While Eder and Presan were debating how to deal with his brother-in-law, Karl I, as Emperor of Austria-Hungary, had his own troubles in the royal palace in Vienna. And his distress came from the defeat in the war against Italy.

In this war planned by him, the Austro-Hungarian army also suffered considerable losses, with more than 100,000 casualties and missing people. This led to a significant drop in his prestige in the army, especially among the officers who supported him. Funny to say, the main source of support for Karl I in the army was the armies of the various clans. On the contrary, the Germans and Hungarians, who have always been the main body of the army, do not have a high support rating.

There are also some unavoidable reasons for this, among which Karl was appointed crown prince for too short a short time and occupied a major role. Only two short years elapsed between the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the death of Franz Joseph I were not enough for Karl to grow from an ordinary prince to the helm of a country.

And it's the Austro-Hungarian wrecked ship that leaks everywhere.

In fact, the unique dualist empire founded by Franz Joseph I was inherently flawed.

The dominant German-Hungarian ethnic groups do not make up half of the country's population. And even between the two ruling nations, there is a huge gap. As a result, Austria-Hungary often fell into internal quarrels on major issues, which was very detrimental to its development (the Austro-Hungarian Act required the approval of the Austrian and Hungarian parliaments, and if it did not coincide, it would be a quarrel or a compromise).

And there were also problems with the structure of its army, which, in addition to the Reichswehr, also had the Royal Defense Guard. This structure allowed Austria-Hungary to have no problems in the face of small wars, but it was a huge flaw in world wars such as World War I.

It recruits soldiers of all ethnic groups and conveys orders simply because of the difference in language, which can be a headache. And the Austro-Hungarian method of dealing with it is also simple and rude, since the language is not comprehensible, then it is better for you to form an army alone. In this way, a separate army composed of soldiers of various nationalities was born, which also brought great hidden dangers to Austria-Hungary.

As we all know, regional independence requires its own armament, and Austria-Hungary's approach has brought hope to different ethnic groups. Of course, if the Allies win this war, Austria-Hungary can slowly suppress this trend. However, it is a pity that the last desperate struggle between Germany and Austria has failed, which makes many people see the opportunity to split and form their own countries to be the masters of their own countries.

Faced with the undercurrents surging everywhere, this made Carl a little overwhelmed. It's all because Karl ascended the throne too hastily, so he couldn't cultivate enough power, and the old military forces didn't respect him enough, so he had to rely on the armies of various tribes.

This is a sign of incompetence, and since Karl dismissed General Conrad from the post of Chief of the General Staff, his relations with the Austrian and Hungarian officers in the army have not been very good.

It's just that things have been done, and there's no turning back. Another indication of his incompetence was his peace negotiations with France through his brother-in-law, Prince Sixtus of Parma, but his behind-the-scenes activities failed completely due to his refusal to cede any of the Habsburg possessions to Italy. On the other hand, because he supported the French claims to Alsace and Lorraine, he offended his ally, Germany.

This is all a reflection of the capacity gap. Faced with the possibility of defeat, how is it possible to secretly negotiate an exit from the war, but do not want to have losses. Moreover, his words and deeds are not meticulous, which makes his country and allies very dissatisfied with him, and then damages his prestige. From all of the above, it can be seen that Karl is completely unqualified as the helmsman of the empire.

Now the situation has become quite unfavorable for the Allies, and the remarks of US President Johnson, who participated in the war, have made many people think differently.

At the beginning of this year, the President of the United States announced to the world his 14-point peace plan, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was aimed at demoralizing the Allies, but many people secretly promoted this statement for the sake of their own interests or those of the National Party. At present, this kind of rhetoric has affected the Austro-Hungarian army, and many officers who are still loyal to the empire have reacted upward, and the soldiers have become no longer training, and they have all gathered to discuss the question of national consciousness.

In particular, Article 10 allowed the autonomy of the peoples within the territory of Austria-Hungary. This is a great blessing to other peoples who have been oppressed for a long time.

Faced with this situation, the top brass of the army did not dare to force it, so Karl I could only find Archduke Friedrich, who had a high reputation in the army. I hope that the Grand Duke can use his prestige in the army to appease these soldiers who have become different-minded.

"Marshal, the morale of the army in the army has become a little impetuous, do you think anyone has a good way?"

Depressed by this question, Karl I, when Archduke Friedrich came to him, asked sincerely.

Archduke Friedrich had little time asking about the specifics of the army, especially after Admiral Conrad had been dismissed as chief of the General Staff. However, looking at Karl I in front of him who asked for advice in a sincere tone, His Excellency the Marshal was naturally willing to help His Majesty the Emperor find a way. This was his loyalty to the Habsburgs for many years, and it was the reason why Karl I sought him out in the first place.

"Your Majesty."

Archduke Friedrich, after sorting out his thoughts and words, said: "I also have some understanding of the current situation in the army, and it is not suitable to forcibly suppress it during the present war. This problem can be solved only by propagating patriotism, and by organizing people to comfort the army. Of course, as a symbol of the empire, His Majesty personally went to comfort them, and I think the effect would be better. ”

Archduke Friedrich stopped at this point, and Karl I felt that the Grand Duke had not finished his words and couldn't help asking, "Is there anything else?" ”

Faced with the young emperor's inquiry, Archduke Friedrich thought for a moment and continued: "In addition, sufficient material guarantees and necessary repairs can also alleviate this impetuousness. Of course, it needs to cooperate with the above methods. In addition......"

Archduke Friedrich paused again at this point, with a hesitant expression on his face. And Karl I saw the expression of the Grand Duke, and asked with some curiosity: "Is there anything that is inconvenient to say?" ”

Karl I's inquiry made His Excellency Marshal can't help but speak. "It's not that this is it, but this method can eradicate the situation of the army, but it is very difficult to implement."

"Say, just the two of us, I won't spread the word."

Faced with the emperor's assurance, Archduke Friedrich let go of the entanglement in his heart and said: "This solution is the government's promise that after the war all nationalities can gain the right of self-government." ”

The last piece of advice from Archduke Friedrich made Karl I frown directly.

Archduke Friedrich's right to self-government is not finished. But Karl I knew that he was talking about equal rights comparable to that of the Kingdom of Hungary. This was a major event that would shake the foundations of imperial power. Even though Karl I had only been in power for more than a year, he knew how difficult it was to carry it out, and it can be said that Franz Joseph I, who founded the Austro-Hungarian Empire and had great prestige, would have felt a tingling in his scalp on this issue. It was a decision to negate the Austrians and Hungarians as dominance, and whoever came to implement it would be afraid.

It was clear that Karl I was afraid of the last piece of advice. For if the last advice of the Grand Duke were to be implemented, it would most likely provoke a fierce revolt among the Austrian and Hungarian populations. No one will give up their rights, even if they are taken away from other peoples. And Karl I still had some illusions, even if the Austrian Empire was defeated, then it would not be a problem to keep Austria and Hungary. If this advice were implemented on its own, it would shake the very foundations of Habsburg rule.

So after all his consideration, he said to Archduke Friedrich: "The others will be as you say, and the last one will be reconsidered." ”

Archduke Friedrich heard the words of the emperor and knew that this last one had been abandoned. But the decision has been made, and he can only obey.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Archduke Friedrich's high prestige came from the fact that he rarely intervened in the specifics of the army, which made him much less involved. And now that the Grand Duke himself has come to the end, then how many of the soldiers will be impressed by the prestige of the Grand Duke when it comes to their own interests, only God knows.

But time is running out for them.

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