Ever since Vienna became the capital of the House of Habsburg in the thirteenth century, it had quickly become the political, economic, and cultural center of the European Continent, as well as one of the most prosperous cities in the world.
Things were no different now. After the Anti-French War ended, Austria had once again established itself as a great power. Russia wasn't the only country known as the gendarme of Europe.
After Austria formed the Holy Alliance in 1815, it became the representative of the forces of restoration and the vanguard in opposing capitalism, while also serving as Europe's gendarme.
Unfortunately, behind this glory lay Austria's steady decline. By the time the Revolution of 1848 broke out, the Austrian Empire's hegemony in Europe had come to an end.
As he walked down the bustling street, Franz felt heavyhearted. He suddenly remembered a line by Du Fu: "Behind vermilion gates, wine and meat rot; on the road, frozen bones lie dead!"
Even on Vienna's bustling streets, raggedly dressed people hurried by from time to time. He could see them trembling with cold.
Now and then, a beggar wandered in, and the police would quickly arrive to chase them away or take them off.
This was the most prosperous street in the city. Who knew what the slums must look like?
The Little Match Girl wasn't just a fairy tale. As Franz made his way through the city, he saw far too many children hawking cigarettes, newspapers, and matches...
Franz didn't accuse the capitalists of abusing child labor. In this era, having a job that could keep you fed was already a very good thing.
Over the course of a month, Franz had visited Vienna's main districts and witnessed the grim reality of this empire in its twilight years.
Perhaps, during the Vienna Revolution a year later, what the people truly needed wasn't a constitution or freedom, but bread to fill their stomachs and clothes to keep out the cold.
Public opinion had fallen into the hands of the bourgeoisie and nobility. The so-called revolution had in fact become a tool for them to fight over power, while ordinary people became casualties in their struggle.
Franz still remembered an article from a later era. It told of Polish nationalists trying to persuade the peasants in a village to rise up, claiming that once the Austrians were driven out, they would all live happily ever after.
But the peasants replied:
"No, respected sir, things won't be that way. You only want to drive the kindest ruler on this land—the Habsburg emperor—away, and then lead this country to ruin.
"My grandfather once told me that when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth still existed, the lords could beat the peasants as they pleased, and the peasants had nowhere to turn.
"If you drive the emperor from this land, every one of you will want to savor the taste of ruling as a king. You'll turn us into slaves again, just as you did in the past!"
Historically, the Vienna uprising failed. The bourgeoisie, who styled themselves patriots, were dealt a heavy blow, while the people's lives genuinely improved.
It was, undeniably, ironic. The people shouting slogans about overthrowing the exploiting class were themselves a bunch of capitalists, while the emperor, the very target of the revolution, ended up carrying out revolutionary work.
By then, Franz already knew what he had to do. Uniting the majority to strike at a small minority was always the right move in politics.
In Franz's view, before compulsory education was complete, any constitutional reform was utter nonsense. Reforms that went beyond what the people could accept would only hurt everyone in the end.
"Raul, take me to the chancellor's residence!" Franz said calmly.
A transmigrator who didn't stir things up wasn't a true transmigrator. That was Franz's motto. He had changed his mind and decided to make trouble.
An hour later, Franz arrived at the chancellor's residence. Since he hadn't made an appointment, Chancellor Metternich wasn't home.
Franz wasn't surprised. A chancellor's work was always busy, especially for a powerful minister like Metternich.
Europe was different from the East. Even a powerful minister like Metternich had limited power in practice. His dominance over Austrian politics still depended on the king's support.
"Your Highness, please rest here for a while. We've already sent someone to inform the chancellor," the butler said smoothly.
The meaning was obvious: I've sent someone to notify the chancellor, but there's no telling when he'll be back. Whatever issues you important people have with each other, please don't take them out on us little folk.
Franz smiled faintly. He had no habit of taking his anger out on others. The original Franz had gotten along well with Chancellor Metternich, and that relationship had carried over after his transmigration.
In Franz's mind, powerful ministers had always been there to be used as scapegoats. If the Austrian Empire wanted to reform, it needed someone to take the blame, and the already infamous Chancellor Metternich was the perfect choice.
When you were already buried in debt, a few more debts hardly mattered. Surely he wouldn't mind shouldering a few more black marks for Austria.
Metternich didn't return until evening. Franz wasn't angry; he ate and drank as he pleased, and no one dared neglect him.
"Sorry for the wait, little Franz. What brings you here today?" Metternich asked kindly.
That was right: in Metternich's eyes, Franz was a junior. Metternich was an old hand, having been chancellor since Franz's grandfather's time and remaining in office ever since.
"Respected Mr. Metternich, please leave out the 'little.' I'm already sixteen!"
Franz didn't answer the question first, but instead voiced a little of his displeasure.
"All right, respected Archduke Franz. What brings you here today?" Metternich asked with a hearty smile.
"Mr. Metternich, I'm here today to talk about reform!" Franz said bluntly.
"Reform? Franz, why are you interested in that? Or has someone been saying things to you?" Metternich asked in surprise.
"No one's been saying anything. Over the past month, I've been conducting field observations in Vienna. I have some questions and wanted to ask your advice," Franz answered calmly.
"Oh? What questions? Let's hear them," Metternich asked, pretending to be interested.
"Mr. Metternich, there's a great deal of public support for constitutional reform right now, but the workers I've seen are numb. Every day, they struggle just to earn enough for three meals. Does work really matter more to them than dignity?" Franz asked, feigning ignorance.
"No, Franz! They're struggling to survive. If they don't work for even one day, they may go hungry. When survival is at stake, nothing else matters!" Metternich said firmly.
"Oh, if that's the case, why don't we make our reforms work in their favor? At least let them have enough bread first!" Franz said, pretending to be naive.
"Franz, it isn't that simple. The capitalists will never agree to improve the workers' conditions!" Metternich said, shaking his head.
"Is that so? That's truly awful!" Franz said with a feigned sigh.
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