"WHAT? Follow your command? Absolutely not!" Prince Karl erupted, his face a mask of fury, as if he had been grievously insulted.
The other Austrian generals were also taken aback, though their reactions lacked the intensity of the prince's outrage.
Upon witnessing Karl's response, Qin Tian's brow furrowed in concern. He sensed an underlying animosity from the prince, which left him perplexed; he could not recall having offended him in any way.
"Your Highness, as we engage in joint operations, it should not be surprising that the Austrians fully cooperate with us," Manstein suggested.
"Damn it, these arrogant Germans think even a mere brigadier can question me?" Prince Karl seethed internally. However, he was acutely aware that expressing his true feelings would not only jeopardize relations between the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires but also invite scrutiny from his fellow commanders and even disapproval from Emperor Franz Joseph I himself. After all, this was a time of close cooperation between their nations.
Taking a deep breath, Prince Karl suppressed his anger and began to rationalize his position. "Firstly, I have reservations about your proposed battle plan. Isn't it rather reckless? The Russians are formidable adversaries. Secondly, the Germans have deployed merely one corps—less than 200,000 men—while we have three armies, nearly a million strong. Surely, in a joint operation, it should be the Germans following our command."
"Your Highness, this battle plan is not reckless. Our willingness to propose it reflects our confidence. Yes, the Russian army is strong, but our Eighth Corps is even more powerful. We can easily rout any Russian army," Manstein declared with an air of confidence and pride, qualities that the Austrian generals distinctly lacked, having lost faith in their ability to confront the Russians after their previous defeats.
"As for the fact that our forces outnumber yours, it is not unreasonable for us to lead. This is wartime, and any strategy that may secure victory should be considered. Moreover, in this upcoming battle, we shall undertake the primary combat responsibilities; it is only fitting for the Austrians to support us," Manstein continued.
Karl felt both shamed and enraged by being questioned by a mere brigadier. His discomfort was palpable.
While the Austrian generals were somewhat reluctant, they could not deny the validity of Manstein's argument. Previous engagements had shown that the Austrian forces were no match for the Russians; to defeat them, they would have to rely on the Germans. Given the Germans' evident confidence in the forthcoming battle, cooperating fully with them no longer seemed an insurmountable hurdle.
Uncertain of how to respond to Karl's outburst, they exchanged glances.
Baron Friedrich could not contain a sigh. "Is the gap between the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires truly this vast? Not only is there a striking difference in the abilities of the heirs apparent, but even a mere brigadier from Germany possesses such prowess. It appears the German Empire's superiority is well justified."
Once, before the Austro-Prussian War, Austria had been the most powerful among the German states. However, Prussia's rise had culminated in Austria's defeat, forcing it out of the German Confederation. Today, the combined might of the German Empire far surpassed that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, relegating them to a subordinate role.
"Your Highness, we have unwavering faith in the combat capabilities of the Eighth Corps, and we believe you will lead them to victory against the Russians. However, this upcoming battle is of utmost importance. A loss would inflict severe damage upon the Austro-Hungarian Empire and could lead to a disastrous defeat on the Eastern Front. Thus, we urge you to proceed with caution and refrain from launching an impulsive assault," Baron Friedrich cautioned.
"Your Excellency, the decision to initiate this campaign has been thoroughly discussed and validated by the General Staff. We believe this is our best opportunity to defeat the Russians. Since the war began, their mobilization remains incomplete. While some Russian reserves have appeared on the battlefield, they are merely a fraction of their total forces. If we delay until the Russians complete their mobilization, we will face an even greater threat. Therefore, this winter is our only chance to defeat them; further procrastination would only worsen our position," Qin Tian asserted.
Baron Friedrich nodded in agreement, and the other Austrian generals appeared to share his sentiment. Only Prince Karl felt anxious. Why were his fellow commanders siding with the Germans? Was he to surrender command so easily?
"Your Highness, do the Germans genuinely have confidence in their victory in this battle?" Marshal von Herzen-Dorf asked, his expression serious.
"Absolutely! I firmly believe we can defeat the Russians, provided we coordinate closely," Qin Tian replied with a smile. He sensed that he was on the verge of persuading the Austrian generals. While the prospect of over a million Austrians following the orders of fewer than 200,000 Germans was uncomfortable for them, their desire for victory outweighed their reservations.
"Your Excellency, I believe we should consider the greater good," Marshal von Herzen-Dorf said.
"Chief of Staff…" Prince Karl said, his anxiety mounting.
But Baron Friedrich nodded firmly. "In that case, Your Highness, the Austro-Hungarian forces will fully cooperate with the Germans in the forthcoming battle. We hope to achieve victory in this endeavor!"