Since Vienna became the capital of the Habsburg Empire in the 13th century, it has quickly become the political, economic and cultural center of continental Europe and one of the most prosperous cities in the world.

Now it is no exception, after the end of the war against France, Austria has once again established itself as a great power, and it is not only Russia that has the title of European gendarme.

After the formation of the Holy League in 1815, Austria became the representative of the Restoration, the vanguard of the opposition to capitalism, and also played the role of the gendarme of Europe.

Unfortunately, behind this glory was the continuous decline of Austria, and in 1848 the revolution broke out, and the hegemony of the Austrian Empire in Europe came to an end.

Walking on the bustling street, Franz's mood was heavy, and he inadvertently remembered Du Fu's sentence: "Zhumen's wine and meat stink, and there are frozen bones on the road!" ”

On the bustling streets of Vienna, people in ragged clothes rushed by, and it could be seen that their bodies were still shivering.

Occasionally, if a beggar strays in, the police will quickly come and drive them away, or take them away.

This is still the busiest street, and if you go to the slums, you don't know what it looks like.

The little match girl is not a fairy tale, and along the way Franz saw too many children selling cigarettes, newspapers, matches......

Franz did not accuse the capitalists of abusing child labor, and it was very good to have such a job to support himself in this era.

Over the course of a month, Franz traveled all over Vienna's main districts and saw the real scene of this declining empire.

Perhaps a year later, in the Vienna Revolution, what the people really needed was not constitutionalism or freedom, but bread to wrap around and clothing to keep warm.

Public opinion fell into the hands of the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy, the so-called revolution was in fact reduced to an instrument for their struggle for power, while ordinary people became victims in the struggle for power.

Franz remembers a later article about Polish nationalists trying to persuade the peasants to revolt in a village, claiming that if the Austrians were expelled, they would live happily ever after.

The peasants replied:

No, dear sir, things won't be like that. You just want to get rid of the most merciful ruler of the land (the Habsburg Emperor) and then let the country go to ruin.

My grandfather once told me that while the Polish Commonwealth was still in existence, the lords could beat the peasants at will, and the peasants had no way to turn ....

If you drive the Emperor out of this land, then every one of you will want to taste what it is like to be alone, and you will turn us into slaves as you have done in the past!

……

Historically, the Vienna Uprising failed, the self-proclaimed patriotic bourgeoisie was hit hard, but the lives of the people were really better.

I have to say that this is an irony, the people who keep shouting the slogan of overthrowing the exploiting class are actually a group of capitalists, as the emperor who is the object of the revolution, and finally do the revolutionary work.

Thinking of this, Franz already knew what to do. Uniting the majority against a small minority is always politically correct.

In Franz's view, before the completion of compulsory education, any constitutional reform is very nonsense, and the reform that exceeds the ability of the people to accept it can only hurt others and hurt oneself in the end.

"Raul, go to the Prime Minister's Office!" Franz said calmly

A traverser who can't do things must not be a real traverser, this is Franz's motto. He's changed his mind and plans to do something.

An hour later, Franz appeared at the Prime Minister's Office, who was not at home because he had not made an appointment in advance.

Franz was not surprised that the prime minister had always been busy, especially a powerful minister like Metternich.

Unlike in the East, even a vassal like Metternich had limited power, and he relied on the support of the king to dominate Austrian politics.

"Grand Duke, please rest for a while, we have already sent someone to inform the Prime Minister!" The butler said exquisitely

The meaning is very obvious, the prime minister I have already sent someone to inform, as for when the prime minister will come back, I don't know, the problem between you big people, don't be angry with us small characters.

Franz smiled slightly, he didn't have the habit of getting angry with people, the relationship between the original owner and Prime Minister Metternich was not bad, and this relationship was retained after the crossing.

In Franz's cognition, since ancient times, powerful ministers have been used to pit, and if the Austrian Empire wants to reform, it also needs to be a back-erpent, and the already notorious Prime Minister Metternich is the best choice.

If he has too much debt, he will not be pressed, and presumably he will not mind carrying a few more black pots for Austria.

It was not until late evening that Metternich came back, and Franz was not angry, anyway, he ate and drank what he should eat, and no one dared to snub him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Little Franz, what is the matter with coming to me today? Metternich said lovingly

That's right, Franz is a junior in his eyes, and Metternich is also an old minister, who has been prime minister since his grandfather's time, and has done it now.

"Dear Monsieur Metternich, please remove that little letter, I'm 16 years old!"

Franz didn't answer the question first, but expressed his displeasure slightly.

"Well, honorable Grand Duke Franz, what are you here for today?" Metternich asked with a smile

"Mr. Metternich, I am here today for the matter of reform!" Franz said straight to the point

"Reform? Franz, how could you be interested in this, or did someone say something to you? Metternich asked, surprised

"No one said anything, in the past month or so, I have been on a field trip to Vienna, and I have some questions in my heart, and I want to ask you for advice!" Franz replied calmly

"Oh, what's the question?" Metternich asked, pretending to be interested

"Monsieur Metternich, the call for constitutional reform is very loud in the outside world, but I see that the workers are insensitive, running around every day for three meals a day, is it more important for them that work is more important than dignity?" Franz asked, pretending not to know

"No, Franz! They are trying to survive, and if they don't work for a day, they may go hungry, and nothing matters in the face of survival! Metternich said categorically

"Oh, if that's the case, then why don't we reform in favor of them? At least let them have enough bread first! Franz said pretending to be naïve

"Franz, it's not that simple, the capitalists won't promise to raise the wages of the workers!" Metternich shook his head and said

"yes, that's terrible!" Franz said with a fake sigh

……