Chapter 0957: Blood and Honor

"Is the German Empire planning to annex Austria?" Baron Berchtold's eyes widened in disbelief. He had never anticipated that Germany would harbor such intentions. Initially, he and the other ministers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire believed that with Emperor Charles I's abdication and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the fury of the German Empire would be quelled. After all, at that point, the Austrian Empire posed no threat to Germany.

However, Baron Berchtold now realized that they had underestimated the ambition of the Germans. The appetite of the young emperor of the German Empire was far greater than anyone could have imagined.

"Your Majesty, since the Austro-Prussian War, Austria has already withdrawn from the German sphere. It has been more than half a century now. The Austrians no longer feel any sense of belonging or identification with the German Empire. If Your Majesty forcibly annexes Austria, it will surely incite resistance from the Austrians. After all, Austria has a population of nearly twenty million, and only about seventy percent of them are of German descent," Baron Berchtold argued.

He desperately tried to dissuade Emperor QinTian from pursuing the annexation of Austria. Although he knew it was a difficult task, he had to try for the sake of his country's future.

"I understand, but I believe that as long as they are of German descent, they will ultimately accept the German Empire. After all, the German Empire is now the world's leading power. I am certain that those Germans will be eager to become citizens of the world's strongest nation!" QinTian replied with a smile.

Although Germany had implemented population control, its effects would take at least twenty years to materialize. In order to further increase Germany's population, QinTian had no choice but to turn his attention to Austria. Of Austria's twenty million inhabitants, only seventy percent were of German descent. Combined with Germany's own population, this would result in over seventy million people. Annexing Austria would cause a tremendous population boom, thus strengthening Germany's power. Therefore, QinTian was resolute in his determination to annex Austria.

"Your Majesty, if Germany forcibly annexes Austria, we will resist to the end. Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire has crumbled, Austria still retains considerable strength. The German Empire will have to pay a hefty price," Baron Berchtold threatened. When diplomacy failed, he resorted to forceful words.

"Is that so, Baron? I look forward to seeing how your army performs. However, I have full confidence that the German Empire's military is the strongest, and the final victory will belong to us. If your country persists in its misguided path, it will only lead to unnecessary casualties," QinTian replied, not angered, but smiling instead.

Baron Berchtold was now completely despondent. He knew that no matter what he said, nothing would deter the German Empire's plans. The annexation of Austria was now inevitable.

"Very well, Your Majesty. I now fully understand the German Empire's demands. I will relay them to my country," Baron Berchtold said. His voice was filled with helplessness, and he seemed to have aged considerably.

"Baron, the annexation of Austria by the German Empire is irreversible. To avoid unnecessary casualties, I hope that the Austro-Hungarian Empire will cooperate voluntarily. I assure you that after annexation, we will do our best to protect your interests," QinTian offered.

Baron Berchtold nodded, said nothing more, and after bowing to QinTian, turned and left.

"Vashit, do you think what we're doing is too cruel?" QinTian asked.

"No, Your Majesty. Everything we do is for the benefit of the German Empire. For the sake of the Empire's future, we must act in this manner," Vashit replied.

QinTian nodded. Indeed, everything was done for the greater good of the German Empire. With this principle in mind, any action taken could be justified.

Baron Berchtold returned to the embassy. Despite the two nations being at war, the embassy had yet to be closed, allowing him to contact his homeland via the radio. After watching the telegraph operator send the message, it was already deep into the night.

"My God! Have we truly been abandoned?" Baron Berchtold muttered. He felt as though, with the death of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had ceased to exist.

In the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna, the Prime Minister's Office was filled with military and political ministers. Although it was late, no one left. None of them could rest easy until they received the telegraph from Baron Berchtold.

"Prime Minister, esteemed ministers, the Foreign Minister has sent a telegram!" the secretary reported.

Prime Minister Mario Weber immediately took the telegram and began reading it. The others gathered around to read it with him.

"Scoundrels! The Germans actually want to annex us! They have such enormous appetites!" exclaimed Duke Kaspar, the Minister of the Army.

Archduke Friedrich and Marshal Baron Herzendorf also looked grim. The German Empire's ambitions were a blow to their pride as military men.

"We've already made concessions, yet the Germans still refuse to leave us in peace?" Duke Andras, the Minister of Finance, said with a furious expression.

"Gentlemen, what should we do now? Baron Berchtold has made it very clear—the Germans are determined to annex Austria. It's almost impossible to dissuade them from this course," Prime Minister Mario Weber said.

"Perhaps even if we resist to the last, we cannot stop the Germans from annexing Austria. However, we cannot simply stand by and let them do so with ease. We must show the Germans that the Austrians are not without blood and honor!" Archduke Friedrich declared.

"Indeed, the only way is to show the Germans our resolve and our strength. Only then will they abandon their unrealistic fantasies!" Marshal Herzendorf added.

"Then let us fight to the end!" Duke Kaspar, the Minister of the Army, said.

Although they all knew that fighting to the end would likely bring no victory, after their concessions had not achieved the desired results, they were left with no choice but to fight to the death. As their nation faced the brink of extinction, their blood and honor had been stirred.