Holy Roman Empire

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The turbulent international environment did not affect Austria’s Near East development plan, which was unfolding methodically.

Just in the first quarter, the Vienna Government had immigrated 128,000 people from the homeland to the Near East area, nearly half of whom were the newly emerged military farm owners.

Everyone was enthusiastic about developing their land. If it wasn’t for the fear of "Black Death" remnants, and the government’s prohibition, they would have already gone there.

After all, the earlier the development began, the sooner the harvest. Generally, the earliest immigrants received preferential treatment and could select their land in advance.

It was still the 19th century, and the gap between agriculture and industry was not as wide as in later times. The global backdrop of grain shortage had not improved, especially in the Asia-Pacific region where food was in the shortest supply.

Agriculture was still an industry with a "promising financial future," particularly against the backdrop of a population explosion in Europe, where international grain prices were beginning to climb again.

In fact, as the world’s leading agricultural product exporter, Austria was also the largest grain importer.

This was a market demand increment brought about by population growth, and after meeting domestic needs, the amount of grain available for export had significantly decreased.

Under such circumstances, agribusinesses involved in international trade had to import raw grain from overseas to ensure smooth delivery of orders.

This situation had actually arisen during the Prusso-Russian war. At one point, the Vienna Government was ready to lift the restrictions on the colonies and open up the grain planting and exporting of the African continent.

However, considering political implications, Franz stopped it. Instead, they imported grain from the Russian Empire, processed it further, and then exported it.

In a sense, the Vienna Government’s food policy had retained the Tsarist Government.

Otherwise, with an additional grain-producing area in Africa, the international grain prices would have dropped significantly, and the expensive Russian agricultural system would have been the first to face a disaster.

It was even possible for international grain prices to turn negative, and with the loss of this revenue, it was uncertain whether the Tsarist Government could survive.

Of course, the Vienna Government’s food policy was not just for the sake of the Russians. A fall in international grain prices, Austria, as the world’s top agricultural exporter, would suffer the greatest losses.

The political structure of Austria dictated that the government must stabilize agriculture, as a collapse in international grain prices would mean government subsidies for grain growers.

A common practice in later times, but it was still too early for that.

The Vienna Government was not yet so wealthy that it could disregard the substantial profits to be made annually, so why turn it into a loss-making business? n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Even if it meant suppressing the Russians, now was not the time. Backstabbing the Tsarist Government at this juncture could lead to its premature downfall.

Having a Tsarist Government sliding into the abyss as a neighbor is much safer than dealing with an unknown entity.

The consequence of flipping the table would be the downfall of a pro-Austria Tsarist Government, and Austria itself would suffer heavy losses, with only the major European grain importing countries profiting.

Cheap grain imports would lower the production costs of industrial and commercial businesses, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of their products.

A vicious cycle of self-inflicted suffering, once started, would significantly weaken the advantages that Austria itself possessed.

...

Vienna Palace

The Maid said softly, "Your Majesty, the cause of the Prime Minister’s fainting has been found, it is said to be insufficient blood supply to the brain.

The doctors suggest more rest and recuperation. This is the Prime Minister’s letter of resignation, please review it."

In later times, this might not be considered a serious illness, but in this era, it was quite deadly, categorized as one of those diseases that could claim a life at any moment.

With no specific cure and even controlling the condition being difficult, all that could be done was to recover and hope for God’s blessing.

After receiving the resignation letter from the Maid and glancing it over, Franz didn’t immediately respond.

After he sighed, he commanded, "Prepare the carriage, I want to leave the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the Maid replied.

To this day, Prime Minister Felix was also a banner for Austria.

Even if he could not perform the duties of Prime Minister, just having his name on the list and occasionally making appearances could have a stabilizing effect on the populace.

Especially for the German People’s nationalists, Prime Minister Felix was their spiritual leader, having consistently worked towards the unification of the German region.

Since 1853, Felix visited each principality in the German region almost every year to discuss the issue of "peaceful unification."

Over the years, not insignificant achievements had been made. Although true unification was still a distant prospect, economically and culturally, they had already come together.

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The Customs Union is essential, and no one can refuse the large market of Austria; the economic prosperity of North Germany is inseparable from Austria’s support.

Up to now, the Divine Shield could flow freely within the German region without any restrictions, and there were even sixteen sub-states within the North German Empire that had designated the Divine Shield as the sole legal currency.

Moreover, there are countless cultural exchange groups. Citizens of any sub-state can travel and work freely within the German region without a visa.

As the foundation layer of all this, Prime Minister Felix is naturally supported by all nationalists.

...

"Your Majesty, you’ve come again."

A familiar voice rang in Franz’s ear.

Seeing the tottering Felix, Franz knew that the spirited Austrian Prime Minister was no longer here, only an elderly man in the twilight of his years remained.

"Hmm!"

The myriad of thoughts he had on his way here were now reduced to a single word.

Felix joked, "You shouldn’t have come. Every time you leave the palace you bid farewell to an old friend, making it seem as if I’m about to meet God."

It was a joke, but also a fact. As the Emperor, Franz didn’t need to visit his ministers; such visits were essentially to say a final goodbye.

Embarrassed, Franz scratched his nose and retorted not to be outdone, "Save it; the Good Lord’s busy right now, He doesn’t have time to see you yet!"

After more than thirty years of interaction, the two were both sovereign and subject and friends.

Especially after Felix’s brush with death, the way they related to one another had become much more casual; at this moment, they were more friends than sovereign and subject.

From Felix’s behavior, Franz understood that he had made up his mind to retire from politics, and there was no possibility of further persuasion.

Although the sovereign-subject relationships in the European world were not as rigidly hierarchical as those in the East, decorum and etiquette were still indispensable; maintaining a proper distance was the key to their relationship.

A seasoned politician would not make such an error; only after casting aside their sovereign-subject roles could they afford to be so casual.

Felix nodded, "That would be for the best. However, it’s better that you don’t come again. I still want to live to see the unification of the German region!"

An obsession? Perhaps. After all, when someone has devoted over thirty years to a task and must suddenly leave it, it’s natural to feel emotional.

And who wouldn’t want a glorious conclusion as a final chapter?

However, Felix was very aware that the German region could not be unified in the short term. He couldn’t, out of personal obsession, push for the unification of the German region recklessly.

Until then, Felix had always thought that he could achieve the unification of the German region in his own hands, subconsciously ignoring the issue of his age.

This sudden illness brought him to his senses. In an era where the average lifespan was in the forties, the 85-year-old Felix had lived the equivalent of two ordinary lifetimes.

Time spares no one, and the frailty of his elderly body forced him to bow his head.

Perhaps by riding on past achievements, Felix could still remain in the position of Prime Minister even if he couldn’t fulfill his duties, but the pride he was born with forbid it.

Felix had always despised those who "occupied positions and did nothing." During his time as Prime Minister, he constantly fought against the practice of drawing pay without working.

Over the years, at least a four-digit number of officials had been sent home because of this.

To avoid becoming what he despised the most, Felix didn’t even give Franz the chance to plead for him to stay.

Looking at the proud and stubborn old man, Franz shrugged helplessly, "Fine, I won’t come then, making it sound as if I’m a harbinger of doom.

But if you want to see the unification of the German region, you can’t just sit idle; visit the German unification organization from time to time and guide the work of those young folks."

This time, Felix didn’t refuse Franz’s goodwill. Letting go of power was not as easy as saying it. If it weren’t for his failing health, he wouldn’t have retired so early.

Felix joked, "I will! But unifying the German region primarily remains the government’s task.

Your Majesty, you need to hurry. Otherwise, one day when God is free and calls me to join Him, I’ll have to watch it all from heaven."

Franz rolled his eyes; coming to terms with death is never easy. Maybe one doesn’t feel it much when young, but as one ages, life’s value comes into sharper focus.

He answered in a feigned humorous tone, "Don’t worry, the German region will surely be unified before you celebrate your 100th birthday."

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Deep inside, Franz was not at peace. Should that day come fifteen years later, he too would be of an age rarely reached by anyone, with not many years left to make a difference.