Chapter 229: The Birth of a Comedy Empire
The Paris Conference was over, and Franz said his farewell to Nicholas I and left. A life full of money and money is always easy to sink in, and Franz didn't want to test his willpower.
From the perspective of the corrupt life at the top of the tsarist government, Franz knew that the Russian Empire was sick.
Many people are addicted to the glory of the past and cannot extricate themselves, even the bad situation of the war in the Near East has not been able to wake them up.
"The problem of psoriasis is not enough."
Since the tsarist government thought so, Franz had no obligation to remind them. An ally who is addicted to past glory is a good ally.
On the way back, Franz had turned into a literary youth and started the road of literary creation. The "Emperor's Poems" and "The Emperor's Prose Collection", which will have far-reaching influence in the future, were created at this time.
Franz is still very disciplined in this regard, at least he did not find anyone to bring a pen. Therefore, the output is naturally not high. From St. Petersburg to Vienna, a total of two limericks were born. I am really embarrassed to show it to people.
...
The country is unfortunate, the poet is fortunate.
Influenced by the forced division of Germany by the Paris Conference, the literary creation of the German region during this period presented a situation where a hundred flowers bloomed.
A large number of literati and writers emerged during this period, such as: Arthur Schopenhauer, Gabel, Paul Heizer, Freiligrath, Helweger, Werth, Fontana, F. Greerpatzer, Franz Greerpatzer, Adalbert Stevie...
It can be said that in just a few months in the second half of 1853, more literary works emerged in the German region than in the previous five years combined.
Criticism became the mainstream of literary creation in this period, and the new German Federal Empire was sprayed with blood. Of course, the Prussian government could not escape the literati's pen and ink, and even the Austrian government was not immune.
Facts have proved that the show is very effective. Compared with the previous two, the Austrian government has received much less spray. After all, it is the place of hope for German reunification, and everyone is still showing mercy.
The new German Federal Empire is a tragedy. Everyone does not recognize that it is an empire. The main reason for naming it as an empire is that there are kingdoms in the states below.
The central government could not be on the same level as the local government, so it was artificially upgraded to an empire by the Paris Conference. Obviously, this "need for an empire" is not welcome.
...
Bremen
A middle-aged man said angrily: "Corbes, look at the newspaper, the world's largest comedy empire is about to be born, and we will soon be a member of this comedy empire.
God, when did we agree to join this empire, how could I not know? This is simply too bad!
I can't imagine that people will ask me which country I am from in the future, and then I will tell him: I belong to the comedy empire, the consequences are terrible! "
The birth of the German Federal Empire was originally a farce, which was ridiculed by Welt as the "Comedy Empire", and then everyone called it that.
A "great empire" with a population of less than 10 million and a territory of no more than 100,000 square kilometers, can it be a comedy?
Although the comedy empire is comedy, in fact, its comprehensive national strength is not weak. Only under several major European powers, its economic strength is comparable to that of the Kingdom of Prussia.
But this is not enough to make him a real empire. If it becomes the German Federal Kingdom, it is estimated that no one will object.
The middle-aged man with a beard took over the newspaper and glanced at it, and then said calmly, "Fitra, is it worth making a fuss about it?
The Paris Conference, a matter unanimously decided by European countries, do you still expect the government to dare to refuse?
What are you afraid of? Even if the German region is divided into three parts, we still have two empires and one kingdom, which is unmatched by any country in the world! "
It can be seen that Corbes's expression has betrayed his heart. He is not as relaxed as he said, but he deliberately suppressed his anger and prevented it from erupting.
In terms of comprehensive national strength, the unified German region is the first in the world, and even the British cannot compare.
Obviously this is impossible. All European countries are not fools. Who can tolerate a Central European giant?
After the results of the Paris Conference came out, the nationalists in the German region fell silent. The blow that reality has brought to them is unimaginable.
Although everyone knows that European countries will oppose the reunification of Germany, the pressure of so many countries together has exceeded their estimates.
The sadness is greater than the death of the heart. Many people are desperate and become indifferent to politics. Corbes is one of them.
However, this indifference was just an appearance. When he learned that the German Federal Empire was really established, he couldn't help but sneer.
Fittra glared at Corbes, then sneered: "Enough, you coward, shut up. As long as the Germans are not dead, the German region will one day be unified."
Both of them have passed the second year of secondary school. After being forcibly divided in the German region, they did not go to the streets to demonstrate like young students.
As the newspaper said, even if all the people in the German region came out to demonstrate together, the enemy would not be able to see it, so they could only roam in their nests.
Oh, this may be what the capitalists said, after all, it affects their business.
Since the countries jointly intervened in the German reunification process, the business community has been mourning. South Germany is fine
, Austria's market is not small, there are two markets in Italy and Russia.
The capitalists in the north felt a deep sense of malice. After losing the market in the South German region, they will face competition from British commodities in the future, which is simply forcing them to a dead end.
The Prussian business community also feels this way. Since Austria accelerated its industrialization process, a large chunk of their market has been robbed, and everyone's life has not been easy.
Now it's even tougher, the market in the north is going to be hit by British goods, and the market in the south has trade barriers.
Affected by the market, since the reform of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1848, the economy of the Kingdom of Prussia has not improved significantly, but has continued to deteriorate.
This is not because the capitalists do not work hard, but is forced by reality. Historically, while the reform of the Kingdom of Prussia was carried out, military expenditure was also reduced, and the military expenditure was suppressed to less than 25%, and the funds were invested in national construction.
Now, under the influence of the international situation, to guard against Russia and Austria, Prussia's military expenditure has increased instead of falling. In this context, let alone investing in domestic construction, the government is thankful that the government does not extort money.
In the face of the increasingly severe economic situation, Frederick William IV had a headache. Unfortunately, he was not expected to develop the economy. If it was the development of armaments, he might have more say.
Looking at the uniform military cabinet, it is difficult to develop the economy. "Reform" came to the mind of Frederick William IV again.
...
Vienna
Franz, who has just returned to China, will face three problems.
First, the placement of the Bavarian royal family;
Second, the issue of country names;
Third, the governance of the newly added territories.
Since he returned to the Vienna Palace, his mother, the Empress Dowager Sophie, has often dangled in front of him and brought up the issue of marriage from time to time.
Although I didn't directly say anything about the Bavarian royal family, the meaning was already obvious. Anyway, I have to give an explanation?
What are they talking about under house arrest now, where does this put the empress dowager's face?
Even the two little loli often come over to pester him, like if you don't give an explanation, we will cry and show you.
Well, this matter was done immorally by Franz, who promised to change the throne for them, and it has been delayed until now, but this problem has not been implemented.
...
In order to get rid of the days of being harassed, at the State Council, Franz said helplessly: "Everyone, you can let go of other issues first, and find a good place for the Bavarian royal family first, right?"
Prime Minister Felix thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Bavaria also has a province of Pulfarz, which was also lost to the German Confederation this time. Just restore the status of the Duchy of Pulfat and let the Bavarian royal family succeed the Grand Duke in the past."
Metternich objected: "It's not right, we promised to guarantee the throne of the Bavarian royal family, and now we have to appease the people's hearts, and repentance can easily lead to changes."
Prime Minister Felix shook his head and said: "I don't want to go back, the problem is that they should inherit the Serbian throne, and the Bavarian royal family will not agree.
Maximilian II is now confident and wants a rich land to continue to be king. How is this possible? "
Metternich asked rhetorically: "Serbia is a wild country, and it is better than a kingdom of Greece. The investment of the Bavarian royal family for the Greek throne has not been recovered for so many years. How could they accept the Serbian throne?"
Now Serbia is not a good place. Affected by the war, the local population has dropped to less than 700,000, and most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled. Young men between the ages of 16 and 40 have been recruited by the Ottomans.
The economy is completely dependent on agricultural production. It can be said that this nominal kingdom is actually not as good as a province in Bavaria.
If he becomes the king of Serbia, it is estimated that for a long time in the future, the financial revenue here will not be able to make ends meet.
Maximilian II's ambitions have been wiped out, and he does not want to suffer again.
...
Looking at the controversy, Franz proposed: "What if we split the Lombard-Venetian kingdom and restore the Lombard kingdom to Maximilian II in the past?"
Chancellor of the Exchequer Carl objected: "Your Majesty, the Lombardy region is economically developed and accounts for nearly one-tenth of our fiscal revenue. If we let this place become independent, we will lose a lot."
Franz shook his head and said, "I don't want to let this place become independent. First, let Maximilian II fool him to the throne and give the Bavarian people an explanation.
Then the central government passed the constitution, obtained the local personnel appointment and removal power and financial power, and let him receive the annuity peacefully. "
Independence? Dream it! As an outsider, without the support of Austria, why did Maximilian II rule the area?
Counting on the Italians to support him as a king, Franz did not believe that Maximilian II had such a charismatic personality, and he could still be so abject now.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Karl thought for a moment and said, "If the Lombard region is not allowed to become independent, and only Maximilian II is supported, then it will not be a problem."
The matter of 1.8 million dong is really not worth mentioning. This money must be spent for the long-term stability of Bavaria.
Metternich said worriedly: "Your Majesty, if Maximilian II becomes the king of Lombardy, Britain, France and other countries may instigate local independence in the future."
independent? Frankly, Franz never cared that the Italian regions would become independent. In terms of development potential, it is impossible for the local area to become the core of Austria.
There are now more than six million Italians in the Austrian Empire, a very high proportion of the population. Nationalism in the Italian region has awakened, and it is also a huge challenge to rule these people for a long time.
Now the Austrian government will not give up Lombardy-Venezia, the main reason is still-interest, so the government spends a lot of money to assimilate locally.
If the costs of domination outweighed the benefits, Franz would have made them independent long ago. After all, these regions lack resources, and local industrial products are gradually losing their competitiveness.
Before the start of the westward strategy, the Austrian government had prepared for the worst at the time, giving up the Lombardy-Venetian kingdom in exchange for everyone's recognition of Austria's annexation of the South German region.
Unexpectedly, Britain and France launched the Crimean Peninsula battle, resulting in their inability to send troops to intervene in a short period of time, and these areas were saved.
Franz shook his head and said: "Even without this king, our enemies have not forgotten to plan local independence.
According to our plan, we will change wheat to mulberry, and soon we will be completely dependent on Austria for local food.
Over time, the local textile industry will emerge in the future. If they leave Austria, where will they find a market? "
The Austrian government has also conducted research on the long-term stability of the Italian region. The answer is: food control and economic dependence.