Maximilian I, King of Austria and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and thereby foremost defender of the true faith, is in session with his ministers.
MAX : You may be seated, gentlemen.
The ministers take their seats.
MAX : Now, on to the duty of the day – the annual state of the nation reports. We shall start with you, von Blechwald.
Von Blechwald, minister of the interior, rises and shuffles some papers.
BLECHWALD : Thank you, your majesty. By the grace of God, your majesty, all is well in your realm at this time. The nobles are apparently contented, although I would give due consideration to granting an expansion of the estate of Lord von Braunhelm, who might well feel, and rightly so, that he has been left out to a large extent of your majesties recent generous gifts. As far as-
MAX : See to it that Braunhelm is brought up to parity with the other nobles. Since his estates are rather concentrated in Carniola, he shall be given more lands in the north.
BLECHWALD : But sire, good land is scarce in the north. We will need to buy off local lords. Or shall we give him less valuable lands?
MAX : Buy them off, by all means.
BLECHWALD : Very well, your majesty.
MAX : You may continue, Blechwald.
BLECHWALD : As it pleases your majesty. I have here a report of problems with tax collection in the eastern regions, your majesty. The local officials are having some difficulty in meeting their quotas. May I suggest some sort of change to the collection structure throughout the realm?
MAX : Very well.
BLECHWALD : The collectors at present have problems with disobedience as well as outright evasion. They do not have sufficient power to enforce their authority. It will be necessary to introduce some sort of armed force to deal with this unacceptable behaviour.
I am therefore proposing the formulation of a new position, which will be responsible for these forces as well as the current duties of the collectors.
MAX : That sounds like a decent solution, Blechwald. I shall authorise an investigation into this possibility.
BLECHWALD : As it pleases your majesty. I would also like to report that agricultural production in Tyrol is well below expectations. I have a report here if it interests your majesty.
MAX : Bah! Tyrolians. Cast them to the flames!
BLECHWALD : I beg your pardon, sire?
MAX : Never mind, Blechwald. What solution do you propose?
BLECHWALD : Your majesty, since this information only came to my attention last week, I have not yet been able to devise a solution.
MAX : I expect some headway before the month is out. You may continue.
BLECHWALD : I have nothing further to report at this time, your majesty.
MAX : Very well. Let us move on to von Neunkirchen. You may be seated, Blechwald.
Blechwald takes his seat. Von Neunkirchen, minister of foreign affairs, rises.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Thank you, your majesty. I believe the most important matter at this time is our diplomatic isolation. We will need to protect ourselves from possible invasion by entering a defensive alliance. Naturally, it is only sensible to join such an alliance with one of our neighbours. Since our ties with the Hungarians are extremely strong, and they are probably our strongest neighbours, I would like to suggest them as an alliance partner.
MAX : The Hungarians, hmm. A most interesting proposition. With a matter of such importance, I shall have to commit some more time to the consideration of this choice. You may continue, Neunkirchen.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Certainly, your majesty. I would also like to report that our embassy there reports that relations with the Bohemians are degenerating by the day. Perhaps it is time to make some effort at reconciliation?
MAX : Reconciliation? With the Bohemians? Absolutely out of the question. I have some quite different plans for the Bohemians. But minister von Bock will tell you more about that later. Anything else, Neunkirchen?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Sire, we do not have the best of relations with our other neighbours. Perhaps we should strengthen ties with Venice, Milan, Helvetia and Bavaria. Also, perhaps the time has come to build on our blossoming friendship with Wurtemberg.
MAX : Perhaps, Neunkirchen. But this is not the time. The diplomats should be concerning themselves with an alliance at this point.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Of course, your majesty.
MAX : Will that be all, Neunkirchen?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Indeed, your majesty.
MAX : You may be seated. Von Bock, let us hear your report.
Neunkirchen is seated. Von Bock, minister of military affairs, rises and smiles confidently.
BOCK : As your majesty has already suggested, plans are afoot to relieve the Bohemians of some territory. For the benefit of the other gentlemen, it has been decided by our wise and benevolent king Maximilian, that Austria shall forcibly annex the territories of the Sudetenland, Erz and Silesia from Bohemia, and so help us God.
Von Mehlmann, minster of commerce, rises in astonishment.
MEHLMANN : But sire, control of Silesia would mean a common border with Poland-Lithuania. Our relations with them couldn’t be much worse, and if war breaks out there, it could be a disa-
MAX : I am sure you need no reminding, minister von Mehlmann, that I do not take such decisions lightly. Myself and the military council have pondered this problem for many days, and we have concluded that with a sufficiently strong defensive alliance behind us, the Poles will not be a threat. Until we have secured such an alliance, of course, we will not act against Bohemia.
MEHLMANN : Certainly, your majesty. But what sort of ally would counterbalance the Polish threat? Hungary is hardly a guarantee against defeat, and there are no stronger nations in the region.
MAX : Von Neunkirchen and the foreign ministry will investigate the possibilities. If we find that we can not find support against Poland, we shall not act against Bohemia. Now be seated, Mehlmann.
Mehlmann is seated.
Von Hallenkehr, minister of justice, rises.
HALLENKEHR : Has anyone considered an alliance with the Poles?
MAX : Ha! Ha ha.
Maximilian erupts into hearty laughter.
MAX : An alliance with Poland-Lithuania? Surely you jest?
HALLENKEHR : I do not know of his majesty’s plans for further expansion, but such an alliance would do a splendid job of securing our eastern border.
MAX : Further expansion? My dear Hallenkehr, do the words “balance of power” mean anything to you? Here a daring state decides to take for itself hegemony over central or eastern Europe. There the brooding Spaniard watches with growing discomfort, and here the gallant Frenchman likes not what he sees. And eventually, they take action to restore the status quo. No, Hallenkehr, further expansion must wait. And an alliance with the Poles – why, that is a most preposterous suggestion. We may as well clamber between the sheets with the Turks!
HALLENKEHR : Very well, your majesty.
Hallenkehr is seated.
MAX : You may continue, von Bock.
BOCK : As his majesty is probably aware, our Imperial Guard, stationed here in Vienna, under the able command of colonel Moravia, is a force of some twenty five thousand footsoldiers and another fifteen thousand cavalrymen. Now, this force is naturally reserved solely for the defence of the realm. For our future campaign against Bohemia, we shall need to raise further forces in the north. The preliminary planning has indicated that the best approach would be a two-pronged sweep through Bohemia, with a heavier right wing driving through Prague and onto Breslau , while the lighter left wing takes Pilsen before moving onto Karlsbad. It may also be necessary to occupy Moravia with the right wing, should the Bohemians be reluctant to give up the required territory. In addition, it is highly advisable that your majesty comission further forces to defend the realm in Tyrol, which is a strategically vital region, which borders 5 other nations. Also, it may be advisable to relocate the Imperial Guard to Presburg, to defend the realm against any possible Bohemian or Hungarian incursion, although this is merely a tentative recommandation at this juncture.
MAX : Tell me about this Moravia. What kind of a name is that anyway?
BOCK : I have no idea, your majesty. He is a most able commander, with many years of experience under his belt. He hails from the alpine town of Kapfenberg, in Styria. He is a good personal friend and I have no hesitation entrusting him with the defence of the realm.
MAX : I would like to meet this man. See to it that he is summoned to Vienna.
BOCK : Very well, your majesty.
MAX : Anything else, von Bock?
BOCK : Sire, I would like to inform you about the manpower situation in the realm. At present we have a recruting pool of some 10,000 men, but we expect that in times of need we can raise double that. In wartime, we are probably capable of raising about 10,000 new recruits per year.
MAX : Very well. I have been informed that the other ministers have nothing to report. Shall we retire, gentlemen?
Those assembled rise and depart the chamber.
Some days later, Maximilian summons foreign minister von Neunkirchen to discuss the alliance.
MAX : …and so, after much consideration, I have decided to authorise an attempt to court the nation of Hungary into a military alliance. I have also decided to despatch you personally to carry out this important task. When you return, we can discuss the expansion of the alliance, with the possible inclusion of Wurtemberg or Venice.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Very well, your majesty. I shall depart for Hungary on the morrow.
Neunkirchen departs the chamber.
Some days later, Neunkirchen, returned from his expedition, seeks an audience with Maximilian.
COURT GUARD : My lord, foreign minister von Neunkirchen seeks an audience.
MAX : Very well, admit him to the chamber.
Von Neunkirchen is escorted into the presence of Maximilian.
MAX : Ah, von Neunkirchen. I trust that you have succeeded in your quest?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Indeed, your majesty. Hungary has agreed to a ten year military alliance! What foe would dare attack us now?
MAX : Excellent work, Neunkirchen, excellent work. We shall give this fledgling alliance some weeks to become established, and then we shall brace ourselves to the task of expanding it for the greater good of Austria, and so help us God.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Indeed, your majesty.
MAX : You are dismissed, Neunkirchen.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Thank you, your majesty.
Neunkirchen departs the chamber.
MAX : You may be seated, gentlemen.
The ministers take their seats.
MAX : Now, on to the duty of the day – the annual state of the nation reports. We shall start with you, von Blechwald.
Von Blechwald, minister of the interior, rises and shuffles some papers.
BLECHWALD : Thank you, your majesty. By the grace of God, your majesty, all is well in your realm at this time. The nobles are apparently contented, although I would give due consideration to granting an expansion of the estate of Lord von Braunhelm, who might well feel, and rightly so, that he has been left out to a large extent of your majesties recent generous gifts. As far as-
MAX : See to it that Braunhelm is brought up to parity with the other nobles. Since his estates are rather concentrated in Carniola, he shall be given more lands in the north.
BLECHWALD : But sire, good land is scarce in the north. We will need to buy off local lords. Or shall we give him less valuable lands?
MAX : Buy them off, by all means.
BLECHWALD : Very well, your majesty.
MAX : You may continue, Blechwald.
BLECHWALD : As it pleases your majesty. I have here a report of problems with tax collection in the eastern regions, your majesty. The local officials are having some difficulty in meeting their quotas. May I suggest some sort of change to the collection structure throughout the realm?
MAX : Very well.
BLECHWALD : The collectors at present have problems with disobedience as well as outright evasion. They do not have sufficient power to enforce their authority. It will be necessary to introduce some sort of armed force to deal with this unacceptable behaviour.
I am therefore proposing the formulation of a new position, which will be responsible for these forces as well as the current duties of the collectors.
MAX : That sounds like a decent solution, Blechwald. I shall authorise an investigation into this possibility.
BLECHWALD : As it pleases your majesty. I would also like to report that agricultural production in Tyrol is well below expectations. I have a report here if it interests your majesty.
MAX : Bah! Tyrolians. Cast them to the flames!
BLECHWALD : I beg your pardon, sire?
MAX : Never mind, Blechwald. What solution do you propose?
BLECHWALD : Your majesty, since this information only came to my attention last week, I have not yet been able to devise a solution.
MAX : I expect some headway before the month is out. You may continue.
BLECHWALD : I have nothing further to report at this time, your majesty.
MAX : Very well. Let us move on to von Neunkirchen. You may be seated, Blechwald.
Blechwald takes his seat. Von Neunkirchen, minister of foreign affairs, rises.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Thank you, your majesty. I believe the most important matter at this time is our diplomatic isolation. We will need to protect ourselves from possible invasion by entering a defensive alliance. Naturally, it is only sensible to join such an alliance with one of our neighbours. Since our ties with the Hungarians are extremely strong, and they are probably our strongest neighbours, I would like to suggest them as an alliance partner.
MAX : The Hungarians, hmm. A most interesting proposition. With a matter of such importance, I shall have to commit some more time to the consideration of this choice. You may continue, Neunkirchen.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Certainly, your majesty. I would also like to report that our embassy there reports that relations with the Bohemians are degenerating by the day. Perhaps it is time to make some effort at reconciliation?
MAX : Reconciliation? With the Bohemians? Absolutely out of the question. I have some quite different plans for the Bohemians. But minister von Bock will tell you more about that later. Anything else, Neunkirchen?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Sire, we do not have the best of relations with our other neighbours. Perhaps we should strengthen ties with Venice, Milan, Helvetia and Bavaria. Also, perhaps the time has come to build on our blossoming friendship with Wurtemberg.
MAX : Perhaps, Neunkirchen. But this is not the time. The diplomats should be concerning themselves with an alliance at this point.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Of course, your majesty.
MAX : Will that be all, Neunkirchen?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Indeed, your majesty.
MAX : You may be seated. Von Bock, let us hear your report.
Neunkirchen is seated. Von Bock, minister of military affairs, rises and smiles confidently.
BOCK : As your majesty has already suggested, plans are afoot to relieve the Bohemians of some territory. For the benefit of the other gentlemen, it has been decided by our wise and benevolent king Maximilian, that Austria shall forcibly annex the territories of the Sudetenland, Erz and Silesia from Bohemia, and so help us God.
Von Mehlmann, minster of commerce, rises in astonishment.
MEHLMANN : But sire, control of Silesia would mean a common border with Poland-Lithuania. Our relations with them couldn’t be much worse, and if war breaks out there, it could be a disa-
MAX : I am sure you need no reminding, minister von Mehlmann, that I do not take such decisions lightly. Myself and the military council have pondered this problem for many days, and we have concluded that with a sufficiently strong defensive alliance behind us, the Poles will not be a threat. Until we have secured such an alliance, of course, we will not act against Bohemia.
MEHLMANN : Certainly, your majesty. But what sort of ally would counterbalance the Polish threat? Hungary is hardly a guarantee against defeat, and there are no stronger nations in the region.
MAX : Von Neunkirchen and the foreign ministry will investigate the possibilities. If we find that we can not find support against Poland, we shall not act against Bohemia. Now be seated, Mehlmann.
Mehlmann is seated.
Von Hallenkehr, minister of justice, rises.
HALLENKEHR : Has anyone considered an alliance with the Poles?
MAX : Ha! Ha ha.
Maximilian erupts into hearty laughter.
MAX : An alliance with Poland-Lithuania? Surely you jest?
HALLENKEHR : I do not know of his majesty’s plans for further expansion, but such an alliance would do a splendid job of securing our eastern border.
MAX : Further expansion? My dear Hallenkehr, do the words “balance of power” mean anything to you? Here a daring state decides to take for itself hegemony over central or eastern Europe. There the brooding Spaniard watches with growing discomfort, and here the gallant Frenchman likes not what he sees. And eventually, they take action to restore the status quo. No, Hallenkehr, further expansion must wait. And an alliance with the Poles – why, that is a most preposterous suggestion. We may as well clamber between the sheets with the Turks!
HALLENKEHR : Very well, your majesty.
Hallenkehr is seated.
MAX : You may continue, von Bock.
BOCK : As his majesty is probably aware, our Imperial Guard, stationed here in Vienna, under the able command of colonel Moravia, is a force of some twenty five thousand footsoldiers and another fifteen thousand cavalrymen. Now, this force is naturally reserved solely for the defence of the realm. For our future campaign against Bohemia, we shall need to raise further forces in the north. The preliminary planning has indicated that the best approach would be a two-pronged sweep through Bohemia, with a heavier right wing driving through Prague and onto Breslau , while the lighter left wing takes Pilsen before moving onto Karlsbad. It may also be necessary to occupy Moravia with the right wing, should the Bohemians be reluctant to give up the required territory. In addition, it is highly advisable that your majesty comission further forces to defend the realm in Tyrol, which is a strategically vital region, which borders 5 other nations. Also, it may be advisable to relocate the Imperial Guard to Presburg, to defend the realm against any possible Bohemian or Hungarian incursion, although this is merely a tentative recommandation at this juncture.
MAX : Tell me about this Moravia. What kind of a name is that anyway?
BOCK : I have no idea, your majesty. He is a most able commander, with many years of experience under his belt. He hails from the alpine town of Kapfenberg, in Styria. He is a good personal friend and I have no hesitation entrusting him with the defence of the realm.
MAX : I would like to meet this man. See to it that he is summoned to Vienna.
BOCK : Very well, your majesty.
MAX : Anything else, von Bock?
BOCK : Sire, I would like to inform you about the manpower situation in the realm. At present we have a recruting pool of some 10,000 men, but we expect that in times of need we can raise double that. In wartime, we are probably capable of raising about 10,000 new recruits per year.
MAX : Very well. I have been informed that the other ministers have nothing to report. Shall we retire, gentlemen?
Those assembled rise and depart the chamber.
Some days later, Maximilian summons foreign minister von Neunkirchen to discuss the alliance.
MAX : …and so, after much consideration, I have decided to authorise an attempt to court the nation of Hungary into a military alliance. I have also decided to despatch you personally to carry out this important task. When you return, we can discuss the expansion of the alliance, with the possible inclusion of Wurtemberg or Venice.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Very well, your majesty. I shall depart for Hungary on the morrow.
Neunkirchen departs the chamber.
Some days later, Neunkirchen, returned from his expedition, seeks an audience with Maximilian.
COURT GUARD : My lord, foreign minister von Neunkirchen seeks an audience.
MAX : Very well, admit him to the chamber.
Von Neunkirchen is escorted into the presence of Maximilian.
MAX : Ah, von Neunkirchen. I trust that you have succeeded in your quest?
NEUNKIRCHEN : Indeed, your majesty. Hungary has agreed to a ten year military alliance! What foe would dare attack us now?
MAX : Excellent work, Neunkirchen, excellent work. We shall give this fledgling alliance some weeks to become established, and then we shall brace ourselves to the task of expanding it for the greater good of Austria, and so help us God.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Indeed, your majesty.
MAX : You are dismissed, Neunkirchen.
NEUNKIRCHEN : Thank you, your majesty.
Neunkirchen departs the chamber.
