Chapter 0670: Burning Bridges After Crossing the River

"Damn those Germans! They have clearly conspired with the Italians, uniting to pressure the Empire, deliberately denying us any significant benefit from our dealings with the Italians. They have completely forgotten that we are supposed to be allies!" Upon returning to the embassy, Crown Prince Karl erupted in a furious roar.

The Germans, under the guise of mediation in the negotiations between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy, were actually using the opportunity to apply pressure on the Empire, leaving them with a profound sense of betrayal.

"Your Highness, such is the nature of international relations. The Germans have already gained everything they wanted from this war. Whether the Empire's demands are met is no longer within their consideration. In fact, they have already begun to suppress the Empire for their own gain," Baron Berchtold said with deep concern.

Although Baron Berchtold was also angered, his primary emotion was one of anxiety. Without a doubt, Germany's foreign policy had shifted. Wilhelm III was very different from his predecessor, Wilhelm II. Wilhelm II had valued the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a crucial ally, and such a situation would never have occurred if he had still been alive. However, Wilhelm III, indifferent to the Empire's alliance, saw no strategic benefit in maintaining strong ties with a weak power. During the war, when Wilhelm III had personally led the military campaigns, he had developed a clear understanding of the Empire's military shortcomings. Now, with this understanding, Germany's disregard for the Empire was unsurprising.

"Damn them! The Germans are clearly burning the bridge after crossing the river! If it weren't for the Austro-Hungarian Empire's support, how could they have possibly won this war? Now that the victory is theirs, they want to cast us aside—it's outrageous! The Empire suffered catastrophic losses in this war. And now, the Germans treat us like this!" Crown Prince Karl's face twisted in fury.

Baron Berchtold believed that without the Austro-Hungarian Empire, even if Germany had won, it would have been an incredibly difficult struggle. The Empire's role, although not large, had certainly helped Germany. Now, for the Germans to discard that assistance was shameless.

"But now we are fully aware of the Germans' intentions, yet we find ourselves powerless to respond! The Germans have clearly chosen to side with the Italians, bolstering them. If we hoped to leverage this situation to extract more benefits, it's no longer possible," Baron Berchtold sighed.

If Italy had not had Germany's support, the Empire could have still used military threats. But now, with Italy bolstered by German backing, they had more confidence and a stronger position. This greatly diminished the Empire's chances of success in any conflict. If the Empire were to initiate a war without certainty of victory, the consequences could be dire. A failure would bring unprecedented losses to the Empire.

"So what should we do? Should we just bow our heads and surrender to the Germans? I can't swallow that!" Crown Prince Karl's face was contorted with rage.

If they were to compromise, it would mean accepting the German mediation and signing a peace treaty with Italy. However, the terms of the treaty were far from what Crown Prince Karl had hoped for, making him unwilling to accept them.

But if they refused, what could they do? There was a real risk of gaining nothing.

"We must report this to the Emperor, and let His Majesty decide," Baron Berchtold suggested.

The complexity of the peace negotiations had far exceeded their expectations. Although they were full plenipotentiaries of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they had no power to make the final decision. They would have to report to Vienna and allow Emperor Franz Joseph I and the Empire's senior officials to deliberate.

Crown Prince Karl, though reluctant, could only nod in agreement.

Originally, Crown Prince Karl had hoped to use the negotiations to secure significant gains for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, thereby boosting his own prestige within the Empire. The Empire's ministers would have seen him in a new light. But now, all his plans had come to nothing.

"Damn those Germans! It's all your fault! Just wait—once I ascend to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, you will pay for this!" Crown Prince Karl ground his teeth in silent rage.

In Vienna, at Schönbrunn Palace, the health of Emperor Franz Joseph I was deteriorating rapidly. Most of the time, he remained in bed, and everyone knew that the Emperor could not have much longer to live.

It was fortunate, however, that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had emerged victorious in the war. At least they didn't have to worry about the fate of the nation. Had they been defeated in the war and faced the death of Emperor Franz Joseph I, it would have dealt a devastating blow to the Empire.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a dual monarchy, and only Emperor Franz Joseph I possessed the personal authority to unify its diverse peoples. No one else, not even Crown Prince Karl, had such power. Thus, Emperor Franz Joseph I was regarded as the stabilizing force of the Empire.

A council of high-ranking officials had been summoned to Schönbrunn Palace, including Prime Minister Mario Weber, Minister of War and Army Chief of Staff Duke Kaspar, Minister of Finance Duke Andreas, Hungarian Prime Minister István von Tisza, and Chief of the General Staff Marshal Baron Herzendorf.

Despite his frail condition, Emperor Franz Joseph I had dragged himself to his office, where he summoned his ministers. Though he no longer had the strength to deal with state matters, the urgency of the situation left him with no choice but to personally meet with his ministers.

"My lords, the Crown Prince and our Foreign Minister have encountered difficulties in the peace talks in Berlin. The Germans are trying to burn the bridges after crossing the river. What shall the Empire do now?" Emperor Franz Joseph I leaned back on the sofa, exhausted, awaiting his ministers' responses.