CHAPTER 593: CHAPTER 584: THE RICH LEADING THE LESS FORTUNATE

"An era named industrialization has arrived, and those unwilling to adapt will be crushed by the times!"

As he left the dining room, Franz Joseph’s mind still echoed with the words spoken by Jerome Bonaparte at the table. Although he was somewhat bewildered, he could sense an impending storm in Jerome Bonaparte’s words.

If the Austrian Empire truly faces the predicament described by Jerome Bonaparte, what should I do?

Franz Joseph unconsciously placed himself in the world described by Jerome Bonaparte where nobility is in decline, finding himself utterly powerless to change it, a sense of helplessness overwhelmed him.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" It wasn’t until the voice of Prince Metternich reached Franz Joseph’s ears that he realized he had reached the end of the corridor.

"Mr. Metternich, I..." Franz Joseph turned around, wanting to say something to Prince Metternich, but in the end, he merely opened his mouth without uttering a word.

"Your Majesty, are you still worried about His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte’s ’theory of nobility’s demise’?" Prince Metternich instantly recognized Franz Joseph’s anxiety.

After hesitating for a moment, Franz Joseph nodded, acknowledging Prince Metternich’s speculation.

"Your Majesty, from my point of view, you need not worry so much! Some things, when they’re destined to come, will come! We cannot spend every day fretting over the future!" Prince Metternich comforted Franz Joseph, "Besides, what His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte said might not necessarily be correct!"

Hearing Prince Metternich’s comforting words, Franz Joseph felt a slight solace in his heart. He nodded and answered Prince Metternich, "You’re right!"

"However, I believe there is one thing His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte said that is true!" Metternich continued in response to Franz Joseph.

"Which statement?" Franz Joseph asked curiously.

"The pioneering countries of industrialization have already completed their transformation. If the Austrian Empire does not strive to catch up, we might become the sacrifices of pioneering countries!" Prince Metternich replied to Franz Joseph.

"But won’t excessive development hasten the demise of the nobility?" Franz Joseph still worried about the decline of the noble system.

"Your Majesty!" Prince Metternich’s tone inadvertently became stern, "If even the Austrian Empire no longer exists, how can the nobility, which depends on the soil of the Empire, continue to survive?"

Franz Joseph immediately realized that his excessive worry about the demise of the noble system had led to a fundamental misunderstanding.

Nobility is indeed key to maintaining the Empire, but it is not the entirety of the Empire.

The destruction of the Empire would inevitably lead to the demise of the nobility, but the demise of the nobility would not necessarily cause the Empire’s destruction.

Worrying excessively about industrialization leading to the demise of the nobility, thereby refusing to develop, could lead to the Empire’s demise under external influences.

After all, even if the Austrian Empire maintains good relations with the French Empire, it still has two enemies: the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia.

If the Austrian Empire relies on the French Empire for everything, its independence will gradually disappear.

If the Austrian Empire wishes to maintain a position of independence and strength within the system constructed by France (though this position is relative), it must possess strength that matches such a position.

Even if the Austrian Empire cannot defeat the Russian Empire, at the very least, it must have the capability to defeat the Kingdom of Prussia on its own!

"Regarding the issue of the Empire’s industrialization, I leave it to you to handle!" Franz Joseph said to Prince Metternich.

In the entire Austrian Empire, the only person truly understanding the concept of industrialization was probably the Prince Metternich before him, so Franz Joseph had no choice but to rely heavily on Prince Metternich.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Entrusted by Franz Joseph, Prince Metternich responded robustly to Franz Joseph.

An innate intuition told him that if he could handle this matter well, he could rid himself of the title of advisor and regain his former stature.

Thus, Prince Metternich assured Franz Joseph that he would use his time in Paris to forge a path unique to the Austrian Empire.

However, Prince Metternich also hoped that his son Richard Metternich could assist him in compiling it, as Richard Metternich had not only accompanied him to Belgium and Britain but also had in-depth research on France.

Faced with Prince Metternich’s request to bring his son into the fold, Franz Joseph did not object.

If Richard Metternich were a capable individual, Franz Joseph would certainly not mind appointing him as Prime Minister.

For Franz Joseph, it is not important who becomes Prime Minister, but rather who can make the Austrian Empire stronger.

Back when Prince Felix Schwarzenberg was in power, didn’t he also try his best to meet all of Felix Schwarzenberg’s conditions!

"Mr. Metternich, I look forward to your memorandum!" Franz Joseph responded to Prince Metternich and then returned straight to his room.

After seeing Franz Joseph off, Prince Metternich immediately found the Royal Palace Chief Steward Mokar and asked if Mokar could summon his son Richard Metternich to the Tuileries Palace.

"Your Highness, if it were someone else, I might consider it!" Mokar said to Prince Metternich, "But if it is Mr. Richard Metternich, then there is no issue at all!"

"My son is quite popular at the Tuileries Palace?" Prince Metternich curiously asked Mokar.

"His Majesty is someone who enjoys being a teacher!" Mokar whispered to Richard Metternich, "I once heard him say that the students he has taught include the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and your son!"

"We are deeply honored to be valued by His Majesty!" Prince Metternich said in a complimentary tone.

"Alright! Make sure not to tell others about this!" Mokar told Metternich, "If His Majesty finds out, I would be in big trouble!"

"Certainly! Certainly!" Prince Metternich nodded in agreement.

After parting with Mokar, Prince Metternich returned to his room to await the arrival of Richard Metternich, who arrived after about half an hour.

"Father, you called me?" Richard Metternich asked Prince Metternich with a respectful tone as he entered the room.

"You’ve grown up!" Looking at his son before him, Prince Metternich reminisced about Richard Metternich’s time in swaddling clothes with great joy, and now twenty-five years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Richard Metternich also nodded and then inquired about the reason Prince Metternich had summoned him.

Prince Metternich told Richard Metternich that he had called him to help in drafting the Empire’s industrialization strategy.

"Father, accomplishing industrialization for the Empire would likely require substantial funding!" Richard Metternich said to Prince Metternich, "This funding is not something that can be achieved with just millions or even tens of millions of florins! It requires long-term investments of billions, even tens of billions of florins to develop!

From what I understand, France has already invested no less than 1.5 billion francs just in the area of railways, with their bonds being nearly pan-European for fundraising! Fundraising in other sectors is even more extensive!"

When Prince Metternich heard about the funds for France’s industrialization, he also mentally multiplied his own projected figures for industrialization.

"I know that relying solely on the strength of the Austrian Empire will not accomplish this monumental feat, so I plan to invite France to assist the Austrian Empire with industrialization!" Prince Metternich responded to Richard Metternich, "The financial power of the French Empire is second only to the Kingdom of Britain, and with their help, our path will be much simpler."

"If His Majesty is indeed willing to allow the French Empire to finance it, then that would be ideal!" Richard Metternich told Prince Metternich about his discussions on financing with His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte at the train station.

However, Richard Metternich did not tell Prince Metternich about the issue concerning Hungary.

"If it’s just financing, then the Austrian Empire will have to bear a large amount of interest!" Prince Metternich said to Richard Metternich with a frown, "Is it possible to attract some companies to set up branches in the Austrian Empire? The Austrian Empire can offer lower prices than French labor!"

If His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte were also in the room, he would certainly be shocked by Prince Metternich’s "astonishing" words.

Because Prince Metternich’s thinking had completely "transcended" the times, using cheap labor to attract foreign investment to achieve initial capital accumulation.

This is entirely the idea of 20th-century industrial transfer, where developed countries shift some low-value-added industries to the Third World to lower costs, then use the cost savings earned abroad to placate the domestic proletariat, thus dividing them internally.

"This is indeed a good plan!" Richard Metternich nodded in agreement.

Even among groups like French workers who work tirelessly, their wages rank among the highest in Europe.

The neighboring Kingdom of Britain’s factories are infamous for replacing workers every three years, while French factories may be exhausting, but at least the turnover isn’t as fast as in Britain!

If Austrian Empire workers are indeed cheaper than French ones, it could attract numerous entrepreneurs to invest in Austria!