War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

March 1835.

The old emperor, Franz II, suddenly felt unwell. After a subsequent examination by a doctor, it was found that the emperor's body was about to collapse and he might not have a few more days to live.

Francis II left his palace and wandered aimlessly around the palace.

As he walked, he came to his grandson's room. He thought that maybe it was God's will, or maybe he had wanted to do this in the first place, but it didn't matter now.

Franz II still had a kind smile when he entered Franz's room, but his face was very poor and he looked worried.

Franz didn't know what was going on.

But judging from the news currently published in newspapers, the entire Austrian Empire is in a rare period of rise.

Austria's fiscal revenue in 1833 was 130,269,877 florins, but in the first year of joining the German Zollverein, it rose to 146,120,349 florins, far exceeding the predictions of Count Korolaf and the Ministry of Finance. , a growth rate of 12% is enough to boast about.

Politically, the loan firmly controlled the Central and Italian countries in the hands of Austria, and the rulers of Central Italy not only did not resent or be wary of hiring Austrian consultants to help manage the country, but felt that they did not have to pay. The money to support officials is earned by oneself.

After joining the German Zollverein, Austria's position in the German Confederation became more stable.

Even the small states that followed Prussia in the past turned to Austria again.

In the last vote, Prussia was plotted by Austria. Since they could not find out who was the mole, the foreign minister died, and the Polish Restoration Army was causing trouble, Prussia also became suspicious.

Domestically, because the nobles and capitalists of Northern Italy also wanted to join the German Customs Union and get a share of the pie, they seemed extremely well-behaved.

The Hungarians are still busy fighting among themselves and will not make much action until the new boss is determined.

Moreover, a new faction emerged in Hungary, namely the young nobles headed by Count Szechenyi.

These people are usually not traditional aristocrats. Their industrial and commercial bourgeois attributes are destined to hope for open markets and free trade. Not only do they not oppose joining the German Customs Union, but they support Hungary's joining the German Customs Union.

Factional warfare in Hungary became more intense with the addition of new factions.

All in all, there is peace in the country.

In recent years, France has first encountered a cholera pandemic, then natural disasters that reduced food production, and then a large-scale workers' uprising. Now cholera is spreading again in France.

The Russians' target was still the Ottomans. As for Austria, they only sent some Slavophiles into the East Transylvania region to infiltrate and spread Slavonic ideas.

The spread of Slavicism caused certain hidden dangers to the local area. The local garrison commander, General von Anton, immediately took thunderous measures, executing those who should be executed and expelling those who should be expelled.

Although von Anton's actions were somewhat extreme, the Russians found nothing wrong with them.

After all, their crime was to disrupt local security and did not mention the so-called Great Slavism.

As a land power and a Mediterranean country, Austria posed almost no threat to the British, so it did not attract special attention from the British.

The international environment is also changing in Austria's favour.

Franz really couldn't think of anything that the old emperor had to worry about, and he saw that the old emperor was hesitant to speak.

I had to say.

"Grandpa, what's wrong with you?"

"Grandpa is fine." Franz II smiled and continued.

"Franz, would you like to answer Grandpa's question?"

"Okay." Franz put down the newspaper in his hand, sat down and waited for the old emperor to ask questions.

"Is Grandpa a good emperor?"

"Of course Grandpa is a good emperor, read the newspaper!" After speaking, he picked up the newspaper and pointed to the news on it.

Francis II took the newspaper and looked at it carefully.

It all talks about how powerful the Austrian Empire is and how wise the Emperor is.

However, after seeing it, Francis II felt very gratified, because no one had praised him for a long time.

However, after taking a few more glances, I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. The newspaper only wrote about the recent achievements of the Austrian Empire, but did not mention a word about the difficulties the Austrian Empire currently faced.

However, looking back, Franz II's brows relaxed and he was a little happy.

Because in the newspapers, other surrounding countries were devalued as worthless. The French could not afford bread, the Prussians had no shoes to wear, and the Russians had to use people to cultivate the land. It seemed that everyone in the world except the Austrian Empire lived in dire straits. .

The Italian people, in particular, were simply eating out of the pot to welcome the king's master.

These disgusting words did not affect Franz II's mood, nor did he feel ashamed.

Instead, he ordered the royal steward to print more and make sure that every official in Austria would see it.

Franz was a little ashamed, but he was very pleased that this time Prince Metternich's censorship system was in place.

If you can still see things that are detrimental to Austria or the royal family in the newspapers supplied to the royal family, that would be Prince Metternich's dereliction of duty.

Especially after joining the German Customs Union, Austria will be the focus of attention in the entire German region. Any small stain may be infinitely magnified, affecting national policies and even threatening rule.

People can use newspapers to understand the country, but the emperor cannot rely on newspapers alone.

"Franz, I'm going to tell you the secret of becoming an emperor today. This is a secret that my grandfather only figured out after being the emperor for decades." The old emperor looked very expectant.

Although Franz was a little surprised because he didn't think the old emperor was a successful emperor, he still decided to listen. After all, he didn't want to ruin the old emperor's interest.

Franz II cleared his throat, took a deep breath and tried his best to adjust his body to the best condition.

"Being an emperor must have the air of a king, and the air of a king must not only be magnanimous and polite, but also courageous and responsible. If you don't understand, even if you are a barbaric tyrant, don't expose your dignity in front of others. of weakness."

"Grandpa was a weak emperor, so Napoleon, Talleyrand, the French, the British, the Russians, the Prussians, the duplicitous ministers and the Hungarians, everyone was targeting me!"

Franz II looked a little excited, but then he laughed again.

"But one day, when I picked up the sword, they were all afraid of me. Afraid of me as the emperor, afraid of me rebuilding the Holy Roman Empire, afraid of me bullying them. No one dares to bully me and this country anymore. Now the entire country Everything is getting better, but it’s a pity that grandpa realized it too late.”

Tears fell from the corners of Franz II's eyes as he continued.

"Your uncle is not suitable to rule this country, and your father also lacks such talent. You must be the master of this country in the future. You must remember your grandfather's words. When you rebuild the Holy Roman Empire, you must let me Buried with the title of Holy Roman Emperor.”

Franz was a little confused, but nodded.

Francis II turned around and added.

"Remember to have more children."

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