The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1251

"Your Excellency, your words are a bit serious. I don't think the Spanish side did it on purpose.

As for Carlos' proposal"

Franz deliberately hesitated for a while and asked.

"What do you think?"

Franz actually avoided the hypothesis put forward by Prince Schwarzenberg that Spain might be humiliating the Austrian Empire, and was very contemptuous of the conditions proposed by the Carlists, even calling him Carlos instead of Carlos VI.

In fact, the title of Carlos VI was a trap set for Franz by Austrian imperial officials. If Franz called him Carlos VI, it would be tantamount to recognizing the Carlos regime, and they could make a big fuss about it.

However, it is also problematic that they call him Carlos VI, but no one will pursue this in internal meetings. If they say this in external occasions, it can be interpreted as the Austrian government having recognized the Carlists.

Of course, if they really do this openly, that would be easy to deal with, Franz could just deal with them directly.

However, now they would only admit that it was a slip of the tongue, and Franz would at most give some verbal warnings, and even if he scolded too harshly, it would be considered as making a fuss over nothing.

Franz hated this kind of verbose political wisdom, but these officials considered it an honor to set a trap for the emperor.

In fact, from Franz’s words, tone and actions just now, a smart person should understand what Franz meant.

However, at this time, Prime Minister Schwarzenberg was a hardliner, Interior Minister Giovanni Battista was ill at home, and Finance Minister Baron Brooke did not care about these things. He only spoke according to the data.

The Minister of War was a complete idiot, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karl von Fiquelmont, was a traditional aristocrat who was lucky enough not to cause trouble for Franz.

The remaining Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Science and Technology are currently just small departments and their opinions are insignificant.

"The Carlos faction is still wanted by the Spanish government, and they may not be able to fulfill these so-called promises."

In fact, this is exactly what Franz wanted to say, but he just said it through the mouth of a technical official.

"These things that the Carlos faction promised us will require the blood and money of us Austrians. This is not a problem that can be solved by sacrificing a princess."

"That's right! This is the real conspiracy! The Carlos faction has no good intentions!"

Franz's attitude was already very clear, and Prince Schwarzenberg realized that there was no point in continuing to talk, so he shifted the issue to a more practical aspect.

"Your Majesty, regarding the gift money"

"Prepare another copy and hand it directly to the Spanish side, without passing it through anyone else's hands."

Two million florins may not be a big deal for the Austrian Empire, but it was a considerable expense for Spain, which was in the midst of a civil war at the time.

Originally, intervening in Spanish affairs was just a casual move. It would cost money but if the other party held a grudge against me, it would be a loss.

Of course, just in case, Franz decided to go through the official connection to avoid any unexpected problems in the middle.

However, an accident happened and the money still did not reach Princess Luisa Fernanda.

This time it was her sister, Queen Isabella II, who withheld the betrothal gift money and claimed that the Austrian Empire wanted to pay at least ten times the betrothal gift money to marry Luisa Fernanda.

Just when Franz was doubting the truth of the story, the Spanish envoy arrived, bringing a message from Isabella II with a very arrogant attitude.

The wording of the message was very appropriate, but the content exposed his greed, and the messenger used an imperative tone throughout. It can be seen that this was the attitude of Isabel II, and it also proved that she did not know people well.

The Austrian officials were shocked. They never expected that the Spaniards could raise the price. However, since they had already invested 4 million florins in the early stage, it seemed acceptable to invest another 18 million florins.

After all, although 20 million florins is a lot for the Austrian Empire's treasury, it is not an unbearable burden.

Moreover, the officials felt that according to Franz's previous attitude, this price should not affect the major policies that had been set. "Cancel the engagement."

Franz's expression did not change, he just said this shocking word lightly.

In the 19th century, the word "broken engagement" was not as casual as it was in the 20th century, and it was not something that could be said easily.

Especially between royal families, if a reasonable reason cannot be given, or if the follow-up work cannot be done properly, it will seriously affect the relationship between the two sides and may even lead to further deterioration of state relations.

Moreover, such matters are usually private and the parties involved will resolve them privately.

But Franz obviously didn't want to make peace at this time. The Spanish had fooled the Austrian Empire twice, and it would be strange if Franz didn't show some reaction.

He wanted to make this matter bigger, so he directly raised it in front of the envoy. Of course, the so-called counterattack would not end like this, but Franz would not talk about everything he was going to do.

The Spanish envoy froze; he had not expected this outcome.

After all, business can always be discussed.
But Franz didn't want to talk anymore, at least not with someone like this.

This Spanish mother and daughter are really too much. It would be too dangerous for Ludwig to get involved with this group of people.

Franz's own brother, he knew very well that Ludwig was a kind and good person, and there would be no problem if such a person was placed in a better environment.

But if he were to live in an environment full of intrigues, he would probably be wiped out. Moreover, the marriage with Spain was not Franz's established policy.

Besides, Franz did not like the feeling of being humiliated.

"Your Majesty, did I hear you correctly? How can you be worthy of your status by going back on your words like this?"

The envoy of Isabella II is still speaking arrogantly.

"You are the ones who went back on your word. You are the ones who raised the price. You deserve the result now. Please leave."

Franz personally issued the order to expel the guests, and the guards and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately stepped forward to ask the Spanish delegation to leave.

"Your Majesty, this will seriously affect the relationship between our country and Spain. I'm afraid it will be difficult to implement the agreement reached between our two countries at this time."

Foreign Minister Karl von Fiquelmont said he would be happy to see Franz's words and actions contradict each other.

"Duke Fiquelmonte, then, did you encounter any difficulties in implementing the previous agreement with Spain?"

Franz asked back.

Duke Fiquelmonte did not answer. His behavior was very confusing, and some people who were not aware of the inside story would definitely make wild guesses.

Franz naturally would not give him such an opportunity.

"Ms. Artyès."

Mia immediately took out a stack of documents that had been prepared long ago. In fact, there were many documents that had already been sorted in her briefcase, and there were even more outside the door and in the archives.

Franz took the document and looked through it, then said angrily after confirming that it was correct.

"These are complaints against the Spanish for not fulfilling the agreement. There is also your handwritten letter in it."

Franz threw the document in Fiquemonte's face. He had long been fed up with the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of these traditional nobles.

Austrian diplomats often lose their temper and resort to violence. This is certainly due to the youth's hot-bloodedness and the swelling national pride, but it is also closely related to the inaction of these old guys.