Chapter 602: The Wretch and the Great Victory
There were just 40 minutes left before the Polish Sejm's vote on the constitution.
Ignacy Massalski, a prominent figure of the future Targowica Confederation, peeked out of his carriage window and saw a group of mounted soldiers blocking an intersection ahead. They were methodically inspecting each passing carriage.
A sinking feeling overcame him. Quickly, he ordered his coachman to turn into a side alley.
Moments later, Massalski discarded his clerical robes, donned a servant's attire, and slipped into the streets alone, leaving his carriage to roam aimlessly through Warsaw.
As he walked, he saw fellow political allies, including Count Branicki and Archbishop Gosakowski, being stopped by soldiers. But his disguise allowed him to make it to the vicinity of the Sejm.
Relieved, he removed his hat and boldly strode toward the hall, muttering to himself:
"Damn Poniatowski! He thinks he can stop me with such tactics? That foolish constitution will never pass!"
Massalski was certain Prince Poniatowski wouldn't dare order soldiers to hinder him publicly in front of the Sejm members.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the crowd:
"Isn't that the archbishop who serves the Russians?"
Another joined in:
"Yes, it's him!"
"What's someone like him doing at the Sejm?"
"He should cast his vote in Russia, not here in Poland!"
The anger that had simmered among the Polish people erupted. News of King Stanisław II's humiliating speech in St. Petersburg had spread, and the public was disgusted by its servility. Though the king's reputation had plummeted, pro-Russian nobles like Massalski bore the brunt of the backlash.
Two young men stepped forward, barring Massalski's way and accusing him of being a puppet of Russia.
The archbishop tried to shout them down, but more people gathered, surrounding him in a wall of fury.
Meanwhile, the Sejm's voting bell rang, signaling the start of the session. Massalski, though just 50 meters from the hall, was as good as miles away, blocked by an impenetrable human barrier.
By the time he finally broke free, the vote had concluded.
A Victory for Poland
With over 70% of pro-Russian deputies and most extremist conservatives absent, the remaining factions—monarchists, liberals, moderates, and cautious conservatives—had already reached a compromise.
At 3:00 PM, the Sejm declared that the Polish Constitution had passed with 268 votes in favor and 31 against.
The thousands gathered outside erupted into ecstatic cheers.
"Long live the constitution!"
"Long live Poland!"
"Thank God—it's done!"
"This is a victory for the Sejm and for freedom!"
King Stanisław II, who had kept a low profile throughout the proceedings, quickly signed the constitution and swore an oath of allegiance to it before Archbishop Felix Turski. Without delay, he quietly left the Sejm and headed straight for St. Petersburg.
The crowd, however, wasn't pleased to see him. They muttered disdainfully:
"That pathetic wretch, always groveling to Russia!"
"Ha, he owes his throne to a Russian woman!"
"Thank heaven for Prince Poniatowski—without him, Poland would already belong to the Tsar!"
"Exactly! If not for the prince, this constitution wouldn't exist!"
"Long live Prince Poniatowski!"
"I hear he's recruiting for the army. Who's with me?"
"I'll join!"
"So will I!"
As people flocked to Castle Square to celebrate, Count Branicki and Archbishop Massalski finally regained their freedom.
But the vote was over, and the new constitution was now law. Overturning it would require a two-thirds majority in the Sejm—260 deputies, an impossible task.
Enraged, the pro-Russian nobles regrouped at Count Potocki's residence that evening.
Plotting Rebellion
Under Potocki's leadership, the extreme conservative nobles gathered, their faces dark with anger.
"The king and his lackeys have deceived us! Deceived all of Poland! Today's vote was illegitimate!"
"Yes, we cannot accept this outcome!"
"We must find a way to reverse this!"
Potocki raised his voice:
"No true Pole should be blinded by the Prussians or these royalist pawns. Only Russia can save our homeland!"
To obscure their pro-Russian loyalties, the conservatives accused the Patriot Party and monarchists of being puppets of Prussia—a clever propaganda ploy given Poland's current alliance with Prussia.
Ironically, many Patriot Party members and smaller landowners believed the king was pro-Russian.
Late into the night, Potocki announced plans to convene all conservative nobles in the village of Targowica in two weeks for a secret meeting to determine Poland's future.
What Potocki and his allies didn't realize was that Prince Poniatowski, acting on Joseph's advice, had instructed the Freedom and Security Committee to closely monitor the conservatives.
Even now, two undercover operatives posing as Potocki's servants, along with five others stationed outside, had recorded every word of their meeting.
Polish Troops in Slavonia
In Slavonia, southern Austria, over 2,000 Serbian rebels and several hundred Bulgarian fighters charged toward the allied Austrian-Polish defenses under heavy fire. After suffering 300-400 casualties, they reached the defensive line.
Through his telescope, the Serbian commander grinned. Based on past encounters, he expected the Austrian troops to scatter in fear after the first charge.
But as he prepared to relish his impending victory, a unit of cavalry suddenly emerged from the eastern hills.
Clad in vibrant red uniforms with towering white wings on their backs, these soldiers struck an imposing figure.
With the blaring of horns, the cavalry swiftly formed ranks and charged at the Serbian army's right flank.
The rebel commander hastily ordered his own cavalry to intercept. But his poorly trained horsemen hesitated, intimidated by the sight of these "winged angels" bearing down on them with an almost divine ferocity.
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