Chapter 12: For the Glory of Nobility

The goal was achieved, and the two continued to chat about various topics as if nothing had happened. However, Franz had already made a veiled suggestion, and he owed Archduke Louis for the favor.

It's difficult to repay a favor, but for Franz, sometimes owing a few more favors is not necessarily a bad thing.

For instance, he now had a connection with the leader of the Conservatives, and they could essentially consider each other allies.

Otherwise, why would Franz seek him out and have him owe such a favor? As the Crown Prince of the Empire, wouldn't he have other ways to join the Royal Guard?

Obviously, that wasn't the case. If Franz wished to, he could get involved without any official position since the Royal Guard served only the Royal family, with the Emperor as their first loyalty and the Crown Prince as their second.

"Uncle Louis, it seems that the domestic situation has been quite unstable recently!" Franz inquired with feigned curiosity.

"Yes, it's all because our Prime Minister is always shouting about reform. Now a bunch of capitalists have turned into Reformists overnight, seeking benefits under the guise of patriotism.

Our dear Prime Minister pretends not to see it, focusing all his attention on us Nobility, as if we're the malignant tumors hindering Austria's progress!" Archduke Louis complained discontentedly.

Doesn't Prime Minister Metternich care about the bourgeoisie? Then what are the secret police for? Surely not just to arrest the Nobility?

As a representative of the Nobility, except for harming everyone's interests concerning the abolition of serfdom, Prime Minister Metternich has almost always been a guardian of the Nobility's benefits!

Of course, these thoughts were just in Franz's mind; he would never voice them out loud. The man before him was the leader of the Austrian Conservative Party. Discussing such matters would be like inviting enmity, wouldn't it?

"Uncle Louis, if the capitalists can wave the banner of reform in the name of patriotism, we Nobility can do the same!" Franz said with a smile.

This had become a good habit of Franz, and for some reason, ever since his transmigration, he enjoyed laying traps.

"Oh, Franz, you aren't joking, are you?" Archduke Louis asked incredulously.

For the Nobility to raise the banner of reform – wasn't that nonsense? The current reforms were essentially cutting the flesh of the Nobility. Could they really be expected to carve their own flesh?

Franz explained, "Of course, Uncle Louis, I'm not one for jokes! If the capitalists can propose reform plans, can't we Nobility do the same?"

Archduke Louis fell into deep thought. Reforms were necessary for the Austrian Empire – that was consensus – but such reforms shouldn't harm their interests. That was the reason the Conservatives opposed reform.

In his view, Franz's proposition was about the Nobility taking the initiative to grab control of reform.

He never suspected Franz of ulterior motives because even the bourgeoisie were enemies of the Royal family. Capitalists leading reforms would first strip away the Emperor's powers.

And that's just the moderates. If it were the Radical faction of the bourgeoisie, they would advocate for a republic. Just considering the cases of Charles I and Louis XVI, no Emperor would have a favorable view of them.

Crown Prince Franz was no exception, as positions are often determined by one's own interests. Now in conversation with Franz, wasn't he repeatedly emphasizing "we"? This was a natural consequence of class alignment, with the Royal family and the Nobility inherently united.

"Franz, do you have any specific plans you could share?" Archduke Louis asked with concern.

He no longer underestimated Franz. From their recent conversation, it was clear that Franz was a sly fox, smooth with political maneuvers.

"Uncle Louis, have you noticed that the bourgeoisie demands the liberation of serfs, waving the banner of freedom and equality?" Franz posed the question.

"Of course, they shout those words every day. Besides, they have made a host of unreasonable demands like constitutional reform and national autonomy.

Essentially, it's all for their own benefit. Their factories lack cheap labor, so they want to abolish serfdom, when in fact they are all a bunch of vampires.

Keep in mind that the majority of workers have lives worse than serfs; at least we provide serfs with food, clothing, shelter, and care in their old age.

But those wicked capitalists aren't so kind-hearted. Once you become their worker, making it past ten years is rare, and as soon as you're too old, you're cast out to fend for yourself.

Having toiled for them all your life, in the end, they leave you to perish on the streets. May God punish these bloodsuckers!" Archduke Louis angrily denounced.

It's undeniable that Archduke Louis spoke some truth; the capitalists of this era were indeed ruthless, and the lives of most workers were worse than those of serfs. That was not incorrect.

You could tell from the average lifespans. City dwellers lived 3–5 years less than those in the countryside, a testament to the capitalists' cruelty.

Ordinary workers entering factories would typically break down after about fifteen years, with most not living past forty.

However, most of the Nobility weren't much better. They were all vampires; none more noble than the other.

"Uncle Louis, I'm aware of these circumstances. Since the capitalists can use the pretext of fighting for the serfs' rights to push for the abolition of serfdom, why can't we wave the banner of seeking benefits for the working class to limit the growth and power of the bourgeoisie?" Franz said with a sneer.

Speak human to humans, and ghost to ghosts.

Now Franz portrayed the face of the feudal Nobility to perfection, his expression seeming eager to tear the bourgeoisie to shreds.

"Seek benefits for the working class? That seems problematic. Many among our Nobility also run workshops, and improving workers' conditions would harm a significant number of interests!" Archduke Louis said, looking before and after with concern.

Seeing Archduke Louis's expression, Franz knew that the historical evaluation of him was not wrong – indecisive, but that made him all the more likely to fall for Franz's persuasion.

"Compared to the glory of the Nobility, what does a small loss of profits count for? If we don't limit the bourgeoisie, it won't be many years before they are sitting atop us doing as they please!

Uncle Louis, haven't you noticed that the power of the bourgeoisie is continuously growing? If this goes on, one day we won't be able to hold them down!" Franz persuaded.

These words were only effective now while the Nobility had not yet transformed into the bourgeoisie; even those investing in industry would not personally take part in the business.

Asking them to sit on equal terms with capitalists was beneath their dignity. If ordinary Nobility found that degrading, then for someone like Archduke Louis, a Grand Duke of such high status, it was even more unthinkable.