. If he had insisted on dragging everyone down with him, he would have likely experienced betrayal firsthand.

Besides a few loyal guards, the others had fled. Of course, not all who stayed were truly loyal; many remained because they were too closely tied to the emperor, and without his protection, they could only seek asylum abroad.

If they had served another emperor, they might have amassed enough wealth to comfortably take exile.

However, it was different with this emperor. Even when there were benefits, they were limited. Now, even those contemplating flight had to consider their financial situations, as not everyone could easily adapt to a life of hardship after a life of luxury and comfort.

In the eyes of many, Maximilian I, the fallen emperor, still had considerable value. Even though he had been dethroned, the Habsburg family remained in its prime, and there was a chance for restoration in the future.

At the very least, they could secure a long-term source of support. Could the loyal followers of the emperor really be starved?

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Unfortunately, Maximilian I was no ordinary person. He had no intention of fleeing. No matter how his subordinates tried to persuade him, he refused to seek refuge in the Austrian Central American Colony.

This left many in a difficult position. The rebel army might hesitate to kill the emperor, but they would have no qualms about executing them. Perhaps to highlight their own righteousness, the revolutionaries would need to carry out a massacre.

The original timeline was witness to an excessive killing spree that plunged Mexico into a period of warlordism. The current situation was not much different; revolutions always require bloodshed.

These failed reformists were naturally the perfect sacrificial lambs. There was no injustice about it—their biggest problem was incompetence.

Birds of a feather flock together. Maximilian I, an idealist, naturally attracted like-minded idealists.

They all talked a big game, but when it came to action, they fell short. If they had had any real ability, they would not have let the rebel army turn the tables.

Not to mention, if they had started with a massacre or had refused to pardon the political prisoners, the growth of the rebel army would not have been so rapid.

Nowadays, five out of ten of the rebel army’s leaders are those whom Maximilian I had himself released, and the remaining four or five were provoked by their unrealistic reforms.

It should be remembered that at the best of times, the rebel army was reduced to a few guerrilla squads of a hundred or so men. If it were not for crucial failures, the rebel army would have been a non-issue.

“`

“`

“Your Majesty, please leave first; we still have opportunities to rise again later. Even Napoleon restored his reign in June; why obsess over temporary gains and losses?”

The middle-aged Guard Commander was truly anxious. Others could flee, but he couldn’t. He was from Austria. As a guard to Maximilian I, if he abandoned the Emperor and ran back home, even if the Habsburg Family didn’t trouble him, how could he hold his head high for the rest of his life?

After this failed speculation, his ambition was almost completely ground down. He no longer cared about achieving fame and fortune; all he wanted was to live out his days in peace.

After all, he was only the Guard Commander to Maximilian I. He didn’t need to answer for the fall of the Mexican Government; just bringing the Emperor back safely would mean he hadn’t failed.

Once back, he could continue to serve as the deposed Emperor’s Guard Commander, portraying a loyal servant. The Habsburg Family would never mistreat a loyal servant.

Through a mix of threats and inducements, Ferren still managed to gather a small squad of a hundred men, preparing to escort Maximilian I on his escape.

Of course, all this was done in the name of Maximilian I. The promises made would still have to be paid for by this dethroned Emperor.

Make no mistake, however fallen, Maximilian was still a great figure. Once back in Vienna, fulfilling these promises wouldn’t be an issue at all.

He even made preparations for the worst scenario: if necessary, he would take the Emperor and seek refuge in the Austrian Embassy. Should the rebel army dare to attack, it would give the Vienna Government a perfect excuse to intervene.

Maximilian was still steeped in his defeat, naturally oblivious to his subordinate’s actions. He simply shook his head, silent for a long while before finally saying, “Napoleon failed; what makes us think we can succeed?”

Ferren was flabbergasted, cautious of the obstinate and delusional middle-aged man; it was impossible to reason with him. Success was naturally an extremely slim chance; he was merely looking for an excuse to escape.

“Your Majesty, the rebel army is only a day’s march from Mexico City; once the rain stops, they will lay siege. If we miss this opportunity, it will be difficult for us to leave.”

Maximilian I simply shook his head again, as if he had made up his mind to stay and confront the rebel army about their reasons for rebelling.

…

The rebel army didn’t march through the rain. Was it out of consideration for their soldiers? The answer is no. Many, including President Juarez, didn’t know how to deal with Maximilian I.

They were deliberately leaving an obvious loophole, hoping he would just get lost, and preferably die on the way, sparing everyone the worry.

There was no denying, political struggle is complex. Don’t think that because Maximilian I pardoned many high-ranking members of the rebel army, they felt grateful. Even if gratitude existed, in the face of reality, no one dared to show it.

Regardless of their true feelings, these people would vehemently denounce him in public, with an extremely resolute attitude.

There were also some who had been supporters of Maximilian I, but who had switched sides after their interests were harmed during the reforms.

These aggrieved parties naturally loathed Maximilian I to the bone, and not denouncing him would be a disservice to the Mexican people.

In the original timeline, Maximilian I was executed by guillotine because of this. However, things are different now; Austria has become a neighbor to Mexico.

If they killed Maximilian I, who knew whether the Habsburg Family would just let it go? What if, using revenge as their pretext, they invaded Mexico? What then?

“`

“`

Everyone shouted slogans, but no one truly wanted to go to war with Austria. Despite the French beating a hasty retreat, they had dominated the field and left a shadow in the hearts of their opponents.

President Juarez did not want to keep the trouble that was Maximilian I, but he was also reluctant to provoke the Austrians over this issue.

Unlike the French, who left after their defeat, Austria had a foundation. Austrian Central American Colony could not swallow Mexico whole, but it was certainly possible to take a bite out of them.

Juarez was no fool; he paid attention to international politics and understood his neighbors very well.

The United States of America wanted access to Mexico’s market, the Confederate States of America had the same idea, and the British-Australian-Western countries were all eyeing them greedily.

Previously, the French presence had restrained these powers, but now the pressure fell on their shoulders.

Relying on the prestige of having driven out the French to deter these enemies, President Juarez was not confident.

He would rather keep the risk that Maximilian I represented than invite intervention from other nations because of this issue.

The rain gradually stopped, but Maximilian I remained in the Palace, unwilling to leave this place of sorrow.

The Rebel army was on its way to Mexico City, and the morale within the city was already shaken; Ferren was barely able to keep his men in check.

An impatient guard asked, “General, His Majesty still refuses to leave?”

Ferren may have been just a Guard Commander, but he held the rank of major general in the Mexican Empire, an area where Maximilian I was quite generous.

“Caland, keep your cool. Send someone to keep an eye on the Rebel army. The situation has changed; if His Majesty refuses to leave the Palace, we must forcibly take him to the Austrian Embassy if necessary.

I’ve already made arrangements with the Austrian diplomat. All of you, along with your families, might receive Austrian citizenship. The Revolutionaries would not dare to touch Austrian citizens.”

Upon hearing Ferren’s explanation, everyone felt a surge of relief. The Mexican Empire was a semi-colonial, semi-feudal empire, with foreign powers enjoying many privileges within it.

When dealing with foreign affairs, the Mexican Government was always cautious. Compared to others, Maximilian I’s reign had been the most assertive period in Mexico’s foreign relations.

Due to his background, Maximilian I had a deep understanding of European nations and was not overwhelmed by fear.

Issues that terrified government officials could not intimidate him, the Emperor. He could implement the law and face the envoys of various nations with composure.

This was of little use, as not everything could be managed by the Emperor. The necessary privileges were still in full effect, and officials respected them with trepidation.

With this protective amulet, at least they could be spared from the Rebel army’s purge. Internally, they could wield their swords, but the Government of Juarez would never dare to massacre when it came to foreign affairs.

Those still following Ferren were staunch Royalists. The Emperor was the state; serving the Emperor naturally meant there was no such thing as treason, so there was no weight on their consciences.

Many were betting on Maximilian I’s restoration, for one simple reason: his lineage. The Habsburg family had the power to restore him. In conventional thinking, it made no sense for the Habsburgs to relinquish a crown already within their grasp.

The conflicts between Maximilian I and his family were not something ordinary people could know of. The Habsburg family were too embarrassed to announce it publicly, and Maximilian I dared not speak of it either.

The Rebel army was approaching, and Mexico City had descended into chaos—looting, smashing, burning—it was all happening every passing moment as humanity’s ugliness was laid bare.

At dusk, a young soldier rode hard into the Palace, shouting, “The Rebel army has entered the city!”

With this news, the atmosphere in the Palace instantly tightened. This time, Ferren did not consult Maximilian I. He decisively ordered, “Go, let’s escort His Majesty to the Austrian Embassy.”

No matter whether Maximilian I agreed or not, he was forcibly put into a carriage and taken to the Austrian Embassy in Mexico.

The cramped Austrian Embassy clearly could not accommodate so many people, but that was no problem—the Embassy could be temporarily expanded.

The buildings surrounding it were quickly adorned with the Austrian flag, effectively becoming part of the Austrian Embassy in Mexico.

The Emperor being there legitimized the expansion of the Embassy. Now that the die was cast, Maximilian I could not reproach his subordinates for acting on their own; after all, they were merely being loyal.

The Austrian diplomat Compton’s corners of his lips were about to split with joy, knowing this was an honor delivered to his doorstep, a rare opportunity.

If he successfully returned Maximilian I to his country, he could please the great Emperor; and even if he failed, he had created a pretext for Austrian intervention in Mexico.

Compton was not afraid of the Rebels; no matter what, the Mexican Rebels would not dare to mess with him, an Austrian diplomat. If they touched him, it would be a declaration of war against Austria.

This dire consequence was not something the nascent government could endure. After years of struggle, they had finally become masters of their own domain; no one wanted to go back to a life of hiding and seeking refuge.

After settling Maximilian I, the jubilant Minister Compton immediately promised the crowd, “Don’t worry, from this moment on you are guards of the Austrian Embassy in Mexico.

We’ve already prepared uniforms, and you can change into them later. If the Rebel army dares to act, it’d be challenging the mighty Austria!”

Clearly, Compton was well prepared. As soon as he had made contact with Ferren, he had ordered a set of uniforms from the Austrian territories in Central America.

Now, just by donning a new uniform, their status changed in an instant. From guards of the Emperor of Mexico, they became guards of the Austrian Embassy.

The issue of whether Austria had the right to station troops in Mexico City was not for consideration—it was a given! And even if it wasn’t, Maximilian I could issue a temporary order to make it so.

No matter whether the Republican Government led by Juarez acknowledged it or not, at that moment, Austria possessed the right to station troops. Compton demonstrated the skill of a diplomat from a major power by securing a privilege for Austria with no fuss whatsoever.

Cheers broke out; they were finally safe. Becoming guards of the Austrian Embassy meant they had weathered the storm.

The only one feeling desolate was Maximilian I, who lay alone on his bed, sighing.

“`

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