Wealth Buries Old Grudges

Franz II glanced at the King of Prussia and said with his chin raised, "They are only minor problems. The Empire's finances are very well supplied."

William II mercilessly exposed him. "Let's speak plainly. Austria has already lost its advantageous position in the South German market, and even its domestic market is being challenged.

"The Hungarians and even the Bohemians are deeply dissatisfied with your tax policies, often making it impossible to collect the full amount of taxes from those regions.

"Of course, most importantly, His Majesty Joseph II consumed far too much military spending in Silesia."

Seeing the Holy Roman Emperor's dark expression, he quickly raised a hand in a calming gesture. "Yes, our country also suffered enormous losses in that war. Oh, I even lost Liegnitz."

Franz II immediately said coldly, "That place originally belonged to Austria."

"All right, all right, let us forget the Treaty of Dresden for now." William II shook his head. "In fact, our country is also facing severe financial pressure."

The Treaty of Dresden was the treaty, signed forty years earlier after Austria's defeat, in which it recognized Prussia's right to rule Silesia.

Franz II entered the meeting room and gestured toward the sofa, frowning as he looked at the King of Prussia. "So, what exactly are you trying to say?"

William II sat down and said in the stiff manner distinctive of Prussians, "Both our nations urgently need to improve our finances. Perhaps we can set aside our prejudices and do something beneficial to us both."

"What would that be?"

William II gestured toward the servants and court officials around them. "My apologies."

Franz II frowned, but still waved his hand. "You may all leave."

[Map of the Partition of Poland]

Only after the spacious hall contained just the two of them