Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 158

Chapter 158: Chapter 45, A Marriage Alliance?

Translator: 549690339

Without a doubt, the insecure Prussian Government was even more eager to collaborate with Prussia-Austria, and soon both parties agreed on a united front against foreign intervention.

On November 11, 1850, Prussia and Austria signed the “German Treaty” in Vienna, which stipulated: the two countries would join forces to counter foreign powers’ interference in the affairs of the Germany Region…

Interestingly, this treaty did not include the Schleswig-Holstein Duchies occupied by the Danish people.

Clearly, after a failed attempt, the Prussian Government struggled with a severe lack of confidence and, while opposing the British, dared not further antagonize the Russians.

Since the Prussian Government made no demands, Austria naturally would not bother. Whether or not the two duchies could return to the embrace of Germany, Austria would not have a share in it.

Franz certainly wouldn’t follow the example of the historical Austrian Government, which was cheated by the Prussians into jointly deploying troops.

What’s the use of exclaves? Are they implying that Austria’s national defense burden isn’t heavy enough?

Vienna Palace

Metternich said, “Your Majesty, the Prussian Government has requested a loan from us, it appears their financial crisis is worse than we anticipated.”

Franz responded without hesitation, “This is good news. Since they are turning to us for help, it means they have encountered obstacles in seeking loans from other financial markets.

Find an excuse to reject their loan application. Everyone thinks poorly of them as a client, so why should we wade into these muddy waters?”

Pulling strings is out of the question; Austria does not have so much capital to export, and Franz has no interest in nurturing competitors.

If there were national credit ratings in this era, then theirs would be a bottom-tier C.

Just look at the debt, the Kingdom of Prussia currently owes a staggering 370 million marks, with an annual fiscal revenue of just over 40 million marks.

In 1847, Engels published an article in the Northern Star, pointing out the financial difficulties of the Prussian Government. The gist was: I would not be the least bit surprised if the Prussian Government declared bankruptcy tomorrow.

What to do when the Prussian Government is out of money?

The answer is quite straightforward — cut expenses and find ways to increase income.

Whether it’s cutting military spending or reducing investments in industry or domestic infrastructure, it’s all good news for Austria.

As for increasing income, that’s not something that can be achieved in a short time. Having just been through a revolution, they wouldn’t dare to engage in ruthless extortion, would they?

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Metternich answered.

Dividing up the Germany Region? Unfortunately, this is not an issue suitable for discussion at present. Should the Prussian radicals learn of it and prematurely launch a war, Austria could be horribly disadvantaged.

Don’t doubt this possibility, the Prussian Kingdom’s military men of this era could do just as much as the Japanese when it comes to usurping power.

However, most of their officers are nobility who have a slightly higher level of wisdom; they have assets and families and are not without shoes – they typically wouldn’t take actions blindly.

The thawing of relations between Prussia and Austria put the Kingdom of Bavaria in the most awkward position, once again proving that tightrope-walking is prone to falls, now Maximilian I experienced it firsthand.

Improving relations with Austria became the top priority before him.

In the Munich Palace

Maximilian I asked expectantly, “Do you have any suggestions on how to extricate ourselves from our current diplomatic predicament?”

In this era, to enjoy the support of England, France, and Russia and still worry about a diplomatic dilemma would seem like a joke if others heard about it.

Now, this joke became reality in the Kingdom of Bavaria, what good is the support of great powers if it’s only lip service?

If you take their verbal support seriously, then brace yourself for tears! The suggestion to form an alliance came first from the British, but now when the Kingdom of Bavaria needs their practical support, John Bull has started to feign confusion.

“Your Majesty, let’s opt for a royal marriage,” the Prime Minister decisively suggested.

Royal marriage between the Bavarian Royal Family and the Austrian Royal Family is traditional; Franz’s mother hailed from the Bavarian Royal Family, and the relations between the two royal families were still quite amicable.

Now, to ease relations with Austria, the least costly method would be through a royal marriage. Sending a princess to become the Empress of the Austrian Empire, the House of Wittelsbach wouldn’t lose out.

Maximilian I thought for a moment and said, “Hmm, Franz now needs an Empress, and Helen would be suitable.”

Advancing continued marital alliances between the two royal families was not so simple. There were many high-ranking nobles interested in the position of Austrian Empress, so achieving this goal would not be easy.

However, Princess Helen had one advantage – the Empress Sophie of Austria was her aunt, and this alone could defeat many competitors.

Of course, she also had disadvantages; her lineage was too low, not directly from the Bavarian royal family, and her relation to the King was somewhat distant.

Maximilian I also considered finding a princess from a closer relative, but unfortunately, the age gap was too significant and inappropriate. It certainly wouldn’t do to ask Franz to wait since his wife was still being nursed in her mother’s arms.

Vienna

The news that the Bavarian Royal Family wished to forge another marriage alliance came through, and Empress Sophie immediately expressed her welcome; it was an instant agreement between the two parties.

Unfortunately, Franz now was not the Franz of history, and Empress Sophie’s influence was much smaller than it was historically.

In history, Franz was able to ascend to the throne early, largely due to Empress Sophie’s efforts, for which she even drew together a faction of supporters.

Now things were different. Franz had seized great power during the suppression of the Vienna rebellion, naturally leaving the Empress Dowager without an opportunity to perform.

Having missed the chance to establish a following and thus without the means to interfere in politics, it became an impossibility.

If there’s no opportunity, then there’s no opportunity; human ambition isn’t inherently present. After Franz’s ascension to power, Empress Sophie simply enjoyed her carefree days, without any intention to wrest power from her son.

Of course, desiring power might have been a possibility. The title of Empress Dowager was indeed lofty, but alas, she was up against a strong-willed Franz and could never become an Empress Dowager like Cixi.

She could disregard other matters, but when it came to Franz’s matrimonial affairs, as a mother, she believed it was her duty to be personally involved.

In this era, European marriage was also arranged, and what was this thing called love by choice? Let’s not even talk about nobility; very few commoners had the freedom to decide their marriages.

Franz’s situation was still relatively good; being Emperor, his opinion had to be considered, and no one could force him if he was firmly opposed.

Upon receiving this news, Franz was completely baffled; how could the alliance have been prepared so much in advance—was it possible that the royal families of both countries had already begun to prepare?

Then he thought of the current international situation, and indeed, it was a political marriage, clearly because the Kingdom of Bavaria needed to improve relations with Austria.

Franz bluntly stated, “Mother, given the current international situation, Austria is not suitable for a marriage alliance with Bavaria.”

Hearing this, Empress Sophie’s face darkened, but she did not voice her opposition.

In the royal family, none were fools. Despite her reluctance, Empress Sophie did not scold Franz.

From her perspective, the interests of the Austrian Royal Family were obviously higher than those of the Bavarian Royal Family. With a husband and a son to consider, she could not allow Franz to sacrifice the royal family’s interests for the sake of this alliance.

This was different from history when Napoleon was at war with Austria on one hand and marrying a princess from the Habsburg family on the other; he was of insufficient nobility and desperately needed the marriage to boost his recognition among the nobility.

But now, with Austria and Bavaria entering into matrimony, Franz marrying a minor princess of the House of Wittelsbach was objectively a match below his status, and if it cost political interests as well, it would not be worth it.

After some thought, Empress Sophie asked, “Has the relationship between Austria and Bavaria deteriorated to such an extent?”

She had long been disinterested in politics and was unaware that the Austrian Government was intentionally distancing itself from the Kingdom of Bavaria. At this time, the Kingdom of Bavaria had precisely turned traitor, so naturally, the relationship between them could not be good.

Franz calmly stated, “Yes, recently the Bavarian Government betrayed the alliance between our two countries and leaned towards the Kingdom of Prussia. Now that relations between Prussia and Austria have eased, Bavaria must naturally pay the price.”

Empress Sophie’s expression darkened, finding herself in quite a dilemma caught between the two.

Seeing his mother’s discomfort, Franz comforted her, “Don’t worry, Mother. This is just a normal conflict of interests between nations; it won’t affect the relationship between the royal families of the two countries.

However, if news of a marriage alliance emerged at the cusp of this conflict, it would create a very adverse impact amongst the populace.”

With this explanation, Empress Sophie’s expression softened somewhat, and at the same time, she felt a hint of dissatisfaction with her family’s proposed renewal of the marriage alliance.

Even though she desired for her niece to become an empress, it was impossible to sacrifice her son’s reputation for it; in this regard, all parents are the same.

Empress Sophie thought for a moment and said, “Then let’s put this matter aside for now and revisit it in a couple of years.”

European nobility tended to marry late. Franz was not of great age, and her niece was even younger. It wouldn’t matter to postpone for a few years.

Seeing that his mother was not entirely giving up, Franz said nothing. Postponing was the best outcome; a direct refusal would probably lead to another marriage proposal before long.

With this excuse at hand, at least Franz had bought himself some years. During this time, he could also venture out and see if he could encounter a love match of equal status—if that failed, he would marry a beautiful princess instead.

One must always have dreams; what if they came true?

Now, Franz’s public persona determined that his personal conduct must be flawless; he couldn’t afford to be capricious in personal matters. At least until his authority was established, his persona could not crumble.

This was the price of being an Emperor. Given the choice, Franz would still choose—to be Emperor.

The cost was great, but so were the gains! In these dark times, to be able to control one’s own destiny was no small feat.

Did ordinary people not have pressures? Did the nobility not feel the strain?

Not long ago in Austria, heads rolled, with many prominent nobles sent to the guillotine; were they all truly deserving of their fate?

How many were implicated, unable to extricate themselves, and met with decapitation?

Franz was aware of all these matters. But knowledge aside, he could not overturn the sentences for these people. Whether voluntary or not, participation in the rebellion had to have its consequences.

And looking at the ordinary people bustling about daily for basic necessities, Franz felt he was already fortunate.