Chapter 164 Apennine Commercial Alliance

Metternich looked at the numbers on the document, and the content could only be described as shocking.

Although the Archduke Franz in front of him showed superhuman wisdom since childhood.

But the entire upper class was quite disdainful of the professors who taught Franz.

After all, many noble parents have heard such comments as "your son/daughter is very smart, but just unwilling to work hard", and they are very clear about the routine.

But Metternich knew that those professors were not exaggerating. As one of Franz's teachers, he knew very well how excellent the boy in front of him was.

He was destined to inherit the throne from birth, and even made the previous emperor risk the world's disapproval and made a will to let him inherit the throne when he was 18 years old.

He could speak eight languages ​​at the age of 7, and all the teachers who taught him thought he was a genius that only appeared once in a century.

Although he was a little immature, he was able to propose a solution to the refugee problem at the age of eight, but it did provide a new idea for the empire to solve the refugee problem.

Compared with simple relief of providing funds and food, "work-for-relief" is indeed not as good as using the state machinery to organize refugees to build large-scale projects.

This is not only beneficial to the country, but also allows disaster victims to get jobs and earn money, thus achieving a win-win situation.

Archduke Franz often gives his own opinions on national affairs, which is particularly rare. Of course, ordinary children at this age have no chance to get in touch with politics.

Prince Metternich applauded to show his appreciation for Franz.

"Dear Archduke Franz, the loss of the Empire in Italy is indeed heartbreaking, but that is to maintain the Empire's position in Central Italy.

Similarly, maintaining the stability of the Empire's surrounding environment is very important for the current Empire. I have lived in this Empire since I was a child, but I have never seen this Empire as peaceful and vibrant as it is today. Its economy is developing at an unprecedented rate.

Even though so many bad things happened last year, it did not slow down the pace of the Empire's progress. Its economy is still growing rapidly at an annual rate of 11%, and the Empire's position in the German Confederation is unshakable.

But the Empire's fiscal revenue is still less than half of France's and only a little more than one-sixth of Britain's.

Archduke Franz, you will definitely become a great monarch in the future, but please be patient now. The Austrian Empire still needs time."

In the same year, the economic growth rate of the United Kingdom was 2%, the economic growth rate of Belgium was 21%, the economic growth rate of France was 4%, and the economic growth rate of Prussia was 8%. Russia and the United States made a lot of money due to the food crisis, and Spain was temporarily excluded because both sides of the civil war occupied half of the country.

"Your Excellency, I did not say that I want to annex Central Italy. I just want to establish a commercial alliance. The purpose is to incorporate the entire Central Italy into the Austrian economic system. Only by joining this cycle can they truly integrate into Austria.

The tribute trade implemented in our country now was also done by a great Eastern country in the past. Even after hundreds of years, it still could not assimilate those vassal states.

So it is an inevitable choice to incorporate those Italian states into the economic system dominated by Austria.

Besides, Britain and France are attacking all over the world. How can they have time to come to Central Italy and take care of our family affairs? As for the old Pope, I am afraid he cares more about whether his rule can continue?"

Franz's words made Metternich fall into deep thought. Now is indeed a good opportunity.

The French are divided internally, and the Bonapartists have always held great power. Although the workers' uprising has temporarily subsided, it only takes a spark to reignite the war.

Externally, the Berbers in Algeria never surrendered. The Spanish Civil War was intermittent. Although the Carlos faction was at a disadvantage, it could always defeat the French and Spanish government forces with its geographical advantages.

The regent queen's debauchery also caused dissatisfaction in Spain. Coupled with natural disasters and war, her rule was already in jeopardy.

The colony of Texas brought rich rewards to France, but also fostered its endless ambitions.

The large-scale deployment of troops to the Central American Federation plunged the French into endless jungle and mountain warfare. On the front battlefield, a French regiment could defeat the indigenous warriors under Carrera.

But in the mountain jungles of Central America, they experienced the helplessness of the US military in Vietnam more than a hundred years later.

To kill a French soldier, Carrera had to lose at least three indigenous warriors, but this loss ratio was still unacceptable to the French.

What made the French even more worried was Morazán's perverse behavior. As a representative of extreme liberalism, he first pretended to invite conservatives to form a new government together.

After retaking Guatemala City, Morazán began a purge. He crucified the conservatives who opposed him as a warning to others, and then executed conservative officers on charges of treason. Finally, because the war was not going well, he organized the remaining conservatives into a unit and sent them to die.

The great development of Texas also sounded the alarm for the United States and Mexico in North America. The arms race between the three countries continued to escalate. Mexico maintained a 50,000-man army, and the Americans planned to form a powerful army of 100,000.

Britain provoked wars all over the world, from Tasmania in the southern hemisphere (Tasmanian massacre) to boarding schools in British Columbia, Canada (Indian and Inuit concentration camps, the death rate was higher than that of concentration camps during World War II.).

From the La Plata River in South America to the Nile River in Egypt, to the Ottoman Empire, the Indian princely states, Afghanistan, and a certain ancient oriental country, the British have spread war all over the world.

At this time, Britain, France, and Russia are all working hard for hegemony in the Near East. The outcome of the Turkish-Egyptian War will greatly affect the ownership of hegemony in the Near East. The support of the Austrian Empire will undoubtedly be an important weight on the scale.

As for the Pope? How many divisions does he have?

Although Metternich is full of principles and rules, he is actually an opportunist.

Just as Metternich first persuaded Franz II to marry his daughter to Napoleon and become his ally. Later, when Napoleon was defeated in Moscow, he tore up the agreement with Napoleon and added insult to injury.

However, no one cares about his betrayal. People only know that he brought decades of peace to Europe and maintained the dignity of Austria.

Metternich knew that this was the best opportunity to realize the will of the late emperor, and it might also be the last political resource he left for the Austrian Empire.

After all, Metternich was already 66 years old at this time, and his energy and physical strength were gradually failing.

"Archduke Franz, you are right. A brand new Apennine Customs Union that can guarantee the interests of all parties should indeed be established."

"Good luck, my Prime Minister." Franz still believed in Metternich's ability to do things. It was no problem for him to talk or draw on the map.

But if Franz really wanted to formulate a complete national policy, coordinate various departments, and put it into practice, he did not have the ability for the time being.

Vienna, Regency Council.

"Duke Marisa has indeed made a lot of sacrifices for this empire, so she should not continue to work hard. It is better to let her retire! We should now establish a brand new Apennine Customs Union to protect their interests and the interests of our country."

Metternich's words were like throwing a stone on the calm water, which immediately caused an uproar.

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