Chapter 392: Aggressive Negotiations Part II
"You do understand this is a serious matter of international consequence... I can’t just have the German Army roll through my borders and occupy my lands. Even as an act of security against the ongoing crisis, to do so would immediately signal that the reign and sovereignty of the Habsburg dynasty has come to an end.
By the time your soldiers arrive in Vienna, my family and I will either already be overrun and killed in the streets by the rioters or forced to flee to Bavaria. Either way, it will immediately spell the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and make your occupation and security operations all the more unbearable.
We have millions of young men returning home from the war, plagued by shell shock and addicted to a litany of narcotics. Many prowl the countryside as lawless brigands, while others engage in criminal operations to secure the substances they need to maintain some semblance of sanity.
You would instantly be facing such a crisis if you brought the German Army into Austria. Even with my permission, it would spark unrest and violence almost immediately... So unless you have another plan, I fear sending troops to help stabilize the region is impossible."
Bruno did not seem defeated by this news, much to the bewilderment of the Austrian Emperor. No, in fact, he was quite confident. The glint in his eyes suggested he had already anticipated this and prepared long in advance for such a gruesome reality. His words and the tone in his voice cemented this fact in Franz Joseph’s mind when he heard them spoken.
"You’re quite right... What your people need now is food, water, medicine, and help overcoming their vices. But these brigands and outlaws must still be dealt with. You simply do not have the force of numbers left untainted by the poison flooding your country’s noble veins to do it on your own.
Luckily for you, I have a rather unique solution. After the war ended, some old acquaintances of mine, who had retired from the army and military life altogether, formed their own paramilitary force.
They are currently seeking fortune in exchange for providing their expertise to foreign nations and have no official ties to the German Reich. For the right price, they could be persuaded to fight for you and your dynasty against whatever enemy you point them at."
Franz Joseph scoffed at Bruno’s remarks, his tone laced with disbelief at such an antiquated idea. He expressed his skepticism openly, well aware of Europe’s bloody and turbulent history.
"Mercenaries? Seriously? That is a bit of an archaic concept, don’t you think?"
Bruno, however, did not immediately respond to the Austrian Emperor’s dismissal. Instead, a conceited smirk appeared on his face as he forcefully grabbed the bottle in front of him and poured more of its contents into his glass without first seeking express permission. An outrageous action that caused the Austrian Emperor to frown but did not outright provoke him.
It was only after Bruno sniffed the fine whiskey, imported from Scotland, and took a sip that he finally spoke. And his words were far more enlightening than Franz Joseph had expected.
"It is a brave new world, my friend... Nations are rising and falling as we speak. The old ways of conscription are going the way of the dodo. The future of warfare will not be waged with large, overwhelming numbers of poorly trained men forced into service, but by smaller, elite, professionally trained soldiers equipped with the best weaponry money can buy.