Chapter 1671 - 1577: May Jesus Bless Mr. Charlie

Chapter 1671: Chapter 1577: May Jesus Bless Mr. Charlie

Charles’s tactics for the Roman rebel army were very effective.

When the Vatican Guard compressed more than three thousand demonstrators near the Borgo District, preparing to arrest the leaders, hundreds of rebels holding Austrian-made M1754 flintlock guns suddenly charged down from the hillside.

Yes, Rome has long been called the "City of Seven Hills," because there are 7 low hills in the city. Although the Borgo District is not within this range, there are hills nearby.

Retired Modena officer Archaeo shouted orders to the soldiers with all his might to keep the formation, barely preventing the over 500 men from scattering.

When they reached a position three floors high from the ground, they began to stop and shoot at the Court Guard.

Although the gunfire was chaotic and the hit rate was very low, the Court Guard never expected an attack from the flank and was instantly thrown into chaos.

The crowd of protesters who were being driven away turned and rushed toward the Pope’s soldiers under the Free Rome Party’s organization.

In less than 40 minutes, the Vatican Guard had left over 200 corpses and more than 150 captives, while the more than 400 who escaped were in a state of disarray.

With the first victory, the morale of the insurgents was suddenly boosted to the peak. Those who were still hesitating immediately stopped wavering and joined the ranks of the uprising.

Almost simultaneously, among the parade crowd near Capitoline Hill in the city center, hundreds suddenly pulled out guns hidden on their bodies, shouting "The Vatican lackeys have been defeated," and surrounded Rome City Hall.

In this era, Rome did not have a position such as mayor; the city hall was full of security, tax, and public health officials appointed by the Vatican.

Soon, the few guards at the city hall were killed, and the people took the Rome tax officer as a representative and tied him up, pushing him through the middle of the street, with deafening cheers all around, "Long live Rome!"

"Establish Congress!"

"Form a republic!"

The rebel soldiers were excitedly discussing: "Everything happened as Mr. Charlie predicted."

"He really is sent by Jesus to guide us!"

"It is said that these weapons were also obtained by him."

"Long live Mr. Charlie, may Jesus bless him!"

After a brief rest, the rebel army bypassed the Quirinal Palace—where the Pope’s residence is—dragging their six-pound cannons, heading straight to Ponte Sant’Angelo.

As Mr. Charlie said, there are many escape routes built in the Quirinal Palace, so it’s unlikely to find the Pope here.

His plan was to quickly seize the military hub of Rome—Castel Sant’Angelo—so that no matter where the Pope was, it wouldn’t matter, as the entire city would be under the control of the rebel army.

The Vatican’s army was obviously not fully mobilized yet, and the guards on Ponte Sant’Angelo offered hardly any resistance before abandoning the bridge.

This is a bridge situated on the Tiber River, used to connect the old city of Rome with the outer city, with Castel Sant’Angelo just on its south side.

The rebel army strictly implemented Charles’s plan, with a total of 1500 rebels from both the outer city and the old city quickly surrounding Castel Sant’Angelo from the north and south directions.

At this time, the combined Vatican Guard and Noble Guard inside the fortress numbered only about 1200.

A week later.

In the Vatican Hall on the third floor of the innermost part of Castel Sant’Angelo, Duke Onesti was reporting to Pope Pius VI with a forlorn expression: "The Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire is willing to send a reinforcement, but it requires the Venice Council’s consent for his army to pass through.

"As for Paris, they said they have already dispatched an envoy to Rome..."

Yes, just as Charles said, the Quirinal Palace has a secret passage directly linked to Castel Sant’Angelo. Less than half an hour after the uprising broke out, Pope Pius VI, realizing the unfavorable situation, fled into Castel Sant’Angelo.

Upon hearing that France was willing to intervene, a glimmer of hope flashed in Pope Pius VI’s eyes. You must know that previously, not only all the Italian states played deaf and mute regarding the Roman uprising, even Spain indicated that it would take at least four months before sending troops to Rome.

Four months? Those rioters outside would have already dragged him out and hanged him, just like the fate of those nobles in the Vienna uprising.

But Pope Pius VI immediately recalled the young Crown Prince of France, oh, now the Regent, with those oppressive eyes, his forehead instantly broke out in cold sweat, subconsciously shaking his head: "Is there no other way?"

The hall was momentarily silent when Archbishop Antonelli, the Grand Judge of the Inquisition, looked at the Pope and said: "Holy Father, I have some rapport with His Majesty Ferdinand IV; perhaps I can try to persuade him to send troops."

Pope Pius VI immediately nodded in relief: "You should promptly make a trip to Naples. Oh, have Archbishop Borgia allocate you 100,000 Scudos."

It’s just that the psychological shadow Joseph caused him was really too great the last time he went to Paris. If given a choice, he truly didn’t want to interact much with the Regent of France.

Moreover, Naples is close to Rome, and the speed of dispatching troops would be the fastest.

...

In a classical-style villa on the southern outskirts of Graz.

Count Saigul, Assistant Minister of the French Foreign Ministry, admired the exquisite decorations on the walls and ceiling, nodding in praise: "It’s truly filled with an artistic atmosphere; it seems your life in Graz is quite good."

Metternich was about to gesture to him to have some tea when he continued: "I heard your house in Vienna has been ransacked with even the roof removed. Why not simply move here?"

Metternich frowned slightly, taking up the teacup to himself: "Your Excellency, actually, our private meeting violates the regulations."

Count Saigul smiled and said: "You see, Count Kaunitz and I are old friends; I’m just here to visit his heir, so who could say anything about it?"

Metternich nodded: "Indeed so. But I guess you’re not just here for a visit."

"Also to discuss the Hungarian issue with you," Saigul stated, "You know, our country has a lot of trade with Hungary, so His Highness the Regent hopes the hostilities can end quickly. Yet Earl Walterhausen insists on a hardline stance. I believe you are the only one who can persuade His Majesty the Emperor to choose a truce."

Although the trade between France and Hungary was conducted under the table, it was no secret to the upper echelons of Austria.

Metternich maintained a standard diplomatic smile: "You might be disappointed then. I am now just an unappreciated Royal Family advisor."

Saigul displayed a surprised expression: "I thought you were already preparing to vie for the position of State Minister."

Metternich tranquilly waived his hand: "I have no intention of that. See, I am very satisfied with my leisurely life now."

Saigul frowned: "But if you don’t become State Minister, chances are you won’t be able to hold onto what you currently have."