Chapter 20: The Conspiracy
Chapter 20 The Conspiracy
The failure of the strike movement and the prestige of the bourgeois leader, Mr. Verres, was shaken, and many were skeptical that he could lead the way in forcing the government to give in.
In contrast, the bourgeois revolutionary party became active again, and a portion of the capitalists changed their position and secretly hooked up with the revolutionary party in an attempt to overthrow the Viennese government and establish a bourgeois regime.
Of course, thinking about it, but let them raise the banner of rebellion, it is never possible. Even if they want to revolutionize, it can only be someone else, they all have a lot of money, life is precious.
We are all smart people, the weakness of the Austrian Empire has not been exposed, this time to rebel, it is easy to become a martyr.
Most of the capitalists had little confidence in the Revolutionary Party, and they still pinned their hopes on a non-violent struggle to force the government to give in.
In the manor house outside Vienna, a banquet was being held, and Mr. Verres, as host, was making an impassioned speech.
Yes, this is the banquet movement that has come over from France, except that in Austria it seems to be a little watered down, and apart from the capitalists only a few scholars who have been crippled by liberalism are attending.
“Gentlemen, we must be united, the last time we failed, it was because we did not do it together that we were broken by the enemy one by one!
As long as we unite and fight, the enemy will eventually be defeated by us, and victory will ultimately be ours.
No revolution, no bloodshed, use our best means to defeat the enemy in our best area, it’s not hard to do that!
Just ……”
Not everyone was happy with Veris’ speech, at least the revolutionaries who came to the banquet were very upset.
“Mr. Vires, can your so-called bloodless resistance really make the enemy give in? Wake up, the corrupt Viennese government will not hear the people’s cries, true freedom can only be realized by revolution ……”
Without waiting for him to finish his sentence, Vires roared angrily, “Who let him in, quickly throw this bastard out, he’s trying to get everyone killed!”
Nima, shouting revolution so loudly, do you really think the Vienna government’s secret police are shit-eaters?
Not only was Veris enraged, many capitalists who came to the banquet were also enraged. Even if you want a revolution, you have to say it in private, we can give you support in secret, to say it so loudly, what do you want everyone to do?
Support the revolution? I guess it won’t take long to go to jail. There are so many people attending the banquet this time, who knows if there are any traitors among them?
Oppose, must oppose, involving their own security, capitalists are very cautious, have denounced the revolutionaries, as if they are all models of loyalty and patriotism.
Vienna is not Paris, the revolutionary enthusiasm is not so high, the Vienna government is not as unpopular as the July dynasty, not everyone wants to rebel.
Stirred up by the revolutionaries, this speech naturally ended hastily, and then turned into a secret meeting.
The killing power of the labor protection law is still very big, even these servants who organized the banquet are among the beneficiaries, it is unlikely that any one of them is hot-headed and sells them out, everyone is still very careful.
“Mr. Veris, can we really make the government give in by jacking up prices? You have to know that the nobility’s energy isn’t small, if they make a move to block us, maybe everyone will have to steal the chicken and lose the rice!” The big capitalist Ham questioned
The two were business rivals, and because of their common interests they sat together, but there was no way to eliminate the contradictions between them.
Verris explained, “It is because of the nobles that we will achieve the ultimate victory. Don’t forget that our Prime Minister Lord is the one who advocates the abolition of serfdom, if the nobles don’t want to find a way to screw him over, aren’t they afraid that he’ll pass legislation to enforce it like he did this time?”
The moderate capitalist Field spoke up and agreed, “Mr. Veris is right, this old undead bastard Metternich has offended quite a few people over the years, and there are plenty of people who want him to step down.
Once this old fox rolls out, the new Prime Minister won’t have his prestige, and if he doesn’t compromise with us, he won’t be able to stabilize the situation!”
Felder and Verris had similar political philosophies, both of them were opposed to having a violent revolution and favored bloodless means to fight for rights and interests.
This was dictated by their interests, and as one of Austria’s top capitalists, they owned a large number of industries.
Once there was a revolution, they would face a new shuffling of interests, and in case if they failed, they would lose their money in blood.
Verris spoke again: “Mr. Ham, the nobles are not a good thing, we raise prices, it is entirely possible for them to participate, we all make money together, and at that time, for their own interests, they will not block us.
It doesn’t need to be much, as long as one fifth of the nobles are on our side, Metternich will be powerless to do anything, this time our slogan is to make Metternich step down!
The repeal of the labor protection law, the implementation of constitutional government, and the issue of universal suffrage, we can postpone them until the next government.”
Apparently having failed once, Verres became more cautious.
The Labor Protection Act was used by the conservative aristocracy to fight the bourgeoisie, and it was clear that concessions would not be made easily.
Constitutionalism and universal suffrage, that’s even more so, as soon as this slogan was shouted, it was going to be met with a full-blown blow from the aristocratic clique.
On the contrary, it is easier to succeed by targeting only Prime Minister Metternich, after all, there are quite a few people among the nobles who are against him.
Ham thought for a moment and said, ”Then I will believe you once more, but what are your thoughts on the revolutionary party that appeared today? Everyone is an understanding person, no need to hide it!”
Fielder sneered and said, “Is it even necessary to say? Of course it’s time to draw the line, it’s not like you guys don’t know about the French Revolution, who wants to go through it once?”
Ham sneered, “Mr. Fields, this kind of crowning statement, let’s forget about it!
I know you all have to be in touch with them privately, I mean have you thought about increasing your support for them.
Not for them to be successful, just to hold back some of the government’s energies?”
Verris hurriedly said, “Mr. Ham, this joke should stop there, I never knew any revolutionary party!”
Unlike the bold Ham, Verris is already old, his family is big and he doesn’t want to take any more risks, secretly providing funds for the revolutionaries, this is already the limit of what he can do.
(End of chapter)