Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 114: (V2C1) - Ascension

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of August. As Franz’s coronation ceremony approached, Vienna came alive with activity.

Cheers and laughter helped to diminish the lingering effects of the March Revolution.

The government’s wartime economic policies had been instrumental in economic recovery, and Austria had successfully overcome the impact of the economic crisis.

Numerous state-owned businesses emerged, and the enforcement of the Labor Protection Act provided some relief to the working class, leading to an overall improvement in people’s lives.

Thanks to the long-standing positive image portrayed in newspapers, Franz had earned a favorable reputation among the common people, who held high expectations for this young monarch.

The House of Habsburg still commanded significant respect, drawing prominent figures from European nobility to attend the coronation, turning Vienna into a hub for the aristocracy.

Franz was now coming to terms with the intricate nature of belonging to the Habsburg dynasty, where relatives were spread across Europe, and their complex relationships were difficult to unravel.

Fortunately, in Europe, strict scrutiny of lineage was not the norm. Otherwise, Franz might have found it overwhelming, as from different perspectives, a relative could be seen as a great-uncle, third cousin, young nephew, or distant cousin…

Partly because of the ongoing instability in Europe, many nobles had been compelled to remain in their respective homelands to oversee matters. Otherwise, Vienna would have been even more vibrant.

The capitalists had every reason to extend their gratitude to Franz, for his coronation ceremony had significantly elevated Vienna’s commercial prosperity.

The attendees of the ceremony were all influential individuals, and they typically traveled with a retinue. Consequently, Vienna had suddenly acquired tens of thousands of high-spending, affluent customers, igniting a surge in its business activity.

On the notable date of September 1st, it felt like a special blessing from God, as if He were favoring His faithful followers.

On this particular day, Vienna’s sky was unusually high, the air exceptionally refreshing, and the breeze particularly gentle. There was neither scorching summer heat nor bone-chilling winter winds, and the landscape was adorned with lush greenery.

Amid this delightful day, Franz assumed the Austrian Emperor’s throne at the Hofburg Palace, marking the commencement of a new chapter in Austrian history.

Regarding the splendid coronation ceremony, Franz chose not to pass judgment; he felt only weariness. Initially, he followed the ceremonial procedures like a marionette, and immediately thereafter, he had to greet a cohort of distinguished guests, leaving him utterly fatigued.

In the evening, upon returning to his bedroom, Franz experienced a profound sense of emptiness. Despite the grandeur of the Vienna Palace, it seemed incapable of providing any warmth.

Emperors were inherently destined for solitude, as a great emperor had to abandon unnecessary emotions, recognizing that emotions were an integral part of the political system.

Emperors stood alone when making decisions, be it in emotional matters, political ideologies, or reforms. They temper their hearts into unyielding fortresses and develop tolerance through solitude.

Thankfully, within the European continent, conflicts within royal families were generally less intense. Under normal circumstances, there was no need to fear siblings conspiring to seize the throne, which was perhaps the only positive aspect of the situation.

TN: Had to rewrite the following paragraphs because the author made Franz’s youngest brother, Ludwig Victor, into a princess for some reason.

Franz was fortunate to have three younger siblings. Discounting his one and only sister, who had tragically passed away before Franz’s reincarnation, and thus held no emotional connection, his relationships with the remaining siblings were quite strong.

Following the tradition that younger brothers had certain roles to fulfill, Franz had assigned the responsibility of greeting the guests to his two younger brothers, Maximilian I and Karl Ludwig. This duty was customary for royal family members.

Regarding the youngest brother, Ludwig Victor, Franz didn’t want to bother with his playful behavior. Ludwig Victor, at the age of six, was in the midst of a lively and mischievous phase where mischief was one of his preferred activities.

Similar to his father, Archduke Franz Karl, Franz held a deep affection for this young prince. They both indulged him, which presented a challenge for Sophie, Princess of Bavaria, who was committed to nurturing Ludwig Victor into a well-mannered royal.

As Franz gazed at the additional gifts adorning the room, his once frigid heart started to thaw. He delicately unwrapped an exquisitely crafted gift box, revealing a plump clay figurine.

Sitting atop the figurine’s head was an object that could be interpreted as either a hat or possibly even a crown, the true meaning left to the observer’s imagination.

Retrieving the nearby small note and perusing its contents, Franz couldn’t contain a blend of emotions, swinging between laughter and amusement. According to the note, this clay figurine symbolized Franz’s imposing presence as seen through the eyes of his youngest brother.

The plumb appearance of the clay figurine was tolerable, considering one couldn’t expect too much from a low-quality product. However, the missing arm raised a question: was Franz, as the eldest brother, being portrayed as a disabled person?

Franz attributed this oddity to the Renaissance era. After the European Renaissance, many sculptures in Europe depicted figures with missing limbs, heralded as a form of “the beauty in imperfection.”

Unfortunately, this trend had influenced the younger generation, instilling the idea that imperfection was beautiful. Thus, Ludwig Victor’s artwork, despite its quirks, couldn’t be an exception.

Determined to correct this misguided sense of aesthetics, Franz settled into his bed and quickly drifted into slumber. There was work awaiting him on the morrow, and the time for indulgence had not yet arrived for this young man.

……

The next morning, as was his customary routine, Franz woke up early. His good mood was evident as he took a leisurely stroll through the splendid Vienna Palace, choosing to forgo his training session for the day.

As one of Europe’s top three renowned palaces, the Vienna Palace boasted undeniable beauty at every turn. It featured dazzling stained glass windows and lifelike marble reliefs, reminiscent of the artistry of Rodin’s hands, the spirit of Michelangelo, the genius of da Vinci, and the freedom of Raphael...

“Your Majesty, the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers request an audience,” rang the clear voice of a maid named Jenny in Franz’s ears. He was still adapting to this change. Until yesterday, he had been known as “Your Highness,” but now he was addressed as “Your Majesty.”

The moment of discomfort quickly passed, and Franz replied, “Please, let them enter!”

Early in the morning, Prime Minister Felix and the Cabinet Ministers wasted no time in seeking an audience, suggesting the gravity of the matter they wished to discuss.

“Please, take a seat. Jenny, kindly instruct the kitchen to prepare some breakfast.”

Franz was aware that their early arrival likely meant they had come on empty stomachs. Being a thoughtful leader, he wanted to ensure the well-being of his subordinates.

“What’s happening? Why the urgency in your visit?” Franz inquired.

In preparation for the coronation ceremony, the Austrian government had been implementing stable policies, ensuring peace and security. There shouldn’t have been any significant issues.

Prime Minister Felix responded with a grave expression, “Your Majesty, our secret investigation into Church assets is on the verge of being exposed. A related Cabinet document was stolen yesterday, and it has now disappeared.”

Upon hearing this news, Franz’s positive mood disappeared instantly. The timing of this revelation was far from ideal, given the Church’s deep-rooted influence. Investigating their assets wasn’t something that could be rushed.

This wasn’t akin to suppressing rebel forces, where a direct approach of arrests and house raids could be employed. Dealing with individuals within the Church required a more delicate touch from the Austrian government.

Franz’s objective was to acquire their wealth, not to endanger lives. People still depended on the Church for spiritual support, and a heavy-handed approach wouldn’t be suitable.

The leak of this information complicated the prospect of a gradual investigation. There were numerous ways to transfer and hide assets. Once these individuals became aware of the situation and took steps to cover their tracks, the Austrian government’s chances of recovering significant assets would be greatly reduced.

Franz took a moment to think and then suggested, “Let’s take preemptive action. After all, we don’t have high hopes of squeezing the Church completely dry; we just need to confiscate their ill-gotten wealth. When it comes to hiding assets, they may succeed in various ways, but can the Church hide its vast land holdings?

We should have the Foreign Ministry engage in negotiations with Pope Pius IX. We’ll request him to issue an order directing all Church institutions in Austria to sell their land to the government. The funds generated from these sales will serve as military funding to aid the Papal States.”

The timing was favorable, given that Pope Pius IX had recently been exiled by revolutionary forces. With the imperial coronation just yesterday, Pius IX was conveniently present in Vienna now. It was a straightforward exchange of interests, and Franz didn’t expect any refusal from the Pope.

As for the interests of the Austrian Church being harmed, what does it have to do with the Pope?

The Papal States are the foundation of Pope Pius IX’s sanctuary, and if the interests of the Austrian Church are affected, it’s primarily the local bishops who suffer the most. Paying a small price to regain the Papal States is not a significant concern.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Metternich responded.

Using the Pope to deal with the Church is the best approach. With a righteous cause, the Austrian government can easily pressure these bishops to compromise.

The Austrian government’s interest lies in the Church’s wealth, not the personal fortunes of their members, which shouldn’t motivate them into taking extreme measures.

Having recently quelled domestic uprisings, Austria’s regions have seen their share of bloodshed, instilling a sense of reverence for the government among the nobility. This presents an opportune moment for action.

“Your Majesty, how about convening a meeting of bishops from different regions in Vienna in the name of the Pope? During this gathering, announce the decision and anyone who opposes it could face removal from their bishopric by Pope Pius IX,” Prime Minister Felix suggested.

Clearly, in an era where ecclesiastical authority is on the decline, the Pope is no longer as untouchable. Prime Minister Felix did not seem to hold Pope Pius IX in particularly high regard; if Austria so wished, replacing a Pope wouldn’t be an insurmountable task.

The respect the Austrian government currently shows to Pope Pius IX is primarily due to their past amicable cooperation and their recognition of the Pope as the head of the Catholic Church in a Catholic nation.

When Franz heard Felix’s suggestion, he briefly thought of the “Feast at Swan Goose Gate.” Bishops aren’t positions passed down through inheritance, and the Holy See holds the power to remove them. Although in recent times, most decisions regarding bishop appointments and removals have been made at the local church level, with the Vatican having a more symbolic role.

However, now that the Austrian government has a need for it, this authority can quickly revert to the Pope’s control.

Those who submit will prosper; those who resist will perish.

Any intelligent person understands that once they are removed from a prominent position, their wrongdoings will be uncovered swiftly by the Austrian government. The result awaiting them is just one word — death.

“Very well, let’s proceed this way!”

Franz nodded, believing that problems could be resolved through civilized means without the need for bloodshed. The Church’s long-standing greed and corruption were not his concern as a pseudo-Catholic; he had no intention of cleansing the institution on behalf of God.