Holy Roman Empire

As the absolute protagonist in this war, Abdul Hamid II only felt immense pressure; the situation was extremely unfriendly.

Looking back through history, there had never been a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire as helpless as himself. In the glorious days of his ancestors, they were invincible and unstoppable.

The Habsburg dynasty was beaten to the point of questioning life itself, the Russians trembled under their military might, and the shadow of the Ottoman cavalry loomed over the European Continent.

But as the saying goes, "What goes around comes around." The tables had turned, and it was a harsh reality akin to "Do not bully the poor just because they are old."

From being the one who beats to the one who is beaten, Abdul Hamid II couldn’t help but internally criticize his forefathers whenever he thought about this astonishing reversal.

It was bad enough to make enemies everywhere, but why not eradicate them completely? Have they not heard, "If you don’t cut the weeds down to the root, they will grow back when the spring breeze blows," which is simply a classic case of setting traps for one’s descendants.

Suppressing his sense of injustice, Abdul Hamid II asked, "Grand Vizier, how are the preparations coming along?"

Midhat replied slowly, "The government has already mobilized 1.2 million able-bodied men into enlistment, and it is expected that in the next three months, the number of people mobilized will increase to 2 million.

Considering the fierce stance of the enemy, the government has made preparations to abandon the coastal regions, and our military plans to lure the enemy deep inland for a decisive battle."

The strategy of "luring the enemy deeper inland" was something Abdul Hamid II utterly disbelieved. Who would willingly give up the vital coastal lands if they were capable of winning?

In fact, after the last war in the Near East, the Ottoman Empire had enhanced its coastal defenses. However, due to the short period of time and the vastness of the coastline, they were spread too thin.

As the newspapers mocked, "The coastline of the Ottoman Empire stretches for thousands of miles, yet only the beaches are their own."

To have coastlines without defenses was the most accurate portrayal of the Ottoman Empire.

Abdul Hamid II shook his head and said, "This is far from enough. During the Prusso-Russian war, the Tsarist Government alone mobilized over eight million people for enlistment, and at its peak, the total military force reached a staggering five million.

This time in war, we are not faced with just the Russian Empire, but also the much stronger Austria.

To speak of two million troops, even doubling that number wouldn’t be enough. Issue the order to arm the entire population; let everyone take up arms.

Regardless of gender or age, everyone must take up weapons and fight the enemy. Only by doing so, might we have a sliver of chance for survival."

Midhat wanted to correct the Sultan’s view, as the Russians’ five million-strong army was not composed entirely of frontline combat troops— at least half of them were civilian husbands transporting supplies.

But even the civilian husbands had to protect the supplies, and took up arms, which is why they were counted within the military force.

Although the Prusso-Russian War was intense, the frontline combat troops that were actually deployed never truly exceeded two million.

This was a limitation of the era; military operations had to be constrained by logistics, and it was not possible to blindly increase troop numbers.

Considering the strained relationship between them, Midhat resolutely chose to abandon correcting the Sultan’s misconception.

One represented the Conservative faction, and the other was the spokesperson for the Reformists; one embodied monarchy and clergical authority, while the other stood for the secular government and administrative power—they fundamentally were not of the same ilk.

In some sense, the sudden Near East war had saved Midhat; otherwise, he would not have been able to return to the position of Grand Vizier.

"Your Majesty, we have reached the limit of mobilization. Men have joined the army, while the women and children have taken on the responsibilities of production and logistics transportation. There is not a single idle person in the entire Ottoman Empire."

Without mentioning the weak and elderly, Midhat genuinely feared that the Sultan would send everyone to the battlefield, for defeat would then indeed mean the annihilation of their people.

One look at the history of succession to the Ottoman throne to understand what true barbarism was, with killings inevitable in every accession to the Sultanate, and the cruelty of the Sultans was notorious.

This was true for Abdul Hamid II as well, who had usurped his brother and father through a coup to claim the throne.

A monarch raised in such an environment would never lack ruthlessness.

In a certain sense, they were all mentally ill. Ascending to the throne over the corpses of their fathers and brothers would inherently twist anyone’s mind.

Abdul Hamid II glared fiercely at Midhat, seemingly aware that now was not the time to turn against each other, and forcefully suppressed the discontent in his heart.

He warned, "My Grand Vizier, I hope that, as you have said, there are indeed no idle hands in the Ottoman Empire."

...

Midhat couldn’t represent the Ottoman people. As a nation plagued with severe ethnic conflicts, the Ottoman Empire was never at peace.

Not everyone was anxious about the attack of the Anti-Turkish Alliance; on the contrary, a portion of the population within the Ottoman Empire actually welcomed the Allied Forces.

Where there was oppression, there was resistance.

In a nondescript small town deep inland on the Asia Minor Peninsula, a visitor arrived uninvited this night.

"My old friend, the Ottomans’ blade is about to fall upon your necks, and yet you still slumber?"

The plainly dressed middle-aged man shook his head, "Holman, after so many years, you’re still as alarmist as ever.

You have launched a war in the Near East, and the Ottoman Government is too busy dealing with its own predicament to stabilize domestic affairs, let alone create trouble at this time."

Holman laughed, "Draco, you can save it, there’s no need to pretend anymore, your expression has already betrayed your true thoughts.

You are scared. The previous failure has killed the passionate young Draco, leaving only a wealthy owner who fears death more than anything."

Draco nodded, "You’re right, I am afraid. The naive Draco of my youth is dead, now there’s only the realistic Draco.

Don’t even think about using me as a pawn again. I won’t pave your way to success with the lives of my compatriots.

It’s laughable that I once considered you a friend, has your promise of Armenian independence ever been fulfilled last time?

...

Listening to Draco’s endless complaints, Holman showed no impatience and waited until he was exhausted from talking.

"Alright, old friend. I know you feel wronged, why not have a sip of water to soothe your throat, and continue to express your grievances?"

Watching Holman offer the cup of water, Draco knocked the cup away with one hand, too angry to speak.

Seeing that the situation had escalated enough, Holman continued, "My friend, was the last failure really all our fault?

We proposed that you migrate to the Caucasus region, to establish a country at the crossroads of Eurasia in Outer Caucasus, but some people couldn’t bear to leave the prosperity of the Asia Minor Peninsula and insisted on staying.

Staying would have been fine, but unfortunately, you were finished before the war even ended. How do you expect us to keep our promises then?

Austria doesn’t owe you anything. National independence has always been something you have to strive for yourself. If your government is not strong, do you expect us to take responsibility?"

Seeing Draco’s spirits crushed, Holman slapped his shoulder hard and continued, "Friend, the time left for you is running out, muster your strength, or there will be no hope left.

If you’re not cut off from the world, you should know that civil war has broken out in France, and no one in the European world can save the Ottomans now.

Once the Ottoman Empire falls, this place will belong to us and the Russians. Having made no contribution to the war, why would we support your independence?

No, perhaps you won’t even last that long. Normally, the Ottomans possess the much richer coastal plains and don’t care about your poor lands.

But this time is different, as their coastal areas will become battlefields once the war breaks out, and a massive number of refugees will flood into the interior.

If they don’t take your lands, how is the Sultan Government going to feed so many people? Even if they don’t take your land, they will at least increase your taxes, right?

They plan to mobilize an army of two million; that means one in every four people will have to enlist, with all able-bodied men heading to the battlefield.

If nothing goes wrong, the conscription officers will be here before long.

Once you’re in the Ottoman Army, you know what fate awaits you."

Threats + Intimidation + Temptation; Draco was very clear that he had no choice.

Whether Holman’s promises could be fulfilled or not, he had to choose a side now, as did all ethnic groups within the Ottoman Empire.

In these times, there was no such thing as human rights; choosing the wrong side could be deadly. Not just one or two deaths, but tens, even hundreds of thousands.

The Prusso-Russian war had proven that the European world was not so civilized. Millions were starved to death, and the international community uttered only a few cries of protest.

Relatively speaking, Austria was still one of the powers that conducted itself somewhat decently. Even though they often engaged in expulsion and deportation, they hadn’t resorted to massacres.

Draco asked bitterly, "I’m not your only choice, am I? If I refuse, will I not see the sun tomorrow?"

Holman shook his head, "You’re worrying too much, my friend. I am just an intelligence officer, not an assassin; killing is not my job.

Knowing you, even if you don’t agree, you wouldn’t go reporting to the authorities."

Draco could only half believe those words; killing might not be Holman’s job, but silencing someone, that was a different matter.

To his knowledge, there were many Armenians in touch with Austria, including in this inconspicuous little town.

In normal times, he might be the respected Mr. Draco, but now, should he utter a single word of dissent, he’d likely be seen as a threat and dealt with by these people.

Draco sighed, "It seems I have no choice! If you consider me a friend, then help send the children of the town away!

They are innocent, the war has nothing to do with them. I know you have the capability. If you send them away, I’ll work for you."

Holman gave a wry smile, "That’s actually somewhat difficult. If it were before the war, it wouldn’t matter if it was hundreds or tens of thousands, we could send them away.

But it’s different now, Austria’s clout doesn’t carry weight here anymore. To send away so many children, we would need to use the channels of England and France.

In this war, we are on opposite sides, and the British-French-Austrian tripartite alliance is now just a facade. Relying on their strength would be very difficult.

If it’s just children being sent away, I can still help…" n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Draco interrupted with a wave of his hand, "Enough, my friend. No more nonsense, I know what you can do.

If we only send away my children, what will others think? To incite an independence movement within the Ottoman heartland, it’s not enough with just me working for you.

Don’t worry, old friend. I won’t make things difficult for you. You can take our money, just see to it that these children are raised to adulthood."

Indeed, it was possible, just a matter of money. Money may not make the devil turn the millstone, but it can certainly make people do it.

There was no shortage of European capitalists active in the Ottoman lands, and if paid, they wouldn’t mind transporting some ’special goods’ once.

Draco had not approached these capitalists, not for lack of money, but because he couldn’t guarantee they would keep their word.

Greed is the nature of capital, and nobody could assure that after taking the money, these capitalists wouldn’t sell the children to the Ottomans.

With Austrian involvement, it was different; the capitalists might not care about them, but they could not disregard the Austrian Government.

Seeing Holman still hesitating, Draco continued persuading, "My friend, surely after this war, you too will become a big shot, getting a piece of land will be no problem at all.

I know you come from nobility, but your family has long since declined, without the ability to provide further resources.

These children, once grown, could form the foundation of your retinue."

Holman nodded; with such generous terms, he truly found no reason to refuse, even if it meant calling in a lot of favors, it was worth it.

"Rest assured, my friend. From now on, your son is my son. I will take him as my foster child and raise him to adulthood."

...