War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Back to the story, under the collective protest and strong pressure of the Junker landowners, the farmer was quickly dismissed from his post and has never been reinstated. The predicament the kingdom fell into was simply attributed to economic factors and nothing else.

If Franz, who was far away in Vienna, saw the investigation report at this time, he would definitely cry out that he was wronged! In the conscience of heaven and earth, he had no intention of using Prussia as a source of raw materials.

Firstly, this would be a waste of great land and talent, and secondly, Liebig's paper has been published throughout Europe, and the European continent will soon usher in an agricultural revolution.

Unless you are insane, trying to change Prussia's production structure by purchasing large amounts of agricultural products at this time is equivalent to a useless effort and will not help the current and future strategic layout plans.

As for the surge in demand for sugar beets and feed, it is entirely because Austria's economic development is showing a positive development trend. People's income has increased, and they have more money than before, so they will naturally be interested in a higher and better standard of living. There are certain pursuits, such as food and clothing (sugar and meat).

Of course, one thing the Juncker landowners were right about was that the estrangement between Hungary and Austria was showing signs of deepening; especially the recent farce of slave trade under the guise of rescuing disaster victims through immigrants. , not to mention the kidnapping of the royal prince.

All of the above made the merchants of Neletania begin to hate the appearance of the Magyars. In addition, the increasingly improved railway transportation and tariffs with foreign countries in Neletania gave them more opportunities. s Choice.

The participation of Austrian businessmen coincided with the needs of the Junker nobles to reduce grain production and switch to other crops to increase income. Then the two hit it off, causing sugar beet and feed to become a sharp knife in the hands of the Prussians.

At this time, the area between the Ruhr and Lippe rivers, the lower tributaries of the Rhine, was still surrounded by rows of small workshops and simple shacks. But in a few years, this area would become the heart of German industry - the Ruhr. Er District.

At this time, no one could have imagined that this place would become the capital that Prussia relied on to unify Germany and the Second Empire launched a world war. At the Congress of Vienna 26 years ago, Metternich took the initiative to throw this "bad land" to this Holy Alliance ally.

Among them is a large steel workshop with only 130 people that produces kitchen utensils, farm tools, and solid shell steel. Its name is the famous Krupp Steel in later generations. (Friedrich Krupp AG)

A heated discussion was taking place in the factory where the forging hammer roared, and one participant gave a completely different opinion than Berlin's top brass and most onlookers.

"Economic invasion? No, I think the Austrians want more than just money and markets. What really interests them is population and talent."

"Are you sure? There are already 38 million Austrians today. Even the remaining members of the German Confederation combined cannot compare with them." Alfred Krupp, the current head of Krupp Company retorted.

The combined population of the other members of the German Confederation at this time was 32.6 million. In Europe, the figures are roughly: 63 million in Russia, 34 million in France, and 27 million in the United Kingdom. (This data is inaccurate, and the European mainstream at that time expelled Russia from European citizenship.)

"You are right. But maybe you have forgotten that the German population only accounts for 20% of them. If the Habsburg family wants to strengthen its rule, it must rely on us Germans." The young man said.

"Oh, dear Otto, are you saying that the Josephites have occupied the mainstream in Vienna again?" Alfred Krupp couldn't help laughing. After all, if it weren't for that ridiculous emperor, this southern neighbor would now be Probably not that weak.

There have been more than one monarchs and ministers in history who wanted to strengthen the centralization of Austria by introducing a large number of Germans, and the most recent one to do so was Joseph II.

As the eldest son of Queen Theresa, he inherited a Habsburg dynasty that had been transformed by the Queen for nearly half a century. His mother ruled this jigsaw puzzle of feudal empire with extremely skillful skills, and even the most arrogant Aegis of God learned to surrender; at the same time, she joined forces on the European political stage, giving the entire Junhe Kingdom a style of resurgence. Mutually.

However, some people think that Joseph II is a time traveler regarding his administrative actions, but Franz thinks that it is more accurate to say that he is the reincarnation of a P agency war criminal.

After Joseph II came to power, he clicked on all the skill trees that would promote radical thoughts, such as multiculturalism, religious freedom, free trade, protection of human rights, protection of speech, electoral bureaucracy, emancipation of slaves, compulsory education, and militarized police.

(The one above belongs to the P agency fan version, and here is the normal version. Joseph II’s behavior even makes people think that he is a time traveler.

First of all, he demanded that all aristocrats' autonomy, judicial power, and economic tax exemptions be abolished. At the same time, they must be Germanized, madly promote the German language, and stipulate that officials must be able to speak German.

Then came the serfdom system. Queen Theresa had basically liberated the serfs in the royal territory during her reign, but Joseph II felt that this was too mild, and he demanded the immediate emancipation of all serfs in Austria.

Joseph II not only struck hard at the aristocracy and serfdom, but also did not spare the church, which had always been an ally. He closed 60% of the monasteries in Austria and confiscated a large number of church assets.

Moreover, the church is no longer subordinate to the Holy See, or even to the Catholic Church, but has become a national civil servant. All bishops must be loyal to the emperor. Archbishops are directly appointed by the royal family. Anyone who cannot perform state functions is required to return to secular life.

Enforcing freedom of religious belief, Jews can even support pagan weddings in Vienna churches, and even say that as long as citizens do not violate the laws he established, they are free to believe in Satan.

Of course, Joseph II would not let go of the small bourgeoisie who had always supported him. He used an extremely exaggerated police system to stipulate the code of conduct for all citizens from birth to death.

For the most loyal military, we still have to vigorously retire a large number of veterans. At the same time, he stipulated a lot of codes of conduct. For example, in order to curb the trend of duels within the empire, he stipulated that anyone who participated in or accepted a duel must be executed.

To write all of this in detail would require 1-2 chapters. In addition, book friends, don’t be afraid, these words are added later and there will be no charge. )

Needless to say, the consequence was that he offended everyone he could offend.

But in a country as bizarre as Austria, even such a monarch who is so eager for quick success still has a large number of supporters around him. The domestic political situation was dominated by the reformists, who were the earliest Josephites.

But history is full of accidents. Within a few years, the Austrian Empire was inexplicably involved in the Russo-Turkish War. While the two Austrians were fighting fiercely, their old rival Prussia took the opportunity to announce an alliance with the Sudan, and the Magyar rebels also took the opportunity to revolt. .

Faced with the precarious and corrupt situation, Joseph II had no choice but to compromise, and finally died in despair and isolation.

His epitaph reads:

"Those buried here, despite their best intentions, accomplished nothing."

Although this ruined and half-reputed monarch has left, the Josephite faction has not disappeared, but still has a very strong influence.

Hardline elements among them even advocated ethnic equality and the elimination of Magyar traitors. Yes, this person is the Minister of War, Count Tural. However, the entire Austrian military hierarchy somewhat believes in Josephism.

"Mr. Alfred, if I were you, I wouldn't be ridiculous. Everyone here must know very well that for many years we Germans have been caught between the French hammer and the Slavic anvil. After finally defeating that The damn Corsicans and his swarm of locusts finally got a chance to breathe, because the presence of Austria made the three parties reach a delicate balance.

If one day this balance is artificially broken, then Europe will fall into endless melee again. "

Otto von Bismarck was never a war maniac, but a wily politician.

"Otto, what you just said confused me. Can you tell me whether you want Austria to decline or become stronger?"

Alfred was able to develop a small workshop of 17 people into the most prestigious steel factory in the Rhineland with 130 employees in 7 years, which shows that this person is by no means mediocre, but compared with the future iron-blooded prime minister, his pattern is Still not enough.

The experienced Bismarck did not give a direct answer, but asked rhetorically.

"Mr. Alfred, do you think the Josephites will repeat the same mistakes this time?"

Alfred Krupp scratched his head. He never thought that this group of losers would succeed, because the arrogant attitude of the Germans in the Austrian Empire made it difficult for them to reconcile with other nationalities. But after careful consideration, the future steel tycoon answered.

"It should be possible. After all, you are an unparalleled talent. Isn't it?"

("Maybe, after all, you are here. Isn't it?" The original sentence is this, but in view of some book friends saying that there are too many things to think about, it has been simplified.)

Thanks to book friends S Yun Dong Bafang, Zhan Lu Jiang and Zi Mu for their rewards.

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