Germanic Empire: Please call me Wilhelm III

Austria-Hungary, Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

At the age of 84, the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I was already in a very bad mental state.

He is definitely one of the longest-lived emperors in all of Europe. He was also the most influential emperor in all of Europe. If it were not for him, I am afraid that the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire would have fallen apart due to internal problems.

But even so, Franz Joseph I felt that he might not live much time. He feared that if he died, Austria-Hungary would collapse.

Because, apart from him, no one in the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire was able to unite so many kingdoms, principalities and princely states.

Even Crown Prince Ferdinand is still far behind.

This is also the reason why Franz Joseph I entrusted all state affairs to Archduke Ferdinand in order to cultivate Archduke Ferdinand.

It also allowed Archduke Ferdinand to have a higher prestige. In this way, after he went to see God, Archduke Ferdinand could calm the situation.

Although, for Archduke Ferdinand, Franz Joseph I was not too satisfied. However, this is already the best talent that can be found in the entire Habsburg royal family.

After years of training, Franz Joseph I was also reluctantly relieved of Archduke Ferdinand.

Franz Joseph I was also an emperor with a legendary life. He became emperor at the age of eighteen and ensured the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire so that the Habsburg dynasty could continue.

Moreover, he also married Princess Sissi, the prototype of the heroine in the movie “Roman Holiday”.

But in the same way, his life was an extremely tragic one.

His son, Rudolph, the former crown prince of Austria-Hungary, committed suicide because of cheating in marriage and asking the other party to divorce him and be with him.

And his wife, too, was assassinated.

But even so, God doesn’t seem intent on letting him go.

On the day of Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination, Franz Joseph I received the news.

This shocking news is undoubtedly a shocking news for this 84-year-old man.

“Oh God! Why are you doing this to me, why are you doing this to Austria-Hungary? Franz Joseph I cried out sadly.

Archduke Ferdinand was his nephew, although Franz Joseph I did not have much affection for Archduke Ferdinand. However, Archduke Ferdinand is the crown prince of Austria-Hungary, the heir to the imperial throne!

At his age, Austria-Hungary once again had no heir. This was undoubtedly a fatal blow to Austria-Hungary!

Because Franz Joseph I has no energy, let alone time to cultivate an heir again!

Once he died, would the new heir to the empire be able to calm down and ensure the continuation of Austria-Hungary and the Habsburgs?

Franz Joseph I did not believe it at all.

He closed his eyes in pain, and this shocking news almost made his whole person faint.

“Your Majesty, damn Serbians, they actually dare to assassinate His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we absolutely can’t let them go!” Archduke Frederick, commander-in-chief of the Austro-Hungarian Army, said.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Selvia people are despicable and shameless, and they should take such a way to take revenge on us, and we must not spare them. The Imperial Army is ready to attack the Kingdom of Selvia at any time! The Austro-Hungarian Minister of War, Duke Kasbah, also said.

Almost all other senior military officials have this attitude.

Archduke Ferdinand, the crown prince of Austria-Hungary, was assassinated by the Selvians. This is an absolute shame for Austria-Hungary!

Besides, Austria-Hungary has been waiting for a suitable opportunity, an opportunity to wage war against the Kingdom of Serbia, destroy or even annex the Kingdom of Serbia, and become the hegemon of the Balkans.

And now, this opportunity has undoubtedly come. It’s just that in order to get this opportunity, the price they paid was too great. Their crown princes have all been assassinated!

“Gentlemen, can you be sure that the Serbian assassinated His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?” Franz Joseph I emphasized.

In his opinion, there are many doubts in this.

Serbia is nothing more than a small country, and there is absolutely no such boldness. Even if they had the support of the Russian Empire behind them, they would never be so daring.

Fools know how strongly they would retaliate against Austria-Hungary if they did so. Will the Kingdom of Selvia be able to withstand the retaliation of Austria-Hungary? That’s obviously delusional!

“Your Majesty, we still don’t know if there are other countries’ plans behind this. However, the only thing that is certain is that it was definitely done by the Selvians. There were many radical groups among the Selwians, and they had long been dissatisfied with the empire. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s trip to Sarajevo this time undoubtedly gave them an opportunity. The Chief of the General Staff of Austria-Hungary, Marshal Baron Herzendorf, said.

Franz Joseph I nodded: “Since this is the case, then we have no choice.” From now on, the Army immediately mobilized to expand our army to ten corps in the shortest possible time. Wait until this stage of expansion is completed, then carry out the second stage of expansion and form ten more legions! ”

Franz Joseph I knew that lions fight rabbits with all their might.

Although the Kingdom of Servia is a small country, it is not a concern. However, the Russian Empire behind the Kingdom of Serbia made Franz Joseph I have to be cautious.

With the strength of Austria-Hungary, even if it tried its best, it was not necessarily an opponent of the Russian Empire.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Marshal Baron Herzendorf, Duke Kasbah and others all answered.

“Inform the Germanic Empire that it is time for the Empire to need their support.” Franz Joseph I continued.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Foreign Secretary Count Belchdolde replied.

“Finally, note to the Kingdom of Serbia, let them take responsibility for this matter, and must give the empire a satisfactory answer. Otherwise, the Empire would never let them go! Franz Joseph I ordered.

Although, Austria-Hungary had already decided to use force against the Kingdom of Serbia. However, before launching an attack, a suitable excuse and justification is also needed. Besides, military mobilization also takes time. Especially for a slow country like Austria-Hungary, it takes more time.