Chapter 1003: Chapter 994: Principal Contradiction and Secondary Contradiction

Lamamor laid out the Austrian Empire’s ultimatum to the Sardinian Kingdom through the iron bars.

All those imprisoned in the jail revealed a look of shock in their eyes after hearing Lamamor’s words.

"Gentlemen, now you should know what kind of predicament the Sardinian Kingdom is facing!" Lamamor said with a slight tone of arrogance, "Of course, the reason I am telling you these words is not to seek your understanding!

Because I have always hated every one of you, your existence is a disruption to the Sardinian Kingdom’s royal authority.

However, I believe you should have the right to know who truly wants to drive you out of Sardinia!"

Facing Lamamor’s openly disdainful attitude, Giuseppe Garibaldi wore a serious expression as he asked, "Prime Minister Lamamor, I would like to ask what measures you will take to save the Sardinian Kingdom after driving us out!"

"After driving all of you out of the Sardinian Kingdom, we will choose to continue conversations with the Austrian Empire while seeking help from England and France!" Lamamor responded to Giuseppe Garibaldi, "As long as we can obtain help from Britain and France, we will not fear the Austrian Empire!"

Upon hearing Lamamor’s solution of pinning hopes on England and France, Giuseppe Garibaldi’s face revealed a worried look, "Prime Minister Lamamor, we cannot rely entirely on Britain and France’s sympathy for the safety of the Sardinian Kingdom. Such an approach is irresponsible for the Sardinian Kingdom!"

"General Garibaldi!" Lamamor scolded loudly, "Tell me, if we don’t place our hopes on Britain and France, and the international community, then on whom should we place our hopes?"

Giuseppe Garibaldi firmly responded to Lamamor, "Prime Minister Lamamor, we should place our hopes on all Italians, the millions in the Sardinian Kingdom. As long as the entire Apennine Peninsula opposes the Austrian Empire, then the Austrian Empire will not dare to invade us!"

Giuseppe Garibaldi’s words made Lamamor involuntarily laugh. As an experienced aristocrat, Lamamor believed in the people Giuseppe Garibaldi spoke of from the beginning.

Especially after experiencing the Great Revolution of 1848, Lamamor had a deeper understanding of this force. For the entire Sardinian Kingdom, this force was like a double-edged sword, beneficial if used well, but if not, it could easily destroy the entire aristocracy and monarchy.

Therefore, Lamamor was very self-aware. He knew he was not someone adept at wielding a double-edged sword. For the interest of the aristocracy, army, and monarchy, he naturally would not choose this path.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Giuseppe Garibaldi frowned at Lamamor.

"If we truly use the force you speak of to defeat the Austrian Empire, that violent force will surely destroy the entire Sardinian Kingdom!" Lamamor said seriously to Giuseppe Garibaldi, "A Sardinian Kingdom without a king is no longer a Sardinian Kingdom!

I would rather surrender to the Austrian Empire than hand this country’s power to people like you!"

With bare language, Lamamor exposed the contradictions that Cavour painstakingly covered up without any reservation.

Currently, the Sardinian Kingdom not only has conflicts between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat but also between the feudal land aristocracy and the bourgeoisie.

The aristocrats, unwilling to lose power, go to great lengths to limit both the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

The bourgeoisie, while gently seizing power from the aristocrats, also unreservedly suppresses the proletariat.

However, no reform is ever smooth sailing, not even the bourgeoisie’s mild reform. The bourgeoisie can force the monarch to establish a parliament to gain rights, and equally, the aristocrats can persuade the monarch to dissolve the parliament, causing the bourgeoisie to lose rights.

This time, Lamamor utilizes the monarch against the Austrian Empire to capture the parliament, the cabinet, and the Liberals all at once.

"Prime Minister Lamamor, what you’re doing is destroying the entire Sardinian Kingdom for your selfish desires!" Giuseppe Garibaldi retorted to Lamamor.

"General Garibaldi!" Lamamor likewise raised his voice defiantly, "It was not you who followed the king in building this nation, it was us!

It was the ancestors of us who braved the thorns, allowing the Sardinian Kingdom to gradually strengthen!

You are just a group enjoying the fruits without effort!"

"No!" Giuseppe Garibaldi shook his head, responding firmly to Lamamor, "It is not you who built this country, but the millions of people living on this land!

The soldiers who fought bloody battles for this country, the gains you enjoy were all won by those soldiers who have long since passed away!"

Giuseppe Garibaldi’s rebuttal made Lamamor feel a bit irritated, prompting him to decide to end the topic, "General Garibaldi, I don’t want to continue entangling over this issue!

Now, I just want to tell you, you have..."

Lamamor took out his pocket watch to check the time, it was already 2 p.m., "I am giving you more than 6 hours to consider your place of exile! After 6 hours, you will all be escorted to the port to leave by ship!"

After saying this, Lamamor turned to leave the prison.

Giuseppe Garibaldi once again asked, "Prime Minister Lamamor, can you give me a chance?"

Carrying the surprise of Giuseppe Garibaldi, Lamamor appeared shocked.

Could it be that Giuseppe Garibaldi, this man, is going to surrender?

With such doubt, Lamamor turned to look at Garibaldi in prison, smiling and asked, "What’s this! Giuseppe Garibaldi, are you planning to change sides?"

The surrounding members of parliament stared at Garibaldi with disbelief, one of them even grabbing Garibaldi’s arm and said, "Garibaldi, you better reconsider!"

Giuseppe Garibaldi just smiled at him gently, then turned to Lamamor again and repeated, "Prime Minister Lamamor, I hope you can give me a chance!"

"What kind of chance?" Lamamor asked Garibaldi curiously.

"I want to return to the Sardinian Kingdom’s army to fight against the Austrian Empire together!" Giuseppe Garibaldi said seriously to Lamamor, "I am at the very least a seasoned officer, and have some understanding of the Austrian Empire’s tactics!"

Regarding Giuseppe Garibaldi’s request, Lamamor decisively refused, "General Garibaldi, unfortunately! You cannot join the army!"

"I am a quasi-general of the Sardinian Kingdom, why can’t I join the army!" Giuseppe Garibaldi said to Lamamor, "If you think I’m not qualified to join the regular army, I can join the volunteer army!"

"Your quasi-general rank will be officially revoked tomorrow!" Lamamor responded to Giuseppe Garibaldi, "As for the volunteer army!

I’m sorry, our army currently does not plan to recognize the volunteer army!

Giuseppe Garibaldi, I hope you don’t waste your efforts!"

Giuseppe Garibaldi’s face showed a look of frustration, remaining silent for a long time.

After a while, Lamamor spoke again to Giuseppe Garibaldi, "Since there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now!"

This time Lamamor left the prison without looking back.

...

Early next morning, a squad of soldiers appeared at the prison, under the escort of the soldiers, the imprisoned members of parliament boarded the train to the port one by one.

On the other hand, other regions began to take action as well, liberal newspapers were shut down, liberals and nationalists were imprisoned.

The entire Sardinian Kingdom overnight became more autocratic.

And the instigator of all this, Victor Emmanuel II wasn’t idle either, he first contacted the British Envoy and informed him about the Austrian Empire’s ultimatum.

The British Envoy showed a similar look of surprise after hearing it.

Since when did the Austrian Empire’s actions become so decisive?

Afterward, the British Envoy comforted Victor Emmanuel II saying he would definitely report this intelligence to Prime Minister Derby, and Prime Minister Derby surely would not ignore the Sardinian Kingdom.

Victor Emmanuel II expressed astonishment upon hearing that Earl of Derby was in power, asking, "I thought your country’s Prime Minister was Palmerston, when did it become Earl of Derby?"

The British Envoy smiled slightly and explained to Victor Emmanuel II, "Palmerston Envoy was voted out by Parliament the other day due to a bill!

Now Earl of Derby is the Prime Minister!"

"I see!" Victor Emmanuel II nodded and responded to the British Envoy, "Then please hurry with your reply!"

"Rest assured! I will immediately respond to you once there is news!" The British Envoy promised Victor Emmanuel II.

Afterwards, Victor Emmanuel II invited the French Envoy.

Victor Emmanuel II first had a cordial discussion with the French Envoy about the lasting "friendship" ("human-dog relationship") between France and Sardinian Kingdom, and then informed the French Envoy that the Sardinian Kingdom has now been issued an ultimatum by the Austrian Empire.