Chapter 18: Daily Life

Franz II was in high spirits today, nearly jumping for joy.

Through the skillful maneuvering of Prince Metternich, the Esterházy family's assets in Austria did not enter the national treasury, but were instead transferred to the personal name of Franz II.

Franz II had once visited the Esterházy palace; it could be described as resplendent and magnificent. Although it could not compare to the Imperial Palace, it surpassed any other royal estate.

While the artworks within those palaces had been taken away, the three thousand barrels of wine in the estate's underground cellar could not be moved.

The steward sent to take over the properties selected one hundred barrels to be sent to Vienna, which Franz II then handed over to the princes and nobles of Vienna.

Franz II intended to leave the Esterházy family's wealth to his grandson, Franz Joseph.

After all, he was well aware of the economic condition of the Austrian Empire; he feared that the empire's debts might not be fully repaid within his lifetime.

He only feared that by the time Franz Joseph ascended the throne, the Austrian debt would still exist.

While it is said that a great man cannot go a single day without power, life is also difficult for an emperor without money.

He left the Esterházy fortune to Franz Joseph in the hope that it could be used for emergencies during times of crisis.

At this moment, Franz II held something else in his hand, though he had not yet decided whether or not to give it to his grandson.

***

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace, the nursery.

Franz Joseph was wearing a specially made light cavalry uniform today, and he was delighted to see Franz II enter the room.

Franz Joseph knew the old Emperor would surely want to share his joy with him, even though he had already learned from the newspapers that the German Customs Union had agreed to accept the Austrian Empire.

However, Franz Joseph intended to pretend he didn't know. After all, since the Congress of Vienna, Austria had achieved almost no diplomatic victories; he would let the old Emperor enjoy his moment of happiness.

Upon entering and seeing Franz Joseph in his military uniform, Franz II immediately stopped, stood straight, raised his hand in a salute, and said

"Hello, soldier."

Franz Joseph also immediately snapped to attention with a "thud" and shouted

"Long live the Emperor!"

Franz II picked up his grandson, and the old man and the child laughed together.

Time spent with his grandson always made the old Emperor feel very at ease.

Looking at the little boy before him, he seemed to see the future of the Austrian Empire. But he truly lacked the courage to challenge the rules set by his ancestors, nor did he want his young grandson to shoulder the weight of the entire empire.

"He should have a happy childhood," Franz II muttered to himself.

Perhaps realizing his loss of composure, Franz II suddenly gave a mysterious smile.

"Grandson, Grandpa has a treasure in his hand. Guess what it is? If you guess correctly, it's yours."

In fact, as soon as Franz II entered the room, Franz Joseph noticed an envelope in his hand.

Combining recent events, the envelope either contained the joyful news of successfully joining the German Customs Union, or Prince Esterházy's deposit of three million florins.

According to Franz's estimation, the deposit slip was more likely.

However, what could the current Franz do with that money? Buy candy?

Thus, he answered, "It's a letter."

Franz II took the envelope from behind his back, handed it to Franz, and said

"You guessed correctly. Keep this envelope safe; open it when you are grown up."

Franz Joseph looked at the envelope with some confusion. It was indeed mailed from Rothschild Bank; it was indeed a deposit slip.

However, Franz found it somewhat incomprehensible—why would the old Emperor give such a sum of money to a small child like him?

But he knew the old Emperor wished for it, so Franz could keep the money safe.

Franz immediately ran to his "treasure box" with the envelope, tossed it inside, and locked it with a padlock.

Seeing this, Franz II nodded with gratification, played with his grandson for a while longer, and then departed.

At the end of the corridor, Franz II began to mutter to himself again.

"Forgive Grandpa's cowardice and weakness. I hope this money can compensate you..."

Franz was conflicted; he didn't know how to handle this money. Three million florins seemed like enough as starting capital, but he didn't know when he would be able to launch his plans.

Handing the money to Madame Sophie to manage seemed like a good choice; perhaps he could even earn a decent return.

But if Madame Sophie failed in her investments, wouldn't he suffer as well?

Perhaps there was another way...

***

Night, Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Franz stared blankly at a recent world map, lost in thought.

Central America, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the currently wild Australia—all were territories ripe for expansion.

However, Franz was too young to participate in politics.

On the other hand, the Austrian Navy was indeed in a desperate state; even if he had the idea, he lacked the capability.

While Franz was still thinking, Madame Sophie walked in.

"Franz, don't always scribble all over the maps."

After a lecture from Madame Sophie, Franz began today's storytelling time.

"As the saying goes, great affairs in the world have always been characterized by long periods of division followed by unification, and long periods of unification followed by division. Let us speak of how Prime Minister Cao entered Wancheng..."

An hour later.

Already very sleepy, Franz looked at Madame Sophie, who was listening intently beside him.

Franz sighed inwardly, *I'm so sleepy, I really want to sleep. Why is Mother so energetic today?*

But continuing like this was certainly not a solution. Thus, a spark of inspiration struck Franz; he picked up the exquisitely bound Bible beside him, slammed it hard onto the table, and gave a loud shout: "As for how the future unfolds, listen to the next chapter for the explanation!"

Madame Sophie looked somewhat unsatisfied and sighed, "Prime Minister Cao truly is a good man."

*In what way?* Franz complained inwardly.

"It truly is a grand and passionate romance."

*Where is the romance? This tendency to admire the strong is undesirable. Mother, your thinking is very dangerous,* Franz continued to complain in his mind.

"Who told you this love story? Was it Talia? The Bohemians are always so open-minded," Madame Sophie said. "But you are still so young, and she dares to act like this. If you were any older, I really don't know what that woman would do."

"..." Franz felt somewhat helpless. He had been listening for half a year before realizing something was wrong.

However, it was great that Madame Sophie's mind automatically connected it to Talia, the governess.

At the very least, Franz didn't have to explain anything now.

As for Talia, she would most likely have her wages docked; Franz didn't think much of it and simply nodded.

Anyway, if there was any blame to be shifted, it was never wrong to pin it on this Bohemian.

Due to inherent arrogance and prejudice, Talia, as the daughter of a minor Bohemian noble, had secretly completed her university studies behind her family's back.

One must realize that in this era, someone who could complete university studies could already be considered a member of the social elite.

In 1834, the total number of students enrolled in all Austrian universities combined was only 7,191.

But the result was shocking: Talia was kicked out of her home by her father.

With nowhere to turn, she became Franz's governess through a twist of fate.