Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 830 - 93: Judicial Justice Must Not Be Desecrated

Time and again, it has been proven that the butcher’s knife might not necessarily solve a problem, but it can assuredly eliminate the person who creates the problem.

Since the Vienna Government initiated a massive killing spree, the strength of the forces resisting the government’s investigation significantly dwindled. Conversely, the number of people surrendering to the investigative team surged.

Even the security concerns plaguing the investigation team members were swiftly resolved, as assassins seemed to have vanished overnight.

The astonishing reversal left Franz dumbstruck. After all the bluster over the past half a year, it turned out that their show of strength was nothing but a facade. Once they saw that the government would not back down, they all caved in.

When one thinks about it, it makes sense; although there were many people involved, there were very few who had real power.

The nouveau riche nobility, having made their fortunes during the war, had their roots mainly in the military and to a lesser extent, among the capital investors who transitioned into nobility.

Having accrued wealth only recently, they hadn’t had time to cultivate their influence within the government; they were still in a phase of accumulation, and few held significant positions.

The prerequisite for transactions between power and money is the possession of power first; with insufficient power, naturally, there were fewer individuals dragged down.

The old nobility, with their methods for enduring longevity, apart from the odd fool, generally knew how to behave with discretion and where to draw the line.

Even when engaging in transactions of interests, they focused on one-time deals and avoided repetitive business relationships. Read exclusive adventures at empire

After the deed was done, they would immediately clean up any loose ends and destroy any related clues, leaving no evidence to be found.

The occasional transaction could completely be passed off as a coincidence; those who were actually under suspicion were involved in long-term collaborations, with officials breaking the norm multiple times for certain individuals or companies.

If there were absolutely no signs of foul play, even the government would not know where to start their investigation.

Even the capitalists who paid the money might not know the true identities of their collaborators, as the transactions were all conducted through middlemen.

This could be seen from the list of those involved in the case; most of the arrested officials were from the middle class, grassroots, and a portion of the declining nobility, with the nouveau riche and established nobility being the minority.

The real power players had already distanced themselves from the corruption scandal when it erupted, and those who remained naturally could not stir up much trouble.

Those who dared to resist the investigation were simply not clear on the government’s intentions and held onto a slim hope. Upon seeing the government’s raised executioner’s blade, they all panicked.

If they continued to resist, they would be left with no choice but to rebel. This high-risk, low-reward venture clearly did not suit those who had homes and businesses to consider.

This was evident from the numerous assassination attempts that had occurred previously.

The assassins were not even up to the level of amateurs; rather than killers, they were more like delusional teenagers.

Lacking modern assassination tools, many rushed in wielding nothing more than a fruit knife, making it clear that the intent was more to threaten and warn than to actually assassinate.

After all, if an investigator was actually killed, the issue would no longer be about embezzling and going to prison but about losing one’s head.

This did not matter what your status was or how substantial your connections were; breaking the rules meant you had to pay the ultimate price.

…

Franz asked with puzzlement, "Are they going to execute that many people?"

It wasn’t an overreaction; executing thousands of people at once in peace times was shocking enough.

In fact, the execution of about a thousand people by the Vienna Government had already caused a sensation, claiming the title of the largest execution event in Europe in nearly a decade.

This was no joke; even after the suppression of the Paris Revolution, the number of criminals executed during the French government’s subsequent reckonings was not this substantial, with only the great purge conducted by Alexander II more than a decade ago exceeding a thousand executions.

Now, with over five thousand people sentenced to death, if carried out, this could set an unprecedented, unrivaled world record.

Of course, this comes with the stipulations of being "anti-corruption and anti-crime" and having "gone through a court trial."

Prime Minister Carl confidently replied, "Yes, Your Majesty! According to the Empire’s penal code, all 5,316 individuals listed here should be sentenced to death.

Additionally, there are 4,328 people who could face either the death penalty or life imprisonment."

Prime Minister Carl was also helpless, the evidence had been found, and there was no need for targeted action to have these guys sent to the guillotine.

What lay before the Vienna Government was a dilemma: executing them all would have too great an impact, as the execution of a thousand people had already caused an uproar in the European world.

To further chop off another five thousand or so, or even round it up to ten thousand, would set off an international outcry, and keyboard warriors are never in short supply in any world.

But leniency wasn’t an option either, as it concerned the dignity of the law. Ignoring the evidence that was right in front of their eyes would set a precedent, who knows what future consequences that might bring?

Reduction of sentences was possible, but these guys didn’t qualify! Surely they couldn’t expect the Emperor to use his privilege to reduce sentences for these people?

Rubbing his forehead, Franz could only lament that Austria had so much scum, having so easily caught so many criminals.

Franz pressed, "What are the identities of these people?"

Prime Minister Carl: "Among these offenders, over five thousand have a background in organized crime, mostly gang leaders and enforcers, all with blood on their hands.

Their main activities include extortion, illegal gambling dens, usury, drug trafficking, and counterfeiting, among other criminal violations.

There are also over three thousand enforcers employed by capitalists, nearly half of whom also have ties to organized crime and engage in similar activities, with the addition of suppressing workers’ strikes, minus the extortion and drugs counterfeiting.

The number of capitalists and officials who need to be sentenced to death is actually not that high, totaling less than a thousand, with capitalists slightly outnumbering officials, less than a hundred of whom are deeply implicated."

This result did not surprise Franz.

As long as mobsters had blood on their hands, there was basically no escape. Even accidents wouldn’t do, given the other crimes that would be stacked on top.

The Austrian Government has always been unyielding in punishing these people. After all, they are the dregs of society, and there’s no need to worry about wrongful killing.

By comparison, the implicated capitalists and officials usually have problems related to financial issues, or ties to organized crime, but very few of them directly committed murder.

Having so many capitalists and officials face the chopping block is mostly due to deep connections with organized crime, bearing vicarious legal responsibility, and being swept up in the process.

As for whether anyone would face execution for massive corruption, Franz could affirmatively answer: no!

The Anti-Corruption Bureau and the police were not idling away, with too many industries, they couldn’t cover it up.

Huge unaccounted wealth is like a firefly in the dark night, hard to miss being targeted.

Everyone knows that Austrian officials take bribes and do nothing, even if it’s legal, common people dare not offer a bribe.

If someone were to bring you a bribe, you’d first have to consider whether you were facing a sting operation, something the Anti-Corruption Bureau frequently does.

Embezzlement and bribery could only be done with a few trusted individuals—how much could one really skim off the top?

After careful consideration, Franz realized that helping these people would only cause trouble for himself without any benefits.

As for international opinion, let them talk if they want to; after all, you can’t stop people’s mouths, which are on their faces.

Even if the number of executed criminals increases, nobody would come over pointing fingers; no one dares to interfere with Austrian internal affairs these days.

"Judicial integrity must not be violated, and this time we will use these people to demonstrate our determination to uphold judicial integrity to the outside world.

Let’s make it a round number; that will hold more deterrent power. Let this event become the benchmark of Austrian law."

Hearing the word "benchmark," Prime Minister Carl swallowed the words he was about to say. Judicial integrity must be forged with blood.

This stands in direct opposition to the principle that the law does not punish the multitude. If today we show leniency due to the large number of individuals involved, the deterrent power of the law would be greatly diminished, and similar events could occur more frequently in the future.

Rather than leaving issues for the future, it’s better to cut the Gordian knot now. After all, these people are of no use, and Austria is not short of labor at the moment.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prime Minister Carl answered gravely

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