In July 1779 AD, Joseph II of Austria issued a conscription order. He launched mobilization to all the Habsburg territories. Although his finance minister advised him that the Austrian treasury no longer had that much money, but Joseph II
Fascinated by the bright prospects to come, he persisted in his opinion despite the empty Austrian treasury.
After William learned of Austria's mobilization, he also urgently ordered Prussia to mobilize. He issued an edict to all Prussians:
"The Austrians thought they could win, but in the past they have always been defeated by us Prussians. I don't think they can succeed this time. For the future of Prussia, I ask all the Prussian people for their continued support.
We, the people of Prussia, have never been afraid of war. As the heir of Frederick the Great, I have the sacred mission of leading Prussia to victory. I will avenge all the Prussian people who lost their loved ones in the war with the Austrians. We have only one goal.
:Defeat Austria”
Following Austria's mobilization, Prussia also began mobilizing.
Catherine II of Russia is currently focusing all her energy on Turkey, but she has never relaxed her focus on Prussia and Austria. She said to the minister: At this stop, Prussia and Austria will fight harder than they have in seven years.
War is even more cruel.
I have to say that the situation in Europe at this time was really delicate. None of the major European powers had the energy to intervene in the war between the Austrians and the Prussians. Britain was as uncomfortable as eating flies because of the North American War of Independence, while France, who was concerned about creating
Louis XVI, who was focused on state affairs, had no interest in starting a war. Other small countries in Central Europe could only wait and see the situation quietly.
Austria formed three armies. On the Saxon front there was an Austrian army of 100,000 people led by Marshal Lacy, on the Bohemian front there was an army of 50,000 people led by Marshal Laudon, and in Vienna there was a reserve army of 50,000 people led by Leopold II.
troops. And more troops are being armed.
Prussia faced Marshal Lacy with an army of 80,000 men led by Prince Ferdinand, and faced Laudon with an army of 40,000 men led by Prince Henry. In Brandenburg there was also an army of 30,000 men that William was arming.
Potsdam, Sanssouci Palace
"Your Majesty, the money from the national treasury can only barely maintain the current legion. Once more soldiers are recruited, our finances will be exhausted," Rocks said to William worriedly.
"Lokes, how long can our money last?" William asked
"Once the whole country is mobilized, it can only last for half a year," Rocks replied honestly.
"Buer, how much royal property is there?" William asked Buer who was looking aside.
"Your Majesty, the royal family's property is enough to support an army of 100,000 men for two years, but all of this money belongs to you and those members of the royal family," Buell said in embarrassment.
"Buer, I am the king, just obey my orders. You should immediately take out all these properties and give them to Rocks. In addition, tell the royal family members that Prussia has reached its most dangerous time. Once Prussia is finished, our Hohenso
What use does the Lun family have for property?" William said firmly.
"Lokes, I gave you the money, but you can't spend it arbitrarily. Anyone found to have taken advantage of the opportunity to commit corruption, no matter how big or small, will be charged with treason. Do you understand?" William warned Locks.
"Your Majesty, I understand," Locke replied respectfully.
"In addition, you send someone to tell Charles of Bavaria that once our Prussian game is over, he will not end well. Joseph II's ambitions for Bavaria are well known." After saying this, William then asked, "Lokes, thank you for your hard work for Prussia."
Locks lowered his head and said: "I will die for Prussia."
After William told Rocks, he ordered someone to send Marshal Dessau to come over.
"See your majesty," Dessau quickly walked up to William and bowed.
"Marshal Dessau, how is the training of your army?" William waved his hand and asked anxiously. Dessau was the commander-in-chief of Brandenburg's army that was being armed.
"Your Majesty, these people were all veterans before. There is no doubt about their combat effectiveness. My 30,000 people are definitely worth the 50,000 Austrians," Dessau said confidently.
"Very good, you need to speed up your training. I guess the day of war is coming soon." William sighed and said
In August 1779 AD, Austria used the excuse that William did not have the legitimacy to succeed to the throne, and they supported a distant cousin of Frederick to declare war on William.
When the Austrian envoy handed the declaration of war into William's hands, William knew that war had come.
All the armies on the front line had received orders from William to start building fortifications and trenches. When the Austrian army came to the Prussian army, they saw trenches and fortifications all over the mountains and plains.
In order to deal with these fortifications, Marshal Lacy ordered trees to be cut down to make wooden shields.
William was worried about the situation on the front line, so he decided to lead the expedition himself. Although the ministers and Louise tried to dissuade him again and again, William still did not change his mind. William did not look at Louise's eyes that were red from crying. He said to everyone:
"The men of the Hohenzollern family are never afraid of war. What's more, as the monarch of Prussia, I must let all the soldiers see that I inherit the blood of Frederick the Great. I will fight on the front line. I and
There are only two outcomes between the Austrians. One is that I defeat the Austrians, and the second is that the Austrians kill me."
William came outside the barracks of Marshal Brandenburg Dessau and said to all the soldiers:
"I, Frederick William III, am only nine years old this year, but I don't think age means anything. All Prussian men are full of passion. My soldiers, I will fight at the front, and I will use my
Action tells you that the men of the Hohenzollern family can only die in battle, and there is no way to live in an ignoble way. My soldiers, I will be with you."
The soldiers were encouraged by William, who entered Marshal Dessau's tent and said to Dessau:
"I'm not here to interfere with your battle. You can fight however you want. I'm just here to tell my soldiers that their king is with them."
When the Austrian spies informed Joseph II of the news of William's personal expedition, he said with contempt:
"As for that nine-year-old Huanzi, what can he do? Don't be so frightened that he wets his pants whenever he hears the sound of gunfire. God bless this poor child not to be hit by bullets, haha,,,"
In September 1779, after William entrusted the affairs of the kingdom to Rocks, Buell and Old Hans, he followed Ferdinand's army to the front line.