Austria's Church was no soft persimmon either. Though it had now declined, it had already colluded with the local nobility, and the Church's upper ranks were largely filled by the younger sons and collateral branches of noble families.
That was also why Franz had not been in a hurry to move against the Church. Tug one hair, and the whole body moved. Meals had to be eaten one bite at a time, enemies taken down one by one—and if enemies could be turned into friends, so much the better.
Without question, the members of Austria's Church were not worth courting. They were rich enough to drip oil, yet they hindered the development of Austrian society—reactionaries through and through.
Prime Minister Felix said, "Your Highness, it would be best to put the matter of the Church on hold. Not long ago, upheaval broke out in the Papal States. Pope Pius IX fled to Naples and has already appealed to us for aid.
"The cabinet has decided to accelerate the suppression of the rebellion. We will defeat the Kingdom of Sardinia, then send troops into the Papal States to help Pius IX regain power!"
Clearly, the cabinet was no fool either. They knew the Church could not be touched rashly. Since the Middle Ages, divine authority and royal authority had been locked in a struggle. Secular monarchy had now gained the upper hand, but divine authority was still not to be underestimated.
Directly moving against them was certainly not a good choice. But these clergymen were not without a nemesis—Austrian Catholicism was still subject to the leadership of the Holy See.
Now that upheaval had struck the Papal States, Austria's helping hand was needed. Once it was done, could Pius IX really refuse to return the peach for the plum?
Franz nodded