Chapter 28: Chapter 27: My Italy

“Why aren't you eating?” Talia asked curiously.

In truth, Franz was still too small to eat much. Moreover, although this woman was clearly a noblewoman, she possessed no sense of table manners whatsoever.

Rather than being unladylike, she was simply unseemly.

Franz was somewhat curious about Talia's true identity, but he reasoned that she likely wouldn't harm him—after all, Madame Sophie would surely have investigated her—so he replied casually.

“To fatten them up before eating.”

Emotionally speaking, Francis II was an "Italian."

He was born in Florence, in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and spent his childhood and youth there.

His father had been an extremely enlightened and benevolent monarch who, upon taking office, abolished all forms of torture and the death penalty, implemented military substitution, lowered taxes, and encouraged industry and commerce, thereby winning the support of the Tuscan people.

That was perhaps the most beloved period of Francis II's life; as the future heir to the Grand Duchy, he could feel the warmth of the people wherever he went.

Later, his uncle Joseph II faced fierce opposition from the aristocracy due to his radical reform measures and eventually died in depression.

Francis II's father was forced to accept the throne of the Holy Roman Empire. Upon arriving in Vienna, the family faced a treacherous political landscape where anyone could be an enemy and no one could be fully trusted.

Two years after his father ascended the throne, he passed away suddenly. Francis II was forced to ascend as Emperor, only to encounter Napoleon—the star of ill fortune in his destiny.

Bad news followed one after another. Francis II was forced to dissolve the Holy Roman Empire, yet he never wore the crown as Emperor of the Austrian Empire.

Perhaps only Italy, only Tuscany, was a pure land in the heart of Francis II.

Furthermore, Francis II's daughter was the Duchess of Parma—Marie Louise, whom he had married off to Napoleon.

Francis II always felt he owed his daughter, so he turned a blind eye to Marie Louise's chaotic private life.

The fact that Marie Louise had sent someone this time to demand that Austria build a railway to Parma was certainly not her idea.

Perhaps it was one of Marie Louise's lovers, or perhaps the tax revenues of the Duchy of Parma were insufficient to maintain her lifestyle.

As for the rulers of the other states in Central Italy, they were all related to Francis II by blood, making it difficult to refuse them.

From the perspective of family interest, Austria had been operating in Italy for centuries, fighting France for a hundred years, sacrificing countless soldiers, and spending untold amounts of money.

To ignore the requests of the Central Italian states would likely cause them to lean toward France, Sardinia, or even the Bourbon dynasty of the Two Sicilies.

These were all things Francis II could not accept under any circumstances. However, Central Italy at this time was nothing but gangs and refugees; its industry and commerce were backward, its agriculture was not self-sufficient, and it was a complete wasteland.

Moreover, the mountainous regions of Central Italy were both an obstacle to railway construction and a quagmire for governance.

Whenever opponents or insurgents fled into the mountains, even a deployment of a hundred thousand troops to suppress them would ultimately result in nothing.

Although the Congress of Vienna had recognized Central Italy as being within the sphere of influence of the Austrian Empire, if Austria showed any intention of annexing the region, Britain, France, Russia, and Prussia would not stand idly by.

Had it been the Francis II of the past, he would have certainly chosen to ignore the requests of the Central Italian states and simply remained passive.

However, since the Austrian Empire joined the German Customs Union, the entire country had been in a state of prosperity, which gave Francis II more confidence.

Thus, he decided to build the railway only as far as Parma. Other states could not build railways directly into Austria, but they could connect through Parma to Austria.

At the same time, he would open three ports, allowing the Central Italian states to engage in free trade with Austria, collecting only symbolic tariffs.

This way, he would not give Britain or France an excuse to intervene, nor would he allow Austria to sink into a quagmire.

When Metternich and Count Kolowrat saw the Emperor's decree, they both let out a sigh of relief. They had been terrified that the Emperor might act on a whim and push the entire country to the brink of war.

They were also afraid the Emperor might fall back into his old habit of total indifference, losing the initiative to secure the Central Italian region.

"His Majesty is wise," Metternich said, taking the lead.

"A most perfect plan," Count Kolowrat added.

Francis II was also very satisfied with his plan and nodded repeatedly.

At this moment, Friedrich List spoke up.

"Your Majesty, there is no need for Austria to use its own money."

"What do you mean?" Metternich countered. He felt this fallen gentleman from Württemberg was becoming increasingly insolent, constantly contradicting him lately.

Friedrich List explained to Francis II, "I mean we can lend money to the various Central Italian states, using their tariffs and certain powers as collateral. As far as I know, the rulers of the Central Italian states are not like you; they lack the art and ability of governance. We can use this to—"

Kolowrat immediately understood the crux of the matter.

"Are you saying we should send people to take over the authority of the Central Italian states?"

"We are merely exercising authority on their behalf. Once they have repaid the debt, we will return the power to them. It is simply that direct rule by our Austrian Empire would be more efficient."

Friedrich List was truly only considering economic interests, but to the ears of Count Kolowrat and Metternich, this was undoubtedly a massive conspiracy.

It was common for European merchants to demand that princes and nobles use tariffs or taxing privileges as collateral.

"That is a wonderful idea. We could also dispatch military advisors to train their armies. That way, we won't need to send troops into Central Italy to suppress rebellions," Count Radetzky added.

After all, no matter how powerful the Austrian army was, they were always fighting on foreign soil in Central Italy. Suppressing bandits was not something that could be achieved overnight; it required maintaining a stable order over a long period.

Training the locals to join the military could avoid this problem while simultaneously allowing them to seize control of the states' armies, thereby achieving actual rule over Central Italy.

"Do you have any better suggestions?" Francis II asked.

"None." Friedrich List's suggestion was the most advantageous course of action for the Austrian Empire at this time.

"Very well, then. Metternich, you and Mr. List shall act as our representatives to negotiate with the ambassadors of the Central Italian states. You must see this through; this concerns the future well-being of millions in Central Italy."

"I, Metternich, shall not fail in my mission," Metternich said, bowing with great elegance.

After the Privy Council concluded, Francis II patted the head of his grandson, who had been eavesdropping behind him, and said, "My Italy has returned."