This Seat's Italy

"Why aren't you eating?" Thalia asked curiously.

In truth, Franz was still too young to eat much. Besides, this woman was clearly a noble, yet she had absolutely no table manners.

It was less a lack of ladylike grace and more a state of disarray.

Franz was somewhat curious about Thalia's true identity, but he figured she wouldn't be a threat—Sophie would certainly have investigated her—so he replied offhandedly.

"Fattening it up before I eat it."

Emotionally speaking, Francis II was an "Italian."

He was born in Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and spent his childhood and youth there.

His father was an extremely enlightened and benevolent monarch who, upon taking office, abolished all forms of torture and capital punishment, implemented a corvée system, lowered taxes, and encouraged industry and commerce, thereby winning the devotion of the people of Tuscany.

That was perhaps the time in Francis II's life when he was most beloved by the people; as the future heir to the Grand Duchy, he could feel the warmth of the people wherever he went.

Later, his uncle Joseph II met with fierce opposition from the nobility due to his radical reforms and eventually died in depression.

Francis II's father was forced to accept the throne of the Holy Roman Empire, and after arriving in Vienna, the family faced a treacherous political landscape where anyone could be an enemy and no one could be fully trusted.

Two years after his father ascended the throne, he passed away suddenly, forcing Francis II to take the throne himself, only to encounter Napoleon, his fated nemesis.

With bad news following one after another, Francis II was forced to dissolve the Holy Roman Empire, though he never crowned himself Emperor of the Austrian Empire throughout his life.

Perhaps only Italy, only Tuscany, remained a sanctuary in the heart of Francis II.

Furthermore, Francis II's daughter was the Duchess of Parma, Marie Louise, whom he had married off to Napoleon.

Francis II always felt he owed his daughter, so he turned a blind eye to the chaotic private life of Marie Louise.

This time, Marie Louise had sent people to request that Austria build a railway to Parma; it certainly wasn't her own idea.

Perhaps it was one of Marie Louise's lovers, or perhaps the tax revenue of the Duchy of Parma could no longer sustain her expenses.

As for the masters of the other states in Central Italy, they were all related to Francis II by blood or marriage, making it truly difficult to refuse.

In terms of family interests, Austria had operated in Italy for centuries, having fought France for a hundred years for it, sacrificing countless soldiers and spending untold sums of money.

Ignoring the requests of the Central Italy states would very likely drive these states toward France, Sardinia, or even the House of Bourbon in the Two Sicilies.

This was something Francis II could not accept under any circumstances, yet the Central Italy of the present was nothing but gangsters and refugees; industry and commerce were backward, agriculture could not be self-sufficient, and it was a thoroughly rotten piece of land.

The mountainous regions of Central Italy were both an obstacle to building railways and a quagmire for governance.

Opponents and insurgents only had to run into the mountains, and even if one sent a hundred thousand troops to encircle and suppress them, one would eventually return empty-handed.

Although the Congress of Vienna recognized the Central Italy region as being within the sphere of influence of the Austrian Empire.

But as long as the Austrian Empire had any intention of annexing the region, Britain, France, Russia, and Prussia would not sit idly by.

If it were the Francis II of the past, he would certainly have chosen to ignore the requests of the Central Italy states and then laid flat.

It was only after the Austrian Empire joined the Zollverein that the entire country entered a state of prosperity, which gave Francis II a bit more confidence.

Thus, he decided to build the railway only as far as Parma; other states could not have railways built directly to Austria, but they could reach Austria via Parma.

At the same time, he would open three ports, allowing the Central Italy states to trade freely with Austria, charging only symbolic tariffs.

This would neither give Britain or France an excuse to intervene, nor would it allow Austria to sink into the quagmire.

Metternich and Kolowrat breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the Emperor's decree; they were truly afraid the Emperor would act on impulse and push the entire country to the brink of war.

They were also afraid the Emperor would fall into his old habits, ignoring everything and losing the opportunity to secure the Central Italy region.

"Your Majesty is wise," Metternich said first.

"A very perfect plan," Count Kolowrat added.

Francis II was also very satisfied with his plan and nodded repeatedly.

At this moment, Friedrich List spoke up.

"Your Majesty, there is no need for Austria to use its own money."

"What do you mean?" Metternich retorted, feeling that this down-and-out man from Württemberg was becoming increasingly presumptuous, always contradicting him lately.

Friedrich List turned to Francis II and explained.

"I mean we can lend money to the states of Central Italy, letting them use their tariffs and partial authority as collateral. As far as I know, the rulers of the states in Central Italy are not like you; they lack the art and ability to govern. We can use this to—"

Kolowrat immediately understood the crux of the matter.

"You mean to let us send people to take over the power of the states in Central Italy?"

"We would merely be exercising power on their behalf; once they pay off their debts, we return the power to them. It is simply more efficient for the Austrian Empire to rule directly."

Friedrich List was truly only considering it from the perspective of economic interests, but to the ears of Count Kolowrat and Metternich, this was undoubtedly a massive conspiracy.

It was common for European merchants to demand that princes and nobles use tariffs or tax-collection privileges as collateral.

"What a good idea; we can also send military advisors to train their armies, so we won't have to send troops into Central Italy to suppress rebellions ourselves," Count Latour added further.

After all, no matter how powerful the Austrian army was, it would always be fighting an away game in Central Italy; suppressing bandits was by no means a task that could be accomplished overnight, but rather one that required maintaining a stable order over a long period.

Training the locals to join the army could avoid this problem, while simultaneously taking the opportunity to control the states' armies, thereby achieving de facto rule over Central Italy.

"Are there any better suggestions?" Francis II asked.

"No." Friedrich List's opinion was the most favorable course of action for the Austrian Empire at this time.

"Then, very well. Metternich, you and Mr. List shall act as our country's representatives to negotiate with the ambassadors of the states in Central Italy. You must ensure this matter is concluded; it concerns the future well-being of millions in Central Italy."

"I, Metternich, shall certainly not fail the mission," Metternich said, bowing with great elegance.

After the imperial meeting concluded, Francis II stroked the head of his grandson, who had been eavesdropping from behind, and said, "My Italy has returned."