"Where is His Majesty the Emperor? Since we want to surrender to the Germany people, His Majesty the Emperor must come forward." Archduke Friedrich said.
"I have already sent people to ask for His Majesty the Emperor. However, we surrendered to Germany people without asking for His Majesty the Emperor's approval. This seems a little bad, doesn't it?" Duke Kaspar said.
"Empire has been destroyed, and the emperor will no longer exist. Then, he naturally has no power at all." Archduke Friedrich said.
Germany people want annexation of Austria, and they all know this very well. In fact, although these important ministers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were somewhat sentimental about the demise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. But in fact, I am not too resistant to Germany annexation of Austria.
It would be best if Austro-Hungarian Empire could continue to exist. In that case, they can be regarded as an independent country. However, Austro-Hungarian Empire has fallen apart, and even Austria will no longer exist. Then, Germany annexation of Austria, that is undoubtedly the best result. At least, Germany is now the world's hegemon. After joining Germany, Austria people can enjoy all the rights as citizens of the world's dominant country. In addition, most of the people in Austria are Germanic people. Returning to Germany now is no big deal.
"If it weren't for His Majesty the Emperor, even if Germany had the intention to deal with us, I'm afraid it wouldn't be so easy to do so. It's not impossible for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to continue to exist!" Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf said.
Obviously, Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf is still a little bit worried about the demise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As an important minister promoted by the late Emperor Franz? Joseph I, he still has great feelings for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although Franz? Joseph I has passed away. However, Austro-Hungarian Empire, founded by Franz? Joseph, should not perish like this!
"Okay, Chief of Staff, there is no use saying this now. Austro-Hungarian Empire is already in the past tense." Archduke Friedrich also had a trace of sadness in his eyes.
Although, Karl I was the culprit responsible for the demise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If he hadn't forced Austro-Hungarian Empire to withdraw from Allied Powers, Germany would not have found an excuse to attack Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, this is only superficial. Even if Karl I does not ask Austro-Hungarian Empire to quit Allied Powers, Germany will definitely find other excuses. By then, Austro-Hungarian Empire's fate may still be like this. Before, Germany people had already taken action to suppress Austro-Hungarian Empire. If there is no excuse this time, Austro-Hungarian Empire will live on for a few more years at most.
"Report, we did not find His Majesty the Emperor!" an officer reported.
Archduke Friedrich, Duke Kaspar, Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf and others were all stunned. At this juncture, how come Karl I is missing?
"What's going on? Why can't I find it? Didn't I report before that His Majesty the Emperor was in the basement of the palace?" Duke Kaspar asked with a frown.
"Your Excellency Duke, we found that the person staying in the palace is just a stand-in for His Majesty the Emperor. The real His Majesty the Emperor has disappeared." the officer replied.
"What? How could this happen? Where did His Majesty the Emperor go?" Archduke Friedrich asked.
At the last moment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's demise, Karl I, the emperor, disappeared, which might make Germany people suspicious. At that time, once Germany people investigate, the problem may become troublesome.
"Could he have been killed during the bombardment by Germany people?" Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf asked.
"Impossible, the palace was not bombarded by the Germany people. The Germany people were shelling and deliberately avoided the palace. Even a single shell did not fall into the palace. Let alone kill His Majesty the Emperor." Archduke Friedrich shook his head.
"I think His Majesty the Emperor must have left early. In fact, he had planned all of this. He fled here when Vienna couldn't hold on. Obviously, His Majesty the Emperor is still not willing to give in!" Duke Kaspar said.
"You mean, His Majesty the Emperor went to Trieste?" Archduke Friedrich frowned.
In his opinion, Austro-Hungarian Empire has already perished, so there is no need to create additional problems. If Karl I is unwilling to give in and escapes to the navy, it will definitely continue to cause turmoil. Even if Karl I fled abroad, then he would definitely spare no effort to provoke conflicts. By then, Austria will be in turmoil.
"Your Excellency Grand Duke, His Majesty the Emperor left early, it has nothing to do with us. Even if they have a headache, it is Germany's turn to have a headache. We even only need to tell Germany, it's okay if His Majesty the Emperor is missing. As for where he escaped, let Germany figure it out." Duke Kaspar said.
It is undoubtedly a very good thing to be able to cause some trouble for Germany people.
Archduke Friedrich thought for a while and finally nodded.
On the afternoon of January 28, the Austrian army held a surrender ceremony at General Staff Headquarters. Archduke Friedrich, representing the Austrian army, surrendered to German military.
"Your Excellency, we lost this war." Archduke Friedrich lowered his head and handed over his gun.
Although he had gray hair, he was still tall and slim. But now he looks a lot more stooped.
"Your Excellency Grand Duke, the war is over, no one will pay their lives for this anymore!" Marshal von Hausen took the gun.
A large number of Austrian soldiers lined up in neat queues and handed over their weapons to German military.
For these Austria prisoners of war, German military still treated them very favorably and would not let them serve as coolies or anything like that. After all, most of these Austrian prisoners of war are also Germanic people. After Germany annexation of Austria, these prisoners of war are all Germany people. Naturally, you should treat your own people better.
In the eyes of those Austrian prisoners of war, there was no sadness of the destruction of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but only the joy of surviving the disaster. Indeed, they now finally saved their lives. This is undoubtedly something that many people are grateful for. For them, the war was finally over. They can go back alive and reunite with their families.
"By the way, Your Excellency Grand Duke. Where is Karl I His Majesty the Emperor?" Marshal von Hausen seemed to be the emperor of Karl I Austro-Hungarian Empire only at this time.
"I'm sorry, Your Excellency. We don't know where His Majesty the Emperor went? When we decided to surrender, we already sent people to look for him, but found nothing!" Archduke Friedrich replied.
Marshal von Hausen's face suddenly became ugly.