Striving

"Franz, what has been going on with you lately? Why have your studies fallen so far behind?"

Before Franz could even open his mouth, Princess Sophie of Bavaria had already begun to erupt.

This was the aftereffect; as time passed, the persona of Franz the "good boy" had begun to crumble, and his declining grades were merely one aspect of it.

"I am sorry, my respected Princess Sophie, but the curriculum you have arranged for me exceeds my capacity. There are so many European nobles, yet whose workload is as heavy as mine?" Franz questioned.

"Franz, are you accusing me of mistreating you?" Princess Sophie said, her face darkening.

"My respected Princess Sophie, I have no intention of accusing you, but you know as well as I do how heavy my workload is.

Human energy is limited. With so many subjects, I simply do not have enough time to study, and now that I must also participate in military training, a decline in my grades is inevitable!

The best solution is to cut some unnecessary courses so that my grades can improve!" Franz argued with conviction.

"Is that so? Franz, do you think that because you have grown up, your wings have hardened and you can stop listening to your mother?" Princess Sophie said with a cold laugh.

Franz knew he was in trouble; it seemed he had underestimated a mother's desire for control.

Often, as long as they believe they are doing what is best for their children, they will persist at all costs. It was not going to be easy to convince her.

However, he could not back down now, or his life would only become more difficult later.

Franz said solemnly, "My respected Princess Sophie, as the heir to the Austrian Empire, the knowledge I need to acquire is different from that of an ordinary person.

You are trying to cultivate an Emperor of the Empire, not a profound scholar. Are all these complex courses of any use in governing this country?

If you think I am slacking off, then you can try it yourself. I currently have twenty-eight subjects, and I still have two hours of military training every day!"

Princess Sophie fell into deep thought. This was the difference in European education; contradicting one's parents was a very common occurrence, and as long as there was a logical argument, parents would usually accept it.

Although this era was not particularly enlightened and the mainstream educational model was still focused on cultivating obedient workers—which was what the ruling class required—Franz was the Crown Prince, and no one dared to demand the imprisonment of his thoughts.

The fact that European nobles could remain prosperous for so long was actually inseparable from their education. Do not be fooled by their typically conservative political stances, which were matters of interest; when it came to the education of their children, European nobles had always been very advanced.

After a moment, Princess Sophie accepted Franz's argument, though the doubts in her heart were not dispelled. She asked in return, "What do you intend to do?"

Franz said solemnly, "My respected Princess Sophie, I am already sixteen years old; I am no longer a child. I know exactly what I am doing now, and I understand what I need to do!

Theoretical knowledge is not the same as the real world. From childhood to the present, I have lived within the royal palace. Everything I have seen and understood is what you believe I should see.

Yet, there are too many questions and loopholes within this. You should know that my teachers are often left speechless by my questions.

I have no idea what the world is truly like, or what the current state of the Austrian Empire is.

If I do not go out and walk around to understand the real situation of this country, in the future, I will only be able to follow in my uncle's footsteps and contentedly be a puppet emperor!"

Princess Sophie's expression changed drastically; Franz was silently accusing her. Being of royal birth, she quickly suppressed her anger and said:

"Franz, do not forget that you are only sixteen. There is plenty of time to understand this country; what you need most right now is to study!"

Franz shook his head and said cautiously, "No, Mother! I do not have that much time. By the time you think I am ready to understand this country, I will no longer be able to see its true state.

The bureaucrats have plenty of ways to ensure I only see what they want me to see, while the real social situation is something I will never be able to grasp!"

"Franz, you are too suspicious. The world is not that bad. If you want to understand the world, you can simply read the newspapers!" Princess Sophie said, her face pale.

"Mother, do not forget that suspicion is the most basic quality of a qualified monarch! As for newspapers, are you not aware of the censorship system in Austria?" Franz asked in return.

Reading newspapers to understand the world? Franz instantly remembered that "Yuan the Big-Head" who had been tricked by the newspapers and ended up in disgrace.

Could such a thing happen in Austria? Franz dared not draw a conclusion yet, but if the interest groups required it, printing a newspaper was no big deal.

The two stared at each other, neither willing to concede, and a stalemate ensued.

After a moment, Franz took the initiative to ease the atmosphere.

"My respected Princess Sophie, have you noticed that the harvest in the Germany region has been poor this year?"

"I know a little, but what does that have to do with you?" Princess Sophie asked suspiciously.

Franz shook his head and said, "It has nothing to do with me now, but it will in the future! A poor harvest in the Germany region means the living standards of the local people have declined. If the government does not handle it effectively, it could very well incite a popular uprising!

Although such uprisings would be quickly suppressed and the news might not even reach Vienna, the conflict between the lower classes and the government is intensifying.

There will be no problems in the short term, but as time passes, the affected people will be forced to enter the cities to make a living, providing the bourgeoisie with even cheaper labor.

Austria might even become more prosperous, but the contradictions will continue to accumulate until they are ignited one day. Just think about the French Revolution!"

"Franz, you are being alarmist!" Princess Sophie said, her face pale.

Franz said solemnly, "No, I am not! My respected Princess Sophie, I have studied the French Revolution.

In 1788, a drought occurred in France, causing a decline in grain production and creating difficulties for the lives of ordinary people. Meanwhile, the conflict between the domestic bourgeoisie and the nobility intensified, much like the reformers and conservatives in our own country today.

In the end, the government, representing the interests of the nobility, ignited the spark by raising taxes on the bourgeoisie, and the French Revolution broke out, burying the Bourbon Dynasty!"

"Are you saying that a revolution will break out in Austria? Franz, do you think I would believe that?" Princess Sophie said angrily.

Franz shook his head and said, "My respected Princess Sophie, this is only my preliminary judgment. Whether a revolution will break out in Austria—I have too little data in my hands. I need to understand more intelligence before I can judge.

I think this subject is far more important than that pile of homework. As the Crown Prince of the Empire, it is necessary for me to understand the true situation of this ancient empire!"