Holy Roman Empire Chapter 68 - Zero Risk, High Returns

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        At this point, he cannot be allowed to back down. With a determined look on his face, Rothschild said, “Marshal, there are many innocent civilians who were unwillingly drawn into the rebellion and have now been arrested. They all have families to support. I wonder when they will be released?”         Marshal Radetzky chuckled and said, “That is indeed a concern, but rest assured. We are in the process of investigating and assessing the situation, but it will take some time.         As for the welfare of their families, we have a solution. The city government of Venice has already started distributing rations, and everyone will get some food. They won’t go hungry!”         Determining who are the real rebels and who have been coerced into joining them is not something that can be done overnight.         The enemy is about to attack. At such a critical moment, stability is of the utmost importance. Marshal Radetzky is not willing to risks, and Franz is even less inclined to risk. That’s why the Austrian government has decided to take these people away immediately.         Anyway, even if there are mistakes, it doesn’t matter because most of these people are workers. The government can just compensate them with a salary and then arrange for them to work in state-owned factories, which should be enough to appease them.         With a little guidance, their hatred can be redirected toward the rebel factions. After all, if these groups hadn’t gotten them into this mess, none of this would have happened in the first place.         The government is indeed just. Even if there are mistakes, they still provide salaries, don’t they? They also provide employment opportunities. Compared with being at the mercy of capitalists, working in state-owned factories is much better.         Without a point of comparison, there’s no harm done. People are practical, especially ordinary people who worry about their basic needs every day. They will naturally choose to associate with whoever offers a better life.         This has been confirmed. The serfs who initially ignited the revolution in Venice have now become loyal supporters of the Habsburgs, haven’t they?         Isn’t it because of the defection of the serfs that Marshal Radetzky was able to easily suppress the Venetian rebels? As long as they help the government army in the suppression of the rebellion, they can be rewarded with land. Who would refuse such an offer?         The revolutionary party boasts of lofty ideals, but when it comes to concrete measures, it has never really considered the interests of the lower classes. Whether it’s independence or republicanism, it doesn’t help them fill their bellies.         Under Franz’s strong insistence, the Austrian army rigorously carried out the policy of suppressing the rebel party and distributing land. In addition to land distribution, the government also carefully distributed the agricultural tools and food confiscated from the rebellious nobles.         The rural areas of Venice have now stabilized, and the remaining nobles who have managed to escape are also cautious, fearing any association with the rebel party.         With the forced emancipation of the serfs, these newly liberated peasants watched the nobility closely, hoping that they too would join the rebellion and lead to the redistribution of their lands.         That’s why, after witnessing the ruthless actions of the Austrian government, the aristocracy has refrained from appearing. They have been thoroughly frightened.         Unfortunately, the Austrian-controlled Italian region has always been unstable and not well regarded within the Austrian Empire. The political situation there is heavily repressed, and they have little say in matters of governance.         Under the leadership of Marshal Radetzky, a ruthless crackdown was carried out in Venice, and blood flowed like a river. Surprisingly, the Austrian government showed no reaction, considering it a lesson to be taught to the Venetians using bayonets, making it clear who was in charge.         In just over a month, nearly 70% of Venice’s nobles were stripped of their titles, and nearly 80% of its capitalists had their homes looted. Many of these individuals either fled or met their deaths.         For the remaining capitalists, this is an extremely rare opportunity. With so many competitors out of the picture, it would be foolish not to seize the market.         No matter who rules Venice, they will always demand taxes from the capitalists. As long as they don’t rebel, their position is generally secure.         The ruthlessness of the Austrian government in this operation was the result of certain individuals taking things too far. They thought they were powerful enough and that providing the Revolutionary Party with money and weapons was no big deal.         Well, these things can still be done as long as you are cautious enough not to get caught by the Austrian government. It’s just that these individuals were too arrogant.         What’s the point of learning from the French, of going around organizing banquets and rallies, as if they were afraid not to be associated with the revolutionaries? Now the Austrian government is settling accounts, and there is already a pile of testimonies.         The ones who survive will be the smart ones. Seeing the connection between the Rothschild family and the Radetzky family, the capitalists, eager to resume production and seize the market, now appoint Rothschild as their representative to negotiate.         Upon hearing Marshal Radetzky’s words, Rothschild realized that trouble was brewing. Nevertheless, he persevered and continued to seek a solution.         “Marshal, since the outbreak of the rebellion in Venice, the local economy has suffered greatly. If we cannot resume production quickly, it is feared that this year's tax revenues will be affected!”         Marshal Radetzky looked at him and smiled, then calmly said, “Mr. Rothschild, isn’t it obvious? The local economy has been devastated by the effects of the war.

        I have already been in touch with the Austrian government with a request for tax exemption for this year. Do you think that by releasing the people, you can guarantee that Venice’s tax revenues will not decrease this year?”         Rothschild hesitated in his answer and said, “No.”         He didn’t dare make that promise. If the tax revenue in Venice this year is one-fifth of what it was in previous years, it will be considered a blessing from God.         What to do about the remaining deficit? They can’t be expected to pay out of their own pockets to make up the difference, can they? They aren’t tax collectors doing business on a package deal!         Marshal Radetzky was persuasive: “I understand your intentions. We are on the verge of war with the Kingdom of Sardinia, and to ensure stability in Venice, these individuals cannot return until the investigation is complete.         I understand your desire to expand production and conquer the market. There’s no need to rush. Once we defeat the Kingdom of Sardinia, your gains will be even greater.         Since the capitalists of Lombardy have sided with the Kingdom of Sardinia, as the defeated party, they no longer have the right to exist. I believe that you can fill the void they would leave behind!”         This is a clear implication that as long as Austria wins the war, the main commercial circles in northern Italy will be dominated by Venice.         Rothschild, struggling to control his emotions, said, “Marshal, what price must we pay for this?”         “It is simple. All you have to do is create a provocation in the Kingdom of Sardinia, which will induce them to attack Venice ahead of time,” Marshal Radetzky replied calmly.         Rothschild’s delight was evident, as this was a low-cost, zero-risk, high returns investment opportunity.         They would only have to spend a small amount on propaganda even if they failed. But if they were successful, everyone’s industries could be doubled or even multiplied many times over.

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