Chapter 16 "Fairness"

Frankfurt, headquarters of the German Customs Union.

"Damn it! The Hungarians in Austria cannot join, and the Poles in the Kingdom of Prussia should also get out."

"Yes! Get out, Poles!"

Frederick Ansillon was tired of the endless squabbling, and the blame was now directed at the Poles in Prussia.

"The Austrians made a cut with the Hungarians, Prussia should also cut with those Poles!"

"Yes! Why should those dirty Poles enjoy the convenience of the German Customs Union?"

At this time, the representative of Baden felt that the time had come. He had already been bribed by the French. His purpose was to help the Prussians and prevent Austria from joining the German Customs Union.

Now seeing the decline of the Prussian side, he had another purpose, trying to introduce France into the German Customs Union. Although this was almost impossible, the French promised generous rewards.

At the same time, he also told him what a tragic outcome would be if he didn't do it.

Baden is close to France and is most influenced by France. It often has to act as the vanguard of the French.

he appealed.

"If the Poles in Prussia and the Hungarians in Austria can join our sacred German Zollverein, then the French can join too. France has a wider market and better goods."

However, before he finished speaking, he was met with fierce opposition from the entire venue, and some people even gathered around him.

"You're a Frenchman's lackey! You have no right to stay here!"

"Get out!"

I don’t know who threw a wine glass on the head of Representative Baden. Broken glass and wine spilled all over him, making him look very embarrassed.

"Oh, damn! What have you done? I'm a noble."

His words scolded the nobles and civilian-born officials present. The nobles felt that this kind of person insulted the nobles as a group, and the civilians felt that this noble looked down on their origins.

As you can imagine, the angry crowd beat the noble-born Baden representative to a pulp.

Then the famous scene reappeared. Representatives of the German Zolls Union, regardless of nationality or origin, worked together to throw him out of the window.

The unity was only temporary. With the sound of glass breaking, then the sound of glass falling to the ground, and a heavy groan, the venue was temporarily quiet.

After a brief calm, the quarrel continued.

"Austria cannot join the German Zollverein. It is an autocratic country. Prince Metternich and Francis II's desire to pry into other people's privacy is endless."

"Yes, the Austrian secret police are everywhere!"

"We cannot tolerate such an authoritarian country joining our free German Zollverein."

The Prussian side began a new round of offensive.

Before the representatives supporting the Austrian side could speak.

Anckert of Saxony spoke again.

"It's as if you in Prussia are not autocracy. You also have a lot of spies. Taking advantage of the fact that the German Customs Union has just been established and the system is not perfect, your spies infiltrated various countries to collect commercial and military intelligence. We in Saxony have already arrested ten A few, I don’t need to say more about the ambitions of the Prussians.”

Delegates supporting the Austrian side immediately counterattacked.

"Yes, Prussia is also an absolute monarchy. Where is the freedom?"

"If the Prussians are acting so unscrupulously, Austria should send their secret police to supervise the operation of the alliance."

"Yes! Austria is the chairman of the German Confederation and should supervise and manage the operation of the German Customs Union."

Friedrich Ansillon's nose was already crooked with anger. Why does this damn Saxon always have trouble with him?

"Lord Anckert, are you targeting our country, or are you saying that this is the intention of your Saxon King Anton I?"

Ankert said with a smile.

"I just find it funny. You Prussians are exactly the same as Austria. Why can you join the German Zollverein, but the Austrians can't? Just because you have become a bitch, do you still want to build a memorial arch?"

"The German Zollverein belongs to Prussia!"

Anket sneered.

"Listen, you Prussia haven't become the chairman of the German Customs Union yet. You formulate trade rules, plan trade routes, and prevent other countries from joining. Do you really think that the German Customs Union belongs to you and Prussia?"

"You're talking nonsense! You" Frederick Ansilon became a little angry.

At this time, the representative from Frankfurt grabbed him and said, "Let's just vote."

By this time Frederick Ansillon had regained his composure.

"The German Customs Union was indeed initiated by Prussia, but all representatives within the alliance are equal within the alliance. I propose to use a vote to decide whether to admit Austria based on the number of votes."

"The number of votes will determine whether to admit Austria. Does every state in the federation use the same number of votes? Does it mean that Hessenstadt and Bavaria have the same number of votes?" asked the Bavarian representative.

Frederick Ansilon answered confidently.

"Of course it's the same number of votes, so that we can reflect the fairness and justice of the alliance."

Frederick Ansilon knew that the number of countries on his side would definitely exceed that of Austria. As for this kind of conspiracy, he didn't need to do anything, he just had to wait.

"I think this is unfair. Because Prussia occupies an important position in Germany, many small states have to pass through your Prussian territory. So, there is no guarantee that they will not be inclined to you." Ankert said.

Frederick Ansilon smiled.

"We Prussia will not do this. All this is just your guess. If Austria cannot obtain more than half of the support within the alliance, it can only prove that rejecting Austria is what people want."

At this time, a representative stood up.

"I have a request."

"Please speak."

At this time, Frederick Ansilon felt that he had won and seemed very generous.

"I request a secret ballot. Whether Austria joins the German Customs Union or not, a small country like us cannot withstand the anger of either Prussia or Austria."

Frederick Ansilon thought about it and realized that the small states on his side would indeed worry about the retaliation of the Austrians. After all, Metternich and his secret police force were notorious.

"No problem, of course it's a secret ballot. You don't have to worry about it. No one will retaliate against you." Frederick Ansilon readily agreed and gave everyone a reassurance.

After everyone had no objection, the voting officially began.

The 36 members of the German Customs Union had a total of 36 votes. If the party supporting Austria's joining the union reached half, the union would approve Austria's joining the German Customs Union. If not, it would be rejected.

"In order to show fairness, all votes will be collected in public by Miss Adjani, the chief dancer of the Nice Song and Dance Troupe of France. Then we will open the ballot box directly in the center of the venue and announce the number of votes."

(The description here is a bit boring. If readers need it, I can make it up later.)

Please reward, monthly ticket, recommendation ticket, etc., bang bang bang, there should be another one in the evening.