Chapter 8: Unfavorable Battle

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 Erthhazy, the unlucky guy. At this time, Franz II was in a good mood and felt that he had returned to the past, the self who was full of ambition and wanted to sweep across France and the European continent.

"Where are we talking about?" Franz II asked awkwardly.

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

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

Baron Brook thought, "Fuck, how can these two guys be so shameless. They have made it seem like a done deal, and they are starting to compete with Prussia for leadership." Then he said.

"Joining the German Customs Union will not only help consolidate our country's leadership in the German states, but also increase the country's fiscal revenue and help the return of precious metals. According to Count Korolav's estimate, the empire's debt can be paid off in 20 years. If not, I am willing to resign with Count Korolav."

After the Napoleonic Wars, in order to prevent the outflow of precious metals, all countries set up extremely high trade barriers to prevent other countries from taking gold and silver. Austria's precious metal reserves were seriously insufficient at this time, and paper money lacked credibility (the empire was heavily in debt). So what Baron Brook said was the pain point of the Austrian Empire, which aroused great interest from Franz II.

Metternich and Count Korolav cast contemptuous glances at him, cursing in their hearts, "So you, with your 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.

But the previous example of Prince Erthhazy made these dignitaries hesitate. After all, the old emperor in front of them was like chicken blood, and no one wanted to touch this bad luck. So the dignitaries turned their eyes to Prince Wendigoretz. After all, he had a high title and military power, so there would be no problem.

Under the gaze of everyone, Prince Wendigoretz could only bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, you know that the French once asked the three southern German countries to withdraw from the customs union we formed. What if..."

It would be fine if Wendigoretz didn't mention the French. As soon as he mentioned the French, Franz II, who was angry, immediately became furious.

"French? Damn it! This is the German Customs Union! This is the internal affairs of the German Confederation! Why do they interfere? How dare they!"

"Notify the German states that if France dares to interfere, we will go to war! Notify the countries of the Holy Alliance that if the French go to war with us, they will be required to fulfill their sacred obligations. In a word, if the French want to fight, we will fight to the end!"

The ministers in the Hall of Mirrors were also infected by the emperor's emotions and applauded. The Minister of War, Count Tural, was even more in tears. He had followed the monarch for decades and finally stood up for once, and then shouted.

"Fight to Paris!"

However, no one catered to him this time.

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

Metternich also sighed, it would be great if the emperor could be so tough every time. But this note is a bit difficult to handle.

Even though Prussia is an important state in Germany and a member of the Holy Alliance, it is also the country that is most opposed to Austria joining the German Customs Union. I just don't know what the King of Prussia thinks when he sees this note.

As for the French, they have just experienced civil unrest and the possibility of them intervening by force is almost zero. Moreover, if the French really take action, the Holy Alliance is not a decoration. After a few decades of peace, I believe that France will not have another Napoleon.

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

The dignitaries knew that there was no hope at the moment, but the blood would always run out. The word delay, being able to delay and knowing how to delay, is very important for politics.

The reason is also very simple, such as the need to contact envoys from various states and prepare venues and other related matters.

Although these are trivial matters, they cannot be refused. After all, although the matter is small, the relationship is not small, and they can only let these nobles say it.

During this period, the dignitaries should seek foreign aid, bribe, send money, and spread rumors. 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, so it's hard to change it.

On the other hand, Metternich, Count Korolaf, Baron Bruck, Count Latour, and the almost invisible Minister of the Interior, Pillersdorf, are also preparing to deal with the final counterattack of the dignitaries.

After all, these guys with no bottom line, God knows what they will do.

Count Tural has sent a large number of old generals who participated in the anti-French war, such as Heinau, Radetzky, and Anton von, to the most important positions, and told them to be extra careful. Now what he has to do is to give these generals enough soldiers and enough authority.

He doesn't want people to start an uprising under his nose again.

Baron Brucke needs to contact Austrian bankers to convince them that the country still has a future and to raise as much money as possible.

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

To this end, he must squeeze the last drop of blood from those bankers.

Metternich needs to persuade as many domestic dignitaries as possible, after all, one more friend means one less enemy.

Of course, in addition to domestic opposition, there are also princes and nobles from the German states. His secret police and lovers have found out the preferences of princes and ambassadors from various countries. Metternich prepared gifts for each of them. Among them are gifts from the King of Prussia and the Prussian ambassador, and of course the chief designer of the German Customs Union, Friedrich List.

I heard that Friedrich List's investment failed and he is now living in a very difficult situation. And 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, yes. It seems to be the paper airplane thrown by the archduke. Archduke Franz is really the lucky star of this country." Metternich sighed in his heart, but did not think much about it. Children like to tear paper to make some strange things and throw them around. Isn't this normal?

And the most important thing is to let Franz II not regret it.

After all, this emperor is fickle, and it's not the first or second time. Today, we have to thank the future emperor again, otherwise they won't even have the last chance now.