The golden cicada sheds its shell

Despite the desperate shouts of high-ranking French and Austrian officers, the soldiers on both sides did not dare to use weapons, but the brawl was still incredibly fierce.

Finally, after the France Royal Guard Legion arrived at the scene, the more than 1,600 people who had been fighting to the death were forcibly separated.

That noon, Perna looked at the hundreds of wounded soldiers who had gathered outside the Battlefield Hospital and was on the verge of tears.

I was attacked for no reason, and as a result, my workload increased significantly.

She looked up at the sky with panda eyes and made the sign of the cross on her chest.

"God, what have I done wrong?"

Paris.

The second floor of the Tuileries Palace.

Joseph was discussing the details of tax reform with Brienne, Bayei, and others when he heard Eman knock on the door and whisper:

"Your Highness, there is an urgent report from Vienna."

Joseph gestured for the messenger to come in, took the report, quickly glanced at it, and immediately frowned.

The discipline of the Kellermann Legion was indeed terrible; they actually caused a massive brawl involving thousands of people over a jealous dispute, and Perna was even injured in the process.

It would be a miracle if such an army were to be considered strong in combat.

He immediately prepared to sign the attached list of disciplinary actions—it contained more than 600 names, including 27 officers.

Just as the pen was about to touch the paper, he suddenly thought of something, paused, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

At present, the fighting in Silesia has temporarily stopped because Leopold II is busy with his coronation and the Prussian Army, which has just suffered a defeat, has no intention of launching an offensive.

This gave him the opportunity to gradually recall the French Army.

However, there are still more than 40,000 French Soldiers in Silesia. With such a large number of troops, any mishandling of the evacuation operation could provoke dissatisfaction from the Austria side.

This brawl might actually be a good thing; we can make use of it.

Joseph pondered for a moment, drew several large crosses on the list of punishments, and then wrote in the blank space for his signature:

It is entirely reasonable to teach the perpetrators a severe lesson for their actions that harmed a France Battlefield Hospital doctor. This incident demonstrated the courage of France warriors and defended the dignity of France; therefore, it is recommended that the punishment be rescinded. Joseph, March 22, 1790.

Then he wrote a letter each to the Chief of Staff Berthier and the France Ambassador to Austria, Baron Alphonse, and handed the disciplinary documents and the two letters to the messenger, along with a few brief instructions.

Silesia.

In Liegnitz, at the France Kellermann Legion Camp, Berthier, in front of General Würmser and other Austrian Army who had been invited, severely reprimanded the three regiments and two battalions that had participated in the previous brawl—regardless of how many men in your unit were involved in the fight, as long as someone was there, the entire unit would be punished.

He then publicly announced the disciplinary measures taken against the troops, including demotion of officers, salary deductions and even confinement of soldiers, and the immediate return of the troops involved to France for severe reorganization.

Upon seeing Berthier's severe punishment, General Würmser immediately commended his actions and promised to report to His Majesty the Emperor, declaring that the France-Austria friendship had not been affected in the slightest.

A few days later, the nearly 4,000 French Army who had been disciplined began to return home.

As they dejectedly entered the France border at Strasbourg, the officer leading the group immediately produced His Crown Prince's order and read it aloud to the public.

When the Crown Prince said they had "courage" and "defended their dignity," the thousands of French Soldiers were overcome with emotion.

Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!

"I will always be loyal to Your Highness!"

"His Highness is not afraid of offending those damned Austria at all; he is the true hero of France!"

The officer then announced that His Highness had rescinded all their punishments, and the withheld salaries would be made up later.

The soldiers' cheers soared to the heavens, and many were even moved to tears, praying loudly for His Crown Prince.

At the same time that the French Army withdrew from Silesia, Baron Alphonse, the ambassador to Austria, held cordial talks with Baron Thugut, the Austria Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"Those bastards, how dare they cause Camp the Allied camp!" Baron Alphonse waved his hand in righteous indignation. "No punishment would be too severe!"

"I heard that the troops involved will be investigated one by one by the Gendarmerie in Paris. Humph, they're in big trouble."

He looked at Baron Thugut and said very sincerely, "Your Highness hopes that you can convey to His Majesty the Emperor the Franco-Austrian Alliance is forever unbreakable."

Baron Thugut nodded repeatedly. "Long live the Franco-Austrian Alliance! I believe His Majesty will understand this matter."

"Furthermore, isn't the punishment for the military a bit too harsh? Especially those who weren't involved in the fight, they're being implicated too..."

"No, military discipline must be strict!" Alphonse said firmly. "This is a decision made by the General Staff Headquarters; you don't need to plead for them."

He then lowered his voice again. "However, this time our Crown Prince is very angry. You know, the injured Miss Perna and him... well, they're quite close."

"Therefore, he hopes that you will also severely punish those involved in this matter."

A look of caution appeared on Baron Thugut's face.

He had heard before that the female doctor who was assaulted had an unusual identity, and today he finally received confirmation from the ambassador to Austria.

He nodded hurriedly and said, "I assure Your Highness, I will give Miss Perna a satisfactory explanation!"

Meanwhile, the Pro-France Faction in Austria, led by Count Kaunitz, was in a state of utter chaos.

Recently, due to the fighting in the military, political forces in the country who are dissatisfied with France have started to stir up trouble, especially Baron Walter, who has been very vocal in his protests.

The first Hungarian Legion arrived in Silesia last week, and Walter and his men even suggested to His Majesty the Emperor that "France's influence over Austria should be reduced," which was actually an implication to withdraw the French Army from Silesia.

Fortunately, the France severely punished the soldiers involved, which relieved Kaunitz, who then hurried to see Leopold II to put in a good word for France.

However, what he didn't know was that something else had happened at the Allied Forces' base in Silesia.

Because Vienna issued a strict order that severely punished the troops involved in the fighting, resentment was rampant throughout the Austrian Army.

Meanwhile, a French Army Artillery commander would frequently bring his men to the Austrian Army to make sarcastic remarks, implying that Austria only knew how to beat women, that when he confronted them last time, they didn't dare fight back and even threatened to complain to the French General Staff Headquarters, and that even his five-year-old child wouldn't stoop to such a thing.

Since these people don't use profanity, the Austria authorities can't do anything about it.

But the Austria soldiers couldn't take it anymore.

Finally, the enraged Austria, represented by several officers, made an agreement with the French Military Camp commander to Camp the score at the French Army three days later.