Chapter 24: Showdown
Chapter 24 Showdown
“What? Franz you want to enter the army and serve? No, you have to stay home and study honestly for me!” Mrs. Sophie said with an angry expression
That expression was like saying, you kid actually wants to find an excuse to skip school, you are simply lawless!
Franz explained, “Respected Mrs. Sophie, this isn’t considered service, I’m merely entering the army for three months of experience first.”
“Experiencing for three months, is it necessary? In another half a year’s time, you will officially enter the army to serve, is it necessary to experience it?” Mrs. Sophie questioned
Franz knew that it wouldn’t work without a clear explanation, without a proper reason, his mother wouldn’t agree anymore. As for his father’s attitude, when did their family, it was his turn to make the decision?
“Isn’t this the revolution that broke out in Sicily? Through the analysis of the intelligence I gathered, in the coming period of time, the European continent is about to enter a period of high revolution.
In order to prevent any mishaps, I have to develop my military literacy, lest I be caught off guard when the time comes!” Franz explained
“You’re saying that a revolution might break out in Austria?” Mrs. Sophie said with a gloomy face
Franz nodded and said, “Yes! The economic situation in the country is very bad, the nobles and capitalists are fighting very hard, if the economy doesn’t get better in a short period of time, I’m afraid the conflicts will intensify!”
Looking at Franz’s serious analysis, Mrs. Sophie looked a little solemn and a little nervous, revolution is such a scary term.
“These words, you should say to the government, as long as they make preparations in advance, the capitalists’ little power, is not worth mentioning at all!” Mrs. Sophie said thoughtfully
Looking at Mrs. Sophie’s expression, Franz knew that she was only half believing now, and immediately added on:
“No, no one can say anything about this. Before things happen, it’s best if we just know, the struggle between the nobility and the bourgeoisie is already white hot now, if we get involved at this time, we’ll easily draw fire!”
Politics is always dark, Franz is the one who is going to be the emperor, it is fine to agitate behind the scenes, but to personally go into battle with bare shoulders, it is better to leave it to others!
Looking at Franz, Mrs. Sophie’s face changed, somewhat incredulously said, “You are planning, to use this opportunity to seize power?”
Franz knows that Mrs. Sophie moved, no one is willing to put their fate in the hands of others, the Regency Council has held the Austrian regime for more than ten years.
Such a long period of time was enough to make the Vienna court feel uneasy, even the occasionally normal Ferdinand I, knew that the situation was unfavorable to the royal family, let alone her.
Having lived in the court since she was a child, even the slowest person has a higher political sensitivity than the average person.
Historically, why the Viennese court told Metternich to get lost, besides being dissatisfied with his political reforms, it was more out of concern for the powerful ministers.
Franz patiently analyzed: “It depends on the specific situation, from the current situation, the situation is now very unfavorable to the government.
The bourgeoisie wants Prime Minister Metternich to get out and replace him with a weak government; the nobles are equally unhappy with him and are ready to replace him with someone else.
Under these circumstances, it is hard to say whether Prime Minister Metternich can withstand this wave of political crisis. The energies of the top brass are all involved in political struggles, so who cares about the lives of the people at the bottom?
It is important to realize that once a person is hungry, he or she can do anything. In France, there are already starving people rioting, our situation in Austria is similar, if the economy can’t get better, the riots are the least of it.
Not long ago, at a banquet held by the capitalists, a revolutionary party appeared, openly proclaiming revolutionary ideas, but the police failed to arrest anyone.
We have good reason to believe that the revolutionaries have struck up a line with the capitalists, and how far the cooperation has progressed between the two sides, that is unknown!”
After a few moments’ effort of silence, Madame Sophie digested what Franz had just said, looked around, and asked, “Does the government of Vienna know? I mean the Council of Regents!”
“It should know, with so many people attending the banquet, I was able to receive the message, there’s no reason why they couldn’t!” Franz said calmly
Madame Sophie looked Franz over carefully, as if she didn’t know him anymore and was now getting to know him again.
That’s right, Franz’s performance today had been far beyond Mrs. Sophie’s expectations. These words were not something a seventeen year old could say, more like a well-traveled politician analyzing a problem.
Only after half a ring did Mrs. Sophie open her mouth and ask: “Franz, from when did you come to this conclusion, and from when did you start preparing for it?”
Without waiting for Franz to answer, Madame Sophie added, “These circumstances, it seems like they have always been within your grasp, right? From the initial provocation of the conflict between the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie, to the present preparation of the layout of the aftermath, are you not afraid of the collapse of the game?”
Fear! That’s right, in Madame Sophie’s eyes, Franz saw fear.
Anyone who found out about a teenager who had actually carried out so many layouts in order to seize power, playing a group of politicians into the palm of their hands, would feel fear!
Franz explained in a serious manner, ”Respected Mrs. Sophie, this is the necessary path of an emperor, from the moment I was born, my life was destined to be extraordinary.
As for the layout you mentioned, I am merely following the trend, to the end, these things have nothing to do with me, no matter how the situation develops, I am an outsider!
The Austrian Empire is sick, ninety-nine percent of the people in this ancient empire are struggling to survive.
There are even millions of people who can’t even fill their bellies. A country like this needs only a spark to explode!
Faced with such a situation, what choice would you make in my position?”
Mrs. Sophie questioned with a pale face, “But you can’t play with fire either? Is there a need to be in such a hurry, it’s not too late to wait until you succeed the throne to solve these problems!”
Franz looked at the anxious face of Mrs. Sophie, his heart could not help but tremble, soon he recovered, shook his head and said:
“I’m afraid there is no such time, even if I don’t intervene, the political struggle in the country still won’t end, when Prime Minister Metternich has stepped down, there is no second person in Austria, who is capable of being the paste wall maker!”
In a panic, Mrs. Sophie said something she didn’t believe: “Then you can also support Prime Minister Metternich!”
After saying that, she immediately regretted it, how could she possibly ask Franz to support Prime Minister Metternich when she wanted him to get lost?
Even in private, the two of them were still on very good terms, and were rated as mentors and friends in history books.
But the political struggle, is not going to talk about love and affection!
(End of chapter)