March 1835.

The old emperor, Franz II, suddenly felt unwell, and then after a doctor's examination, it was found that the emperor's body was about to collapse, and I am afraid that there would be no days left.

Franz II left his chambers and wandered aimlessly around the palace.

As he walked and walked, he came to his grandson's room, and he thought that maybe it was providence, or maybe he wanted to do it, and now it didn't matter.

Franz II entered Franz's room with a kind smile, but his face was very poor and he seemed preoccupied.

Franz didn't know exactly what was going on.

But judging by the information published in the newspapers so far, the entire Austrian Empire was in a rare period of ascent.

Austria's fiscal revenues in 1833 were 130,269,877 florins, and in the first year of joining the German Customs Union, they rose to 146,120,349 florins, far exceeding the forecasts of the Count of Korolav and the Ministry of Finance, and a growth rate of 12 percent was enough to boast.

Politically, the loans kept the Central and Italian states firmly in Austria's hands, and the rulers of Central Italy were not disgusted or wary of hiring Austrian advisers to help run the country, but felt that they did not have to pay for the maintenance of officials.

Austria's position in the German Confederation was strengthened by its accession to the German Customs Union.

Even the small states that had followed in the footsteps of Prussia in the past turned to Austria again.

In the last vote, Prussia was calculated by Austria, because it was impossible to find out who was the ghost, and the foreign minister died, and the Polish restoration army made trouble, and the Prussian side also became suspicious.

Domestically, because the aristocracy and capitalists of northern Italy also wanted to join the German Customs Union and get a piece of the pie, they seemed extremely well-behaved.

The Hungarians, on the other hand, are still busy with infighting and will not make much of a move until a new boss is decided.

And a new faction emerged within Hungary, that is, the young nobles led by Count Széchenyi.

These people were usually not traditional aristocrats, and their bourgeois nature of industry and commerce meant that they wanted to open up the market for free trade, and they were not opposed to joining the German Customs Union, but supported Hungary's entry into the German Customs Union.

The factional struggle in Hungary became more intense as new factions were added.

All in all, there is a peaceful scene in the country.

In recent years, cholera has once again spread in France after a cholera pandemic, then a natural disaster that reduced food production, and then a massive uprising among workers.

The Russians were still targeting the Ottomans, and Austria only sent some Great Slavists into East Transylvania to infiltrate and spread Great Slavist ideas.

The spread of Great Slavism caused a certain hidden danger in the local area, and the commander of the local garrison, General von Anton, immediately resorted to thunderous measures, putting to death those who should be executed, and expelling those who should be expelled.

Although von Anton's actions were somewhat extreme, the Russians could not find anything wrong with them.

After all, they were accused of undermining local law and order, and did not mention the so-called Great Slavism.

Austria, as a land power and a Mediterranean country, was hardly a threat to the British, so it did not attract special attention from the British.

The international environment is also becoming favourable for Austria.

Franz really couldn't think of anything to worry about the old emperor, and he saw the old emperor want to speak and stop.

I had to say.

"Grandpa, what's wrong with you?"

"Grandpa is fine." Franz II smiled and continued.

"Franz, will you answer Grandpa's question?"

"Okay." Franz put down the newspaper in his hand and sat down to wait for the old emperor to ask questions.

"Is Grandpa a good emperor?"

"Of course Grandpa is a good emperor, you read the newspaper!" After speaking, he picked up the newspaper and pointed to the news on it.

Franz II took the newspaper and studied it carefully.

It's all about how powerful the Austrian Empire was, and how wise His Majesty the Emperor was.

Franz II, however, was very pleased when he saw it, because it had been a long time since anyone had glorified him.

However, after a few more glances, I could not help but be a little annoyed, and the newspapers only wrote about the recent achievements of the Austrian Empire, how and how it had been achieved, and did not say a word about the difficulties facing the Austrian Empire now.

However, looking back at Franz II's brows, he was still a little happy.

Because the newspapers devalued the other countries around them, the French could not afford bread, the Prussians had no shoes to wear, and the Russians had to use people to plough the land, as if everyone in the world except the Austrian Empire was living in misery.

The Italian people, in particular, are simply eating pot pulp to welcome the king.

These sensual words did not affect Franz II's mood, let alone shame.

Instead, he instructed the royal butler to print more and make sure that every official in Austria could see it.

Franz was a little embarrassed, but he was relieved that this time Prince Metternich's censorship system was in place.

It would be a relinquish duty on the part of Prince Metternich to see in the newspapers supplied to the royal family that were unfavorable to Austria or to the royal family.

Especially after joining the German Customs Union, Austria will be the focus of attention of the entire German region, and any small stain may be infinitely magnified, which will affect the national policy and even threaten the rule.

The common people could use newspapers to learn about the country, and the emperor could never rely on newspapers alone.

"Franz, I'll tell you today a secret to being an emperor. This is the secret that my grandfather realized after decades of being an emperor. The old emperor looked very expectant.

Although Franz was a little surprised, because he didn't think the old emperor was a successful emperor, he still decided to listen to him, after all, he didn't want to ruin the old emperor's interest.

Franz II cleared his throat and took a deep breath to try to adjust his body to the best condition.

"To be an emperor, you must have the spirit of a king, and the spirit of a king must not only be magnanimous and polite, but also bold and responsible. If you can't understand, even if you are a brutal tyrant, don't expose your weakness in front of people. ”

"Grandpa used to be a weak emperor, so Napoleon, Talleyrand, the French, the British, the Russians, the Prussians, and the ministers and the Hungarians, all of them were against me!"

Franz II looked a little excited, but then laughed again.

"But one day, when I picked up my sword, they were afraid of me. Afraid of me as an emperor, afraid of me rebuilding the Holy Roman Empire, afraid of me going to bully them. No one dares to bully me and the country anymore, and now the whole country is better, but it's a pity that grandpa realized it too late. ”

Tears slipped from the corners of Franz II's eyes, and he continued.

"Your uncle is not fit to rule this country, and your father lacks such talent, and the future master of this country must be Ling. You must remember Grandpa's words, when you rebuild the Holy Roman Empire, you must let me be buried with the title of Holy Roman Emperor. ”

Franz was a little confused, but nodded anyway.

Franz II turned around again and added.

"Remember to have more children."