Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 13: The Fall of the Military Star

"The glory of the nobility cannot be profaned!" Archduke Louis said fiercely.

Franz knew he had gotten what he wanted. He had risked it all in order to provoke a conflict between the nobility and the capitalist class.

He had made a series of preparations, and then Franz had finally inspired a sense of crisis in this conservative leader. It was time to depart after having made his mark.

Obviously, Archduke Louis was not yet ready to let Franz go, asking directly, "Franz, what kind of plan do you think we should make to fight the capitalist class?"

Franz knew that it was time for his most powerful move; otherwise, all his previous efforts would be wasted.

"Uncle Louis, this is a rough idea without a detailed plan: we can create a Labor Protection Act.

We should work hard on the investigation of wages, working hours, and labor security to start with, then send someone to investigate the current state of affairs, after which we will make a detailed plan that will tie everything together in a coherent way.

For now, the most important thing is to divert public attention and write up a draft quickly, since the reformists always keep a close watch on us, don't they?"

Archduke Louis felt a sudden sense of relief in his tension-ridden heart. All the people over Austria were shouting for reform, and each reform plan was more radical than the next. He, the leader of the conservatives, had almost broken down under such immense and brutal pressure.

For the time being, a Labor Protection Act would drag the capitalist class down by drawing public attention to them and their doings.

From then on, there would be no conservatives in the Austrian Empire. Everyone would be reformists, and the differences between people politically would be nothing more than different plans for reform.

The capitalist class could recruit supporters with the liberation of serfs, the constitution, the parliament, and the national elections; on the other side, the nobles could give them a head-on blow with labor protection, wages, and working hours.

In those days, it was still the nobility who were in charge of Austria. The capitalist class was limited to advertising, while the nobility's counterattack could become law immediately.

How could the working class possibly refuse assistance from the government to protect their interests, reduce working hours, and raise wages?

Once this set of plans was carried out, it would perhaps not be as easy for the capitalists to encourage workers to make trouble again.

Archduke Louis was already thinking about the future: undoubtedly, if the Labor Protection Act were law, labor costs would increase dramatically for the capitalist class, and profits would naturally decrease.

At the time, the power of Austria's capitalists was limited, and it would be difficult for them to continue to expand after the decline in profits.

If the rise of the capitalist class was successfully curbed, it would smooth the rougher edges of the domestic conflict, as the demand of the capitalist class for labor declined.

Then Archduke Louis, as the leader who succeeded in suppressing the capitalist class, would be the hero of the nobles and even perhaps take Metternich out of the office and become the Prime Minister himself.

...

Franz knew nothing about Archduke Louis's presumption. Besides, it was enough for him to know that someone was charging forward. Be it Archduke Louis or Prime Minister Metternich, it did not matter to Franz as long as he himself did not have to go in front.

Franz did not think the capitalists would sit still waiting for death. They were going to kill for their interests. As the public leader of this plan, Archduke Louis was certainly going to be on the capitalists' blacklist.

When he thought of this, Franz decided that, once the Labor Protection Act had been passed, he would not go around publicly, especially with Archduke Louis. In case of accidental injury, there would be no place for him to go to recover.

He did not believe that a law like the Labor Protection Act alone could curb the growth of the capitalist class. The lower authorities had countermeasures to deal with the policies of the higher authorities.

The capitalists were all smart people, and the workers of the age were still relatively easy to fool. As a result, Franz reckoned that even if there were legal protection, it would be difficult to implement.

If nothing else, it could dumbfound the vast majority of workers when they learned that their payments were in arrears. If they wanted to bring a lawsuit, the costs of litigation would not be affordable for ordinary workers.

Of course, in the short term, the plan would work. The nobles had plenty of lawyers working for them to get the capitalists into trouble.

The government departments would be working full steam to squeeze the capitalists by taking advantage of this opportunity. As long as they were targeted, it was almost certain that they would be sucked dry, considering Austria's social situation.

Having accomplished his two small goals, Franz said goodbye to Archduke Louis and returned to Sch?nbrunn Palace, satisfied.

...

The next day, Franz was brewing a cup of tea, holding the latest edition of the Vienna newspaper, and then carefully sipping and reading.

In an age lacking entertainment, Franz had to cultivate a good habit of reading books and newspapers.

"Your excellency, l just now heard from Archduke Karl's housekeeper that he had an accident last night; he is dying and wants to take one last look at you!" Jenny the maid said in a soft voice.

Franz's facial expression greatly changed. He stood up and said, "Get ready at once; I'm going there, right now!"

Just then, Franz remembered the fact that the time was right for Archduke Karl to drop dead, according to history.

Life and death: these were things Franz could do nothing about. Archduke Karl was born in 1771 and was 75 years old when he died.

In a time when the average lifespan was less than 40 years, he had already lived a long life.

Franz had hoped that Karl would live to be a hundred years old because, with his presence, the pressure on Franz would be significantly reduced.

Whether for the military reform or the impending civil war, Franz really needed this ally to be present to help him bear the weight.

Franz got on the road as fast as possible, and on the way, he finally figured out the situation—Karl had had a drink last night, and then accidentally fell.

As a result, he sustained a lumbar fracture, and in this age of medical underdevelopment, there was no treatment.

The doctors had made the prediction that he would be dead soon. A political figure had to give his last words at the last moment of his life, and Archduke Karl would not be an exception.

Franz, as his self-appointed favorite student, had to be there with him. Without telling his last words to Franz, Archduke Karl would not be at ease even after his death.

When Franz arrived, there were already many senior military officers in Archduke Karl's house. Franz was in no mood to acknowledge them, and he went straight to the inner chamber.

"Grandpa Karl, Franz has come to see you!" Franz said sadly.

"Well, Franz!"

"Keep in mind that soldiers must only shed blood, not tears!"

"Albrecht, give Franz my unfinished army reform plan. Remember my words, Franz. If Austria is to be truly strong, reform must be carried out!"

...

Karl's speech was so broken that Franz could only guess at some of his meanings. In general, he told Franz to follow in his footsteps and carry on military reform.

"Let your heart be at ease, Grandpa Karl. I, Franz Joseph, promise in the name of God that I will carry the military reform through to the end!"

Having heard Franz's promise, Karl smiled with relief before finally closing his eyes.