Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 2: Striving

"Franz, what is going on with you recently, and why have you fallen behind in your coursework so much?!"

His mother, the Bavarian princess Sophie, burst this out impatiently before Franz could explain anything.

This was the consequence of him reincarnating as Franz—he began to go against his public image of a good boy in lots of ways as time passed, and his lower grades were a sign of that.

"I am sorry to say that this is because of you, dear mother, what with you overscheduling me with coursework to the point of overwhelming me. But more than that, don't forget I already have the heaviest class load among all the aristocrats across the whole European continent," Franz sniped back.

"Franz, are you saying that I am abusing you?" questioned Mrs. Sophie, her face was dark with anger.

"Dear Mother, I'm not blaming you for it, just informing you of the truth of the unbearably heavy workload placed on me.

I barely have enough energy and time for my courses, and yet you've imposed extra military training on me recently! Of course my performance will be affected because of such strain.

In fact, how about actually getting rid of some of these unnecessary courses so that I can accomplish something!" Franz asserted.

"So then, dear Franz; you think yourself grown and within your right to disobey your mother?" questioned Princess Sophie with a sneer.

From the look on his mother's face, Franz sensed something ominous. and believed he had severely underestimated his mother's desire to maintain control.

When a mother stood her ground on something that she assumed was good for her child, attempting to convince her to do otherwise would be most unwise.

Even so, Franz couldn't back down; otherwise, things would get tougher and tougher for him in the coming days.

"Mother, I, as the heir to the throne of the Austrian Empire, need to learn different things that the average man does not," Franz said, a serious expression formed on his face.

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"Since you wish to nurture an emperor rather than a learned scholar, what will all these miscellaneous courses have to do with governing a country?

If you think I have been slacking off, you can do it yourself then. I have 28 subjects now, not including two hours of military training every day! "

Franz's words made Princess Sophie go deep into thought. There was a difference in European education compared to others: it was quite common for children to talk back to their parents, and sometimes the parents even accepted the objection if it made sense to them.

Although nurturing obedient workers at a conservative age for the ruling class was the mainstream education model, no one dared to impose that on Franz, the crown prince.

The longevity of European aristocracy was actually rooted in their advanced concept on the education of children, even though they were conservative regarding politics because of their own interests.

Without waiting too long, Mrs. Sophie had somewhat accepted Franz's opinion, even with lingering doubts in her mind, which was why she came back with another question—"What do you plan to do then?"

"Mother, I'm already 16 years old and no longer an unthinking child," Franz reasoned severely. "I'm very aware of what I'm doing now and what I need to do next!

Theoretical knowledge doesn't always agree with social reality, especially those in my mind, for I, who's barely stepped out of the palace since his birth, can only see or know what you want me to see or know.

And as you know, my teacher was often struck dumb by my questions because the knowledge you people fill me with is full of holes and doubts. I never really know the true colors of the Austrian Empire or what the world is truly like.

I will lack a clear vision for the country if I don't go around and surveil it; otherwise, I will become just like my uncle, an emperor who feels at ease as a puppet!"

Princess Sophie's face suddenly showed a look of fury because of Franz's implicit accusation and rudeness. Thanks to her royal upbringing, Mrs. Sophie swallowed her temper immediately.

"Franz, don't forget the fact that you are only 16 years old, which means youhave plenty of time to understand this country; for now, what you need most is study."

"No, mother!" said Franz deliberately, shaking his head. "I don't have as much time as you think. When the time, as you suppose, comes for me to know this country, the real situation in this country will be beyond my grasp.

The bureaucrats have one thousand ways to blind my eyes with what they want me to see, while the real situation is too distant for me to get to!"

"Franz, you are too suspicious, and I don't believe the world is as bad as you think. Read whatever you want to in the newspapers if you would like to learn the world!" Princess Sophie's face turned pale.

"My dear mother, don't forget that suspicion is one of the most central characteristics of a qualified monarch! As for newspapers, don't you know the censorship of publication as well as I do?" questioned Franz.

Learn about the world by reading newspapers? This idea instantly reminded Franz of a man, Yuan Shih-Kai, in China's history, who got busted by doing just that, and then his name was mud.

Will the same history repeat in Austria? It's too early for Franz to draw conclusions about that; however, publishing a newspaper, like what they did in China's history to Yuan Shih-Kai, would not be a big deal for the special interests if necessary.

Both he and his mother ended up in a stalemate since no one was willing to back down.

After the deadlock lasted for a while, Franz offered to break the ice.

"Dear Mother, have you noticed the news of the failed harvest in the German region?"

"A little bit, but what does that have to do with you?" Mrs. Sophie asked.

Shaking his head, Franz said, "It doesn't now, but will in the future! The lack of food means the decline in living standards, and it will stir up the rebellion if not appropriately handled by the local government.

The rebellion will be suppressed for sure, and the passage will be blocked off from Vienna, but the tensions will be intensified between the public and government.

In the short term, everything will be fine. Then, as time goes by, the capitalists will have a cheaper labor force.

Which is why Austria will even grow more prosperous, but the conflict suppressed is increasing all along and will break out. Think about it: the French Revolution!"

"Franz, you are exaggerating!" said Mrs. Sophie pallidly.

"No, I am not!" said Franz solemnly. "Dear Mother, I studied the history of the French Revolution very well.

In 1788, a drought in France caused a fall in food production, which made the subjects live a hard life. The tension between the domestic bourgeoisie and the nobility intensified, just like between our current reformists and conservatives in Austria.

Finally, the government, on behalf of nobility, triggered the war against the bourgeoisie by increasing taxes; then, Revolution broke out, which wrecked the Bourbon Dynasty!"

"You mean there will be a revolution in Austria? Franz, do you truly expect me to believe that? " Mrs. Sophie asked in anger.

Franz shook his head and said, "Mother, this is just my rough personal judgment. Will there be a revolution in Austria? To answer that, I will need more information and intelligence to draw a conclusion.

I believe this topic is much more critical than that lousy homework. As an heir to the throne, I need to understand the real situation of this ancient empire!"