Chapter 587: Austria's Backbone
In the luxurious top-floor special advisor's office at Flash Company, Carona worked enthusiastically to consolidate accounts amidst the soothing sound of music being played by musicians next door.
Lately, Carona had taken charge of coordinating the company's operations and managing financial matters.
Steller was responsible for company management, sales, and public displays, while Mesmer played the role of a nobleman, boasting about the gas lamp project to attract wealthy investors to purchase bonds—and indulging in the company of several English ladies along the way.
It wasn't long before the results of Carona's calculations appeared on his ledger:
Total income from Flash Company bonds: £860,000Total income from gas lamp sales: £115,000Project payment from London City Hall: £20,000Total expenses: £12,000
Net surplus: £983,000
Even Carona, a former French Minister of Finance, couldn't help but feel his heart race as he faced this figure.
£983,000—equivalent to over 24 million francs!
"If the French treasury had this much back then," Carona thought wryly, "I might not have lost my position."
Without delay, Carona began signing one financial instrument after another: checks, purchase orders, and instructions to transfer these vast sums to banks in Holland, Switzerland, and Venice. From there, the funds were funneled into the Banque Nationale de France via various channels.
Meanwhile, the purchased materials were shipped to the Southern Netherlands and dispersed through the Walloon region to locations across France.
And with months remaining before the year's end, funds continued to pour into Flash Company's accounts from across Britain.
Austria, North of Vienna
A luxurious gray-and-black Gemstone Type-6 French carriage, drawn by two fine Gallic horses, sped toward the city.
Inside the richly decorated cabin, Count Kaunitz frowned as he gazed out the window. His grip on the armrest was so tight his knuckles turned pale.
"His Majesty is far too lenient with those people!" he muttered through clenched teeth. "I must persuade him to issue a decree forcing the Hungarians to pay the special tax!"
Kaunitz had just returned from Silesia.
Due to severe financial shortages, he had been compelled to personally visit the front lines to reassure the soldiers, promising that their overdue wages and critical supplies would be delivered within a month. Only then had morale stabilized.
Field Marshal Lacy had also reported troubling news: the Prussians were rapidly reinforcing their troops and equipping them with newer weapons.
At this rate, the war near Breslau would soon turn decisively against Austria.
"We must also seek aid from France as quickly as possible…" Kaunitz murmured, but the thought of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce's involvement in defrauding the French made him slam his fist against the armrest in frustration.
Those detestable merchants had alienated Austria's most important ally at such a critical juncture!
As he mulled over solutions to these crises, the carriage began to slow, revealing a line of figures waiting by the roadside.
Spotting his son and grandson among them, Kaunitz momentarily forgot his troubles, a smile spreading across his face.
After the greetings, his second son climbed into the carriage with a somber expression, sitting across from him.
"Dominik, what's wrong?" Kaunitz asked, signaling the driver to resume their journey.
"Father, yesterday Count Bezborodko had an audience with His Majesty."
Kaunitz stiffened. Bezborodko was Russia's Foreign Minister—his sudden presence in Vienna could only mean something significant.
"Go on," Kaunitz said, folding his hands and frowning.
Dominik von Kaunitz spoke in a grave tone:
"He came to mediate the Prussian-Austrian conflict."
"What are the terms?"
"Count Bezborodko proposed that if we sign a ceasefire agreement with Prussia, the Tsar would recognize our claim to Wallachia."
Kaunitz's heart sank. The offer was too tempting to ignore.
Austria had long controlled Wallachia's administrative system, but local Slavic unrest had made true control elusive. With Russia's blessing, Austria could solidify its hold over the region—a territory nearly as large as Silesia.
While less prosperous than Silesia, Wallachia offered the advantage of being "a bird in hand rather than two in the bush."
"Take me to Schönbrunn Palace immediately!"
Kaunitz shouted to the driver before turning back to his son. "No matter. The Prussians are sure to reclaim Liegnitz. I'll use that as leverage to convince His Majesty…"
"Father," Dominik interrupted hesitantly, "the Russians said they would persuade Prussia to abandon Liegnitz."
"What... that's impossible!" Kaunitz slumped back, shaking his head.
Dominik hesitated but pressed on. "Count Bezborodko seems confident. He also warned that if the Silesian conflict continues, Russia will deploy 80,000 troops to enforce mediation."
Kaunitz's shoulders sagged further. He knew Russia couldn't muster that many troops at the moment, but the mere threat was enough to shift the balance in Silesia.
Dominik added one final blow:
"The British Foreign Minister also met with His Majesty and offered to guarantee the ceasefire."
Realizing the situation was almost beyond salvage, Kaunitz nonetheless rushed to Schönbrunn Palace for a last-ditch effort.
Emperor Leopold II, after two grueling hours of discussion, reluctantly granted Kaunitz one final month. If he couldn't turn the tide in Silesia by then, Austria would accept Russia's terms for a ceasefire.
Kaunitz returned home determined to muster every resource for the war effort. But before he could act, his son brought in a messenger bearing a letter from Marshal Lacy:
The Hungarian Corps had withdrawn to the Liegnitz line, citing unpaid wages.They had also run out of artillery shells.
The following day, Kaunitz arrived at Schönbrunn Palace, ready to make one last stand, but was intercepted in the corridor by Baron Walter.
With an exaggerated tone, Walter said loudly:
"Oh, esteemed Count Kaunitz! Didn't you once declare in the Cabinet that if you failed to retake Silesia, you'd resign?
"But of course, the situation may look grim now, but with your wisdom and brilliance, surely the Prussians will flee in defeat!"
"You insolent—" Kaunitz began, only to see Tugut, Cobenzel, and a dozen other officials nearby, their expressions mocking.
He could already imagine their barbs and jibes if he dared enter the emperor's chambers.
Kaunitz's pride and dignity would not allow him to endure such humiliation.
Straightening his back, he swept his icy gaze over the assembled officials before turning on his heel and walking away, his steps steady and firm.
Two days later, Kaunitz officially resigned as State Chancellor.
The emperor offered little resistance, instead praising him generously and bestowing numerous titles and rewards. He then appointed Tugut as the new State Chancellor, granting him full authority to negotiate a ceasefire with Prussia.
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