War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Franz II returned to the throne and picked up Franz.

"No one in this world can bully the emperor, no one can bully me, and no one can bully you! Grandpa will teach you how to be an emperor today!"

I just bullied Prince Eltehazy, this unlucky guy. At this time, Franz II was in a good mood and felt that he was back to his old self, the one who was full of ambition and wanted to sweep France and sweep Europe.

"Where have we reached this point?" Francis II asked awkwardly.

"Join the German Customs Union." Metternich reminded in a low voice.

When Korolav heard this, he was like, good guy! He shouted in his heart, "Good guy!" This was simply misleading the emperor. So he said, "Prussia has already joined the German Customs Union ahead of us. As the chairman of the German Confederation, our Austrian Empire has no reason to lag behind others!"

Baron Brooke thought to himself, "Damn it, how can these two guys be so shameless? Even though they didn't make a single move, it seemed like it was a sure thing that they were starting to compete with Prussia for the leadership position." Then he said.

"Joining the German Customs Union will not only help consolidate our country's leadership position in the German states, but also increase the country's fiscal revenue and help the return of precious metals. According to Count Korolaf's estimate, it will be completed in twenty years If we cannot pay off the debts of the empire, I am willing to resign together with Count Kolarov."

After the Napoleonic Wars, countries sought to prevent the outflow of precious metals. They have set up extremely high trade barriers to prevent other countries from taking gold and silver. At this time, Austria's precious metal reserves were seriously insufficient, and its paper currency lacked credibility (the empire was deeply in debt). So what Baron Brooke said was the pain point of the Austrian Empire, and it aroused great interest in Francis II.

Metternich and Count Korolaf looked at each other with contempt, cursing in their hearts, "It turns out that you, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, are the most shameless."

The dignitaries had not recovered from the shock just now, and were shocked by the shamelessness of these three ministers.

However, the lessons learned by Prince Elthazy made these dignitaries hesitate to move forward. After all, the old emperor in front of him was as good as chicken blood, and no one wanted to get into trouble with this. So all the dignitaries turned their attention to Prince Windigoretz. After all, he had a high title and military power, so there would be no problem.

Under the gaze of everyone, Prince Windigorets could only bite the bullet and said, "Your Majesty, as you know, the French once asked the three South German countries to withdraw from the customs union we formed. Just in case."

It's okay that Wendi Gorets didn't mention the French. When he mentioned the French, the angry Francis II immediately became furious.

"French? Damn it! This is the German Zollverein! This is the internal affairs of the German Confederation! Why do they interfere! They dare!"

"Notice to the German states that if France dares to interfere, go to war! Inform the states of the Holy Alliance that if the French go to war with us, ask them to fulfill their sacred obligations. In a word, if the French want to fight, we will accompany them to the end!"

The ministers in the Hall of Mirrors were also infected by the emperor's emotions and applauded one after another. Count Tural, the Minister of War, even had tears in his eyes. The monarch he had followed for decades finally got tough and shouted.

"Fight to Paris!"

However, no one catered to him this time.

Everyone shook their heads, saying it was impossible. Seeing this, Count Toural had to pretend that nothing happened.

Metternich also lamented that it would be great if the emperor could be so tough every time. It's just that this note is a bit difficult to handle.

Even though Prussia was an important state in Germany and a member of the Holy Alliance, it was also the country most opposed to Austria joining the German Zollverein. I just don’t know what the King of Prussia thought when he saw this note.

As for the French, the possibility of military intervention by them, who had just experienced civil strife, was almost zero. Moreover, if the French really take action, the Holy Alliance will not be a decoration. Just a few decades of peace have passed, and I believe France will never have another Napoleon.

Franz applauded at the right time to make the old man happy.

The powerful people saw this situation and knew that there was no chance at hand, but their blood will eventually be exhausted. The tactic of procrastination is to be able to procrastinate and to be able to procrastinate. This is very important for politics.

The reason is also very simple. It is necessary to contact the envoys of various countries, prepare the venue and other related matters.

Although it is a trivial matter, I cannot refuse. After all, although the matter is small, the relationship is not small, and I can only let these nobles say it.

During this period, the powerful are looking for foreign aid when they should, bribing bribes when they should, sending money when they should, and spreading rumors when they should. In short, the Eight Immortals crossed the sea and showed their magical powers just to prevent Austria from joining the German Customs Union.

It's just that the emperor agreed to what happened today, and it would be difficult to change it.

On the other hand, Metternich, Count Korolaf, Baron Brooke, Count Latour, and the almost insignificant Interior Minister Pillsdorf were also preparing for the final counterattack of the powerful.

After all, these guys who have no lower limit, God knows what they will do.

Count Toural has sent a large number of veteran generals who participated in the anti-French war, such as Heinau, Radetzky, and Anton von, to the most critical positions, and told them to be extra careful. What he has to do now is to give these generals enough soldiers and sufficient authority.

He didn't want to let people start another uprising right before his eyes.

Baron Brooke needed to contact Austria's bankers, convince them that the country had a future, and raise as much money as possible.

Because tariffs are lifted and border trade is opened, the money needed will be astronomical.

To do this, he must drain the last drop of blood from those bankers.

Metternich needs to persuade as many powerful people as possible in the country. After all, one more friend means one less enemy.

Of course, in addition to the domestic opposition, there are also the princes and nobles of the German states. His secret police and lovers had found out the preferences of princes and ambassadors. Metternich specially prepared gifts for each of them. Among them were the King of Prussia and the Prussian Ambassador, and of course the chief architect of the German Customs Union, Friedrich List.

I heard that Friedrich List's investment failed and his life is now very difficult. Now that the Austrian Empire has joined the German Customs Union, it is in urgent need of such talents.

"How did I think of this person? Oh, by the way. It seems to be the paper plane thrown by the Grand Duke. Archduke Franz is really the lucky star of this country." Metternich sighed in his heart, but didn't think much about it. Children like to tear up paper, fold some strange things, and throw them around. Isn't this normal?

And the most important thing is to let Francis II not go back on his word.

After all, this emperor is capricious, not just once or twice. Today we have to thank the future emperor again, otherwise they would not even have the chance to make a last stand now.