At Vienna Palace, after hearing the news his younger brother had brought, Franz said expressionlessly, "Enough. The cabinet will handle Belgium's affairs. Don't keep meddling in them. Now that the franc has fallen to rock bottom, have your government-in-exile pay off the French debts first. Take the chance to make a splash!"
Without expectations, there could be no disappointment. Franz had never placed much faith in Maximilian from the beginning, so naturally, he was not disappointed.
In a sense, Maximilian had performed far better than Franz had expected. Aside from being somewhat too idealistic, he had done quite well in every other respect.
After so many years of development, the Mexican Restoration Organization led by Maximilian had gradually grown stronger, wielding especially great influence among European students studying abroad.
The European Continent had always been a stronghold of monarchies. The governments of every nation had spared no effort in instilling ideas of loyalty to the sovereign and patriotism. With Maximilian adding his hand to the mix, those governments were naturally happy to see it happen.
Setting his abilities aside for the moment, Maximilian was beyond reproach in terms of personal character. Compared with those warlords in Mexico, the impression this exiled emperor left on everyone could not have been better.
Franz had helped quite a bit in that regard. He had abused public resources for private ends more than once to whitewash Maximilian, the exiled emperor.
The Mexican students who could study in Europe were not from ordinary families. As these people completed their studies and returned home, the restoration organization's tentacles once again reached back into Mexico.
If things continued as they were, coupled with the Vienna Government's support, Maximilian might truly have a chance to restore the throne someday.
Of course, that was only a possibility. Neither the