Chapter 57: Chapter 55: Not Drunk

After the death of Francis II, Metternich highly intertwined his own interests with those of the Rothschild family in a bid to seek support.

This resulted in a reversal of their respective statuses; Metternich now found himself relying on the power of the Rothschild family.

To drive Prince Metternich out of the core of Austrian power, Count Kolowrat engaged in extensive cooperation with forces in the Italian regions.

Although national fiscal revenue had increased, it was insufficient to offset the combined attacks from France, Prussia, and Hungary.

Those merchants who had been so ambitious just two years ago were now all considering how to offload their business rights.

In contrast to the feverish railway construction in other countries, Austria's railway industry had entered a winter; half of the railway construction projects were at a standstill, and the remaining half would eventually halt if new capital were not injected.

The chief advisor to Ferdinand I was currently overwhelmed with work. Only after he had seized the power held by Baron Bruck did he realize that it was nothing more than a hot potato.

Karl von Sluze had no ability to secure more loans for the Austrian Empire, which was a major reason why the Austrian finances had collapsed to such an extent.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, Baron Bruck was engaged in something that made him extremely excited.

In the first six months of 1836, he had successfully cashed out $6 million in precious metals from the United States, and cashed out $10 million worth of banknotes and precious metals totaling £2 million on the London Exchange.

Baron Bruck had already sold 45% of the land in his hands, and even so, he had made a net profit of ten times his investment.

Now, as long as he could sell the remaining land and convert it into silver and gold, the total profit for Archduke "Franz Karl" would reach $35.55 million.

As long as "Franz Karl" deposited this sum into the bank, many of Austria's problems could be solved easily.

This was because the winter of Austrian railway construction was entirely man-made. While Austrian railway construction was stalled, Saxony had proposed to acquire certain Austrian railway sections, but the offer was rejected.

Of course, it wasn't just Saxony; even the famously poor Bavaria had submitted an acquisition application.

According to the quotes from both countries, if the railways leading to them were sold, Austria's current problems could be resolved.

But this was unacceptable. Having the railways controlled by other nations was something not only the merchants refused to accept, but the military found intolerable as well.

Domestic merchants might refuse to serve the Austrian army, but if other countries controlled their railways, they might transport enemy troops directly to Vienna, shouting, "The enemy is at Honno-ji!"

According to Baron Bruck's estimation, as long as Austria survived this crisis, people would regain confidence in the railways.

As for that Karl von Sluze, Bruck didn't hold him in any regard, viewing him merely as a clown.

By this time, Baron Bruck was utterly enamored with Archduke "Franz Karl." He believed the Archduke was not stupid, but rather a silent economist.

As expected, geniuses are difficult to understand.

***

Meanwhile, in Vienna, at Schönbrunn Palace.

Archduke Franz Karl was feeding fish and drinking by a fountain. Seeing that the fish were mostly floating to the surface, he scooped up a handful with his hand.

"This has no taste at all. Your tolerance is too low."

Seeing his son approaching, Franz Karl hurriedly invited Franz Joseph to sit down.

"Son, try some."

Franz Joseph looked at the "water" held in his father's hands and, without thinking much of it, licked it, finding it a bit sweet and slightly spicy.

"Father, what is this? A specialty of Schönbrunn Palace?"

"No, it's wine."

"Wine? How can there be wine here?"

"I poured it!"

Just then, a dead fish fell from the sky. Following the direction from which the dead fish fell, Franz found that the fountain was full of dead fish.

"..." Franz Joseph looked again at the dead fish in the fountain. "What is going on with these fish?"

"Your mother said she wanted to raise a few fish, so I bought some. After bringing them back, I found there was no place to keep them. Well, there's a large pool right here, isn't there? I was afraid they wouldn't get used to their new home, so I came to drink with them. Who knew their tolerance was so low that they all got drunk..."

As Franz Karl vividly recounted his "glorious" deeds, Franz Joseph sighed.

"Does Mother know?"

"Not yet."

"I'll have someone clean this up. Don't tell Mother about this. Next time you go to buy fish, please buy a fish tank, alright?"

"Alright!"

Franz gave Talia a look, and Talia immediately called the nearby palace servants to help scoop out the fish.

Before Franz Joseph could speak, Franz Karl continued.

"Son, what is it that you want?"

Franz Joseph was somewhat curious as to how his old man had managed to preempt his question.

"How did you know I had something to ask you?"

"You brought wine. Usually, you oppose my drinking."

"Fine, Father. Here is an application. Go to your Uncle the Emperor to get it approved, then take it to the Regency Council for their seal, and then bring it back to me."

"Then you must have a big drink with me."

"I only drink juice."

"Deal!"

***

In the evening, Karl von Sluze felt extremely depressed. He was clearly the Chief Royal Advisor, yet he was currently being suppressed by some nonsense Regency Council.

Hadn't he been working for nothing all these years? To make matters worse, he had to "deliver the public grain" to that woman at night; the thought was painful.

He glanced at the sleeping Emperor, realizing that hoping this fellow could suppress the Regency Council was nothing but wishful thinking. He should have been a Caesar, second only to one man and above all others.

Yes, that's right. I, Karl von Sluze, should have been a Caesar; at the very least, a Wallenstein. How did it come to this...

Just then, the sound of footsteps interrupted Karl von Sluze's contemplation.

"Damn it, that alcoholic idiot, what is he doing here?" Karl von Sluze cursed inwardly.

Then he thought, he might as well find some amusement in this idiot to soothe his wounded pride.

"Stop! His Majesty the Emperor has not summoned the Archduke—"

Franz Karl ignored Karl von Sluze. Annoyed, Karl von Sluze rushed in front of Archduke Franz Karl again.

"His Majesty is sleeping. No one is allowed to disturb him."

"I don't want to talk to you," Archduke Franz Karl replied, attempting to walk past.

Karl von Sluze blocked him again, and their dispute woke Ferdinand I.

Karl von Sluze said, "My deepest apologies. I informed Archduke Franz Karl that you were resting, but the Archduke insisted on seeing Your Majesty. I was unable to stop him, and thus disturbed Your Majesty..."

Ferdinand I did not pay attention to Karl von Sluze's words and spoke directly.

"My foolish brother, what is the matter?"

"My poor brother, may I hit him?"

"As you wish."

Archduke Franz Karl had only three hobbies: smoking, drinking, and perming his hair...

Ah no, bah, it was drinking, horse riding, and hunting. Thus, the Archduke's core strength was immense; beating up a civil official was far too easy.

Karl von Sluze's screams echoed through the Hall of Mirrors. The nearby Royal Guards turned a blind eye, some even snickering.

Archduke Franz Karl casually wiped his hands on his clothes and then pulled out a document.

"Franz intends to build a school; he needs your special approval."

"Very well."

Ferdinand I made a quick stroke of the pen and returned to his previous posture.

"My foolish brother, I am tired. Do not disturb me; I need rest."

"Have a drink before you sleep; it helps you sleep faster."

Archduke Franz Karl pulled a military flask from his shirt pocket, placed it before the throne, and turned to leave.