Chapter 606
It was Christmas again. Because of Jerusalem's return, this year's Christmas was exceptionally lively, and all of Austria was immersed in laughter and celebration.
Merchants seized the opportunity to launch promotions, with signs advertising discounts and special offers filling the streets. Some shops even gave away candy and sunflower seeds for free to draw in customers.
Standing atop a building, Franz raised his binoculars and gazed out at the bustling streets, a trace of longing appearing on his face.
Franz would never have the chance to experience the joy ordinary people found in strolling through the streets. An ordinary life did not suit an emperor; that was the price of standing so high.
Sneaking out would be irresponsible. An emperor represented not only himself, but also the nation.
If anything happened to him, Austria would immediately be turned upside down. Though Austria appeared very stable now, Franz knew perfectly well that the empire still harbored many hidden dangers, merely concealed beneath its surface prosperity.
Hidden dangers in a nation were not frightening; they only needed to be resolved. What was frightening was knowing those dangers existed, yet turning a blind eye and rushing headlong toward disaster. That would have grave consequences.
Franz knew there were many people within the country dissatisfied with the government: losers in power struggles, those whose interests had been harmed by reforms...
He could fully understand the resentment in their hearts. Understanding was one thing; those who needed suppressing still had to be suppressed.
No matter how dissatisfied they might be, so long as they had not rebelled, time could wash everything away. Franz had not exterminated them all.
There was one prerequisite: they could not be given an opportunity. After that, all that remained was to wait, letting the daily grind of firewood,