CHAPTER 578: CHAPTER 569: MEETING OF THE TWO EMPERORS

"The French Empire is willing to provide the Austrian Empire with some assistance within its means, as long as the Austrian Empire can afford the interest!"

After Jerome Bonaparte said this, Richard Metternich immediately realized that all the questions Jerome Bonaparte had previously asked him were merely to pave the way for this statement.

As the monarch of a vast empire, Jerome Bonaparte’s disregard for his own image in personally inquiring whether the Austrian Empire had the intention of "attracting investment" (a term not yet in use at this time) was indeed a surprise to Richard Metternich.

However, Richard Metternich did not resent Jerome Bonaparte’s behavior, which was filled with the stench of money.

In this era of the 19th century, as capitalism was on the verge of monopolization, the power of financial capital, represented by exchanges (not limited to the Paris Stock Exchange here), was already beginning to implicitly rival royal power, even for a hereditary aristocracy like the Austrian Empire that couldn’t ignore the strength of financial capital.

Compared to a monarch like Jerome Bonaparte, who was steeped in the smell of money, his own monarch Franz Joseph seemed like a ruler who had traveled through time from the last century to the Habsburgs.

In him, Richard Metternich saw no trace of this era, as if he were a zombie living in this time.

Despite feeling ashamed for his own irreverence towards his monarch, Richard Metternich showed no inclination to repent.

Especially after he assumed the position of Secretary at the Austrian Embassy in France, Richard Metternich became increasingly averse to the environment within the Vienna Court.

But I digress, Richard Metternich himself, though not resentful of Jerome Bonaparte’s actions, likewise did not have the conditions for "attracting investment."

After all, he was at best an ambassador, while Minister of Internal Affairs Bach was the one truly controlling the lifeline of Austria’s economy.

At this moment, Richard Metternich felt an overwhelming urge to climb to greater heights.

Back then, Bach was just an ordinary lawyer (Bach in 1848 was still part of the Austrian Empire), and it was only due to the patronage of the late Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg (who died in 1853) that he climbed to the position of Minister of Internal Affairs.

He had far better conditions than Bach, and he should have been able to climb to a much broader horizon.

"Ambassador Richard? Ambassador Richard?" Just as Richard Metternich was lost in his thoughts, Jerome Bonaparte’s voice reached his ears, interrupting his reflections.

"I’m sorry! I got distracted!" Richard Metternich apologized to Jerome Bonaparte.

"It’s nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and once again asked Richard Metternich, "Mr. Richard, what do you think of what I just said?"

"Your Majesty, I believe I am not qualified to discuss this issue!" Richard Metternich reiterated once again, "Your Majesty, I am merely an insignificant ambassador! For this issue, you should send someone to inquire of Minister Bach!"

"Ah, Bach!" Jerome Bonaparte said with interest to Richard Metternich, "If I am not mistaken, he is not a noble!"

"Yes!" Richard Metternich showed a hint of surprise on his face; he never expected the Emperor to know Bach.

"I must say, he is indeed a rare talent. Under his division, the entire Kingdom of Hungary has been broken down into small regions!" Jerome Bonaparte began to critique Bach’s policies, "The Bohemian bureaucrats he leads have a firm grip on the entire Hungarian region, strengthening Austria’s control over Hungary!"

"If Minister Bach knew he could receive such an evaluation from you, he would, without a doubt, be very delighted!" Richard Metternich said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"But!" Jerome Bonaparte changed his tone and said to Richard Metternich, "While his method indeed enhances Austria’s control over Hungary, it simultaneously plants a hidden danger!"

"What hidden danger?" Richard Metternich instinctively asked.

"He has turned Vienna and Hungary into two opposing entities!" Jerome Bonaparte sharply pointed out the flaws in Minister Bach’s policies: "Your high-pressure policies in Hungary certainly aid in its management, but a relentless high-pressure policy will only push those originally loyal to the Empire to the opposite side.

A certain Emperor once said, ’Who are our enemies, who are our friends, is a major question a regime has to face in order to sustain itself!’"

Jerome Bonaparte shamelessly appropriated the words of a great man from several decades later and then reinterpreted them.

Under Jerome Bonaparte’s guidance, Richard Metternich instinctively pondered the problems faced by the Austrian Empire from the perspective of a Prime Minister.

Who are their friends? Who are their enemies?

Richard Metternich turned his gaze to Jerome Bonaparte, believing that this ruler before him must have recognized the issues faced by Hungary.

"Your Majesty, what problem do we face in Hungary?" Richard Metternich asked Jerome Bonaparte.

"This question..." Jerome Bonaparte dragged out his words, ending the topic under Richard Metternich’s expectant gaze as the sound of a distant train whistle approached, "The train is coming soon!"

Richard Metternich’s gaze dimmed slightly, then he collected himself, stood up straight, and showed a dignified expression, ready to welcome Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and Duchess Elizabeth.

General Vayan, who was standing behind Jerome Bonaparte, also cautiously turned around and waved to his adjutant behind him.

Seeing General Vayan’s action, the adjutant also waved backward, and a military band stepped onto the platform.

As time went by, the whistle of the train got closer and closer, and Jerome Bonaparte said lightly to the back, "Get ready!"

Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s instruction, the military band put their mouths on the instruments, ready to play the spirited "Marseillaise" as soon as the train stopped.

When the train was less than 200 meters from the platform, it gradually slowed down and then smoothly stopped in front of the platform.

As the train door opened, Emperor Franz Joseph of the Austrian Empire and his fiancée, Duchess Elizabeth, got up and slowly walked toward the train’s door, followed by the delegation that accompanied them, including Prince Metternich (advisor), Prince Windischgrätz (advisor), Count Baur, etc.

The inspiring "Marseillaise" resounded on the platform, its vigorous melody like thunder splitting the gloomy sky, causing Franz Joseph to feel an inexplicable disgust, making him stop involuntarily.

"What is it?" Duchess Elizabeth, Franz Joseph’s fiancée, asked softly upon seeing his state.

Franz Joseph paused, then forced a stiff smile and said to Elizabeth, "Nothing! Let’s go!"

With that, Franz Joseph resumed his steps and continued forward.

...

"Welcome to Paris, my brother!" Just as Franz Joseph stepped out of the train, he was immediately embraced warmly by Emperor Jerome Bonaparte of the French Empire as a gesture of goodwill.

"Thank you!" Franz Joseph responded to Jerome Bonaparte as customary.

However, if you observed Franz Joseph’s eyes carefully, you would notice a hint of resistance flashing through them; he genuinely did not want Jerome Bonaparte to greet him this way.

In Franz Joseph’s view, only legitimate monarchs could use such etiquette, while the Bonaparte clan itself was a usurper.

If the Austrian Empire did not need to rely on the lonely French Empire, Franz Joseph would never have come over.

For Franz Joseph, this meeting was merely a routine political engagement.

Moreover, he personally did not believe he shared any common traits with Jerome Bonaparte.

After the two monarchs finished embracing, they simultaneously released each other.

"The journey must have been exhausting!" Jerome Bonaparte said insincerely to his monarchical brother before him, "Did you encounter any unexpected events along the way?"

Franz Joseph maintained his stiff expression, shook his head, and responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Nothing happened!"

Ever since Franz Joseph entered the borders of France, he had received strict protection along the way.

It was only after Franz Joseph and Elizabeth took the train out of Strasbourg that the officials and generals in Strasbourg breathed a sigh of relief.

"That’s good!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction, then turned to look at Princess Elizabeth, standing beside Franz Joseph, dressed in a white court gown.

At that moment, Elizabeth looked like a princess from a fairy-tale world, prompting Jerome Bonaparte to praise, "Which fairy-tale world did you run out from, Princess!"

"Your Majesty!" Princess Elizabeth smiled charmingly as she bowed to Jerome Bonaparte and introduced herself to him.

"Oh! So, it’s Princess Elizabeth!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a sudden realization, then reached out and gently tapped Sisi’s hand, "Welcome to Paris!"

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte released Elizabeth’s hand and said to the delegation behind him, "On behalf of all the members of the Cabinet, the Legislative Corps, the Senate, and the Parliament, I welcome your arrival!"