Chapter 1353: The Journey of Pius IX
Franz likes to look out the window, because there are many things outside the palace that he cannot see.
However, some things make Franz look uncomfortable, such as the green tone of Vienna at this time.
That's right, green Christmas trees, green ribbons, green Santa Claus, green gift boxes
Franz also received a green gift box. Under the expectation of Queen Olga and the maids, he opened the box, and inside was a green hat.
Franz really wanted to slap these guys to death. The cultural difference is too big. Why not give something else? He actually gave a green hat
"Hurry up, put it on and see if it fits!"
"Hurry up! Hurry up!"
The ladies looked expectant, which made Franz even more embarrassed.
In fact, in Austria and even in the tradition of Germany, green is synonymous with health and luck, and even stock rises are green. By the way, the ancient Romans believed that green symbolized barbarism and violence.
As for the red Christmas clothes we see today, it is actually thanks to GG of Coca-Cola Company and some fairy tales later.
There is an old saying that goes "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", but Franz is not the kind of person who will always be bound by rules.
Franz roared, then rushed towards the crowd with his teeth and claws bared, and the women fled in all directions.
At this time, he was the emperor, and even if he was a little absurd, it would be acceptable.
It would be fine for others, but it was too much for his own queen to give him this green hat. She must be severely punished tonight.
Everyone chased and played in the snow. In fact, it did not snow on Christmas in Vienna this year.
It was the Austrian Imperial Academy of Sciences that had misplaced their talents again. These people used the most advanced technology at this time, even including the generator that was still confidential, to tinker with a snowmaking machine.
But it was not quite right to call it a snowmaking machine. To be precise, it should be a condensed ice crushing machine.
The scientists of the Austrian Empire were proud of this unknown machine, very proud, but Franz could not understand the source of this pride.
The efficiency of this machine was very low, and it could only work at night to ensure maximum efficiency. Although Franz thought it was nothing, under the light of the palace, these artificial snowflakes looked mysterious.
After all, in the vast night, only the Schönbrunn Palace had snowflakes falling, which made people imagine.
In front of the church gate, the royal family, the government and the church distributed special communions, bread, red wine, and carp to the people.
The carp that Franz had been thinking about was still unsalable, so he could only reduce the loss in this way.
Not to mention the Austrian imperial government, the church was very willing to take over this kind of job. After all, even if Franz did not find a reason to ask them for money directly, they had to pay. In the eyes of the church, it is better to take the initiative to use the money to do something than to passively pay money.
In addition to the communion, the people in the parish can also receive some necessities such as coal, matches, holy light (bleaching powder), and free diagnosis and treatment.
The believers holding baskets were even more pious when they prayed.
However, people were still dying in places that Franz could not see. Although Vienna was neither poor nor cold, many people still died of starvation and cold.
Franz had made a lot of efforts over the years, and he would distribute a lot of relief every winter.
However, for the poor in Vienna, winter was still a disaster. Unlike the nobles who were looking forward to the romance in the snow, the poor were praying that it would not snow, because the sudden drop in temperature would bring many problems.
The most direct result for the poor was death and bankruptcy. Some people were killed by cold and disease, while others were in debt because of cold and disease.
Of course, Franz's actions were not completely ineffective. The corpse movers from Ireland would lament that in such a big city like Vienna, the work was easier than the town where they used to live.
There were also people who went out to give alms to the poor, and even transformed the areas where the poor lived or carried out work-for-relief like the imperial government. Their efforts also reduced the number of deaths.
However, Franz knew very well that the fundamental solution to this problem was to improve social production efficiency, increase the supply of necessities such as food and coal, and increase employment.
With the invention of the generator, the development of the Austrian Empire will enter a new peak. Franz knew that these problems would eventually be solved, but he hoped that day would come earlier.
The second day, Hofburg Palace.
The fact that Pius IX donated land was completely unexpected to Franz. In fact, the latter had never relaxed his vigilance against the former.
After all, Pius IX was a very difficult pope in history. In addition to playing with fire and burning himself by promoting nationalism, he also openly threatened the Austrian Empire to demand his own secular power.
As for some religious reforms, it is even more incredible.
But based on all the information, Franz can be sure that Pius IX is a very stingy and vengeful person, and he has an almost persistent desire for his secular power.
Anyway, Franz doesn't believe that Pius IX will hand over the land of the Papal States, even if there is no land in the Papal States that is completely loyal to the Roman Curia.
Before 1848, when Metternich was in power, the power of the Austrian Empire had already penetrated into all aspects of the Papal States. Coupled with a major turmoil in 1848, the Papal States was almost under the actual control of Austria.
The most terrible thing is the people's defection. Pius IX was not a beloved leader, but Franz was.
At this time, Pius IX came to Franz, and the latter just wanted to hear what the former wanted to do.
"Your Majesty, I have experienced countless life and death choices and tests in the past two years. I think God must have his reasons for arranging this, and I may not be qualified to continue to watch over the herd.
God sent you to me, maybe you are more qualified and more powerful than me"
In the correct version of one by one!
Franz did not answer. This kind of fantasy and realistic words sounded very strange, but it was in line with Pius IX's consistent style.
"I heard from Brother Rauscher that you said that Elder John might not be fictional. But our church has also sent many people to search for Elder John but found nothing."
"Is it possible that Elder John has not been born yet? Hasn't found his true mission yet?"
Pius IX's eyes lit up.
"Brother Rauscher said that you once received a revelation that there would be a catastrophe in the distant East. Is it related to Elder John?"
"I only know that an elder who claims to fight for God will appear in the East soon. I don't know the rest."
"Okay! I'm going to the East to atone for my sins."
Pius IX muttered to himself.
"Good luck, Your Holiness."
Pius IX smiled.
"May God bless you, Your Majesty. But I need to borrow your power in Southeast Asia."
"Okay."
Pius IX took out another scroll.
"I hope you can take on the burden of protecting the herd."
"I will."
Pius IX has also found his life goal.
The temptation of Elder John and heaven is something that Pope Pius IX cannot refuse. He will embark on a long journey, and no one knows what the ending will be.