September 25, 1866, Suburbs of Vienna, Central Cemetery
After entering September, the temperature in this art capital has dropped a step further, gradually bidding farewell to the dry heat of summer. Whenever dusk turns into night, the evening breeze will bring cool breeze to dissipate the remaining heat of the city.
It's autumn.
There is a drizzle in the sky that can wet your clothes and your spirit at the same time. The first rain since the beginning of autumn makes people feel cold.
Today is a day to remember the souls of those who have died.
St. Mais Cemetery, the second largest cemetery in Europe. There are green trees and marble tombstones arranged in a crisscross pattern. There is not much sadness in the greenery, but only tranquility and tranquility.
As one of the areas with the most unique musical charm in Europe, a large number of well-known musicians such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss and his sons are buried here...well, now it is In 1866, young Strauss was still alive and came here at the invitation.
Several pedestrians dressed in black walked slowly from a distance to the sound of an unknown melodious waltz. Every note in the ear, after being vibrated by the violin strings, is venting the delicate emotions in the creator's heart.
These people have different occupations, identities, and statuses, but they have one thing in common: they are relatives and friends of the victims of the serial killings more than four months ago. Today, they do not distinguish between each other, just to lay a bouquet of flowers beside the cemetery monument to mourn their loved ones and express their condolences.
Ingenac and Alina are also on the list, but their purpose is not pure.
Ingenac was talking about Arantha, a woman from Hoynz Street, about 20 years old, I think she was Serbian. In fact, even Alantha herself didn't know where she was from. "Serbia" was a place name mentioned by her mother, and she had never been there.
Alantha worked in Hoints Street only because her mother worked there.
But who could have known that this girl, who had a rough life, had been Yingenatz's spiritual sustenance for a long time.
"I admit, she is a good girl." Alina had already come out of that dark time, "just like Mr. Albert."
Erina came here for, of course, Albert von Benedek, the eldest son of the old Marshal. If nothing else happens, he is likely to shine in the upcoming Austro-Prussian War. As long as he accumulates ten more years of military merit and Ludwig's support in the army, it is not difficult to be promoted to marshal.
But who could have known that the imperial general who was about to become his father's successor would die inexplicably at the hands of a butcher.
The world can only lament that no matter how powerful the force is, it is no match for a piece of cloth soaked in ether and a meat cleaver swung from behind.
"I also have to admit that Mr. Albert is a brave soldier. He has perfectly inherited the good character of the old marshal." In the first half of the sentence, Ingnatz was still bragging about business, but the second half of the sentence suddenly changed, "But in private life I have no comment."
Alina frowned slightly, suppressed her voice, and followed him quickly: "What do you mean?"
"I'm just stating a fact." Yinggnaz's tone was gentle, but every word he spoke expressed his dissatisfaction. "In those aristocratic circles who have fun all day long, this is not news. Even Old Marshal Ludwig knows it.”
"So, what exactly do you want to express by saying so much?"
"What I want to say is..." Yingenaci turned to look at his wife and suddenly closed his mouth, "Forget it, it's nothing."
"What do you want to express, is his attitude towards love? Or his loyalty to marriage?" Every question from Alina pierced deeply into Yingenatz's heart, "Or will he show up every time? Will you find a woman to have a good sleep before going to the front line?"
Knowing that he would be caught by her, Yingnaz smiled awkwardly against the raindrops.
"Do you think there is something between him and me?" Alina said what was in his heart, "That's why you feel uncomfortable?"
"NO, I have not."
Alina smiled at the corner of her mouth: "Whether there is or not, and no matter how you feel in your heart, you seem to be unqualified to give these comments."
"..." Yingnaz nodded, "Indeed."
Alina moved half a step to the side, opened the black umbrella in her hand, and stared at the vivid face sculptures on the monument: "Even if you did that kind of wrong thing, even if there is only one thing between you and me, As long as there is work left, I will still be your wife after all. We have long been united as one by God, and I am not shameless enough to betray Him."
The haze of the night became even lower, and the dense drizzle floating in the air became denser and thicker. Everyone's clothes were covered with a layer of cold water vapor like moss, with no intention of stopping.
"Marshal..." the housekeeper stood beside the wheelchair holding a black umbrella and whispered, "You have just recovered from a serious illness and you really can't stand the torment of this kind of weather."
Ludwig leaned on the cushion of his wheelchair, holding a pipe in his hand: "I want to stay a little longer."
A mouthful of smoke rose from his mouth. After overflowing from the edge of the umbrella, he lay sluggishly on the umbrella. He lost the courage to fly up and let himself be beaten clean by the invisible raindrops: "Besides, little one." Strauss’s violin solo is not something you can hear everywhere, it’s probably an improvisation.”
The housekeeper couldn't help him, so he had to ask a young man behind him for help: "Doctor Kawei..."
More than four months have passed since the operation was completed. During these four months, Kawei fully understood the stubbornness of the old marshal. As long as it is determined by him, no amount of persuasion will be of any use. Just like the ridge surgery, it was only possible because Ludwig nodded.
This kind of character helped Kawei get the world's first interbody fusion surgery, but it also almost cost him his life.
Spinal surgery is often accompanied by many troubles. In the 19th century when there were no postoperative guarantees, Ludwig's postoperative problems were indeed as frequent as Kawei expected.
The first is bleeding.
A large number of small bleeding points cannot be stopped by suturing, and can only be treated by postoperative drainage. In the first three days, the drainage tube would leak blood-red liquid from time to time, and the amount was quite large. The bleeding itself was not a big problem, so Kawei did not deal with it at the time.
What really needs to be dealt with is the incision infection two days later.
The dirty air in the bedroom allowed the infection to spread quickly, making it difficult for the incision to heal and the fat to liquefy. Kawei had no choice but to undergo secondary debridement. Because methylene blue has been injected, most of the pain around the incision has been lost, making preparations for debridement.
Count Morazo's incision was used as an example before, and later there were a large number of cases from the Municipal General Hospital to prove it, but the marshal still refused to debridement.
The reason is very simple and ridiculous: "I think it's pretty good."
Putting aside the incision, based on his physical condition, it is indeed very good, but this "goodness" is based on the use of methylene blue. After carrying it for five days, the incision completely cracked, the surrounding area was red and swollen, and pus appeared in the depth. The body temperature began to rise to 38 degrees.
Kawei had no choice but to use the consent form he had signed to come to the door again and forcefully debridement Ludwig on the pretext that "all interpretation rights belong to Kawei."
The debridement was relatively successful, and the bone inserted into the vertebral body was not infected, so the subsequent recovery was pretty good. However, after a lot of trouble, the speed of postoperative recovery was greatly slowed down, and the quality of recovery was also reduced.
It has been four months since the operation. Muscle atrophy and the corresponding rehabilitation process have made the old marshal very painful. His walking ability has not been fully restored yet, and he has to rely on a wheelchair for longer walks.
"There's nothing I can do." Kawei smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I'm afraid His Majesty Franz can't change his decision even if he stands here."
"master......"
The housekeeper looked at the weak Ludwig and bent down to wrap him in a blanket, not knowing what to do. The only thing he could do seemed to have already been done according to his habits.
At this time, a soldier blocked the military cap on his head with his hand, stepped on the muddy path, and rushed towards them.
What he brought was a piece of news that could change the development trajectory of the entire empire.
A bolt of lightning tore apart the thick dark clouds, thunder began to roll in the clouds, drizzle was like needles, and the wind gradually picked up. The waltz in my ears stopped, and a priest began to read a memorial eulogy in front of me.
"Are these true?" Morasso looked down at the letter handed by the soldier, frowning, "It seems that the war is not far away."
Edinson was standing next to him and heard the news: "Bismarck, the old fox, unilaterally declared the Parliament invalid. No matter how we react, it will provoke this war. It can be regarded as a complete break."
Strictly speaking, today's Austrian Empire is also considered a part of Germany and is the presidential representative of the German Federation.
The entire German Federation is a loose alliance with no sense of existence in the Confederation Parliament. Whether it is obedient or not is superficial, and the secret method is the real position.
From the Middle Ages to the Holy Roman Empire to the current Federation, many people have wanted to put this shattered territory back together again. Therefore, this war between Prussia and Austria is absolutely inevitable. Whoever wins will be the master of Germany.
"It has been four months and our troops have been assembled." Morasso was very confident about this war. "The parliamentary vote initiated by Bavaria just became the trigger to solve the problem. Prussia finally made up its mind."
"The Medical Committee and the Military Medical Office are also fully prepared." Edinson looked at Kawei who was standing not far away through the raindrops and black umbrella gaps: "It's hard to say about internal medicine and logistics, but at least in surgery In terms of strength, we have far greater strength than each other."
Morazo's gaze also followed: "Yes, we will not lose to any military medical unit in surgery."
"When does Archduke Brecht want us to gather?" Edinson asked the signal soldier.
"The war waits for no one, and the time is tonight." The soldier wiped the rain off his face, straightened the brim of his hat, and said, "I have to report to the Military Affairs Office before 12 o'clock at the latest. If nothing goes wrong, all the logistics support teams will finally We have to leave for the front line tomorrow night."
The two looked at each other.
Morasso put away the letter and went to find Kawei and Ingnatz with Edinson. Amidst the sound of rain and the prayers of the priest, they introduced the signal soldier who rode all the way from the Hofburg Palace, and also briefly introduced the current situation in Prussia and Austria.
The content omits the scolding battle at the Frankfurt Parliament, as well as some sarcasm and harsh words. It can be summed up in one sentence: Prussia declared war.
Although the objects of the declaration of war are the Electorate of Hanover, Saxony and Hesse-Kassel, everyone knows that the three countries are all dependent on the Austrian Empire, and declaring war on them is a declaration of war on the Austrian Empire.
The Empire must fight.
The four people hurriedly left the cemetery, got on the carriage at the gate, and rushed all the way to the military and administrative office.
"Yesterday the Prussian people were talking nonsense at the Frankfurt Parliament. If my inference is correct, the Prussian army will cross the border in two days at the earliest and four days at the latest."
In the past four months, Morasso was not only the chief inspector of the Medical Commission, but also an out-and-out stay-at-home general. He had already drawn a rough sketch of the possible battlefield between Prussia and Austria: "Prussia" Once the line is crossed, Italy will follow. Although they are claiming complete independence, according to Italy's casual military style, they will not take action until early October at the earliest."
"Don't worry too much about the southern front." Kawei has put forward a lot of opinions on the logistics plan in the past four months, and he can be regarded as half an imperial soldier. "Governor Maximilian will win."
"The trouble is still the northern line."
"The Prussian armaments and build-up speed are much faster than we imagined." Morasso said, "However, Generalissimo Brecht's ability to command troops and strategic literacy are still very strong, at least in my opinion, not as good as Lao Mao is so bad."
"Fortunately, neither Britain nor Russia will intervene, and France is also sitting on the sidelines."
"It doesn't matter, time is in our favor. As long as we delay, we can win."
Kawei looked at the rainwater flying outside the carriage window. Driven by the blowing north wind, they sometimes beat horizontally and sometimes poured down, weaving a rain wall full of lines, beating on the carriage like a drum. On the roof. The sound of rain pouring down from the sky drowned out everyone's voices, and the sound instantly drowned the carriage carriage.
The rain is getting heavier….
