Rudolf was indeed taken aback by Ernst's suggestion. To Imperialist countries, the Soviet Union was a "taboo," let alone something to learn from.
He said cautiously, "If we do this, I'm afraid the interest groups at home will drive us from office before the Labour Party even has to act."
Regarding Rudolf's concern, Ernst said, "Once an economic crisis arrives, no one can escape it. Rather than remain passive, taking the initiative clearly gives us more room to maneuver. What matters most for the Habsburg is to keep a firm grip on military power, while boosting public confidence and stabilizing the majority."
"If an economic crisis truly breaks out, then given the Austro-Hungarian Empire's current scale and economic conditions, it could easily leave millions unemployed. If these people's basic survival cannot be guaranteed, the consequences are plain to see."
"This is also your opportunity. If you make good use of it, perhaps you can further break the shackles of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's original ethnic problems."
The solution to an economic crisis was, in essence, to establish a new economic order capable of adapting to new productive forces. The process itself was a reshaping of the national structure.
Therefore, Ernst said, "This is also an opportunity for the Austro-Hungarian Empire Central Government to extend its hand into every region within the Empire. Take the Soviet Union, for instance. No one can deny that its various departments and major enterprises, through their vertical management, have brought Moscow's control over local areas to the utmost extreme."
"And this is precisely what the Austro-Hungarian Empire lacks. You have now gained preliminary control over Hungary. Perhaps Hungary can become one of the pilot areas, allowing you to bypass Hungary's local interference with Vienna."
This was also reflected in East Africa. For example, many East African