Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 827 - 90, Forced Out...

The Jewish community in Bukovina, the elderly Feilude was busy settling his compatriots, clearly showing his experience.

After centuries of migration, the Jewish people had learned to adapt to new circumstances. Even in a strange place, they could quickly adapt.

In fact, initially, Austria was not the first choice for Jewish migrants from Russia. Initially, everyone was prepared to leave Europe, and Bukovina was just a transit station.

However, once they arrived, they found that apart from public opinion being discordant towards Jews, Austria had not experienced a large-scale anti-Semitic movement.

As for Jewish capitalists being imprisoned, that was child’s play. These days, Jews around the world were having a hard time, and it was common to be imprisoned without reason.

Especially in the Russian Empire, where discord was at its worst— even if one sided with the nobility in the tsarist government, it was hard to avoid being exploited.

With many years of life experience, including Feilude, several Jewish leaders believed this was the Austrian bureaucrats wanting to make money.

At the same time, an anti-Semitic movement had erupted in America, and suddenly there was no place to go. After discussing the matter, everyone decided to stay and observe the situation.

Once the members of the investigation group were confirmed to be "our own people," the upper echelons of Austrian Jews felt relieved, unanimously believing that the matter was over.

In this discordant world, the Jewish people’s perseverance was due to their solidarity during crises.

After a consensus, since there was nowhere else to go, and since the anti-Semitic movement in Austria had ended, it was better to stay, where they could support and watch over each other.

Money makes things easier. Although they had not acquired Austrian citizenship, with the help of Austrian-born compatriots, they quickly purchased land to rebuild their homes.

Looking at the bustling construction site, Feilude showed a relieved smile. These days had not been spent in vain; through the compatriots here, he had gained a thorough understanding of Austria.

Happiness is relative, and compared to the living conditions in the Russian Empire, Austria was indeed a paradise.

A society governed by the rule of law is wonderful. For the vast majority of ordinary Jews, the greatest concern is the lack of order.

"Mr. Feilude, there’s big trouble!"

A loud voice shattered Feilude’s good mood.

Frowning, Feilude asked with concern, "Ralph, what’s happened now?"

There was no helping it; they had become like startled birds, extraordinarily vigilant to every move in the outside world.

Ralph gasped in response, "Mr. Gleyer and Mr. Osytho have been arrested by the Austrians, and even their families were taken away.

I went out to inquire about it, and it seems to be due to ties with Mr. Leo, apparently for failing to report a crime and for illegal gains.

I’m not exactly clear on the details. In any case, many compatriots have been arrested, including prominent figures from the Bukovina area."

Hearing this terrible news, Feilude’s face turned deathly pale, and his body began to shake. If Ralph hadn’t quickly steadied him, who knows what could have happened.

After a moment, Feilude, who had regained his composure, sighed helplessly.

There was no way around it; he really couldn’t understand the current changes in the situation. Just when everything was supposed to be all right again, the situation suddenly worsened.

"First, get in touch with our local compatriots. They have some connections here and are more likely to receive news than we are.

Have everyone prepare for another move. If the trend is bad, we’ll leave Austria."

Ralph nodded; facing the current situation, he was already panicked, naturally going along with whatever Feilude said.

Seeing Ralph’s constant nodding, Feilude showed a bitter smile; talking about leaving was easy, but actually doing it was difficult.

The Jewish people’s every migration was a history written with blood and tears. Often, they fell from one hell into another.

The word "home" was too foreign to them. They only had temporary settlements, never knowing when they would have to move again.

…

Once the valve is opened, closing it is not so simple.

Following the orders of the investigation group, a large number of suspects clanked into prison, accompanied by a flurry of complaints and confessions.

One thing leads to another, with Jewish big capitalists tied up with influential figures in the Austrian government, so the smaller capitalists naturally could only hook up with minor bureaucrats.

Not everyone had such mental fortitude to steadfastly deny charges. Many ordinary people confessed everything after being arrested by the police.

Some, in order to reduce their sentences, even disclosed rumors heard in passing, without any actual evidence.

From government ministries in the Central Government down to the local offices, implicated individuals were everywhere.

Looking at the case file that had been brought to him, Count Witters almost fainted from anger.

It involved so many people that if they were to proceed according to law, they would offend a vast number of individuals.

Show mercy? That was now impossible. Perhaps before the lid had been lifted, there might have been a chance to cover it up, but not any longer.

The dignity of the law must not be violated. Since the evidence was conclusive, action had to be taken, or else the higher-ups would never forgive them.

...

Paul Bodis, looking haggard, said, "Count, the situation is completely out of control now. There are over ten thousand officials involved nationwide, including dozens of high-ranking government officials.

I won’t hide the fact that in the past few days, people seeking favors have nearly broken down my door.

I believe it’s been much the same for all of you, even involving our own relatives and friends directly in the cases.

We are now being roasted over the fire. If we let them off, the higher-ups will definitely not spare us; if we handle affairs by the book, we will be isolated in the future."

There was no choice; they had overestimated their colleagues’ integrity. They thought it’d be just their own clique benefitting from the grey areas, not expecting comrades everywhere across the country.

Generally, these hidden transactions of power and money are difficult to trace. As long as the parties involved keep silent, it’s hard for the outside world to understand the internal relationships.

In normal times, they had plenty of scorn for those stupid enough to be involved in corruption and bribery, never imagining that one day they might be implicated as well.

Count Witters nodded, "Paul is right, our situation has indeed spun out of control.

To speak bluntly, with just the evidence that has been exposed so far, it’s enough to send us to prison.

If it weren’t for the fact that we happen to be in charge of this case, perhaps it would be us desperately reaching out for connections and begging for favors now.

At this point, do you think it’s better for us to go in, or to make others do it?"

Reality is this cruel. Unwittingly, they had become a knife, a knife poised against the Austrian bureaucracy.

In fact, as soon as the investigation had commenced, everyone was mentally prepared.

However, they harbored a touch of fantasy, as after all, the Austrian Government was rigorous in its administration of officials; corruption and bribery were scarcely tolerated, making the bureaucracy seem relatively clean, perhaps with only a few rotten elements within the government.

But reality was harsh. Those "clever people" who knew how to take advantage of their power to make money were many, while the fools who went straight for embezzling government funds were few.

The matter wasn’t over yet, and already over ten thousand people were implicated. If the investigation continued, who knew how many more would end up behind bars.

Undoubtedly, as the person in charge of this case, Count Witters was destined to become the object of everyone’s hatred.

Albert vehemently said, "Give the order to arrest them. At this stage, we can’t afford to back down.

Even if we cease now, no one will appreciate our past leniency. The lid has been lifted, and if we don’t dig deeper, others will.

By then, we’ll be the ones who suffer. We’ll have offended both the superiors and the subordinates. Being found guilty of multiple charges could even lead to being stripped of our titles."

Upon hearing the words "stripped of our titles", the others, who had been hesitant, instantly solidified their stance.

There was no choice; the case was too big. At this stage, someone of weight needed to take responsibility.

It just so happened that the members of the investigation were qualified. As the ringleaders shielding the Jewish Crime Group, if they weren’t punished severely, it would be impossible to explain to the Austrian public.

Offending someone might at worst make it impossible to continue in the officialdom. As long as they remained upright within the rules, no one could do anything to them.

But losing titles was more than just a matter of being unable to continue; it could potentially lead to the extinction of their entire lineage.

Political struggles are always bloody. Rather than relying on others’ ethereal "gratitude", it’s better to fight with all one’s might.

Seeing everyone unified in their stance, Count Witters also breathed a sigh of relief. At times like this, the last thing he wanted was a splintered group.

Even if they would face isolation in the future, those present could huddle together for warmth, which was always better than fighting alone.

A moment later, Count Witters slowly said, "Since everyone has made their choice, let’s proceed by the book!

Having taken this step, we must be cautious from now on. The outside world will be scrutinizing us, and we absolutely cannot afford to show the slightest flaw.

No matter who comes pleading, we cannot afford to be soft-hearted. Even if it involves our own relatives, they must be dealt with according to the law.

A reputation for fairness and integrity will be the foundation upon which we stand in the political arena in the future."

...