In the Brno City Hall, a special Estates Assembly was currently in session.
Emperor Laszlo, who was also the King of Bohemia and Margrave of Moravia, was the supreme ruler at all levels of Moravia.
This day, he personally attended the Moravian Estates Assembly for the first time.
This was also the Emperor's second visit to Brno after many years; the last time was when he passed through on his way back to Austria from Poland.
Direct dialogue with the Emperor was undoubtedly a novel experience for the Estates of Moravia.
Sitting on the main seat, Laszlo was dressed in splendid robes, holding a scepter, and his gaze swept across the assembly hall, clearly seeing the three Estates.
The most numerous and powerful was the noble Estate, followed by the clergy, with the citizens' voice ranking last.
This was no different from what he understood.
In Moravia, the vast majority, almost all, of the peasants were attached to the nobles, and the minor nobles were subordinate to the great nobles, with feudal power deeply entrenched.
The clergy's influence had been weakened due to the Hussite Wars, but overall, they remained a force not to be underestimated.
Moravia, due to its unique geographical location, seemed to have fallen into people's eyes as a no-man's-land.
Since Jobst, the Margrave of Moravia, who caused division and triggered the civil war within the Luxembourg Family, the Bohemian monarchy had never been able to deeply penetrate and cover Moravia.
The nobles here thus began Moravia's era of noble autonomy, which has now almost become a tradition.
Shortly after Jobst's death, the local nobles hastily invited Sigismund, the King of Hungary, to enter the pass.
This was because Jobst and Sigismund, as brothers, had previously signed a mutual succession agreement.
However, not long after, the tide of the Hussite Wars swept across all of Moravia.
In the Battle of Prague, Sigismund's desertion and Jan Žižka's Wagenburg were like two heavy hammers that directly struck the Moravian nobles, leaving them dazed.
Half of the Moravian nobles who participated in the siege of Prague died at the hands of the Hussite rebels during the charge.
When they finally broke through the rebel lines, they looked back only to find that Sigismund had long since disappeared with his direct Hungarian troops.
This incident directly led to the Moravian noble forces' unwillingness to fully support Sigismund anymore.
After the First Hussite War ended, Albrecht II began to infiltrate Moravia, strengthening Austrian influence over the area.
After Sigismund's death, the Luxembourg Family became extinct, and the title of Margrave of Moravia, along with the King of Bohemia, passed into the hands of the Habsburg Family.
Albrecht II therefore began to vigorously support the Catholic forces in Southern Bohemia and Moravia.
These efforts finally paid off in the Second Hussite War.
When Laszlo gained the upper hand, the Moravian nobles flocked to his banner, beginning a vigorous encirclement and suppression of the remaining Hussite forces.
However, while the Hussites in Bohemia and Silesia had been mostly purged, Hussite heretics could still be found in Moravia even after more than a decade of efforts.
Even the last spark of the Hussite movement, the Bohemian Brotherhood, is now called the Moravian Brotherhood because its activities are confined to Moravia.
Laszlo suspected there was some hidden agenda, but he had no clue yet.
Of course, none of this was important; what was important was how to tame these Moravian nobles who were accustomed to freedom.
Laszlo believed he had a good way to deal with nobles, and he did not think the Moravian nobles had the ability to resist him.
The reason previous rulers could not control Moravia was precisely because it was located at the junction of Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary.
For Bohemia and Hungary, Moravia was a remote border region.
However, for Austria, Moravia, bordering Lower Austria, was undoubtedly a region that could be directly controlled.
By simply appeasing the local power brokers, Laszlo could easily separate Moravia from Bohemia and integrate it into the territory of Austria.
"Representatives, I have convened this meeting today not only because I am touring here, but also for a more important reason."
Laszlo paused for a moment, waiting until he was sure everyone's attention was focused on him before solemnly making his declaration.
"Today, we will discuss and decide the future of Moravia here."
As soon as he spoke, the assembly hall immediately became lively.
The representatives whispered among themselves, all puzzled by the Emperor's words about "future."
"I thought the 'Prague Land Ordinance' had already determined our final status, but now it seems that is not the case.
Governor, do you know anything?"
Heinrich Leipe, the Deputy Governor, sitting next to Nicholas, the Governor of Moravia (miswritten in the previous chapter), leaned over and whispered to his superior.
Heinrich came from a prominent background, being the head of the Leipe family, who controlled the hereditary Grand Marshal of the Kingdom of Bohemia.
He was also the Governor of Moravia, jointly recognized by Iri and Albrecht II, and had governed Moravia for many years.
During the Second Hussite War, he sided with Laszlo and continued to serve as Governor of Moravia after the war, overseeing the establishment of the new Moravian government.
It was not until a few years ago that the Emperor transferred an airborne governor to replace him, but his political influence in Bohemia and Moravia remained significant.
Nicholas nodded slightly; he was well aware of the Emperor's plan, and he himself was even part of the plan.
Originally, as the High Hereditary Chamberlain of Styria and Lord of Murau, he had previously served in Tyrol and briefly governed Bregenz.
However, the Emperor later issued a transfer order, sending him to Moravia to be the governor.
Tyrol was already considered a remote area, but after arriving in Moravia, he directly became a foreign official.
However, what slightly comforted him was that Moravia was very close to Vienna, and he also had more opportunities to communicate directly with the Emperor.
It was hard to say whether this was good or bad for his career.
If Moravia could be integrated into the Austrian administrative system, then the situation would be completely different.
He had been looking forward to this day, and thus inevitably showed some joy.
"The integration of Moravia with the Austrian homeland is nearing completion.
Establishing an Estates Assembly and provincial government, building roads, and gradually granting customs and trade privileges—what do you think is the intention behind these preparations?"
Nicholas's response startled Heinrich.
"Does His Majesty the Emperor intend for Moravia to become part of Austria!?"
Although he tried his best to keep his voice down, his words still reached the ears of the surrounding nobles, and the discussion became even more intense for a while.
"Does it matter if it's Austria or Bohemia? Anyway, we are all under the rule of His Majesty the Emperor."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Moravia has been part of the Kingdom of Bohemia since the time of Saint Wenceslas; how can it be easily divided!"
"Hmph, you're from Prague, of course you don't want to separate, but we are not Bohemians; we are Moravians."
Such arguments immediately made the hall chaotic, and Laszlo could even hear some Slavic swear words, which left him speechless.
"Silence!"
Seeing the scope of the discussion gradually expanding, Nicholas was the first to stand up and stop the argument.
The scene finally returned to calm, and everyone turned their attention to the Emperor, waiting for him to continue.
"The so-called future of Moravia is precisely the question of Moravia's affiliation that everyone is concerned about today.
Eight years ago, in Prague, I divided Moravia, Bohemia, and Silesia into three equally status-equal parts.
But compared to Bohemia and Silesia, Moravia is the most special.
Although Moravia has intricate ties with Bohemia, it also shows deep historical connections with Austria in many aspects.
Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided to incorporate Moravia into the territory of Austria.
From today onwards, Moravia shall become an inseparable part of Austria.
I, the Emperor, Archduke of Austria and King of Bohemia, swear in the name of God to justly guarantee all rights and interests of the people of Moravia."
Laszlo gestured, and immediately two attendants brought a flag before everyone.
They took down the eagle flag with red and white checkered filling, which Moravia had used for a long time, and replaced it with a new flag.
Compared to the original flag, the only change in this new flag was that the original red and white checks were replaced with red and gold checks. "Previously, the Moravian Assembly had repeatedly applied to me to change the provincial flag, and I acknowledge your request.
The Moravian territory shall henceforth primarily use this coat of arms and flag in all matters; this will become customary, and all subjects of Moravia must obey.
Violators will be considered a serious offense against the Emperor and will be punished by the Empire and the Moravian territory."
Gold was the color of the Empire; this new flag was undoubtedly a reward to the subjects of the Moravian territory.
However, only a portion of the representatives, those who favored Austria, were excited and encouraged by this.
Those Moravian nobles unwilling to leave Bohemia, especially Deputy Governor Heinrich, were still immersed in the shock brought by the Emperor's recent declaration and could not recover for a long time.
"Your Majesty, integrating into Austria is not a problem for us.
But what about the series of rights that our Moravian lords have possessed for two hundred years, such as autonomy in taxation, judiciary, and military defense? How do you intend to handle them?"
Unlike the joyous atmosphere of the pro-Austrian faction represented by Governor Nicholas, and unlike the pro-Bohemian faction who were struck by lightning, the vast majority of the assembly was composed of indigenous Moravian nobles.
Their representative was the Zlin family, also known as the Sternberg family, who controlled a quarter of Moravia.
This faction included free lords, city representatives, and the local church; they did not have much attachment to joining Austria or staying in Bohemia.
They would lean towards whichever side offered them more benefits.
"Lords of Moravia, you shall have the right to enjoy privileges equal to those of Austrian nobles.
From now on, you only need to pledge allegiance to the Archduke of Austria instead of the King of Bohemia to continue managing your territories and share in prosperity.
In the economic sphere, customs barriers between Austria and Moravia will be abolished.
Merchants from Brno and Olomouc will have the right to conduct business activities in important cities such as Vienna and Graz and enjoy tax reduction privileges.
Conversely, customs duties and other taxes should be levied between Moravia and Bohemia to maintain a stable commercial order.
Henceforth, German will become the official language of Moravia, Catholicism the only orthodox religious belief, and the rights of the church will be protected.
The Moravian Estates Assembly has the right to send representatives to participate in the All-Austrian Estates Assembly, and your rights and demands will also be fully respected."
Laszlo smiled, responding to the skeptical Moravians with a confident and convincing tone.
It was well known that he always respected provincial and Estate rights the most.
Such respect was relatively rare in other European countries.
Laszlo, being essentially an Easterner, had once doubted Austria's awkward system.
However, his long rule in Austria eventually changed his thinking.
The Court Chancellery and the Estates Assembly, the Imperial Government and the provincial governments, coexisted and ran parallel in various regions of Austria.
This meant that Austria did not actually have an absolutist tendency in the conventional sense; at least, it was far from the centralized French style.
This distinctive Austrian model had become deeply rooted in the hearts of all Austrians; to eradicate it would mean becoming an enemy of all Austrians.
Laszlo ultimately abandoned his ambition to establish an Eastern-style absolute monarchy in Austria, opting instead to gradually erode the Estates' influence on the state.
In Moravia, the method was the same.
Hearing such generous terms, the silent majority had already made their decision.
The head of the Brno Textile Guild immediately stepped forward to express strong support for the Emperor's resolution.
As a trade hub in Central Europe, Vienna was where most goods flowing to Brno would pass through.
Due to customs barriers between Austria and Moravia, Moravian merchants had always borne high import costs.
There was nothing wrong with staying in Bohemia, but joining Austria meant that Moravia's economic take-off was entirely foreseeable.
The clergy quickly expressed their support as well, after all, the bishops of Olomouc and Brno were Austrian clerics installed by Laszlo.
Even Archbishop Buhang had to report to Laszlo in Vienna annually.
The remaining indigenous Moravian nobles, after excluding Bohemians and Austrians, mostly agreed to join Austria.
For the Emperor, this was merely a transfer from one hand to another; for them, it was joining one system from another, and even their object of allegiance did not need to change.
If they could gain benefits from such a transition, they naturally had no reason to refuse.
Heinrich scanned the room in a daze; apart from him, it seemed few others wanted to remain in the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Thinking about how Moravia had been part of the Kingdom of Bohemia centuries ago, the current situation struck him as absurd.
Although Moravia had experienced a rebellion to split the kingdom decades ago, he had not expected these Moravians to have no affection for Bohemia whatsoever.
Although he tried his best to prevent the resolution from passing, the Moravian Estates Assembly quickly voted.
More than two-thirds of the representatives agreed to join Austria, becoming the seventh province besides Lower Austria, Styria, Carniola, Tyrol, Inner Austria, and Venetia.
The "Treaty of Brno," drafted based on the meeting's content, was quickly produced, and the representatives signed it one after another.
This resolution was soon widely announced throughout Moravia, informing its subjects that they would henceforth be considered part of Austria.
As for the control and development of Moravia, Laszlo could not yet manage so many issues.
Being able to swallow one-third of Bohemia was already a great cause for celebration for him.
Bidding farewell to the enthusiastic and progress-eager Moravian nobles, Laszlo quickly led his touring party onto the road to Buhang.