Chapter 312 Major Blow to the Coalition Forces
Hauenschild Palace, 50 kilometers north of Austerlitz.
The Hauenschild Palace served as a residence for the head of states of head of state of the coalition forces. Each of them had personalized state rooms where they could fulfill their diplomatic duties of their countries and a bedroom where they could sleep.
Today, August 31th, 1804. The three heads of state were sleeping in their respective bedrooms—Until someone forced their way inside.
"Your Majesty!"
Tsar Paul I was roused from his slumber by the urgent voice. He blinked away the remnants of sleep, his eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room.
"Your Majesty, wake up!" the voice insisted, more insistent this time.
Tsar Paul, I threw off his heavy blankets and sat up in his bed, instantly alert.
"What's the matter with you, Alexei? Can't you see I'm sleeping?"
Alexei was visibly flustered as he stood at the foot of the Tsar's bed. His face was as pale as a sheet, and sweat glistened on his brow.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for the intrusion, but there has been a grave development at the front lines!" Alexei exclaimed, the urgency in his voice cutting through the stillness of the night.
Tsar Paul I's drowsiness vanished in an instant upon hearing that. "What do you mean by that?"
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up, the cold marble floor sending an involuntary shiver through his body.
"Speak, Alexei. What has happened?" Tsar Paul I demanded.
"It's best that I report it in the drawing room where the Prussian King and the Austrian Emperor are present. It concerns the coalition forces. Follow me, Your Majesty."
Without further delay, he led Tsar Paul I to the drawing room, where Emperor Francis II and King Frederick William III were hastily gathering with their own advisors.
The atmosphere was heavy with tension as the three heads of state gathered around a large wooden table covered in maps and documents.
Emperor Francis II, his usually composed demeanor strained, was the first to speak. "So what happened? Reveal it to us now that we are awake."
"It's the French forces, they launched a surprise attack at Austerlitz," Alexei announced. "They were pushed out of the Pratzen heights and are now on the run."
Hearing that, the three heads of state rose to their feet, shocked and alarmed by the unexpected news.
They exchanged worried glances, realizing that the French attack could jeopardize their alliance and their campaign against Napoleon.
King Frederick William III of Prussia spoke, his voice tinged with concern. "How did this happen? We had fortified our positions on the Pratzen Heights. They were supposed to be impregnable."
Emperor Francis II nodded, his brow furrowed. "This is a major setback. If we lose the Pratzen Heights, France has a clear pathway towards here, and then possibly to Berlin."
"The French are coming to Berlin?" King Frederick William III scoffed. "No way, there's no way. We have invested hundreds of thousands of troops in that area, and don't tell me the French just defeated them at the Pratzen Heights? This is absurd. Order them to hold out."
Alexei shook his head. "That's not possible, since our coalition forces are on the run, they can't set up defensive positions. What they can only do is delay them through skirmishes, but it is only a delaying tactic. Sooner or later, the French will arrive here. Which is why we have to leave this place immediately."
"But if we leave this place, we are going to lose Austria," Tsar Paul I said and the room fell silent.
"Well, it's Austria's fault why they were in these extreme circumstances to begin with. If their forces weren't so easily defeated at Ulm, we wouldn't be here. Instead, we'd be in Paris celebrating victory."
"What did you just say, William?" Francis II aggressively walked up to him.
King Frederick William III's face reddened in anger.? The tension in the room escalated as the two monarchs locked eyes, their tempers flaring.
Tsar Paul I quickly intervened with a commanding tone.
"Enough! Bickering among ourselves will not solve our current crisis. We must make a decision and act swiftly. It's clear that staying here puts us at risk, but abandoning Austria is a difficult choice as well. But looking at the situation, Austria has already lost the war."
"I have a country to protect," King Frederick William III said. "Emperor Francis, reality is a hard pill to swallow. If you were in my position, you would understand the necessity of ensuring the survival of our nation. We cannot afford to be stubborn when the very existence of our states is at stake."
Emperor Francis II, though still visibly upset, reluctantly nodded. William was right, if he was in his position, he'd do the same. He can't spare his forces to protect a foreign country. It was a bitter truth, but the survival of their respective nations had to take precedence.
"Then it's settled. We will withdraw from Hauenschild Palace and regroup at—" Tsar Paul I paused and glanced at Alexei. "Where is the optimal place?"
Alexei leaned forward and whispered into his ears.
"Ahh…Dresden. What's left of the Prussian and Russian armies will regroup at Dresden. Fortify it. But we won't have time if the French continue to chase us. So Emperor Francis, why don't you help us here? You stop the French advance by negotiating with them. It will buy us time."
Emperor Francis II considered the suggestion carefully. Negotiating with France meant the surrender of Austria and accepting harsh terms. But if Prussia and Russia were able to defeat the French at Dresden, then whatever treaty he was going to sign with France would be nullified. It was a difficult decision, but he saw the wisdom in it.
"Very well," he finally said. "Make sure you win against that Boneyman."
The two heads of state nodded their heads.
***
Hours later, the Prussian King and the Russian Emperor left the Hauenschild Palace, their respective forces in tow, heading towards Dresden to regroup and fortify their positions.
Emperor Francis II, on the other hand, prepared to send envoys to negotiate with Napoleon, hoping to secure a temporary ceasefire and buy the much-needed time for his allies.
September 1st, 1804.
At Vienna Hofburg Palace.
Napoleon and Talleyrand welcomed the envoy the Austrian Emperor had sent.
"Welcome, Prince Johann I Joseph and Ignác Gyulay to the Hofburg Palace. I am Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, Minister of Foreign Affairs and this is—"
"I am Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France. Let's get this settled with."
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