Chapter 311

There was no doubt that the Government of Prussia, which lacked confidence, was more eager to cooperate with Prussia and Austria. Soon, the two sides reached an agreement on the issue of resisting foreign interference.

On November 11, 1850, Prussia and Austria signed the German Treaty in Vienna. The treaty stipulated that the two countries would join forces to oppose foreign interference in the affairs of the German Region …

Interestingly, the treaty did not include the two Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which were occupied by the Danish.

Obviously, after experiencing a failure, the Government of Prussia had a serious lack of confidence. While opposing the British, they did not dare to offend the Russians.

Since the Government of Prussia did not require it, Austria naturally would not interfere. Whether the two duchies could return to the embrace of Germany or not, Austria would not have a share.

Franz would not learn from the history of the Government of Austria. They were actually tricked by the people of Prussia into jointly sending troops.

What was the use of an enclave? Was the pressure on Austria's national defense not great enough?

Palace of Vienna

Metternich said, "Your Majesty, the Government of Prussia has applied for a loan from us. It seems that their financial crisis is greater than we expected."

Franz said without hesitation, "This is good news. Since they have asked us for help, it means that they are blocked from seeking loans in other financial markets.

Find a reason to refuse their loan application. No one is optimistic about them as a customer. Why should we get involved in this mess? "

It was impossible to pull them out. Austria did not have that much capital to export, and Franz would not cultivate competitors for himself.

If there was a national credit rating in this era, then they would be the lowest grade of C.

Looking at the debt, the total foreign debt of the Kingdom of Prussia was as high as 370 million marks, and the annual revenue was only more than 40 million marks.

In 1847, Engels published an article in the North Star, pointing out the financial difficulties of the Government of Prussia. The general meaning was: I would not be surprised if the Government of Prussia declared bankruptcy tomorrow.

What should the Government of Prussia do without money?

The answer was very simple — cut spending and find ways to increase revenue.

Whether it was cutting military spending or reducing investment in industry or domestic infrastructure, it was a good thing for Austria.

As for increasing revenue, it was not something that could be done in a short period of time. They had just experienced a revolution, and they did not dare to levy taxes.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Metternich.

Divide the German Region? Unfortunately, this issue was not suitable to be discussed now. If the radicals in Prussia found out and started the war ahead of time, Austria would be in deep trouble.

Don't doubt this possibility. It was not only the Japanese who could do it, but the Prussian army of this era could also do it.

However, their officers were basically nobles, so they were a little more knowledgeable. They had families and businesses, so they usually wouldn't take action blindly.

Was.

As the relationship between Austria and Prussia warmed up, the Kingdom of Bavaria was in the most awkward position. Facts once again proved that it was easy to fall when walking on a tightrope. Now, Maximi I had experienced it.

Easing the relationship with Austria became his top priority.

Munich Maxim, and was.

Maximi I asked in anticipation, "Do you have any way to get out of our current diplomatic predicament?"

Maximi asked expectantly, "Do you have any way to get out of our current diplomatic predicament?" In this era, with the support of Britain, France, and Russia, they actually had to worry about diplomatic predicaments.

Now, this joke had become a reality in the Kingdom of Bavaria. So what if they had the support of the great powers?

Now, this joke had become a reality in the Kingdom of Bavaria. So what if they had the support of the great powers?

The suggestion was first made by the British, but now that the Kingdom of Bavaria needed their support, John Bull began to play dumb.

"Your Majesty, let's have a marriage alliance!" The Prime Minister said decisively.

There was a tradition of marriage alliances between the Bavarian royalty and Austria. Franz's mother was from the Bavarian royalty, so the royal families of the two countries had a good relationship.

Now, if they wanted to ease the relationship with Austria, the smallest price to pay was a marriage alliance. Marrying a princess and becoming the queen of the Austrian Empire was not a loss for the Wittelsbach family.

Maximi thought for a moment and said, "Well, Franz needs a queen now, and Helene is suitable."

It was not that easy to push the two royal families to continue the marriage alliance. There were many nobles who were interested in the position of Austrian queen, and it would be difficult to achieve their goal.

However, Helene had an advantage — the Austrian Empress Dowager was her aunt. Just this alone could defeat many opponents.

Of course, there were also shortcomings. Her birth was too low, and she was not a direct descendant of the Bavarian royalty. Her relationship with the king was a little distant.

Maximi the First also wanted to find a close relative of the princess, but unfortunately, the age gap was too big and it was not suitable. He could not tell Franz to wait, his wife was still drinking milk in her mother-in-law's arms.

…

Vienna

News of the Bavarian royalty wanting to have another marriage alliance spread. Empress Dowager Sophie immediately expressed her welcome, and both sides hit it off.

Unfortunately, the current Franz was not the Franz of history, and Empress Dowager Sophie's influence was much smaller than in history.

In history, Empress Dowager Sophie had contributed greatly to Franz's early succession, and for this reason, she had even roped in the Empress Dowager's party.

Now it was different. Franz had taken the opportunity of suppressing the rebellion in Vienna to seize power, and she, as the Empress Dowager, naturally had no chance to perform.

She missed the opportunity, and without a party, it was impossible for her to interfere in politics.

If there was no chance, then there was no more chance. People were not born with ambition. After Franz succeeded the throne, Empress Dowager Sophie lived her own free and unfettered life, and had no intention of fighting for power with her son.

Of course, it was also possible to seize power. The status of the Empress Dowager was indeed very high, but unfortunately, she met the powerful Franz, so naturally, she could not become Empress Dowager Cixi.

She could ignore other things, but when it came to Franz's marriage, as a mother, she felt that she had to personally intervene.

In this era, Europe also had arranged marriages, and free love. What was this? Not to mention the nobles, even the children of commoners could freely decide on their marriage.

Franz's treatment was considered good. As the Emperor, his opinion also had to be taken into account. If he himself firmly opposed, no one could force him.

After receiving this news, Franz was completely stunned. Why was it so much earlier? Could it be that the royal families of the two countries had already prepared for this marriage?

Then he thought of the current international situation. It was indeed a political marriage. This was all because the Kingdom of Bavaria needed to ease the relationship with Austria.

Franz went straight to the point and said, "Mother, in the current international situation, Austria and Bavaria are not suitable for a marriage alliance."

Hearing this news, Empress Dowager Sophie's face suddenly became gloomy, but she did not speak up against it.

There were no fools in the royal family. Although she was unwilling, Empress Dowager Sophie did not reprimand Franz.

From her standpoint, the interests of the Austrian royal family were obviously higher than the Bavarian royalty. She had a husband and a son here, and she could not let Franz sacrifice the interests of the royal family to promote this marriage.

This was different from the history of Napoleon marrying the princess of the House of Habsburg while he was at war with Austria. That was because Napoleon's background was not good enough, and he urgently needed this marriage to increase the nobles' recognition of him.

Now that Austria and Bavaria had a marriage alliance, Franz was only marrying a princess from a side branch of the Wittelsbach family. It was already a marriage of low status, and it was not worth it to lose political interests.

After thinking about it, Empress Dowager Sophie asked, "The relationship between Austria and Bavaria has already deteriorated to this point?"

She had not been concerned about politics for a long time. She did not know that the Government of Austria was deliberately distancing itself from the Kingdom of Bavaria. At this time, the Kingdom of Bavaria happened to be a traitor, so the relationship between the two sides was naturally not good.

Franz said calmly, "Yes, not long ago, the Bavarian government betrayed the alliance between the two countries and sided with the Kingdom of Prussia. Now that the relationship between Austria and Prussia has eased, the Kingdom of Bavaria naturally has to pay the price."

Empress Dowager Sophie's expression darkened. It was really difficult for her to be caught in such a situation.

Looking at his mother, who was in a dilemma, Franz comforted her, "Don't worry, mother. This is just a normal conflict of interest between countries, and it will not affect the relationship between the two royal families.

It's just that at this time of conflict, if news of a marriage alliance were to spread, it would have a very bad impact on the people. "

Hearing this explanation, Empress Dowager Sophie's expression relaxed a little. At the same time, she also had a trace of dissatisfaction with the family's proposal for another marriage alliance.

No matter how much she wanted her niece to become Queen, she could not use her son's reputation as the price. On this issue, all parents were the same.

Empress Dowager Sophie thought about it and said, "Then let's put this matter aside for now. We'll talk about it in two years."

European nobles married late. Franz was not old, and her niece was even younger. It did not matter if it was delayed for a few years.

Seeing that his mother still did not give up, Franz did not say anything. It was best to drag it out like this. If he directly refused, it would not be long before a new marriage partner jumped out.

With this shield, it would at least buy Franz a few years. During this time, he could also go out and see if he could meet someone of equal status — — true love. If that was not possible, he could marry a beautiful princess.

One must always have ideals. What if it came true?

Now, Franz's character had been set. His personal integrity had to be flawless, and he could not be willful in his marriage. At the very least, before his prestige was established, this character could not be destroyed.

This was the price of being an Emperor. If he had a choice, Franz would still choose — — to be an Emperor.

The price paid was great, but the rewards were also great! In this dark age, it was not easy to control one's own fate.

Ordinary people did not feel pressure? Nobles did not feel pressure?

Not long ago, heads were rolling in Austria, and many prominent nobles were sent to the guillotine. Did they really deserve it?

How many people were implicated, and in the end, they could not extricate themselves, and were beheaded?

Franz was clear about this, but knowing was knowing, he could not reverse the verdict for these people. Whether it was voluntary or not, participating in a rebellion had to pay the price.

Looking at the people who were busy every day, Franz felt that he was already very lucky.