Eagle’s Glory

There is no doubt that in the era that started in 1789, Napoleon was the brightest star among them. He shook the whole of Europe, and people named this era after him.

However, he cannot write the whole era by himself. Besides him, there are a group of stars that are slightly dimmer but still dazzling enough to decorate the starry sky of Europe with him, and write those legends that make people feel excited or regretted story.

Prince Metternich was one of the stars.

He is not a brave warrior, nor is he an expert in governing the country, but he has superb diplomatic mind and skills, as well as utilitarianism and ruthlessness hidden under his elegant demeanor, and he is worthy of stirring up Europe with other chess players. Continental chess game.

At the critical moment when Austria was continuously defeated by Emperor Napoleon, he was appointed by the Emperor as foreign minister. He used his flexibility to move around in a limited space. He first paid respect to Napoleon and then declared war on France when Napoleon defeated Russia. Vienna During the meeting, they took advantage of the advantage of the home court, and sometimes showed goodwill to Russia and Prussia, and sometimes showed goodwill to Britain and France. They threaded the needle like a butterfly piercing through flowers, shaping the current European power structure.

In recognition of his contribution, he has served as Prime Minister of the Austrian Empire since 1821, and His Majesty the Emperor has given him enough trust. Every word he utters represents the long-standing Habsburg dynasty.

At this moment, Egron, together with his guardian Count von Dietrichstein, was about to enter a suite in the Schönbrunn Palace to meet the Prime Minister.

Just like before, Aigron kept his face expressionless and his pace was unhurried, and once he met such a big man, he didn't have the sincerity and fear.

Although I was a little excited when I saw famous historical figures at the beginning, but after seeing them a few times, I no longer have the same feeling.

Even Metternich is only mortal—albeit an eminent mortal.

What's more, he is not a friendly existence to Aigron.

Soon, the door was opened.

The room was very empty, only a thin man stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the scenery outside the window.

Under the guidance of the attendants, Aigron and the earl walked into the room, bowed to the prime minister, and then the attendants led the earl out together.

Aigron stood in the middle of the room, waiting for His Highness the Prince's inquiry.

He did not wait long when Prince Metternich turned and looked him over.

And Egron also raised his head to look at His Royal Highness.

He is wearing a palace embroidered gown today, with a ribbon on his chest and a medal of honor around his neck. The jeweled decoration is enough to make people forget that he is fifty years old.

As usual, there was a ritual smile on his pale and wrinkled face, as if wearing a delicate mask.

"Frantz, I haven't seen you for a long time, and you have grown a lot taller—it's really gratifying." He greeted him softly, and gestured for Aigron to sit down.

He is very kind, although everyone knows that he is not kind, but His Royal Highness still has to show kindness, and Egron must accept this kindness and show enough respect.

On the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, no matter how many swords and swords there are, they must be covered with a veil of affection.

"You look radiant as usual." Aegron smiled slightly and replied with the same courtesy.

"Fifty-three years old and fifteen years old are incomparable." His Royal Highness replied softly, "The moment you walked in, even though my back was turned to you, I still felt the vitality, a straight Belonging to young people, enviable vitality..."

"At least you have lived up to your youth, and I have not," Eggron replied.

Of course he knew, Prince Metternich found him,

Of course, it's impossible to just say these boring compliments, but since the other party wants to go around in circles, he can only continue to go around.

"And what do you hope to achieve?" asked the prince suddenly.

Then he smiled again, "Dominate Europe?"

This sounded like a joke, but Aigron suddenly became nervous.

In his current situation, he couldn't talk nonsense, especially when it came to such a dangerous topic.

"I don't have such illusory and exaggerated fantasies, but I do hope that I can be a traveler and explorer in the future, so that I can have the opportunity to see any interesting place in the world, and leave manuscripts for the world's reference." Aigron immediately Answer, "For me, that's a distant enough dream."

"You don't have to be so discouraged. This dream is not without a chance to come true." Prince Metternich spread his hands, as if to comfort the young man, "Although your special status will bring some concerns to all of us, but I I believe that with the passage of time, one day, the sensitive past will become history, and everyone will no longer be entangled in those things in the past, and on that day, you can use your identity as a member of the Habsburg family to be in all In the sight of people's admiration, I have traveled to every corner of the world."

It is true that these words are very beautiful, and they are even more touching under the soft voice of His Royal Highness, but Egron is not moved in his heart.

Obviously, this is nothing more than painting a big cake to perfuse myself.

When politicians say "someday", that's what they mean by "never in the foreseeable future".

But he wasn't disappointed either, he knew all these things for a long time.

"Okay, thank you for your kindness." Aigron bowed again and said, "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Actually, it's not a big deal." His Royal Highness shook his head lightly, "Recently, I have paid attention to your studies, and the feedback I got is very good. Almost all your teachers are full of praise for you, saying that you are both savvy and talented. I am willing to work hard and make great progress..."

"The teachers have taught me very hard, and I have no reason to disappoint them." Aigron replied sincerely.

"Look, that's what I'm talking about—" His Royal Highness interrupted the young man again, "To be honest, it's hard to see your hard work among princes and grandchildren, because living too rich and comfortable will always wear down their willpower , They also have no motivation to force themselves to work harder. Your Highness Franz, you are different from them, no one who has no ambition will push himself like this."

Aegron didn't answer for a while.

Given his situation, no matter what answer he gave, it seemed inappropriate. After all, "has great ambitions" is really a somewhat dangerous evaluation.

His Royal Highness did not urge him to speak, but continued speaking himself.

"I like that young people have some ideals, instead of lying in bed and sleeping in a daze. But Franz, I think you need to accumulate a further foundation for your ideals."

"What are you referring to?" Aigron had an ominous premonition in his heart.

"How about going to a military academy? I think you have a good chance of becoming an excellent officer." Prince Metternich looked at the boy with a smile on his face. "I think, in the Austrian Imperial Army, you must have the opportunity to serve everywhere. , then you can naturally become an excellent traveler and scholar, as long as you want."

So that's the case... Eggron suddenly realized.

Finally came.

This is the trajectory of the Roman kings in history.

The Austrian royal family very much hoped to assimilate the rare Roman king into their own people, so in addition to giving education to the royal children, they also brought him into the imperial army.

In 1822, Emperor Franz awarded him the rank of corporal at the age of 11, making him officially a member of the Habsburg Imperial Army.

Then he was sent to a military school to learn the skills that an officer should have.

Finally in 1831 he was given command of the 60th Hungarian Infantry Regiment.

However, for the smug Roman king, this is not a starting point, but an end point - he broke his body during the harsh military training, and unfortunately contracted tuberculosis in the barracks.

On December 27, 1831, during a military parade in the winter, he was found to have a severe cough and had to return to live in Schönbrunn Palace, whereupon he became critically ill.

According to the records of doctors at the time, he coughed up blood so badly that he almost coughed up all his lung tissue.

——This is definitely not the fate that Eggron wants to copy once.

The hygienic conditions in this era are not very good. Living in military camps and military academies with dense crowds and even worse sanitation conditions will naturally bring more severe dangers. If he follows the direction that history should have, he will not Be confident that you will be able to escape.

"I am very grateful for your kindness, but... I don't have much interest in joining the army." Aigron thought for a while, and then rejected His Royal Highness's memory. "I prefer the pen to the sword."

"But even so, a piece of military experience is very useful to you, and I suggest you try it."

Although His Royal Highness's tone was still very gentle, there was no smile on his face, obviously implying that this was not a suggestion but an order.

But on the matter of life and death, Aigron did not intend to change his mind.

"Your words are also very reasonable...then let me think about it carefully, it's not too late to make a decision in the future."

"So should I understand it as a refusal?" Prince Metternich stared at Aigron.

His gaze, with the kind of indisputability that people who have been in high positions for a long time, obviously has no other answers for Aigron.

However, this time the young man shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but I can only obey my current heart."

Instead of getting angry, the prince laughed.

"A stubborn young man." He didn't know whether it was a compliment or a sarcasm.

"If bowing down to you can win your favor and improve my situation, then I am naturally very willing to please you, but—even if I do this, you may not take it to heart. There are too many false and sweet words in the world, no matter how much I say, I can't impress a veteran like you, so why should I do this?" Aigron replied calmly. "I think it might be better to tell you what's on your mind."

There was a silence.

No one is angry, but there is no reconciliation either.

Looking at the young man's clear eyes, the prince was thoughtful.

"Okay, I have received your opinion, then you go back first, I will think about it again." While speaking, His Royal Highness waved his hand lightly, "I hope you have a pleasant afternoon."

"Goodbye, Your Highness." Eggron bowed lightly, then turned and left.

"I don't want to see another person in you so soon, so please don't forget that this is Vienna and not Paris. This is my advice, Franz."

Just as he was about to step out of the room, he heard a gentle word from behind.

His footsteps stopped for a moment, but he stepped on immediately and left the room.