"No, we haven't lost yet! It's not the time to despair yet. Even if Bohemians and Hungarians betray us, we still have half of our strength. If we fight to the death with the Germany people, we may not lose. As long as we persist, Americans is going to support us. Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf, I order all the troops across the country to go to the front to resist the Germany people's attack. In addition, we need to mobilize more troops immediately!" Karl I ordered with red eyes. Now, he is like a gambler who has lost his money and wants to put down the last bit of his fortune so that he can have a chance to make a comeback.
"Your Majesty, even if we gather troops from across the country, it will take time. Mobilization will take even more time. I'm afraid, before we have completed these preparations, the Germany people have already attacked Vienna." Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf said.
"No, it won't. Our existing army can withstand the attack of the Germany people. Even if it cannot defeat the Germany people, it can at least delay the time. Once we have assembled other troops and completed mobilization, we will have enough power to deal with the Germany people." Karl I insisted. He stubbornly believed that his plan would succeed. It is like a drowning man grabbing a straw, thinking that this straw can save his life.
In fact, it's all in vain.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid we won't be able to fulfill your request. In addition, if the situation is so bad, will Americans still support us? That is obviously impossible. Even, I doubt All this is a conspiracy set by Americans. They want us to fight with the Germany people and use us to consume the strength of the Germany people so that they can reap the benefits. However, Americans may not have expected that the situation would be like this. As soon as the war broke out, we could no longer hold on. In this case, Americans's hopes may have been lost. Not only did they not consume the strength of the Germany people, but they also made the Germany people eliminate the threats around them and become stronger," Baron von Berchtold said with a wry smile.
The other Military and Political Ministerss all looked deeply convinced. At this point, they can easily guess the cause and effect of all this.
Only Karl I's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Because, from beginning to end, he seemed to be a fool, a fool who was played by Americans and Germany in between applause. He thought that by winning over Americans, he had the capital to fight against Germany people. Unexpectedly, Americans clearly used him as cannon fodder. And Germany people are even more happy to take advantage of this opportunity to completely eliminate Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"Asshole! How dare these guys deceive me like this, I will never let them go!" Karl I said viciously. After the ministers pointed out everything, he was ashamed and angry. He could imagine that from now on, his image as an emperor would probably turn into a clown, ridiculed by others, or even ridiculed as the most incompetent emperor in the Austro-Hungarian Empire history.
Karl I absolutely does not want this to happen. However, he had no way to change all this.
"Everyone, what should we do now? How can we save Empire, or let Empire pay the minimum loss to end this war?" Karl I asked.
Now that he knew it was all a conspiracy, of course he didn't want to continue the fight. Because if the fight continues, there is no chance of winning. Relying on their own strength, it is impossible for them to defeat the Germany people. And Americans is obviously unreliable. Although, I had previously obtained a loan of US$200 million from Americans, I could use this as an excuse to refuse the loan. However, the interest-free loan of one billion dollars that Americans later promised has not yet been obtained. Two hundred million US dollars allowed his country to fall apart. This is undoubtedly a huge loss!
Austro-Hungarian Empire and Military and Political Ministers were all silent. At this point, they didn't know what to do. The Germany people finally had such an excuse, and they would definitely not give up until Austro-Hungarian Empire was defeated.
"Your Majesty, the only way now is to ask the Germany people for peace and end the war. Apart from that, we have no other way. However, the Germany people are so reluctant Yi seized the excuse to start a war with us, and it would be very difficult for them to give up. Even if the Germany people agree, we will definitely pay an unimaginable price." Baron von Berchtold said.
"Seek peace? No! You cannot ask for peace from the Germany people. In that case, I and the entire Empire will become the laughing stock of the whole world." Karl I shook his head repeatedly. He was opposed to seeking peace from the Germany people from the bottom of his heart.
It has only been a day since the war broke out. If Austro-Hungarian Empire can no longer hold on, it must seek peace from Germany. Then, both Karl I and Austro-Hungarian Empire will lose their face.
"Your Majesty, if we don't seek peace from the Germany people, then we really have no chance at all. By then, our country will be destroyed. Habsburg dynasty will also lose the throne of Austria!" Prime Minister Mario Weber said.
"Your Majesty, this is the only way!" Archduke Friedrich also said.
The expression on Karl I's face is very complicated, and it can be seen from this how entangled he is in his heart. He wanted to save his own face, and he also wanted to save Empire. But unfortunately, you can only choose one of them. If you save face, you will lose Empire. On the contrary, don't be ashamed, maybe Empire can save it.
As a proud person, Karl I wants to save his face. However, he could tell from the expressions on the ministers' faces that this was probably impossible.
Empire's important ministers will never allow him to act like that.
"Report, Kingdom of Dalmatia, Croatia-Snowonia Kingdom, choose neutrality."
Two more kingdoms decided to choose neutrality in this battle. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the ministers Karl I and Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Immediately afterwards, a staff officer walked in.
"Report, the troops on the front line are retreating without a fight. After the Germany people invaded the territory of the Empire, they are marching straight in!"
"It's over, everything is over. Sue for peace from the Germany people! Let Empire end this damn war at the minimum cost as much as possible!" Karl I said.
Now he is completely desperate. All the ambitions were lost in one day.