Holy League, Exterminate Heretics

Franz II looked at the State Minister in some surprise.

"Why only a little over twenty thousand men? Was this the Military Committee's decision?"

No wonder he asked. Austria had deployed forty thousand troops merely to quell the Rebellion in Slavonia, yet for a national war against Poland, it was sending only twenty-four thousand men.

Baron Thugut looked slightly embarrassed.

"Your Majesty, if our objective is limited to Lesser Poland, these troops should be enough. You know our financial situation..."

At this, Franz II impatiently waved a hand.

In truth, Austria's finances at this point were scarcely any better than Prussia's.

It had likewise been drained by the Silesian Wars, and had fought another war in the Southern Netherlands before that—though the French Army had borne the brunt of the fighting, Austria had paid for the logistics. And the Rebellion in Serbia had yet to be completely quelled.

Over these past few years, the Empire had truly been "bleeding" everywhere.

With the South Germany market facing French competition and revenues plummeting, the treasury had long been tottering in the wind and rain.

That was why Franz II had been so eager to tear off a chunk of Poland's flesh and replenish his blood.

Yet the crushing burden of military expenditure meant that the Empire could only send a little over twenty thousand troops to attack Poland.

Baron Thugut continued, "Your Majesty, Russia has drawn away the vast majority of the Polish Army. The War Committee judges that we will not encounter much resistance."

As he spoke, the Emperor's attendant approached.

Franz II looked at him. "What is it?"

"Your Majesty, Count Schmeitz and Marquis Androsch, along with several nobles, request an audience."

"What do they want?"

"Er, Count Schmeitz seems to have mentioned answering the Holy See's call and sending