The Rise of Australasia

The Old Emperor, seated on the high platform, wore a cold expression as he declared to the ministers below, "I want you to present a plan to deal with the impact of this crisis both domestically and internationally. The Habsburg may be weakening, but it never fears death."

Chief of Staff Conrad of the Austro-Hungarian Empire had always advocated for firmly suppressing the Serbs.

It is worth mentioning that Archduke Ferdinand's strong recommendation played a key role in Conrad's successful appointment as the Chief of Staff.

Conrad said loudly, "Your Majesty, for a long time, Serbia has been trying to annex our two provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and establish a unified South Slavia Nation.

The unification of the Yugoslavic ethnic group may be unstoppable, but the question is whether to sacrifice Serbia's independence and trade it for unification under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, or to make the empire suffer significant losses and fall under Serbia's control."

"If it is the latter, it would mean the empire losing most of its coastline and the region of its Yugoslavic population. This significant loss in terms of territory and dignity would reduce the empire to a minor country. It is better to resolve the conflict between us and Serbia as soon as possible.

The assassination of the Crown Prince is shocking, but it also presents a rare opportunity for us to exterminate Greater Serbianism and destroy this damn country."

Previously uncommitted to war, Austrian Chancellor and Austro-Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Berchtold also said, "Your Majesty, the time has come to resolve the Serbian issue."

Prime Minister Ticha of Hungary, who held significant power within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the most talented politician, handling affairs with a calm and steady approach.

After a brief contemplation, he finally spoke: "The key to the European situation lies in the Balkans, and we must not act recklessly. If we can resort to diplomatic means, seek Germany's support, and strive for Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey to resolve the ethnic disputes.

Starting a war would be a fatal mistake, tying a noose around our own neck and making us bear the guilt of disrupting world peace in the eyes of the people."

However, within this larger context, the peace faction was ultimately in the minority.

Chief of Staff Conrad countered, "We can no longer tolerate this provocation with an indifferent calm attitude. It is like a Christian who after being slapped on one cheek, offers the other. This is not a duel with the damn Serbs or a punishment for the assassination, but a matter of honor for a major power, a great power.

If we keep backing down and enduring, it will be perceived as incompetence and the enemy will become even more brazen, leading the empire to ruin. Is it not clear enough whether to let others strangle us to death or make a final struggle to avoid destruction? From now on, the military must be mobilized."

Ticha refuted, "Mobilization means war. If we attack Serbia, Russia might not stand idly by. In this situation, Germany and Romania might not be able to help us either. If the war becomes one between us, Russia, and Serbia, it would be extremely unfavorable to us."

Upon hearing the need for military mobilization, Old Emperor Joseph the First could not help but sigh and said weakly, "Mobilization is temporarily impossible. Russia may attack, but Germany's support is still uncertain."

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