Since Vienna became the capital of the Habsburg dynasty in the 13th century, it has quickly become the political, economic and cultural center of continental Europe and one of the most prosperous cities in the world.
Now is no exception. After the end of the anti-French war, Austria once again confirmed its status as a great power. It is not only Russia that has the name of the European military police.
After Austria formed the Holy Alliance in 1815, it became the representative of the restoration forces, the vanguard against capitalism, and also acted as the European military police.
Unfortunately, behind this splendor was the continuous decline of Austria. When the revolution broke out in 1848, the European hegemony of the Austrian Empire came to an end.
Walking on the bustling street, Franz's heart was heavy, and he inadvertently remembered Du Fu's sentence: "The wine and meat of Zhumen stink, and the road is frozen to death!"
On the bustling streets of Vienna, people in ragged clothes pass by from time to time, and it can be seen that their bodies are still shaking.
Occasionally beggars enter by mistake, and police will quickly come to drive them away or take them away.
This is still the most prosperous street. If you go to the slum, you still don't know what it will be like.
The little girl who sells matches is not a fairy tale. Along the way, Franz saw too many children selling cigarettes, newspapers, matches...
Franz did not accuse the capitalists of abusing child labor. In this era, it is very good to have such a child's job to support himself.
For more than a month, Franz traveled all over the main urban areas of Vienna and saw the real scene of this declining empire.
Perhaps in the Vienna Revolution a year later, what the people really needed was neither constitutional government nor freedom, but bread that could wrap their stomachs and clothes that could keep out the cold.
Public opinion fell into the hands of the bourgeoisie and the nobility, and the so-called revolution actually became a tool for them to fight for power, while ordinary people became the victims of the struggle for power.
Franz remembers a later article about Polish nationalists trying to persuade the peasants to revolt in one village, claiming that as long as the Austrians were expelled, they would live happily ever after.
The farmers replied:
No, dear sir, it will not be like that. You just want to drive away the most benevolent ruler of the land (referring to the Habsburg Emperor) and bring this country to ruin.
My grandfather once told me that when the Polish Confederation existed, the lords could beat the peasants, and the peasants had nowhere to ask... .
If you drive the emperor out of the land, then every one of you will want to taste what it's like to be alone, and you will make us slaves like you did in the past!
…
Historically, the Vienna Uprising failed, and the patriotic bourgeoisie suffered heavy losses, but the lives of the people actually improved.
I have to say that this is an irony. The people who kept shouting the slogan of overthrowing the exploiting classes were actually a group of capitalists, and the emperor who was the object of the revolution actually did revolutionary work in the end.
Thinking of this, Franz already knew what to do. It is always politically correct to unite the majority against the minority.
In Franz's view, before the completion of compulsory education, any constitutional reforms are very nonsense, reforms that exceed the people's ability to accept, and can only hurt others and themselves in the end.
"Raul, go to the Prime Minister's Office!" Franz said calmly
A traveler who can't do things must not be a real traveler. This is Franz's motto. He had changed his mind and was going to do something about it.
An hour later, Franz appeared in the Prime Minister's Office. Because there was no appointment in advance, Prime Minister Metternich was not at home.
Franz was not surprised. The prime minister's work has always been very busy, especially for a powerful minister like Metternich.
Europe is different from the East. Even a powerful minister like Metternich actually has limited rights. He dominates Austria's politics with the support of the king.
"Grand Duke, please rest for a while, we have sent someone to inform the Prime Minister!" the butler said eloquently
The meaning is very obvious. I have sent someone to inform the Prime Minister. As for when the Prime Minister will come back, I don't know. For the problems between you big people, don't take our little characters out of anger.
Franz smiled slightly. He didn't have the habit of venting his anger. The relationship between the original owner and Prime Minister Metternich was not bad, and this relationship was preserved after crossing.
In Franz's cognition, since ancient times, the powerful ministers have been used to pit them. If the Austrian Empire wants to reform, it also needs to take the blame, and the already infamous Prime Minister Metternich is the best choice.
With too much debt, he must not mind taking a few more blames for Austria.
It was not until the evening that Metternich came back, and Franz was not angry. Anyway, he should eat and drink, and no one dared to neglect him.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting! Little Franz, what's the matter with me today?" Metternich said lovingly
That's right, Franz is a junior in his eyes, and Metternich is also an old minister. He has been the prime minister since his grandfather's time, and he has done it right now.
"Dear Mr. Metternich, please remove that small print, I'm 16 years old!"
Franz did not answer the question first, but slightly expressed his dissatisfaction.
"Okay, esteemed Archduke Franz, what are you doing today?" Metternich asked with a smile
"Mr. Metternich, I'm here today for reform!" Franz said straight to the point.
"Reform? Franz, why are you interested in this, or did someone say something to you?" Metternich asked in surprise
"No one said anything. In the past month or so, I have been on a field trip to Vienna, and I have some questions in my heart. I want to ask you for advice!" Franz replied calmly.
"Oh, what questions do you have to listen to?" Metternich asked pretending to be interested
"Mr. Metternich, there are very loud calls for constitutional reform from the outside world, but the workers I see are insensitive and run around every day for three meals a day. Is work more important to them than dignity? ' asked Franz, pretending to be ignorant.
"No, Franz! They are working hard to survive. If they don't work for a day, they may go hungry. Nothing matters in the face of survival!" Metternich said decisively.
"Oh, if that's the case, then why don't our reforms lean toward them? At least let them have enough bread first!" Franz said naively.
"Franz, things are not that simple. The capitalists will not agree to improve the treatment of workers!" Metternich shook his head and said.
"Yeah, that's too bad!" Franz said with a sigh
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