The death of the Holy Roman Emperor

Nearly half of the United Kingdom MPs immediately echoed this sentiment:

"The France-Austria Allied Forces has seized the initiative on the battlefield; we must respond!"

"If Austria were to reclaim Silesia, the strategic balance in the German Territories would be disrupted."

"Not only in Silesia, the France-Austria Alliance can even influence the political situation across the European Continent..."

As a long-time troublemaker, United Kingdom will never allow a dominant power to emerge in the European Continent.

However, some more cautious members of parliament shook their heads and discussed the matter, one of whom stood up and said:

"Lord Fox, we are simply not prepared to go to war; we haven't even begun mobilizing our troops."

United Kingdom deployed all its available mobile forces to India last year. Currently, it can only send a maximum of 30,000 troops to Silesia, and logistical supplies are not yet ready. Even if it were to participate in the war, it would be difficult to influence the overall situation.

Fox immediately slammed his hand on the war declaration in front of him and exclaimed, "Therefore, we should begin preparing for war immediately!"

He poked the air to the east with his finger. "By the time the France help Austria defeat our allies, it will be too late!"

"A weakened Netherlands is unreliable. Prussia is our only foothold on the European Continent. If Prussia is defeated and chooses to side with France and Austria, it will be a nightmare for Britain!"

Inside the Parliament Hall, the shouts of support for him grew louder. Although the Tory Party members were unwilling to support his proposal, they couldn't find a reason to refute it for the time being.

Within just over an hour, the United Kingdom Senate passed a bill to immediately begin preparations for war, ordering the deployment of troops to Silesia three months later, with the number of troops not less than 60,000. At the same time, it significantly increased Hanover's troop strength in Silesia and demanded that allies such as the Netherlands, Lower Hesse, and Poland also send troops.

The bill was quickly sent to 10 Downing Street for Prime Minister Pitt the Younger. to sign.

It seems that the whole of Europe will soon be completely ignited, with Silesia as the central point.

Silesia.

City of Liegnitz.

"Please accept this small token of my appreciation." General Leo gestured with a broad smile towards the Carriage parked on the road. "I've heard that even Marshal Lacy opposed sending reinforcements to Ratibor, but you overruled everyone's objections and sent General Kellermann with 30,000 troops to aid me."

"Ahem," Joseph coughed lightly, patted him on the shoulder, and smiled, "We're old friends, of course we can't just stand by and watch you get into trouble."

Leo hurriedly expressed his gratitude again. He had always believed that it was his poor combat skills that led to his siege in Ratibor, and that it was ultimately the Crown Prince of France who saved him.

Joseph was happy to cultivate a good relationship with him, as it would give him access to more connections in Vienna.

He exchanged pleasantries with General Leo before entering the tent. At that moment, an aide approached him and whispered, "Your Highness, it's all jewels and luxury goods, worth at least 500,000 Franc."

Joseph's smile widened. It seemed Leo had brought all the gifts Vienna had bestowed upon him. Well, due to Austria's great victory, Leo's actions in Ratibor were described as "fighting bravely and tenaciously, thus tying down a large number of enemy troops." He was therefore commended, and his promotion to Field Marshal should be a foregone conclusion.

Soon, Leo shifted the topic to the war.

He took out Marshal Lacy's handwritten letter and said to Joseph, "Your Highness, the Allied Forces currently hold a considerable advantage in Breslau."

"Command has already formulated the operational plan for the ' March Offensive,' and we are just waiting for your legion to arrive so that we can quickly breach the Breslau Fortress."

Joseph couldn't help but sigh inwardly. General Würmser, who had come to urge him earlier, hadn't even left yet, Leo was already here to urge him again.

The Royal Guard Legion has been "resting" here for more than half a month, and it seems that this time they really can't delay any longer.

He turned helplessly to Berthier, preparing to order the troops to march, when he heard the sound of approaching hooves. Immediately, an officer entered the tent carrying a black obituary, and said in a somber tone, "Your Highness, generals, His Holy Roman Emperor has been summoned by God..."

Although Joseph was quite saddened by the passing of his uncle, who was, after all, a relative, he also felt a sense of relief.

Joseph II died at the end of February 1790, following the historical trajectory.

France could also use this opportunity to extricate itself from the vortex of the Silesian Wars.

Joseph looked at the astonished General Leo and said with a sorrowful expression, "Oh God! My dear uncle has passed away, and I must return to Vienna for the funeral."

Leo finally realized what was happening and hurriedly pounded his chest and wailed, "May His Majesty rest in peace in heaven..."

For a time, no one mentioned the war anymore. Marshal Lacy urgently revised the battle plan, changing it to a defensive posture across the entire front. Fortunately, the Austrian Army had gained some advantages beforehand, and the Prussia side was unable to take advantage of the situation to launch a full-scale counterattack.

One week later.

Vienna was not gloomy at all; in fact, the death of Joseph II excited some people.

Schönbrunn Palace, several ministers were advising Leopold II: "Your Majesty, if the Nobility continue to refuse to cooperate, the State Finances will be depleted within months."

"Your Majesty, we have achieved a breakthrough in Silesia, but we have also consumed a large amount of resources."

"Separatist activities in Hungary are becoming increasingly rampant. I suggest redeploying some troops to Pest to deter them..."

Leopold II frowned deeply. He knew very well that what these Nobility were saying boiled down to one thing, "Please abolish Joseph II's reforms as soon as possible."

Although he consistently advocated ending his brother's reforms, the power of the Reformist Faction was not to be underestimated, especially since he had not yet been formally crowned emperor.

Although, given the political landscape of Germany, the Prince-Electors had no choice but to vote for him, he was unwilling to cause any major political turmoil before that.

Just then, a servant announced loudly from the doorway, "Count Kaunitz has arrived—"

Leopold II turned quickly and saw State Minister Kaunitz stride in, bow to him with his hand on his chest, and then proclaim loudly, "Your Majesty, suspending the reforms is now imperative. As for those Reformist Faction who are full of illusions, I believe they can be arrested on charges of inciting riots!"

Although Kaunitz was not favored by Leopold II and had gradually distanced himself from the core of power, his influence as an important political force in Vienna could not be ignored.

Seeing his firm support for ending the reforms, Leopold II immediately stopped hesitating and said to the Minister of the Interior, "Please draft a decree immediately to suspend the reforms, and convene a royal council tomorrow morning to discuss it."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Joseph II's coffin proceeded slowly along the streets of Vienna, carried by robust Court Guards. The Pope Cardinal Archbishop, leading a retinue of priests and carrying various ritual implements, followed closely behind.