Rama IV had also learned from Europeans that Austria was traditionally a land power. Rumor had it that the entire country possessed only a single port, and that it had been seized from another nation.
It took nearly four months for news to travel from Siam to Vienna, and even if the Austrians dispatched troops at once, they would need at least seven or eight months to reach Siam.
The British, meanwhile, needed only a few weeks to send troops from India to Siam. If they deployed from Malacca, the journey to Bangkok would be even shorter.
There were also rumors that the Austrian Empire was at odds with the other continental European powers, that its domestic rule was unstable, and that it had been embroiled in unceasing wars for years. Moreover, large numbers of Siamese who had returned from abroad were stripping away Rama IV's illusions. All this undoubtedly bolstered his confidence.
Yet ten days later, Rama IV received word that Chenla's Defenders of the Faith had already invaded Siam.
"Impossible! How dare they!"
Rama IV kicked the general reporting the news to the ground.
"It's true, Your Majesty! The Chenla army has been invading for seven days already."
The general hurriedly scrambled back up and explained.
"How is that possible? It took you seven days to report this?"
Rama IV grew even more furious, glaring hard at the general before him.
"The Chenla people kill everyone they see and set fires everywhere. The news simply couldn't get through. Some local officials even thought bandits were causing trouble. Who would have imagined that Chenla had launched an attack?"
"Where's Chatchai? He has fifty thousand men under his command. What the hell is he doing? Bring him to me!"
"General Chatchai..."
"What is it? Speak!"
"General Chatchai was betrayed by