Chapter 1502 - 1408: Diplomatic Genius

Metternich grew increasingly excited as he spoke: "Yes, relying solely on the Secret Police cannot completely eliminate the emergence of ’harmful elements’, but fortunately, the majority of the Empire’s subjects are absolutely loyal to Your Majesty.

"We can establish reporting stations in every village, every neighborhood, and offer generous rewards to those who report the spread of harmful thoughts.

"And for ’dangerous individuals,’ they can be convicted without public trial.

"I believe it won’t take long for the Empire to restore the beautiful and stable order of the past."

"Your suggestion is excellent!" Franz II thought of those damned Liberals being thrown into prison by the Secret Police, and excitement curled up the corners of his mouth.

But he quickly worried again: "But, won’t this cause people’s dissatisfaction?"

Metternich bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, people’s dissatisfaction won’t stem from whether they can discuss those ’harmful thoughts’, but rather whether they can secure enough bread, or if the goods made in workshops can be sold."

Franz II nodded in agreement: "But this is not easy to achieve."

Metternich immediately said: "Indeed, it requires a lot of effort, Your Majesty, but under your great rule, it can certainly be accomplished!"

"I need specific measures."

Metternich had long had a comprehensive plan for domestic reforms and confidently replied:

"Your Majesty, I believe now is the time to restart Emperor Joseph II’s serf reforms.

"Landlords use up a lot of the serfs’ time in labor, and many serfs only have three days a week to tend their own crops, which inevitably affects the harvest.

"If serfs can redeem their land, they will surely pray for you every day."

At this point, he didn’t mention that the redemption model was also learned from France.

"With increased harvests, land taxes will also rise. The Empire’s finances will find relief."

Metternich continued: "Meanwhile, we must urgently promote industrial development. You know, it is now an era where industrial capability determines national strength.

"But first, we must tackle some inherent issues. For example, eliminating internal tariffs within the Empire, and facilitating the formation of a free trade market among Bohemia, Moldavia, Hungary, and the central regions.

"Next is perfecting a series of regulations, such as establishing the ’Company Law’, encouraging private construction of factories, reducing steps to apply for company formation...

"Oh, the guild system must also be addressed. With the constraints of guilds, companies find it difficult to develop."

Hmm, actually, he hadn’t noticed himself that these measures were consciously or unconsciously copying France.

Franz II did not expect this young man to have such insight and eagerly asked: "How long do you think it would take to establish industries comparable to France’s?"

Metternich awkwardly skipped this question and shifted instead: "Your Majesty, to achieve industrial goals in the shortest time, we must seek England’s help."

Franz II, recalling England’s attitude during his previous loan request, shook his head: "The British only pretend to be friendly when they need us."

Metternich smiled: "Then let’s make them need us."

"I don’t quite understand what you mean."

"France." Metternich stated, "England’s greatest enemy has always been France.

"We can tell the British that if they don’t provide necessary industrial assistance, we’ll choose to align with France."

Franz II instinctively replied: "No, we want to defeat France!"

Metternich nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty, but we need to posture so that the British believe we might do so.

"Also, the crucial market, which requires British help.

"Our goods face severe tariff barriers in the German states, so we can only look east."

"You mean, Russia?"

"Russia, and the Ottoman Empire, Your Majesty," Metternich said, "And to enter the Russian market, British coordination is necessary.

"If in the end a joint market with Austria, England, Russia, and Turkey can form, our nation could leverage the enormous market size to attract German states to join."

Franz II was taken aback: "But they’ve all joined the ’Stuttgart Trade Agreement’."

"We can be flexible, without excluding the Stuttgart Agreement, and even without signing a formal agreement with them, as long as both sides trade under a low tariff understanding."

Franz II showed joyful expression: "This is truly a genius idea!"

Metternich remained calm: "Your Majesty, but all of this is predicated on first eliminating trade barriers within the Empire."

Yes, if Austria itself continues to impose tariffs between Bohemia, Hungary, and Vienna, how can you create a ’Austri-Europe-Russia-Turkey common market’?

Franz II’s mood turned solemn again: "This is not easy."

Metternich said: "Your Majesty, it starts with weakening the power of local parliaments, especially in Hungary.

"I suggest implementing a comprehensive ’Germanization’ policy, mandating that all regions must use German, with German as the primary language in schools, other languages not being mandatory.

"And gradually, having you directly appoint senior officials in each autonomous region."

Franz II frowned: "What if local parliaments oppose?"

"As long as you keep their tax collection rights and use industrial technology as bait, they will accept," Metternich said, "After this, a national bank must be established, issuing banknotes to replace gold and silver coins. This will completely solve the current fiscal crisis..."

The two continued their discussion until twilight, and Franz II was so moved by Metternich’s words that he immediately appointed him as the Royal Secretary, responsible for formulating and advancing the reform measures.

...

Paris.

Palace of Versailles.

Talleyrand respectfully placed a document from the Sharp Signal Tower in front of the Crown Prince, and said: "Your Highness, this just arrived from Baron Bodley.

"According to the information from two Members of Congress from Basel, the Austrians have facilitated the assembly of the Swiss Federation among the northern five cantons of Switzerland.

"Judging by the timing, the negotiation representatives from each canton should have arrived in Zurich."

Joseph raised an eyebrow: "Vienna’s efficiency this time is indeed impressive. And this Swiss Federation is somewhat unexpected to me."

He picked up the report from the Governor of Upper German, which first mentioned the matter of the Assistant Foreign Minister of Austria personally traveling to Basel, and then the Members of Congress in Basel were requesting France to intervene in the Zurich negotiations.

After Joseph finished reading, Talleyrand quickly said: "Your Highness, if a pro-Austria unified nation emerges in northern Switzerland, it will have negative impacts on our eastern border.

"I suggest that even if we don’t directly organize the federation’s negotiations, we should at least support the Pro-France Faction in Zurich and Basel."