Emperor Franz knew full well that this empire was beyond saving. Once it suffered even a single shock, it could collapse into dust at any moment.
That was why he had no choice but to speak frankly to Rudolf. Yet doing so was equivalent to admitting the mistakes he had made in governing over the years. Still, having kept this ancient empire alive for so many years from Franz's position was no easy feat.
Hearing Franz's explanation, Rudolf also felt a wave of melancholy rise within him. He consoled him, "Father need not be overly pessimistic. Our House of Habsburg still has deep foundations, and with the arrangements we have made over these years, as long as we endure these darkest days, the empire will surely stabilize in the future."
The House of Habsburg naturally understood the predicament it faced and had taken many measures, though the results had not been particularly significant.
The only consolation was that they had expanded the German circle, which at least greatly increased the number of Habsburg supporters in Venice and Dalmatia.
After Italy's preliminary unification, Benito's personal prestige reached an unprecedented height across the Apennine Peninsula. Many Italian nationalists regarded him as Italy's greatest saint.
Some radicals even took the initiative to urge Benito onward. "Prime Minister, now that Italy has returned to unity, we should go a step further and recover Lombardy and Venice. Only then can Italy truly become whole."
Benito did not directly refute his subordinate's suggestion. Instead, with a remarkably clear head, he said, "Recovering Lombardy and Venice is the duty from which no patriotic Italian can shirk, but we have more important matters to handle now."
"We must first focus our efforts on economic development. Italy's current economic situation does not inspire optimism. If we do not