Chapter 24
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Chapter 24: Winds of Change
In March 1835, the Rhine Assembly incident erupted.
In the 1830s, bad weather in Central Europe caused a large decrease in crop production. Starting in 1834, there was an outbreak of diseases affecting corn and potatoes. The different regions of Germany did not provide any relief measures and continued to impose heavy taxes.
The wealthy landowners were earning less money. They pressured the rulers to increase the price of imported grain by imposing tariffs. This forced people to buy expensive local grain, increasing the profits of the Junker class.
People were angered by the unfair actions of the authorities. More than forty thousand people gathered along the banks of the Rhine River, marching and protesting, as the procession grew larger with each city they passed through.
Due to the violent strategies of the German regions, the protesters did not dare to carry weapons or tools during the march. They wanted to resolve the issues peacefully through dialogue.
The kings of the regions had no intention of negotiating with the people. A meeting was held in Frankfurt by the German Confederation and, following a proposal from the Austrian Prime Minister Metternich, the rulers planned to unite their forces for a bloody crackdown.
The Austrian Prime Minister Metternich was extremely conservative and opposed to any reforms or liberal movements.
The authorities responded to both violent and peaceful protests with violent repression, refusing to engage in dialogue or address the issues raised by the people.
The regions agreed to Metternich’s plan, and Prussia and Austria formed a joint army that was marching towards the banks of the Rhine River with over fifty thousand soldiers.
Germany was considered an anomaly, even on a global scale. It was extremely conservative, with the Junker class and noble families creating a strong barrier that kept everyone trapped in the old world.
In other countries, the capitalists, religious forces, and people have power. When trouble arises, most rulers would choose to compromise.
But in Germany, things are different. The Junkers and nobles control absolute force. Any capitalists, any religious groups, any people who dare to cause trouble would be ruthlessly dealt with.
The bloody suppression scared the people of Germany. They are very cautious during protests, not daring to carry weapons or tools, even speaking softly during demonstrations, often just silently holding signs.
But the people’s tolerance only led to intensified oppression.
The gathering at the Rhine River wanted to resolve issues through peaceful talks. In recent years, due to bad weather and reduced crop yield from disease, many people couldn’t afford food or pay taxes. This issue needed to be addressed.
However, the Austrian Prime Minister Metternich said, "Issue? I could just kill your whole family, that should solve the problem."
On March 4th, the Prussian and Austrian allied forces arrived at the banks of the Rhine River. Prussian Prince Wilhelm ordered six artillery units to use grapeshot to attack the marching crowd. Subsequently, the joint forces of Prussia and the Austrian Magic Energy Knights launched multiple frontal assaults.
This resulted in over fourteen thousand deaths, with the remaining individuals either imprisoned or exiled. That day, the Rhine River ran red, with body parts blocking many small channels.
Upon waking up and reading the newspaper, Leader One was horrified by the gruesome sight.
Many writers planned to write short essays criticizing the King of Prussia and the Austrian Prime Minister, but all were refused publication by the newspapers. Before the Rhine Incident, there were thirty-four newspapers in Berlin, but after the incident, only nine remained, and those who expressed their opinions were sent people by the King of Prussia to destroy them.
Leader One and Catherine lived together in a medium-sized apartment building in the center of Berlin City, right by Unter den Linden Street, the main street of Berlin City.
One morning, Leader One went out and quickly a crowd gathered around him. They saw the prince from afar, rushing towards him and kneeling down on the ground.
Catherine was startled, thinking that the crowd was going to attack, but Leader One stopped her from drawing her sword and allowed the people to approach him.
Some knelt by Leader One’s feet, some cried and held onto his legs, more and more people gathered on the street, causing a blockage on the spacious Unter den Linden Street.
After the tragic Rhine Incident, Leader One had become a saint and savior in the hearts of the people.
There are no saviors in this world; people can only win their rights through their own struggles and resistance.
They were helpless, their protests were met with bloodshed, their peaceful demonstrations were met with bloodshed, and the people had no way to resist the Prussian army’s cannons and the Magic Energy Knight group of the old world reactionary forces.
Now, the people have placed all their hopes on Leader One.
"Prince, please save us…"
It’s so ironic, people can only hope for a nobleman who is not too conservative to fight against those conservative noblemen.
Even the supposedly powerful liberal members of parliament dare not speak up. Now that the King of Prussia is in a frenzy, if the liberal members dare to protest, the Prussian and Austrian allied forces might resort to bloodshed in the parliament.
Capitalists… there weren’t many capitalists in Germany to begin with. During the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, the liberal movement was oppressed for a long time. The few major capitalists were actually part of the noble class, aligned with the nobles and the king.
The people’s movement had no way out. The National Guard, ostensibly formed spontaneously by the people, was actually a private army controlled by the liberal members of parliament. Moreover, the fighting capability of the National Guard was no match for the Prussian Regular Army.
Leader One looked around, at the devout people kneeling on the ground.
"As a nobleman, a member of the Prussian royal family, Prince, it’s quite surreal to think that at this moment, I carry the hopes of the people. Catherine, isn’t it a bit magical?"
"Your Highness, while gaining support from commoners may boost our image, in reality, it doesn’t give us much strength. Even if you were to attack Sanssouci Palace, very few would have the courage to join you. Even if you were to give them guns, they wouldn’t dare. At a stretch, even if everyone were to go, it would just lead to another bloodbath."
In the year 1935 on Earth, if Leader One could gain such massive support from the people, it might be somewhat useful.
But in the year 1835 of Blue Star, there is magic energy here, and the strong reactionary forces here are making people feel hopeless.
Leader One sighed deeply, unsure of success, and could only try his best.
He could no longer tolerate the current king’s actions. This is not only a disaster for the Prussian people but also for the Kingdom of Prussia. With accumulating resentment and growing anger, if this continues until 1848, Prussia will be in big trouble.
The Rhine Assembly event may seem to have gathered many protesting people, but this gathering is just a light breeze. The real storm has not yet hit. The 1848 Revolution on Earth was already quite significant, and with Blue Star King of Prussia causing trouble, the revolution is bound to be more intense.
It’s better to solve the problem early.
"I have a list here, Catherine. Please arrange for me to meet with them in secret, one by one. Be careful not to let any secrets slip."
"Yes, Your Highness."