Chapter 748: Chaos in Southern Netherlands
As Napoleon headed south from Paris, tensions in Brussels' southern Walloon region were already reaching a boiling point.
In a coal processing plant, a group of Dutch-speaking workers huddled in a corner during their lunch break, speaking in hushed tones.
A middle-aged man with rough skin glanced around nervously before whispering:
"Why do we need guns now? No one said it would go this far…"
The tall young man beside him smirked and waved his bread toward the factory floor.
"Are you afraid?"
He leaned in, voice dripping with anger.
**"Do you want to keep being exploited by those French lapdogs… just for a miserable paycheck?
If our plan succeeds, I guarantee you—you'll own this factory!"**
The middle-aged worker swallowed hard.
This coal plant was worth tens of thousands of francs.
For a fortune like that, many were willing to risk their lives.
A scrawny older man hesitantly asked:
"Mr. Marsevin… are you sure this will work?"
Marsevin nodded confidently.
"Absolutely. Thousands of brothers across the Walloon region will rise up with us!"
The rough-skinned worker frowned.
"But the Walloon region also has thousands of police officers."
Marsevin tightened his fist.
**"And we have guns.
Besides, the Austrian government will send troops to support us.
The Southern Netherlands belongs to us!
Those French-speaking bastards will be driven out of the Lowlands for good!"**
Marsevin was a former mid-level leader in the Southern Netherlands uprising.
After spending years in prison, he cut a deal with the Austrian government.
Now, stirring division and inciting riots was his specialty.
His six or seven fellow workers hesitated no longer.
They promised to contact others and spread the movement among Flemish workers.
Similar conspiracies unfolded across the region.
Over 120,000 Flemish people lived in the Walloon district.
Once, their economic strength from Antwerp's port made them look down on the poorer Walloons.
Now, the Walloon region's rapid industrial growth was outpacing Flanders.
Flemish workers faced lower wages and social discrimination.
It only took a small push for resentment to boil over.
Behind the scenes, Austrian intelligence operatives ensured the movement had funding, weapons, and coordination.
The Riots Begin
Ten days later…
At dawn, Marsevin led 60–70 armed rioters to surround the town hall in Halle, demanding the surrender of the local council.
More Flemish workers arrived, swelling the angry mob.
However, as they stormed the building, they encountered no resistance.
Only a few low-ranking clerks remained—the town's leadership had already fled.
Meanwhile, in Wavre, Landen, Ath, and other northern Walloon cities, mass riots erupted simultaneously.
Rebels seized municipal buildings and declared their towns part of Flanders.
For two whole days, the feared Walloon police force remained completely absent.
Instead, they observed the riots from a distance, making no effort to retake the government offices.
Austrian Command in the Netherlands
Middelburg, Southwestern Netherlands
At the Allied Lowlands Army headquarters, Prince Josias of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld calmly sipped his tea while listening to an officer's report.
"So, the Walloon police are completely paralyzed by the riots?"
"Yes, Field Marshal."
The officer nodded.
**"Currently, Wavre and three other cities are under the control of Colin's men.
They are now attempting to… spark an uprising in Namur."**
Henrik Colin was the Austrian agent in charge of inciting unrest in the Walloon region.
Prince Coburg turned to his chief of staff.
"Any news on the French army's movements?"
**"Yes, sir.
A week ago, the Terell Corps arrived in Lille.
Right now, they've assembled about 12,000 troops—including seven infantry regiments and some artillery."**
Prince Coburg smiled and took another sip of tea.
"Then France is too late to save the Walloon region."
His main force of 25,000 soldiers was stationed in Antwerp, just two days' march from Brussels.
To reach Namur, they needed only five days.
Meanwhile, the French would take at least a week to mobilize from Lille to Brussels—over 65 miles (105 km) away.
From across the room, the Dutch Corps commander, Baron Paul Davidovicz, interjected:
"Your Highness, if I were the French, I would abandon Brussels and focus on defending Namur."
Prince Coburg waved dismissively.
**"That's fine.
We are still closer to Namur than they are.
And if the French arrive before us, we will simply turn and attack Mons."**
Davidovicz nodded in agreement.
Mons was on the western edge of the Walloon region, right next to Lille.
If the Allies captured Mons, they could strike directly at Lille, one of France's most important strongholds.
This meant the French would have to rush back from Namur to defend Lille.
And that was where the Allies would ambush them in Charleroi.
At that point, the French supply lines would stretch over 100 miles east—vulnerable to attacks from the Austrian Rhine Army.
Davidovicz grinned.
**"You're right, Your Highness.
The French have no choice but to abandon the Southern Netherlands."**
Prince Coburg set his teacup down and stood.
**"Actually, leaving the Lowlands would be a logical move for them.
With their numbers, holding Lille is the only way to keep their northwest defenses from collapsing."**
He was supremely confident.
Austria had 25,000 troops, the Dutch had over 30,000, and Britain had sent cavalry reinforcements.
Meanwhile, France barely had 20,000 troops in the area.
If the French dared to fight, he would overwhelm them with superior numbers.
Prince Coburg turned to his aide-de-camp.
**"Send in the Brussels gendarmerie to restore order in Wallonia.
If the Walloon Chamber of Commerce resists, General Radetzky will move in."**
Joseph Radetzky was the Austrian vanguard commander.
Coburg then looked at Davidovicz.
**"General, once Radetzky enters Wallonia, he will advance straight to Namur.
Meanwhile, you must take control of the northern Walloon cities and prepare to march on Mons."**
Davidovicz stood and saluted.
"Yes, Field Marshal."
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