Chapter 227: The Bitter Franz
Chapter 222 – The Bitter Franz
Ever since the twelve countries jointly intervened in the German unification process, the entire German region was plunged into a low ebb, as if it was like the sky had fallen. That even the most radical nationalists despaired of the unification of the German region.
In order to appease the people, the Austrian government still posted a notice of peace in the area under its control. Explained the Vienna government is still doing the last diplomatic efforts, to maximize the possibility of achieving the unification of the German region, by the way, once again black the Prussian kingdom to eat the inside out.
This does not help, everyone except to scold the Prussian government once, and then can only wait for the final judgment of the Paris talks.
On the campus of the University of Munich
A young student said angrily, “We can’t wait like this, we have to do something!”
A young man next to him quickly grabbed his right arm and comforted him, “Bayer, don’t do anything foolish. At this point in time, we can only rely on the Vienna government for diplomatic mediation, now that Prime Minister Felix has gone to London and Mr. Metternich has gone to Paris.
It is said that His Majesty Franz has also visited St. Petersburg, and now the Austrian government is doing its best for the unification of the German region.
What can you do now? Are you able to make these countries change their position, except by adding to the confusion?”
Bayer broke away from his companion’s hand with a fling of his arm and said, “Schwal, I can’t help it, even if we can’t do anything, we can organize a demonstration, and we have to show them our determination to aspire for unification!”
“Hmph!”
Schwal let out a cold snort, then said, “Don’t be silly, Bayer. Even if it’s what the newspapers say, even if the entire German region comes out to protest together at this time, it won’t be half as effective.
The government in London can’t see it, the government in Paris can’t see it, the government in St. Petersburg likewise can’t see it, and none of the governments in Europe can see it.
The most important effort we have to make now, the effort to make Germany strong, so strong that they will not dare to interfere in our internal affairs, and only then can the German region be united.
Now, even Austria, the most powerful in the German region, cannot raise the courage to fight in the face of the interference of the European countries!
Protest marches, apart from disrupting the order of society, cannot add half a bit of national strength at all; apart from delaying the process of our development, there is no practical significance.”
They all hated the fact that Germany was not strong enough to face the collective pressure of the Great Powers, even if all the states were combined.
Bayer cursed angrily, “It’s all the Prussian barbarians’ fault, if they hadn’t been the second best, the situation would not have been so passive now.
Britain, France and Russia are at war, this is the best opportunity for unification of the German region, but as a result, they, those bastards, actually fell to Britain, France and Russia, betraying the interests of the German region!”
Ever since Austria occupied this place, the Black Kingdom of Prussia became a part of the daily propaganda, especially after the Kingdom of Prussia appeared in the list of interfering countries, it was no longer possible for them to wash their hands of it.
Now at this time when people are uncomfortable, it is natural to catch them in the act of cursing, and since ancient times traitors have always been more hated than enemies.
When making this decision, the Prussian government should have been prepared to be scolded, anyway, they are not hitting South Germany now, the popular base is the same with or without.
There is no need for an explanation, because there is no way to explain it, one can’t say: if the Kingdom of Prussia doesn’t join the interventionist alliance, the remaining North German states will be merged into a single state again, and they won’t get half the benefits.
As for joining forces with Austria to unify Germany? Frederick William IV said that he was not stupid, and that it would be a shame to play politics with the Habsburgs.
The Hohenzollern family is best at force, if you have the ability to bring an army to go out to practice, Frederick William IV can proudly say: in leading troops to fight in a war to leave Franz hundreds of streets.
I have to admit that sometimes heredity plays a role. The Hohenzollern family gave birth to many famous generals, and all the kings of Prussia were basically more capable of fighting.
Because not very good at political struggle, so after the outbreak of World War I William II was quickly hollowed out by the people under the hand, and the Habsburg family are heirs to play themselves to death.
Even the last emperor, who was a water boy, almost saved the empire, but Wilson’s Fourteen Points stimulated the outbreak of nationalism and killed Austria-Hungary.
This can also be seen now, since the Kingdom of Prussia joined the interventionist countries, the domestic winds began to rise, nationalist dissatisfaction with the Prussian government reached its peak.
If it had been Franz, he would have preferred to go out with Austria to carve up the German regions, and when he was done, he would have had to make a pretense that he was going to merge with Austria, and wait for the powers to put pressure on him before splitting up.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, under the banner of unification, he swallowed the North German region, and when he offended the British, he could also drag Austria along with him to take the blame.
Anyway, sooner or later there will be such a thing, the Kingdom of Prussia wants to go further, it is inevitable to annex the North German region, then Hanover will not escape.
Favor Hanover is extraordinary, for the British in addition to the interests, as the Queen’s hometown, there is the face of the British Empire. Now has begun to bullish John Bull, how can tolerate being hit in the face?
In that case, it would be good to pull someone to share the pressure, ah, what a wonderful excuse for the great cause of German unification, ah?
Do this, although the external pressure will increase, but the internal can get the people’s support, so that the rule becomes more stable, for the country this advantage and disadvantage is still difficult to determine, but for the king, this is the best choice.
Napoleon III was a master of this, going to war with the Russians in the Near East to consolidate his throne.
In terms of national interest, it was enough for the French to hold Constantinople, and there was no need to continue the fight in the Crimean Peninsula, but the French still sent troops.
Historically, after a few victories in the Crimean Peninsula, Napoleon III decisively made peace with the Russians after getting his personal political gains.
……
With a light breeze, Franz poked his head out the window to take in the good times.
At the moment he was on his way to St. Petersburg, nominally visiting the Tsarist government for diplomatic support for the unification of the German region.
In reality, his visit to Russia at this time was not directly related to this negotiation, but simply for political show.
Although he knew that the unification of the German region was not possible this time, as the Emperor of Austria, Franz still had to make his best efforts for it, or at least to let the people of the German region see his efforts.
In the middle of July, Franz departed from Vienna, and the carriage moved leisurely toward St. Petersburg. Transportation within Austria was barely adequate, and Franz took a train ride.
Once he entered the Russian Empire, he didn’t bother to spit, and if he didn’t have a good body, he probably would have been tossed apart on the road before he reached St. Petersburg.
Franz is now most nostalgic for the era of airplanes and trains, the latter days from Vienna to St. Petersburg, the plane is at most two or three hours, the train is also a day’s time.
But in this day and age, to travel the 1,583 kilometers would be measured in months.
Fortunately, after crossing Poland, you can take the sea route, which can save a lot of time. Otherwise all the way carriage ride over, even if the Paris negotiations start, he is still halfway.
In fact, to go to St. Petersburg, but also from the German region through, either by boat from the Rhine River through, or from the Elbe River to go can enter the North Sea.
Unfortunately, both roads must pass through the Kingdom of Prussia, the politics of this time requires Austria and Prussia to gamble, Franz can only go to the Polish region.
It happened to be the flood season of the Vistula River, and navigation was very dangerous. For the sake of his life, Franz decided to take his time.
Anyway, it is this time, before the railroad through, he will never visit St. Petersburg again, so far away from the road is simply murder.
When will the railroad from St. Petersburg to Vienna open? This question will have to ask the Russians, to the Austrian development speed, twenty years later, the domestic railroad network is almost perfect.
As for the Russian Empire, in this century is impossible to complete the full coverage of the railroad network, perhaps in the next century can be realized.
Although the road is a little bit bumpy, but the scenery along the way is very good, completely natural, especially after entering Russia, the smoky factories are very rare.
Occasionally, Franz would stop to enjoy the beautiful scenery, which was a relaxing part of the trip.
Now Franz’s convoy moves at 30 kilometers a day, stopping to rest when it rains. There is no such thing as traveling in the rain, but he is a good emperor who is sympathetic to his subordinates and will not just toss them around.
In terms of reception, the tsarist government is still very attentive to etiquette, strictly in accordance with the emperor’s standard treatment arrangements, that even Franz brought a regiment of guards in the visit, the Russians did not frown.
On this day, the accompanying Russian representative, Count Medves, came up to the carriage and asked, “Your Majesty, the Vistula River is navigable in front of you, do you think it’s time to change to the waterway?”
Change, it must be changed, let whoever wants to sit in this carriage do it!
Franz casually found an excuse to muddle through, “You arrange it, we have to hurry!”
……
Soon Franz regretted it, it proved that traveling by water in this era was definitely not enjoyable, especially since he was also seasick.
It was fine when the ship was traveling along the river, stopping at the harbor from time to time, Franz didn’t feel it yet. After going out to sea it was different, the wind and waves of the sea and the inland waterways were two completely different concepts.
The first day of the sea, Franz with a strong body to survive, the second day is a little pale, the third day directly began to vomit.
This vomiting delayed the trip again, and the group hastened to dock at the nearest port. By this time the brigade had reached Estonia, and was actually not far from St. Petersburg.
There is no way, the emperor’s life is precious, no one dares to have the slightest sloppiness. Even if the accompanying doctors knew that this was just a normal reaction to seasickness, they stopped for three days to recuperate, and only after Franz recovered did they set sail again.
After the trip, naturally, can only slow down, almost every port must dock, every night Franz in the land rest.
All the way to St. Petersburg, Franz was much lighter.
(End of chapter)