Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 12: For the Glory of the Nobility

Since the agreement between Franz and Louis had been reached, the two of them continued their casual conversation as if nothing had happened. In fact, Franz had already acknowledged Archduke Louis' favor implicitly.

It was difficult to pay back a debt of gratitude, but sometimes it was not a bad thing to be burdened with such debt.

For example, from this moment on, Franz had built relationships with this conservative leader and was considered a friend.

Otherwise, why would Franz specifically asked for a favor from Archduke Louis? Was there no other way for Franz, the heir to the throne, to join the Palace Guard?

Obviously, the answer would be "no." Franz could join with a title or without, because traditionally, the Palace Guard only served the royal family, pledging allegiance to the emperor first, then the Crown Prince.

"Uncle Louis, it seems not so peaceful internally in recent days!" Franz said, with affected curiosity.

"Well, it is all because of our Prime Minister, who cries for reform every day. Now, a group of capitalists has turned into reformists in the name of patriotism, though they actually seek benefits.

Our Prime Minister turns a blind eye to that, while he keeps an eagle eye on us, as if we, the nobility, are a cancer in Austria's society!" Louis said unhappily.

Prime Minister Metternich didn't monitor the capitalist class? So what did he set up the secret police for? Certainly, it was not for the nobles.

Prime Minister Metternich, a representative of the nobility, was, most of the time, a defender of noble interests, except in the case of the abolition of serfdom!

Franz kept these thoughts to himself. The person he was talking to was the conservative Austrian leader. To speak his thoughts aloud would attract negative attention.

"Uncle Louis, since the capitalists can do what they want in the name of patriotism, we can do the same in the name of reform!" Franz smiled.

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Without knowing why, Franz found it interesting to persuade people, after his reincarnation.

"Oh, Franz, are you joking?" Archduke Louis asked, surprised.

It was indeed nonsense for a noble to hold high the flag of reform. For the nobility to reform was like cutting their own flesh with a knife. How was that possibly going to happen?

Franz said, "No, Uncle Louis, I'm not joking! If the capitalists can propose a reform plan, why couldn't we, the nobility, do the same?"

There was a consensus that the Austrian Empire had to make a reform, but such reform would harm noble interests, which was why the conservatives were opposed to it. Archduke Louis thought deeply.

Franz's proposal, in his view, was to take the initiative, to hold the right of reform in their own hands.

He did not doubt that Franz had possible ill intentions, because the capitalist class was also an enemy of the royal family, and the reform they led would first deprive the emperor of his rights.

That was just the moderates among the capitalists, while the radicals wanted Republicanism. Looking back at the history of Charles I and Louis XVI, no emperor could have a good feeling about the capitalist class.

Franz, the Crown Prince, naturally would not be an exception; one's position determined his opinion. When Franz talked with him, he used "we" time and again, which was just because of his standing. The royal family and the nobles naturally took the same side.

"Franz, it seems you have something in mind, so what is your plan, then? Can you go into detail?" Archduke Louis asked with concern.

Now he dared not to look down upon Franz, who he knew was good at politicking based on their talks.

"Uncle Louis, have you noticed that the capitalist class is demanding the liberation of serfs in the name of freedom and equality?" Franz asked.

"Of course, all of them shout political slogans daily, not to mention they made a whole bunch of unjustifiable demands for constitutional reform, national autonomy, and so on.

Really, it's just for their own benefit. They want to abolish serfdom just because of the lack of labor force in their factories. They're a bunch of vampires, to be perfectly honest.

You know, the vast majority of workers are living a more miserable life than serfs. We at least provide serfs with food, clothing, and shelter, and support them when they are old.

But the evil capitalists are not as kind as we are. The people who work for them can rarely survive for more than ten years. Once they are old, they will be driven out and left to rot.

They worked hard for the capitalists all their lives, but end up on the street. May God punish these vampires!" Louis raged.

Franz had to admit that Archduke Louis was partly telling the truth. The capitalism of the age was truly dark, and that workers lived no better than serfs was an accurate assessment indeed.

The truth also could be surmised from lifespans, as urban lifespans were three to five years lower than that in rural areas. Thus you can imagine the cruelty of capitalism during that time.

Ordinary workers who were recruited into the factories would see themselves destroyed within ten years, which meant that most of them would only live until the age of forty.

However, most of the nobles were just as dirty as the capitalists, so both parties were vampires, and neither one was kinder than the other.

"Uncle Louis, I know the facts about all this. Now that capitalists can call for the abolition of serfdom under the guise of fighting for the rights of serfs, why can't we limit the development and growth of capitalism in the name of protecting the welfare of the working class?" Franz said with a cunning cold smile.

Franz played a double game when he spoke to different people.

Now, he put up a face of the feudal aristocracy, full of righteousness and a hatred for capitalists.

"For the benefit of the working class? I'm afraid that won't do. It will also harm the interests of many of the nobles should the treatment of workers improve, since they have workshops," Archduke Louis said, an overly cautious and indecisive tone taking hold

Looking at the Archduke's face, Franz knew that what he read from in history books was not wrong — the man was indeed indecisive, but that just made him easier to sway.

"A little profit is nothing compared to the glory of the nobility. If there are no restrictions placed on the capitalists, I'm afraid it will not take too long for them to overpower us!

Uncle Louis, have you not noticed that the power of the capitalist class has been growing this entire time? In the long run, we won't be able to keep a hold of them!" Franz prodded.

Franz's talk made sense at the moment, because the nobility hadn't started transforming into the capitalist class. Even if some of them invested in industry and commerce, however, none were personally in management.

At the moment, it would be a shame for those noble lords to be on an equal footing with the capitalists. This was true for ordinary nobles, not to mention the grand nobles like Archduke Louis.