Chapter 526

The lightning did not tear through the thick clouds. After the thunder rolled through the low clouds, the heavy rain came crashing down. It was as if the heavens were crying for the misfortune of Mexico City.

In the palace, Maximilian I Of Castile sat there quietly, motionless. It was as if he had entered the state of a sage. He was neither happy nor sad, as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

"Your Majesty, let's go! The enemy is about to besiege the city. If we delay any longer, we won't be able to leave! "

The guard's anxious words pulled Maximilian I Of Castile back to reality. The heavy rain came at the right time and successfully delayed the rebel army.

Maximilian I Of Castile shook his head and said, "No need, Fayern. There is no emperor who runs away in Mexico. I will wait for them here. You can all go!"

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Maximilian I Of Castile did not put up a final fight. Instead, he dismissed his subordinates and faced the failure alone.

This was undoubtedly the right thing to do. It allowed him to successfully avoid the ugliness of human nature. If he really dragged everyone down with him, they would probably feel betrayed for the first time.

Except for a few diehard loyalists, the rest had run away. Of course, those who stayed were not necessarily his diehard loyalists. A large number of them were too close to the emperor and could only go into exile overseas without the protection of the emperor.

If they followed another emperor, they could go into exile if they had enough money in their pockets.

Following this emperor was different. Even if there were benefits, the benefits that fell into their hands were very limited. Now, even if they wanted to run away, they had to consider their financial situation. It was not easy to live a hard life after living a luxurious life.

In the eyes of many, Maximilian I Of Castile, the past emperor, was still very valuable. Even if he stepped down now, the House of Habsburg was still in its prime, and there was still a chance for it to be restored in the future.

At the very least, they could find a long-term meal ticket. How could the loyal subjects who followed the emperor starve?

Unfortunately, Maximilian I Of Castile was not an ordinary person. He did not plan to run away at all. No matter how his subordinates persuaded him, he was not willing to seek refuge in the Austrian Central American colonies.

This made a lot of people suffer. The rebels might not dare to kill the emperor, but they had no problem killing them. Even if it was to play up their righteousness, the revolutionaries would still go on a killing spree.

In the original timeline, they accidentally killed too many people and caused Mexico to fall into a chaotic war. The current situation was similar. Revolutions always required bloodshed.

The failed Reformist Party was naturally the best sacrificial offering. Their biggest problem was their incompetence.

Their biggest problem was that they were incompetent. Maximiliano the First was an idealist himself, and the people who gathered around him were idealists who shared the same ideals.

When it came to bragging, everyone was great, but when it came to doing things, they would drop the ball. Those who had the ability would not let the rebels turn the tables.

Everything else aside, if they had started a massacre at the very beginning, or if they had not pardoned those political prisoners, the Revolutionary Army would not have been able to develop so quickly.

Five or six out of ten of the leaders of the rebellion had been released by Maximiliano I himself, and the remaining four or five were the result of their unrealistic reforms.

At the best of times, the rebels only had a few guerrillas left. If they did not screw up at the critical moment, the rebels would not have been able to do anything.

"Your Majesty, let's leave first. We still have a chance to make a comeback. Napoleon was restored in June; why should we be so fixated on temporary gains and losses? "

The middle-aged guard was really anxious. Others could run, but he could not. He had followed the emperor from Austria. As Maximilian I Of Castile's guard, if he abandoned the emperor and ran back to his country, even if the House of Habsburg did not find trouble with him, how could he raise his head for the rest of his life?

After this failed venture, his ambition had almost been obliterated. He didn't even think about making a name for himself anymore. He just wanted to enjoy his old age.

After all, he was only Maximilian I Of Castile's guard. He did not need to be responsible for the fall of the Mexican government. As long as he brought the emperor back safely, it would not be considered a failure.

When he returned, he could continue to be the guard of Maximilian I Of Castile, the retired emperor, and play the role of a loyal subject. The House of Habsburg would not mistreat a loyal subject.

With threats and promises, Fayern gathered a team of a hundred men and prepared to escort Maximilian I Of Castile.

Of course, it was all done in the name of Maximiliano I, and the benefits that were promised would be paid for by the emperor who was past his prime.

There was no doubt that no matter how down and out he was, Massimiliano was still a big shot. As long as he returned to Vienna, it would not be a problem to fulfill these promises.

He was even prepared to hide in the Austrian embassy with the emperor if he failed. If the rebels dared to attack, it would give the Government of Vienna an excuse to intervene.

Massimiliano was still immersed in his failure and naturally did not pay attention to the actions of his men. He still shook his head. After a long silence, he said, "Even Napoleon failed. How can we succeed?"

Fayern was dumbfounded. This stubborn middle-aged man was not to be trifled with. He was completely stubborn. The chances of success were slim. He was just looking for an excuse to escape.

"Your Majesty, the rebels are only a day's journey away from Mexico City. Once the rain stops, they will have a chance to besiege the city. If we miss this opportunity, it will be very difficult for us to leave. "

Maximilian I Of Castile still shook his head. He seemed to have made up his mind to stay and ask the rebels why they were rebelling.

…

The rebels did not march in the rain. Did they really sympathize with the soldiers? The answer was no. Many people, including President Juárez, did not know how to deal with Maximilian I Of Castile.

Now, they deliberately left such an obvious loophole. They wanted him to leave quickly. It would be best if he died of illness on the road. That way, they would not have to worry.

There was no other way. Political struggles were complicated. Don't think that Maximilian I Of Castile pardoned many of the rebels' higher-ups. Even if there was gratitude, no one dared to show it in front of reality.

No matter what these people thought in their hearts, they would definitely shout to kill him on the surface. Moreover, they would be very determined.

There was also a group of people who used to be Maximilian I Of Castile's supporters. During the reform process, their interests were damaged and they stood on the opposite side.

This group of people naturally hated Maximilian I Of Castile to the bone. If they did not shout to kill him, they would be letting down the people of Mexico.

That was how the original Maximilian I Of Castile was sent to the guillotine. But it was different now. Austria and Mexico were neighbors.

If they killed Maximilian I Of Castile, who knew if the House of Habsburg would let it go? What if they invaded Mexico in the name of revenge?

Everyone shouted slogans, but they did not want to fight with Austria. Don't look at how the French retreated dejectedly. In fact, the French had been suppressing them, and it left a shadow in their hearts.

President Juárez did not want to keep the trouble of Maximilian I Of Castile, but he also did not want to provoke the Austrians because of this issue.

Unlike the French, who left after their defeat, Austria had a foundation. The power of the Austrian Central American colonies could not swallow Mexico, but they could still bite a piece of meat off of them.

Juárez was not a country bumpkin. He still cared about international politics. At least, he knew his neighbors very well.

The United States of America wanted the Mexican market. The American Alliance also had their eyes on them. Britain, Austria, and Spain were also eyeing them.

Previously, with the French blocking them, these forces were very restrained. Now, the pressure had fallen on their shoulders.

With the prestige of forcing the French away, President Juárez was not sure if these enemies could be deterred.

He would rather keep the hidden danger of Maximilian I Of Castile than to cause interference from other countries because of this issue.

The rain gradually stopped. Maximilian I Of Castile was still in the palace, unwilling to leave this sad place.

The rebel army was on the way to Mexico City. Mexico City was already in a state of panic. Fayern was almost unable to suppress the people under him.

An impatient guard asked, "General, is His Majesty still not willing to leave?"

Although Fayern was only a guard captain, his military rank was not low at all. He was also a lieutenant general in the Mexican Empire. In this regard, Maximilian I Of Castile was still very generous.

"Carandi, calm down. Send people to keep an eye on the rebel army. Now that the situation has changed, His Majesty is not willing to leave the palace. If necessary, we can only force him into the Austrian embassy.

I have already discussed it with the Austrian minister. You and your family may be given Austrian citizenship. The rebel army will not dare to touch Austrian citizens. "

After listening to Fayern's explanation, everyone's mood calmed down. The Mexican Empire was also a semi-colonial and semi-feudal empire. The big powers also had a lot of privileges here.

When dealing with foreign affairs, the Mexican government had always been cautious. Relatively speaking, the period when Maximilian I Of Castile was the toughest period when Mexico was in power.

Because of his background, Maximilian I Of Castile had a deep understanding of the European countries and did not have much fear.

The things that the government officials feared like tigers could not scare the emperor. Many times, he could execute according to the law. Even if the ministers of various countries appeared, he could calmly deal with them.

This was of no use. It was impossible to let the emperor handle everything. The privileges were still the same, and the officials were still afraid of tigers.

With this talisman, at least it could guarantee that the rebel army would not settle accounts. They could raise the butcher's knife internally, but Juarez's government definitely did not dare to carry out massacres externally.

Those who still followed Fayern were all proper royalists. The emperor was the country. Naturally, there was no so-called treason if they followed the emperor. No one had any psychological pressure.

Many people were still betting on the restoration of Maximilian I Of Castile. There was only one reason, and that was his background. The House of Habsburg had the power to restore him. Under normal circumstances, there was no reason for the House of Habsburg to give up the crown that was already in their hands.

The conflict between Maximilian I Of Castile and his family was not something that ordinary people could know. The House of Habsburg was embarrassed to announce it to the public, and Massimiliano did not dare to say it.

The rebel army was coming. Mexico City was already in a mess. Smashing, looting, and burning were happening every moment. The ugliness of human nature was exposed.

In the evening, a young soldier rode into the palace and shouted, "The rebel army has entered the city."

With the news, the atmosphere in the palace suddenly became tense. This time, Fayern did not ask for Maximilian I Of Castile's permission. He made a prompt decision and said, "Let's go. Everyone, escort His Majesty to the Austrian Embassy."

Regardless of whether Maximilian I Of Castile was willing or not, he was forced onto a carriage and headed to the Austrian Embassy in Mexico.

The Austrian Embassy was small and obviously could not accommodate so many people. However, it did not matter. They could temporarily expand the embassy.

The surrounding buildings were planted with the Austrian flag and successfully became a part of the Austrian Embassy in Mexico.

Since the emperor was there, it was completely legal to expand the embassy. What was done could not be undone. Maximilian I Of Castile could not accuse his subordinates of acting on their own. They were also showing their loyalty.

The Austrian Minister Compton's lips were about to curl into a smile. After all, this was a credit that came knocking on his door. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If they succeeded in sending Maximilian I Of Castile back to his country, they could please the great emperor. Even if they failed, they could create an excuse for their country to intervene in Mexico.

Compton was not afraid of the rebel army. No matter what, the Mexican rebel army would not dare to do anything to the Austrian Minister. If they did anything to him, it would be a declaration of war against Austria.

This terrifying consequence was not something that the new government could bear. Everyone had worked hard for so many years. It was not easy for them to become masters. No one was willing to go back and live a life of hiding.

After settling down Maximilian I Of Castile, Minister Compton, who was in a good mood, immediately promised everyone, "Don't worry. From now on, you are the guards of the Austrian Embassy in Mexico.

We have already prepared the military uniforms. You can change into them later. If the rebel army dares to make a move, it will be a challenge to the great Austria! "

Obviously, Compton was prepared for this. After contacting Fayern, he immediately had the Austrian Central American colony send a batch of military uniforms.

Now, after changing into a set of clothes, the nature was instantly changed. From the bodyguards of the Mexican Emperor, they became the guards of the Austrian Embassy.

As for whether Austria had the right to station troops in Mexico City, there was no need to think about it. It was a must! Even if they didn't, they could let Maximilian I Of Castile sign it on the spot.

Regardless of whether the republican government led by Juárez recognized it or not, Austria had the right to station troops at this moment. Compton fully displayed the professional skills of a great power's minister. He quietly obtained a special privilege for Austria.

Cheers rang out. They were finally safe now. They had become the guards of the Austrian Embassy. This meant that they had escaped this storm.

The only one who was disappointed was Maximilian I Of Castile. He lay alone on the bed and sighed.