Holy Roman Empire-Chapter 989 - 3, New Troubles

Chapter 989 -3, New Troubles

Economic model changes affected every aspect of life. As the new hegemon of Europe, the activities of the Holy Roman Empire were closely scrutinized.

Even the small steps taken by the Vienna Government, when the new economic policies were implemented, attracted the attention of governments across Europe.

Despite the attention, what kind of economic policy the Holy Roman Empire decided to implement was its own domestic affair and not something others had a say in.

Apart from a few champions of free economics who voiced their opinions, there was no further commotion. Compared to the changes in the Holy Roman Empire’s economic policy, people were more concerned about the French Civil War and the Franco-Spanish War.

Especially the French Civil War, which was a popular spectacle among the spectators. The war against France had just ended, the hatred had not completely subsided, and everyone naturally enjoyed watching the enemy’s misfortune.

Ordinary people could enjoy the spectacle, but the governments of the countries could not. If the French Civil War continued, the reparations would become as intangible as the moon reflected in the water or a flower in the mirror.

The Belgian government was the first to lose patience. As the biggest victim of the continental war, Belgium plummeted from a developed nation to poverty-stricken status.

Post-war reconstruction continued, almost all materials had to be purchased from abroad, and national tax revenue was virtually nonexistent. The only income for the Belgian government now was the war reparations paid by the French.

We were already into the second half of the year, and not far from the settlement date, if the French Civil War didn’t end, this year’s reparations would be jeopardized.

It should be noted that the Belgian government was surviving on debts, all funds for post-war reconstruction came from international loans, every penny was begrudgingly spent as if cut in two, and even the salaries of government officials couldn’t be normally disbursed.

Now they were counting on this payment from the French for disbursing salaries to public officials, to avoid strikes from the personnel below.

Theoretically, the revolutionaries were besieged in Paris, and the Nobility held the upper hand militarily, so they should have quickly been victorious.

Unfortunately, the French Aristocratic Group was rife with internal conflicts; although the Vienna Government had mediated between the Three Monarchical Parties, it only suppressed the overt conflicts, with underhanded sabotage still occurring.

By comparison, the situation for the New Paris Government was much better. Willingly or unwillingly, everyone got on board with the scoundrels, hands stained with blood, with no option but to fight to the death.

Don’t think that just because the Revolutionary Party could escape abroad after every failed uprising, fleeing was easy. In reality, only the upper echelon was successful in fleeing; ordinary revolutionaries had no means to go into exile.

One side harbored ulterior motives as the Aristocratic Alliance, the other cornered to desperation as Revolutionaries; the fighting power that erupted from both sides naturally was not on the same level. If it weren’t for the Anti-French Alliance backing the Royalist Party from behind, the offensive and defensive positions would have changed long ago.

Despite the support, the Allied Forces did not directly intervene in this civil war. On one hand, it was because Carlos firmly opposed it, while on the other hand, there was a split within the Anti-French Alliance.

Although the performance of the Aristocratic Group was poor, strategically they still held the advantage, as long as they continued the siege, the Royalist Party would eventually outlast the enemy.

Apart from a few paupers who were desperate for food, most nations in the Anti-French Alliance were content to watch the French annihilate each other.

Although the European wars had severely damaged France, it hadn’t changed the fact that France was a major country. With historical lessons at hand, nobody dared to take France lightly.

Now that the French were preying on each other, draining the nation’s vitality, this was exactly what everyone wanted to see. In a sense, civil wars were the cruelest; regardless of who won or who lost, the strength expended came from one’s own country.

A glance at the history books would reveal that the greatest damage caused by a civil war never occurred on the battlefield; it was beyond the battlefield where the most people died.

Although there were no specific casualty statistics, based on changes in France’s grain import statistics, it was possible to estimate a rough number.

According to data released by the European Grain Export Association, since the outbreak of the French Civil War, the total volume of grain imports had dropped by 27.4 percent compared to the previous month.

The main reason for the decline in total grain import volume was—the pockets of the French populace were emptied, losing their purchasing power; it was only secondary that grain from outside couldn’t be brought into Paris once it was besieged.

The percentage doesn’t show much, but when converted into concrete numbers, it meant France had millions more people who needed solving the food problem.

Of course, the real data might be different. After all, countless refugees were dying from illness or starvation every day, and as the population decreased, the food gap naturally lessened.

Against this backdrop, Belgium’s proposal for armed intervention naturally struggled to gain support.

…

In the Vienna Palace, Emperor Franz, whose conscience was not yet lost, was currently troubled about solving the French refugee crisis.

The assistance of the Continental Alliance was predicated on the successful restoration of the Bourbon Dynasty. Before the dust settled, no one was willing to risk everything to help the French.

The Vienna Government lending a hand to the French? Even less likely. Hatred was not only prevalent among the French but also deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Shinra populace.

Anyone who supported the French at this time would be at odds with the general Shinra public, particularly those in Luxembourg and the Rhineland region, where anti-French sentiment was most intense.

In order to consider the feelings of his own people, Franz could not defy the world and provide substantial help to the French.

Of course, this was the official explanation given to the Bourbon Dynasty. Whether or not the French believed it was another matter. Regardless, Franz was indeed worried about the French refugees.

Since the outbreak of the French Civil War, more and more French refugees had crossed the border into Shinra. For survival, refugees clearly could no longer afford to hold onto national and familial hatred.

Deportation was futile; even if they were sent back, they couldn’t find enough food and would return in a few days.

Being arrested and imprisoned did not matter to them; at least the prisons in Shinra provided food, much better than starving. The refugees surrendered themselves to the guards, happy to be taken care of in any way as long as they were fed.

The public’s gaze across Europe was focused on the French Civil War, and naturally, there were many media outlets concerned with the refugee crisis. With international reputation in mind, many extreme measures were no longer usable.

Especially the children that followed, who claimed to be orphans whether their parents were with them or not, and refused to leave.

You could deport adults, you could arrest them, but faced with a group of orphans, the guards were powerless. In the end, they had no choice but to support them, turning the military camps on the front lines almost into daycares.

How to deal with these refugees had become the biggest problem facing the Vienna Government.

“What, Leopold II wants to come to Vienna?”

Belgium was in dire need of repair, and it was the time when the King was needed to stabilize the hearts of the people. Leopold II’s visit to Vienna at this time could certainly not be a simple family visit.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Foreign Minister Weisenberg replied, “The Belgian Foreign Ministry has just sent a telegram, stating that Leopold II has already left from within the nation. He is expected to enter the Empire’s territory tonight and requests that we arrange a special train.”

Leopold II was emphatically illustrating what it means to be swift and resolute, coming directly over whether the Vienna Government was willing to receive him or not.

“Let the railway company arrange the special train, and the Foreign Ministry will carry out the reception work according to normal protocols. The Royal family will send Maximilian as representative.”

(Also known as Maximilian)

No matter what the purpose was, a visitor is a guest, and certain diplomatic courtesies could not be neglected. With nothing else to occupy him, Franz decided to give his unfortunate brother something to do.

After all, they were relatives, and there was nothing wrong with having Maximilian receive his own uncle.

Frankly, the relationship among the Franz siblings was not bad. As long as Maximilian didn’t come to consult with some national governance plan, they were all good brothers.

Unfortunately, the zeal of an idealist is unmatched by ordinary people. Despite the passing years, Maximilian had not abandoned the duties of an Emperor.

Of course, after many years of growth, Maximilian had matured a lot compared to his younger years. This was evident from his meticulously prepared Mexican development strategy.

If he had acted like this thirty years ago, with the support of the Vienna Government, Maximilian would have likely secured his position as Emperor of Mexico by now, at least not easily overthrown by a former president.

But there is no medicine for regret. Times change, and international situations shift. Today’s Mexico is far more complex than it was thirty years ago; even a successful restoration would not guarantee a stable reign.

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A high-risk, low-return proposition was of no interest to Franz. Rather than wade into the murky waters of Mexico, he would prefer to dethrone the British from their position as maritime superpowers sooner.

Whether it was Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or British-Africa, which was not more enticing than Mexico?

A direct annexation was not realistic, but establishing independent sub-states was quite easy, at least easier than dealing with Mexico. These areas had a smaller population and far less complex racial tensions than Mexico.

With the reception work arranged, the small interlude had come to an end. As for the true purpose of Leopold II’s visit, Franz was not so curious to find out.