Eagle’s Glory

There is no doubt that in the era opened in 1789, Napoleon was the most dazzling star among them. He shook the whole of Europe, and people named this era after him.

However, he can't write the entire era alone. Outside of him, there are a group of stars that are a little dimmer but still dazzling enough. Together with him, they decorate the starry sky in Europe and write those legends that are either exciting or regrettable. story.

Prince Metternich is one of those stars.

He is not a brave general, nor is he an expert in state governance, but he has superb diplomatic acumen and skills, as well as utilitarianism and ruthlessness hidden under his elegant demeanor, worthy of stirring Europe with other chess players Continental Chess.

At a time of crisis when Austria was continuously defeated by the Emperor Napoleon, he was appointed as the foreign minister by the Austrian emperor. He used his flexibility to move around in a limited space, first respecting Napoleon and then declaring war on France when Napoleon defeated Russia. Vienna During the meeting, they took advantage of the home field to make good use of the home field, sometimes showing goodwill to Russia and Russia, and sometimes showing goodwill to Britain and France.

In recognition of his contribution, he has been the Prime Minister of the Austrian Empire since 1821, and His Majesty the Emperor has given him enough trust. Every word he utters represents the ancient Habsburg dynasty.

At this moment, Aigron and his guardian, Count von Dietrichstein, were preparing to enter a suite in Schönbrunn Palace to meet the Prime Minister.

Just like before, Aegron has been expressionless, his pace is not slow, and he never has the sincerity and fear of meeting such a big man.

Although I was a little excited when I saw famous historical figures at first, but after seeing them a few times, I no longer have a similar feeling.

Even Metternich was only a mortal—albeit an outstanding mortal.

What's more, he is not a friendly existence to Aegron.

Soon, the door was opened.

The room was very empty, except for a thin man standing with his hands behind his back, looking out the window.

Under the guidance of the squires, Aigron and the Count walked into the room, bowed to the Prime Minister, and then the squires withdrew with the Count.

Aigron stood in the center of the room, waiting for His Royal Highness's inquiry.

He didn't wait long when Prince Metternich turned around and looked at him.

And Aigron also raised his head and looked at His Royal Highness.

He was wearing a court embroidered gown today, with a sash on his chest and a Medal of Honor around his neck, and the jewels were enough to make one forget that he was fifty years old.

As usual, there was a ceremonial smile on his pale, wrinkled face, as if he were wearing a delicate mask.

"Franz, I haven't seen you for a long time, and you've grown a lot taller—it's reassuring." He greeted softly and made a gesture for Aegron to sit down.

He is very kind, and although everyone knows that he is not kind, His Royal Highness must show kindness, and Aegron must accept this kindness and show enough respect.

On the boundary of Schönbrunn Palace, no matter how many swords and swords there are, they must be covered with a veil of affection.

"You are as radiant as ever." Aegron smiled slightly and replied with the same politeness.

"Fifty-three years old and fifteen years old are incomparable." His Royal Highness replied softly, "The moment you entered the door, although I turned my back to you, I still felt the vitality, a sense of directness. A youthful, enviable vitality…”

"At least you have lived up to your youth, and I have achieved nothing." Aegron replied.

Of course he knew that when Prince Metternich found him, of course it couldn't be just to say these boring compliments, but since the other party wanted to go around in circles, he could only continue to go around.

"Then what do you hope to accomplish?" asked the prince suddenly.

Then he smiled again. "Dominate Europe?"

It sounded like a joke, but Aigron suddenly became nervous.

In his current situation, he can't talk nonsense, especially when it comes to such a dangerous topic.

"I don't have such fanciful fantasies, but I do hope to be a traveler and explorer in the future, giving myself the opportunity to see any interesting place in the world and leave manuscripts for the world's reference." Aigron immediately Answer, "For me, this is a dream far enough away."

"You don't have to be so discouraged, this dream is not without a chance to come true." Prince Metternich spread his hands, as if to comfort the young man, "Although your status is special, it will bring some concerns to all of us, but I I believe that with the passage of time, one day, the sensitive past will become history, and everyone will no longer be entangled in the past, and on that day you can use the identity of the Habsburg family, in all In the sight of people's admiration, they have traveled to every corner of the world."

It is true that these words are very pleasant, and even more touching under the gentle voice of His Royal Highness, but Aegron remains unmoved in his heart.

Obviously, this is just a perfunctory drawing of a pie.

When politicians say "someday", that's what they mean by "never possible in the foreseeable future."

But he is not disappointed, these things are already known to him.

"Okay, thank you for your kindness." Aegron bowed again and thanked him, "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Actually, it's not a big deal." His Royal Highness shook his head gently, "I paid attention to your studies recently, and the feedback I got was very good. Almost all of your teachers praised you, saying that you are both savvy and savvy. I am willing to work hard and make great progress..."

"The teachers have taught me very carefully, and I have no reason to disappoint them." Aegron replied sincerely.

"Look, that's what I'm talking about—" His Royal Highness interrupted the boy again, "To be honest, it's hard to see your kind of hard work among the kings and grandchildren, because a life that is too rich and comfortable will always kill their will. They also have no motivation to push themselves to work hard. Your Highness Franz, you are different from them, no one with no ambition would push yourself like this."

Aigron didn't answer for a while.

Given his situation, no matter what the answer seems to be inappropriate, after all, "having great ambitions" is a somewhat dangerous assessment.

His Royal Highness did not urge him to speak, but continued to speak on his own.

"I like young people to have some ideals, instead of lying in bed and sleeping in a hurry. But Franz, I think you need to accumulate further foundations for your ideals."

"What do you mean?" Aegron had an ominous feeling in his heart.

"How about going to the military school? I think you have a good chance of becoming an excellent officer." Prince Metternich looked at the boy with a smile, "I think, in the Austrian Imperial Army, you must have the opportunity to serve in various places. , then you can naturally become a good traveler and scholar, if you want."

So that's it... Aegron suddenly realized.

It finally came.

This is the trajectory of the Roman kings in history.

The Austrian royal family very much hoped to assimilate the rare Roman king into its own, so in addition to the education given to the royal children, it also brought him into the imperial army.

In 1822, Emperor Franz awarded him the rank of corporal at the age of 11, making him officially a member of the Habsburg Imperial Army.

He was then sent to a military school to learn the skills an officer should have.

Finally in 1831 he took command of the Hungarian 60th Infantry Regiment.

However, this was not a starting point for the smug Roman king, but an end point - he damaged his body during harsh military training and unfortunately contracted tuberculosis in the military camp.

On December 27, 1831, during a military parade in winter, he was found to have a very bad cough and had to return to Schönbrunn, where he became critically ill.

According to doctors at the time, he coughed up blood so badly that he almost coughed up his own lung tissue.

- This is definitely not the fate that the current Aegron wants to replicate once.

The sanitary conditions in this era were not very good. Living in military camps and military schools with dense crowds and worse sanitary conditions would naturally bring more severe dangers. If he followed the course of history, he would not have Confidence that you will be able to escape.

"I'm very grateful for your kindness, but... I don't have much interest in joining the army." After a moment of thought, Aegron rejected His Highness the Prince's memory. "I like the pen more than the sword."

"But even so, a military experience is very useful to you, and I suggest you try it."

Although His Royal Highness's tone was still very gentle, there was no smile on his face, obviously implying that this was not a suggestion but an order.

But on the matter of life, Aigron did not intend to change his mind.

"Your words are also very reasonable... Then I will think about it carefully, and it will not be too late to make a decision in the future."

"So should I understand it as a rejection?" Prince Metternich stared at Aigron.

His gaze, with the unquestioning indulgence of people who have been in high positions for a long time, obviously he had no other answer for Aegron.

However, this time the young man shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but I can only follow my heart now."

The prince did not get angry, but laughed.

"A stubborn lad." He didn't know if it was a compliment or a sarcasm.

"If bowing to you can win your favor and improve my situation, then I am very willing to please you, but—even if I do, you may not take it to heart, you have been in the diplomatic field all your life. After seeing too many sweet words, even if I say too much, I can't impress a veteran like you at all, so why should I do this?" Aegron replied calmly. "I think it might be better to be straightforward with you."

A moment of silence.

No one was angry, but there was no reconciliation.

Looking at the clear eyes of the young man, the prince was thoughtful.

"Okay, I have already received your opinion, then you can go back first, and I will think about it." As he said, His Royal Highness waved his hand gently, "I hope you have a pleasant afternoon."

"Goodbye, Your Highness." Aegron bowed slightly, then turned to leave.

"I don't want to see another person in you so soon, so please don't forget that this is Vienna and not Paris, that's my advice, Franz."

Just as he was about to step out of the room, he heard a gentle word from behind.

His footsteps stopped a little, but he stepped on immediately and left the room.