Chapter 1408: A Diplomatic Genius
Chapter 1408: A Diplomatic Genius
Metternich grew more excited as he spoke: "Yes, the Secret Police alone cannot completely eradicate these 'pests,' but fortunately, most of the Empire's subjects are absolutely loyal to Your Majesty.
"We can establish reporting stations in every village, every district, and offer generous rewards to those who report the spread of harmful ideas.
"As for 'dangerous elements,' they can be convicted without public trial.
"I believe it won't be long before the Empire restores the beautiful and stable order of its past."
"Your suggestion is excellent!" Franz II's lips curved into a smile of excitement, picturing those damned Liberals being thrown into prison by the Secret Police.
But he quickly grew concerned. "However, wouldn't this provoke... discontent among the people?"
He had originally intended to say 'rebellion,' but changed it to 'discontent' in the end.
Metternich bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, people's discontent will never stem from whether they can discuss 'harmful ideas,' but rather from whether they can get enough bread, or whether the goods produced in their workshops can be sold."
Metternich promptly replied, "It will indeed require considerable effort, Your Majesty, but under your magnificent rule, it will certainly be accomplished!"
"What I need are concrete measures."
Metternich already had a complete plan for domestic reforms, and now answered with confidence:
"Your Majesty, I believe we should now restart Emperor Joseph II's serf reforms.
"Landlords currently demand too much of the serfs' time for labor, leaving many serfs only three days a week to tend to their own crops. This inevitably has a severe impact on harvests.
"If serfs are allowed to purchase their own land, they will surely pray for you every day."
He conveniently omitted mentioning that this purchase model was also learned from France.
"Increased harvests will lead to a rise in Land Tax. The imperial treasury will find relief."
Metternich continued, "At the same time, we must accelerate industrial development. As you know, we are now in an era where industrial capability determines national strength.
"This first requires solving many inherent problems. For example, abolishing internal Tariffs within the Empire to foster a free trade market among Bohemia, Moldavia, Hungary, and the core territories.
"Next, we must perfect a series of regulations, such as establishing Company Law, encouraging private factory construction, and reducing the steps required to register a company...
"Oh, and the guild system must also be abolished. Under the constraints of guilds, companies struggle to develop..."
Indeed, he himself hadn't even noticed that these measures were, consciously or unconsciously, direct copies of those in France.
Franz II was astonished by the young man's extraordinary insight and excitedly asked, "How long do you think it will take to build an industrial base comparable to France's?"
Metternich awkwardly sidestepped the question, replying instead, "Your Majesty, to achieve our industrial goals in the shortest possible time, we must seek assistance from Britain."
Franz II couldn't help but recall the demeanor of the British when he'd sought a loan from them before. He shook his head. "The British only pretend to be friendly when they need something from us."
Metternich smiled faintly. "Then let us make them need us."
"I don't quite understand what you mean."
"France," Metternich stated. "Britain's greatest enemy has always been France.
"We can tell the British that if they don't provide the necessary industrial aid, we will choose to align ourselves with France."
Franz II immediately blurted out, "No, we must defeat France!"
Metternich replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, but we must project an image that convinces the British we would do so. They would never want to lose their last ally on the continent capable of confronting France."
Franz II stared in surprise at the young man before him. Previously, it had always been Britain manipulating and threatening Austria; now, he could finally "extort" the British in return!
Metternich continued, "Oh, and there's the crucial market access, which we'll also need British help with.
"Our goods face severe Tariff barriers in the German States, so for now, we must look eastward."
"Are you referring to Russia?"
"Russia, and the Ottoman Empire, Your Majesty," Metternich clarified. "To enter the Russian market, we will need the British to coordinate.
"If an Austrian-British-Russian-Ottoman common market can eventually be formed, our nation can leverage that enormous market scale to attract the German States to join."
Franz II paused. "But they have all already joined the Stuttgart Trade Agreement."
"We can be more flexible. There's no need to reject the Stuttgart Agreement, or even sign a formal treaty with them. As long as both sides tacitly trade with low Tariffs, it will suffice."
Franz II beamed. "This is truly a brilliant idea!"
Metternich, however, remained calm. "Your Majesty, the prerequisite for all of this is the elimination of internal trade barriers within the Empire."
Indeed, if Bohemia, Hungary, and other regions within Austria were to impose Tariffs on Vienna, how could one establish an "Austrian-British-Russian-Ottoman common market"?
Franz II's expression grew serious again. "This... will not be easy."
Metternich explained, "Your Majesty, this first requires weakening the power of local councils, especially in Hungary.
"I propose implementing a comprehensive 'Germanization' policy, mandating the use of German in all regions, making German the primary language taught in schools, and allowing other languages to be optional.
"Furthermore, you should gradually assume direct appointment of senior officials in all autonomous regions."
Franz II frowned. "What if the local councils resist?"
"As long as their right to taxation is preserved, and industrial technology is used as bait, they will accept," Metternich said. "Following this, a national bank must be established to issue paper currency, replacing gold and silver coins. This will completely resolve the current financial predicament..."
The monarch and his minister discussed until dusk. Franz II was so stirred by Metternich's words that he immediately appointed him Royal Secretary, tasking him with formulating and advancing the reform measures.
...
Paris.
Versailles.
Talleyrand respectfully placed a Chappe signal tower document before the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, this just arrived from Baron Beaudry.
"According to intelligence from two Basel deputies, the Austrians have facilitated the formation of the Swiss Confederation by five northern Swiss cantons.
"Judging by the timeline, the negotiating representatives from the cantons should have already arrived in Zurich."
Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Vienna's efficiency this time is indeed very high. And this Swiss Confederation has surprised me somewhat."
He picked up the report from the Governor of Upper Germany and saw that it first mentioned the Austrian Assistant Foreign Minister's personal trip to Basel, followed by a request from the Basel deputies for France to intervene in the Zurich negotiations.
As soon as Joseph finished reading, Talleyrand promptly stated, "Your Highness, if a pro-Austrian unified state emerges in northern Switzerland, it will have an adverse effect on our eastern borders.
"I propose that even if we don't directly obstruct the negotiations for the Swiss Confederation's formation, we should at least provide support to the pro-French factions in Zurich and Basel."
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