Chapter 1420: Metternich's Reforms
Chapter 1420: Metternich's Reforms
Lukas stared at Pagani, agitated. "Why? Have you been scared off by the Secret Police, or have those corrupt officials bought you out?
"Have you forgotten? We all swore to save Austria, to fight for freedom for everyone with our lives!
"Yes, people are being arbitrarily arrested everywhere now, and our printing presses have been seized. But precisely at times like these, we must fight even more bravely.
"If even we retreat, Austria will have no hope left!"
Pagani lowered his head, muttering, "No, there's no one left who needs saving."
"What are you saying? Have you seen all those serfs who toil from dawn till dusk, yet can't even afford black bread..."
"They are no longer serfs," Pagani interrupted him. "You know, His Imperial Majesty has allowed them to buy their own land. And now they only have to labor three days a week. Once they've paid off the redemption fee, they won't have to perform any more labor.
"Oh, the decree also stipulates that landlords can no longer execute or buy and sell serfs. Go look in the countryside; the serfs are overjoyed. No one wants to oppose the Emperor anymore."
Pagani, however, didn't give him a chance to speak. "Do you know why Baron Imperato isn't here?"
"Why?"
"Local tariffs between Vienna and Bohemia have been reduced to 12%, and it's said they'll drop to 5% within five years. At the same time, the guild's monopoly system will be entirely abolished within three years. Now, anyone can open a workshop without needing permission from a guild."
Lukas fell silent.
Baron Imperato is the owner of Vienna's second-largest glassware factory. While he constantly championed freedom, human rights, and parliamentary elections, he actually only wanted to leverage parliamentary power to promote free trade within Austria and escape the guilds' oppression.
'Now that his wishes had largely been fulfilled by the Emperor's reforms, why would he continue with a "Liberal movement"? Did he want to be arrested by the Secret Police?'
Pagani's confidence grew. "Mr. Metternich announced earlier this month that the government intends to encourage the development of industries like textiles, mining, smelting, and machinery. For example, by lowering taxes on workshops and reducing imports from places like Britain and Italy to protect domestic industries.
"Oh, he also mentioned that the government would invest in building canals, clearing waterways, and even begin laying the Railway from Vienna to Prague before the end of the year!
"Everything will get better. There's no longer any need for liberalism or riots.
"Mr. Faulkner has been busy securing loans recently; he's preparing to open an iron smelter in Moravia."
Faulkner was one of the Stieler Society's most important benefactors and had previously been a very radical constitutionalist.
Pagani took advantage of Lukas's dazed state, rose, and walked towards the door. "In any case, that's how things are."
As he stepped out the door, a performance on stage concluded, and the hall instantly fell silent.
Lukas, unwilling to give up, followed him. "Please wait, there are still many things we need to do."
Pagani stopped in the middle of the corridor. "By the way, regarding what you always harp on about, 'It's not just hereditary lords who can hold office,' Mr. Metternich also said that a civil service selection mechanism would be established, allowing anyone to serve as an ordinary official.
"Also, free elementary schools are being built on the west side of Vienna. In the future, there might even be affordable healthcare, just like in France, which you admire so much."
At the Stieler Society's regular meeting the next day, fewer than one-fifth of the usual attendees showed up. Almost no one brought up topics of speeches or organizing protests; instead, they were all discussing the massive reforms.
Lukas tried to inquire about raising funds to buy a new printing press, but no one paid him any mind.
After the meeting, Lukas walked back to his residence with his head bowed.
'Austria still doesn't have a Declaration of the Rights of Man, no House of Representatives, and hasn't even abolished the Tax Farmer system. I absolutely cannot give up like this.'
'However, those willing to fight alongside me for our ideals are now few and far between.'
'By myself, I won't be able to accomplish anything...'
He returned to his residence, took out several bank drafts from a hidden compartment in his drawer, and counted them. There were still over 4,000 Florins.
His father had sent them to him over the past few years, a total of over 37,000 Francs, most of which he had used for the Stieler Society's activities.
Yet, he had accomplished nothing.
He looked at the suitcase on top of the cabinet and sighed, 'Perhaps I should return to Paris as well...'
......
Britain, London.
An inconspicuous theater at the southern end of Edgware Road was packed to capacity, with people even standing in the corners and aisles.
This was because the new play currently being staged was "The Count of Monte Cristo," which had just won an award at the European Theatre Festival.
In the second-floor VIP box, William Pitt Junior, like all the other spectators, watched the actors on stage intently, nodding approvingly at the plot from time to time.
When the great villain, Count Fletcher Wells, betrayed and ruined, chose to commit suicide by gunshot, the British Prime Minister couldn't help but applaud. "Ah, what a brilliant play!"
Though he wondered why a British-born Count Wells would cause so much trouble in Provence, France.
Soon, the male protagonist, with his beloved, boarded a ship and departed from Paris, and the curtain slowly closed.
The people in the theater immediately rose to their feet, applauding vigorously and cheering excitedly.
The box door was pushed open, and John Reeves, President of the Association for the Preservation of King and Constitution, quickly came to the Prime Minister's side, bowing slightly. "Prime Minister, all suspects are under control. We also found scripts insulting the royal family and slandering Marquis Wellesley."
The "Association for the Preservation of King and Constitution" was the department responsible for controlling public opinion in Britain. The scripts Reeves mentioned were "Braveheart" and "Thirty Days in Iberia."
Although this troupe had brought them back, they dared not perform them. Yet, no one expected that simply performing a few award-winning plays like "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "Love in Paris" would bring the police to their doorstep.
William Pitt Junior nodded. "I'll leave the arrests to you."
"Rest assured, Prime Minister."
Ten minutes later, a group of Secret Police tied all the troupe members together in a line and led them away, prompting screams of terror throughout the theater.
William Pitt Junior and the accompanying Home Secretary, the Duke of Portland, had already boarded their carriage by then.
"What a clumsy trick!" the Duke of Portland scoffed, glancing at the theater. "Those damn Frenchmen!"
"The script is indeed very interesting," William Pitt Junior said. "And this method is highly effective. Now, theaters across Europe are staging stories of the French army's great victory in Porto."
He had seen the script for "Thirty Days in Iberia" a few days prior; today, he had made a special trip to experience an award-winning play from the theater festival.
The Duke of Portland frowned. "We can't just let this go; we must retaliate!
"London also has many excellent playwrights, such as Mr. Richard Sheridan and Mr. Thomas Morton.
"They can also write plays that would humiliate France, for troupes to perform in various countries."
William Pitt Junior nodded calmly. "Then you shall be responsible for this."
Before long, the carriage stopped at 10 Downing Street.
As soon as William Pitt Junior entered the main gate, he saw Lord Hawkesbury, the Foreign Secretary, waiting for him.
"It's so late; you must have something important to tell me."
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