Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 146: Purify the official ranks

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Route disputes exist in any ideal country. This is an unsolvable problem, there is no so-called right or wrong, it only depends on whether it is suitable.

Both the Balkan faction and the South German faction now have sufficient reasons.

From a development point of view, the Balkans have more fertile land and richer resources, which can speed up Austria's economic development; while the South German region has the population that Austria needs most.

Both sides are important, but considering the issue of national integration, Franz still prefers the South German region.

Once South Germany was annexed, the Austrian Empire was stable. The government can let all ethnic groups live together through immigration and speed up the pace of ethnic integration.

In Franz's view, the best way to speed up national integration is marriage. The birth of a couple is equivalent to the identification of two families, and can also influence the position of a bunch of relatives and friends.

The number of marriages has increased, and the next generation is a mixed race. Naturally, these people have the highest degree of identification with the product of ethnic fusion.

Metternich said slowly: "Go west or go south first, this question must be cautious.

The international situation is ever-changing. Even if we make a decision now, we may still be forced to give up due to force majeure.

The Russians may attack the Ottoman Empire, that is only possible, and what will happen in the end is unknown.

The Russo-Turkish war has been fought so many times, and the Ottoman Empire is still standing, who can guarantee that the Russians will be able to swallow them in one bite? I'm afraid everyone doesn't think the Russians can do it, right

In this case, it depends on the reaction of Britain and France. If they go to war for the Ottomans and the Russians, we have the possibility of either going west or south.

If Britain and France did not participate in the war, it would be a dream for us to annex the South German region. Even if we wanted to gain too much benefit in the Balkans, we would be interfered by them. "

The history of the Crimean War is full of coincidences. Napoleon III has just recovered and needs a military victory to consolidate his position. The British hope to fight against the Russians and ensure their interests in the Mediterranean.

At this time, the Russians were plotting to gain control of the Black Sea Strait, while harming the economic interests of Britain and France. As soon as the London government and the Paris government discussed it, they decided to fuck him.

Then the suicide Crimean War broke out, and I have to say that it was a bad fight. Whether it is Britain, France, or Russia, more people are killed by logistics than on the battlefield.

No matter how historians cover it up, it can't change the fact that soldiers go to the battlefield and the biggest enemy is not the enemy army, but disease and logistics.

In a suicidal war, in the end, it was natural for both sides to suffer. The Bears lost on the Crimean battlefield, but they found their way back on the Caucasus battlefield, and the Ottomans who beat them cried.

The final result of the war was that there was no indemnity and no ceding land. The biggest loss was the victor, the Ottoman Empire, which exposed its own weak nature and became the fat sheep for the next powers to divide up.

Britain and France won a strategic victory, shutting the Russians out of the Black Sea, splitting the "Northern Three Court Alliance", and ending Russia's European hegemony.

Franz agreed with Engels' assessment that it was a "big comedy of misunderstandings".

Will history change under his butterfly effect? Where will it go

What if the Russians chose to change the battlefield? For example, focus on the Caucasus, or send troops to attack the Bosphorus in advance, or even push across the Balkans.

If there are so many, it is possible to happen. If there is a Russian-Austrian alliance in Austria, there will be no defections, and the Russians have more room for strategic choices.

This can affect the whole body. If the Russians act in advance, Louis-Napoleon-Bonaparte has not completed the great cause of restoration, and the French government continues to be busy with infighting. It is estimated that it is impossible for John Bull to go into battle.

Without the Anglo-French Ottoman gang fight against Russia, Austria would have no chance to go west at all except to expand in the Balkans.

"Mr. Metternich is right, the question of strategic decision is too early. What we need to do at this time is not to prepare for expansion, but to sort out the internal problems of the government.

The first problem is that the government's enforcement capacity is insufficient. From the central government to the local government, there is a lack of execution, which is the biggest cancer in the current government.

If officials can't follow through on government orders, what's the use of keeping them

The Austrian government is not a place for them to retire. Officials who are incapable, uneasy to do things, and trying to make a living should let them go home and grow potatoes as soon as possible! "

The dispute over the route could not be resolved in a short time, and Franz decisively chose to change the topic. Internal affairs, he has long wanted to deal with it, but has never had the chance.

In 1848, the government was so busy fighting the war that it didn't pay attention to these issues. It just sorted it out roughly and killed a few bureaucrats who were not sober.

In 1849, the government was very busy. Franz just took the throne soon, to ensure domestic stability. Compulsory education was launched again, and the civil service examination system was creatively adopted to determine Austria's pillar industry.

Now that the government is finally idle, Franz naturally won't let the cabinet do nothing. If there are no other things, then it is good to purify the official ranks.

Anti-corruption is a good weapon, but Franz, the emperor, cannot shout that there are many corrupt officials in the Austrian government, and it is easy for everyone to be in danger.

In fact, since Franz's accession to the throne, the Austrian bureaucracy has become a lot cleaner. Facing a strong emperor, many people have consciously restrained their behavior.

The upper level of the government has become clean, and the middle and lower levels will definitely be affected. There are very few fools who can enter the political arena and know what to do when.

During the reign of Ferdinand I, the emperor could not handle government affairs, and the power fell into the hands of the ruling council.

A group of powerful officials are fighting against each other, and it is too late to win over the people below.

If you can't kill it with one stick, then you can always grasp the execution ability, right? Franz is not ready to kill, just drive the incompetent officials home.

If you are unlucky and are found to be corrupt, then there is no way. Austria is a country with the rule of law, so you can do what you want.

Compared with corruption, incompetence is more terrible. Corruption and incompetence are unforgivable.

It doesn't need much, as long as one percent of the incompetents are driven home, and then a few unlucky ones are picked out to kill the chickens and show the monkeys, and the problem of official governance in Austria will be contained.

Franz will not have the idea of killing all corrupt officials. If it is in an emerging country, it is almost the same, an old empire like Austria, and interest groups have long since colluded.

As the emperor, every time you attack a small group of people who are unworthy and wanton, there is no problem. As long as the excuse is suitable, everyone will cooperate actively.

If they wanted to wipe out interest groups and were forced to do so, it was not impossible for them to change the emperor.

The integrity of the bureaucrats can not be expected, as long as they do not violate the bottom line, Franz's tolerance is still very high.

Honest officials should be used, corrupt officials should also be used, and even faint officials can keep a few, as long as they are placed in the right position, they can play an unexpected role.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prime Minister Felix replied

He is already preparing to promote the merit examination system, which is a performance evaluation system specially designed by the Austrian government in order to avoid the sluggishness of the officials below.

This standard is not very high, as long as you can complete the work within your responsibilities and act in accordance with the government's rules and regulations, you are considered qualified.

If you have made achievements on this basis, then congratulations on your preparation for promotion.

On the other hand, those who neither act in accordance with the government's rules and regulations, nor achieve political achievements, are incompetent people who need to be purged.

Developing the economy is a political achievement, promoting ethnic integration is a political achievement, popularizing compulsory education is a political achievement, and implementing the government's decrees is a political achievement.

The scope involved is very wide, as long as there is an achievement in a certain aspect, it is a political achievement.

What the Austrian government wants to attack is the kind of disobedient and incompetent officials.

The central government asks you to promote the Austrian language, and you go to promote the local dialect.

As the target of the government crackdown, it is natural to check your wallet. If a problem is found, it will be used as a typical example to kill chickens and warn monkeys.

How many officials lost their hats because of this, and how many officials were promoted because of this, Franz didn't care very much, he only wanted the final result.