Holy Roman Empire

"Well, this is your right! But considering your age, I will not give up my mother's supervision rights in the next year, and your large expenses must be reported to me!" Mrs. Sophie said after thinking for a while

"No problem!" Franz said without hesitation.

These are minor problems. As long as you can get back the property management rights in your hands, you can report and file. Anyway, you can spend your money as you like.

"Well, then Franz brings your financial staff to settle the settlement with me. After deducting your expenses over the years and my management fees for your property, I will hand over all the remaining property to you!" Su Madam Fei said calmly

The mother and child should also settle accounts clearly, so as to avoid hurting the relationship between the two parties because of the money relationship. Mrs. Sophie has long been prepared for this.

"Mother, I don't need to settle the settlement, I believe in your character!" Franz said flatteringly

For Franz, money is a small problem, as long as there is enough to spend now, he will have a way to get enough money in the future, so there is no need to worry about it.

Of course, this was only aimed at his mother. Based on his understanding of Mrs. Sophie, Franz didn't think she would scam his son's money.

"Frantz, this is your right. If you give it up, don't regret it in the future. I will only settle the settlement with you once!" Madam Sophie said seriously

"Of course, mother, I know exactly what I'm doing!" Franz replied without hesitation

……

At the end of 1846, Franz successfully completed the transfer of property. Several workshops of that year no longer existed. With the advent of the industrial age, workshop-style production has long been behind the times.

However, the manor and the mine are still there, and the current benefits are not bad. It can create a net income of nearly [-] Rhine guilders per year.

A high income also entails high expenses. Franz looked at the account book and found that his own expenses were higher than expected. Not to mention the dozen or so private teachers, it was a considerable amount of expenses.

And servants, maids, bodyguards, tailors, coachmen...

All these expenses are borne by Franz himself. Forget about the issue of support obligations, it is better not to talk about it. If you have money, there is no need to crave the old.

In short, he has not saved much money over the years, and all the cash adds up to more than 6 Rhine guilders, which also includes the cash in the inheritance.

Sure enough, it's aristocratic style, so much cash has been saved, and there is no investment to make money, Franz is too lazy to complain.

This is the status quo of the Austrian aristocrats. They have not yet completed the transition from the big aristocrats to the big bourgeoisie, and everyone tends to be conservative in investment.

Chapter 6 Daily Operations - Digging a Pit

Since Vienna became the capital of the Habsburg dynasty in the 13th century, it has quickly become the political, economic, and cultural center of the European continent, and it is also one of the most prosperous cities in the world.

Now is no exception. After the end of the Anti-French War, Austria has reaffirmed its status as a great power, and Russia is not the only one with the title of European Gendarmerie.

After Austria formed the Holy Alliance in 1815, it became a representative of restoration forces, a vanguard against capitalism, and also played the role of a European gendarme.

It is a pity that behind this glory is the continuous decline of Austria. When the revolution broke out in 1848, the European hegemony of the Austrian Empire came to an end.

Walking on the bustling avenue, Franz's heart was heavy, and he inadvertently remembered Du Fu's words: "The rich wine and meat stink, and the road is frozen to death!"

On the bustling streets of Vienna, people in ragged clothes hurried past from time to time, and it could be seen that their bodies were still shaking.

Occasionally, beggars strayed in, and soon the police would come to drive them away or take them away.

This is still the most prosperous street. If you go to the slums, you don't know what it will look like.

The little match girl is not a fairy tale. Along the way, Franz saw too many children selling cigarettes, newspapers, matches...

Franz did not accuse the capitalists of abusing child labor. In this day and age, it is considered very good to have such a job to support himself.

For more than a month, Franz traveled all over the main urban areas of Vienna and witnessed the real scene of this fading empire.

Perhaps in the Vienna Revolution a year later, what the people really needed was neither constitutionalism nor freedom, but bread that could wrap their stomachs and clothes that could keep out the cold.

Public opinion fell into the hands of the bourgeoisie and the nobility, and the so-called revolution actually became a tool for them to fight for power, while ordinary people became victims in the struggle for power.

Franz still remembers a later article about Polish nationalists trying to persuade the peasants in a village to revolt, claiming that as long as the Austrians were expelled, they would live happily ever after.

The peasants replied:

No, my lord, it won't be like that.You just want to drive out the most benevolent ruler of the land (referring to the Habsburg emperor) and let the country go to ruin.

My grandfather once told me that when the Polish Commonwealth existed, the lords could beat the peasants at will, and the peasants had no recourse...

If you drive the Emperor out of this land, every single one of you will want to be left alone, and you will make us slaves as you have done in the past!

……

Historically, the Vienna Uprising failed, and the patriotic bourgeoisie suffered heavy losses, but the lives of the people have actually improved.

It has to be said that this is an irony. The people who kept shouting the slogan of overthrowing the exploiting classes turned out to be a group of capitalists. As the emperor who was targeted by the revolution, he finally started doing revolutionary work.

Thinking of this, Franz already knew what to do.It is always politically correct to unite the many against the few.

In Franz's view, any constitutional reform before compulsory education is completed is nonsense, and reforms that exceed the acceptance of the people can only hurt others and themselves in the end.

"Raul, go to the Prime Minister's Office!" Franz said calmly

A time traveler who can't do things must not be a real time traveler, this is Franz's motto.He has changed his mind and is going to do something.

An hour later, Franz appeared at the Prime Minister's Palace, because Prime Minister Metternich was not at home because he did not make an appointment in advance.

Franz was not surprised, the prime minister's work has always been very busy, especially a powerful minister like Metternich.

Europe is different from the East. Even a powerful minister like Metternich has limited rights. He dominates Austrian politics with the support of the king.

"Grand Duke, please wait for a while, we have sent someone to notify the Prime Minister!" said the housekeeper

The meaning is very obvious. I have already sent someone to inform the Prime Minister. As for when the Prime Minister will come back, I don’t know. Don’t vent your anger on us small people for the problems between you big shots.

Franz smiled slightly. He didn't have the habit of venting his anger on others. The relationship between the original owner and Prime Minister Metternich was not bad, and this relationship remained after time travel.

In Franz's perception, powerful ministers have been used to cheat since ancient times. If the Austrian Empire wants to reform, it also needs to take the blame, and the notorious Prime Minister Metternich is the best choice.

He doesn't have too many debts, and he probably doesn't mind taking a few more scapegoats for Austria.

Metternich didn't rush back until the evening, and Franz was not angry. Anyway, he should eat and drink, and no one dared to neglect him.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting! Little Franz, what do you want to see me today?" Metternich said lovingly

That's right, Franz is a junior in his eyes, and Metternich is also a veteran. He has been the prime minister since his grandfather's time, and he has made it to the present.

"Dear Mr. Metternich, please remove that small print, I am already 16 years old!"

Franz did not answer the question first, but expressed a little bit of dissatisfaction in his heart.

"Okay, Dear Grand Duke Franz, what are you doing here today?" Metternich asked with a smile

"Mr. Metternich, I'm here today for reform!" Franz said straight to the point

"Reform? Why are you interested in this, Franz, or did someone say something to you?" Metternich asked in surprise

"No one said anything. In the past month or so, I have been visiting Vienna, and I have some questions in my heart. I want to ask you for advice!" Franz replied calmly.

"Oh, what question do you want to hear?" Metternich asked pretending to be interested

"Mr. Metternich, the outside world is calling for constitutional reform very loudly, but the workers I see are insensitive and rush around for three meals a day. Is work more important to them than dignity? "Frantz asked pretending not to know.

"No, Franz! They are trying to survive. If they don't work for a day, they may go hungry. Nothing is important in front of survival!" Metternich said firmly

"Oh, if that's the case, then why don't our reforms lean towards them? At least let them have enough bread first!" Franz said innocently

"Frantz, things are not that simple, the capitalists will not agree to raise workers' wages!" Metternich shook his head and said

"That's right, that's too bad!" Franz pretended to sigh.

……

Chapter 7 layout public opinion

The point was over, Franz did not go further into this topic.

The capitalists are not easy to mess with. Even if they have not yet occupied a dominant position in the government, their strength should not be underestimated.

Standing in Franz's position, it's okay to ask questions, but let him charge forward for the benefit of the working class and fight the bourgeoisie head-on!

This great and arduous task, Franz has decided to hand over to the aristocratic conservatives, Prime Minister Metternich is one of the candidates.

Perhaps one day, the capitalists are demanding the liberalization of voting rights, the implementation of constitutional government, and the emancipation of serfs; the nobles are demanding the formulation of labor protection laws to protect the rights and interests of the working class.

However, after these two groups of people chanted their slogans, the Austrian people would probably be dumbfounded.

This is also determined by the actual situation in Austria. The nobles are still in the feudal class, and there is a natural conflict of interest with the capitalists. The two sides have not had time to merge.

If by the beginning of the 20th century, the aristocrats and capitalists had formed an interest group, there would really be no other way but to overthrow and rebuild, and it would be done by political means.

Apart from fanning the flames in front of Metternich, Franz had other preparations. He didn't think that his own words would be able to impress Metternich, an old fox.

Don't think that their relationship is very good, but in politics, everyone has never regarded friendship.

While chatting, Franz also obtained the qualification to start a newspaper. Before the March Revolution in 1848, the Austrian Empire implemented a censorship system.

Before the Vienna Revolution in March 1848, there were 3 newspapers in Austria.This is a newspaper, not a newspaper office!

Considering that a newspaper office can issue several newspapers at the same time, the number of newspaper offices will only be fewer.

Looking at this set of data, you can see how difficult it is to run a newspaper in this era.

However, this is not a problem for Franz. The control of books and newspapers is to curb the spread of revolutionary ideas. Anyone may support the revolutionary party, but he, the heir to the throne, cannot support the revolutionary party to revolutionize his own revolution. .

Franz is still very morally cultivated, he is anxious about the people's urgency, and worries about the people's worries, so the name of his newspaper is "We Want Bread, We Want Cheese".

The definition of this newspaper is exactly the same as the name. For the safety of the newspaper, he decided to put the newspaper at the gate of the police station.

Opening a newspaper office in this era is also very troublesome. Even if Franz can omit the most cumbersome procedures, he still needs to find the labor and venue by himself.

The most important thing is the editors and reporters of the newspaper. These people must have passion, dare to face this cruel society, and they must not be so passionate that they forget who they are eating.

The country is unfortunate and the poet is lucky, and it is easy to write a sentence after the vicissitudes of life.

This sentence is still very reasonable. In the middle of the 19th century, a large number of literati and inkmen emerged in Austria. Some of these people insisted on creating, and some diverted to play politics midway.

In any case, the power of publicity by the pens is not comparable to that of the nobles.

For example, the Hungarian politician Kossuth, who was born as a lawyer, was a propaganda strongman. In 1847, he kicked off the prelude to Hungary's independence and once became the head of the Hungarian Republic.

Of course, he also has the common fault of a literati. He is an idealist, and his plans are often divorced from the actual situation. Naturally, the uprising was suppressed.

Franz has no interest in Kossuth, no matter how strong his propaganda ability is, he cannot stand against him as an extreme nationalist.

The two sides are naturally opposed. Of course, if you want to buy it, you may not be unable to succeed, but Franz has no such interest.

In his concept of employing people, loyalty is far more important than ability, and the lowest bottom line of employing people must also be guaranteed not to be an enemy.

After contemplating for a while, Franz wrote a few names on the piece of paper, and then ordered: "Raul, send someone to check the names on the list, and if there is no problem, send them a letter in the name of the newspaper. An invitation!"

"Yes, Grand Duke!" the attendant Raul said quickly

It is not easy to recruit people in this era. Universities are still ivory towers, there are no ordinary people in them, and the parents with the lowest status are also petty capitalists.

The so-called inspirational stories are all used to deceive people, and the high tuition fees cannot be paid for by work-study programs.

The literati in the society are not as down and out as everyone imagines, of course, those who are poor in their families are exceptions.

If you want to recruit people, you either hang a billboard in a place with a lot of people, or place an advertisement in a newspaper, or more often through the introduction of acquaintances.

According to acquaintances, this is definitely not suitable for Franz. The people he contacts are not so down and out. Dragons and snakes do not live together, so naturally they will not know those ordinary workers.

But there is no rush. It is still very easy to recruit ordinary workers. Compared with other industries, working in a newspaper office is still a very decent job. I am not afraid that no one will come to Ying Ping.

On the contrary, it takes time to recruit reporters and editors, and the people Franz invites are all well-known literati in the society.

It doesn't matter whether you come or not, this is just telling them that now there is one more newspaper in Austria, and they also have one more place to publish articles and earn royalties.

From the beginning to the end, he did not show his face in public, although many people will know that he is the boss behind the newspaper.

If economical issues were not considered, Franz would not mind opening dozens of newspaper offices at once to fight for the dominance of public opinion.

Considering the problem of return on investment, Franz resolutely persuaded him to master a newspaper to give advice on daily life, and he could take the rhythm when needed.

Austria's reforms have been going on for many years, and the current Prime Minister Clemens Metternich was once a representative of the reformists.

It's just that he is no longer a human being inside and out, and the domestic bourgeoisie dislikes that his reforms are not strong enough to fully satisfy their interests.

The aristocratic conservatives also rejected him as the prime minister. As a representative of the aristocratic interest group, he advocated that the emancipation of serfs harmed the interests of the aristocratic group.

Even the Vienna court actually didn't like him as a reformist prime minister. The reason is very simple. The slogan has been shouted for too long, but the reform has not seen results.

Franz may be the person who understands him best in this era. In a vivid way, the Austrian Empire is like a moth-eaten house. If you move a part of it, no one knows how much it will collapse.

Out of a prudent and responsible attitude, Metternich carried out reforms very carefully, lest one bad thing would ruin the game.

Naturally, this kind of shy reform cannot be successful. How can it be successful without bloodshed reform?