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The aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars has cleared, revealing a Vienna system that, once a harbinger of European peace, now bears evident weaknesses. Beneath an illusion of serenity lies a maelstrom of contemporary forces, a calm preceding an impending storm. The atmosphere is thick with the mist of perspiration, and the acrid black smoke lingers, making breathing a challenge. Around the refined dining table, a mixture of soldiers and corpulent men in suits jostle for position, indulging in the banquet. Van Gogh's self-portrait adorns the wall, overseeing the revelry with a waltz in the ears. Suddenly, the music transitions into a march, and the scene transforms into a battlefield. Soldiers move in precise formation, advancing toward the machine gun and barbed wire. A shell collides with the ground, and as the smoke dissipates, a multitude of cavalry charges toward the artillery position.
In the year 1834, within the Austrian Empire's capital, Vienna, the city presented itself as a livable place with blue skies and clear rivers. Despite this, it lacked the grandeur befitting a powerful nation in the nineteenth century. The atmosphere was marred by a relatively gloomy sky, thick smog, and rivers tainted black – an environmental state incongruent with the strength symbolized by mighty nations like London, England.
Nestled within a classic Baroque building, the interior boasted Rococo design, showcasing an array of antique furniture, from oriental porcelain to Baltic beeswax rough stones. The owner of this grandeur was none other than Franz II, the final monarch of the Holy Roman Empire and the inaugural monarch of the Austrian Empire.
At this pivotal moment, Franz II faced a daunting decision: whether to select an exceptional heir or adhere strictly to tradition. Despite the absence of a qualified heir, Franz II found hope in his special grandson, born without mental impairments, a healthy child embodying the aspirations of the empire.
Yet, the challenges loomed large. Franz II recalled the succession wars and the dilemma caused by state decrees. His eldest son, Ferdinand, lacked the capacity to revitalize the empire, and the second son proved equally incapable. However, Franz II's eldest grandson, Franz Joseph, exhibited exceptional intelligence from a young age, though unconventional behavior raised eyebrows.
Franz II grappled with the dilemma of breaking with tradition, as the Austrian Empire had no precedent for the eldest grandson inheriting the throne over the eldest son. Despite Franz II's concern, he clung to the dream of a powerful country, the fervent desire of every emperor.
Unbeknownst to Franz II, the Austrian Empire's historical trajectory included only three monarchs, and its existence became nominal after the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. The Austro-Hungarian Empire eventually replaced it, meeting its demise after World War I.
Meanwhile, Franz Joseph, the eldest grandson, unaware of the intricate struggles of his forebear, grappled with his own challenges. Born in the 19th century royal family, he initially anticipated a playboy lifestyle but discovered he was destined to become the tragic emperor, Franz Joseph. His life unfolded as a series of tragedies, witnessing the collapse of empires and the rise of Germany and France.
Yet, Franz Joseph's immediate concern wasn't the historical events but rather the staggering debt burdening his family and country. With arrears exceeding one billion florins, the annual fiscal revenue of the Austrian Empire seemed insufficient. In 1834, the German Zollverein's establishment marked a turning point, and Franz Joseph sought ways to please the old emperor, hoping for financial support to alter the empire's fate. In his quest for solutions, Franz II turned to divine intervention, visiting St. Stephen's Cathedral to seek guidance from God's messenger.
