Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Chapter 1575: Chapter 1481: Twilight of the Empire

Mikhailovich was instantly overwhelmed.

These noble families wield significant political influence in their countries, such as Marquis Busto, who is the second-in-command of Parma’s General Staff.

If his nephew were really hanged, there’s a possibility that the Parma government might directly declare support for the Basel rebels.

"Damn it..." he waved his hand, "Release them, no, send someone to escort them back to Italy."

He really couldn’t understand why these young nobles were running to die in the deep mountains of Switzerland.

Little did he know, the French Cultural Propaganda Association had already dramatized and illustrated the battles in northern Switzerland, now visible in all European countries.

In these stories, the Basel militia are portrayed as a group of pitiable people pursuing freedom and a better life, while the Austrian intervention army is presented as tyrants from Holy Rome sent to massacre them.

Joseph’s original intention was to mobilize the people in northern Switzerland against Austria, but unexpectedly, the Liberals in Germany and Italy couldn’t sit still first.

Especially some young nobles who not only generously donated to Basel but even rushed to join the battle. It almost became a fashion.

In just the past three months, over 400 volunteers from various countries have joined the Basel militia.

Encouraged more in countries like Wurttemberg and Augsburg where Joseph hinted, "enthusiastic organizations" would provide weapons for volunteers.

As for France, they haven’t officially stated their stance on the battle, but the Upper German Province has been consistently selling various supplies to the Basel Temporary Council through traditional trade routes at very low prices.

...

Vienna.

Schonbrunn Palace.

Count Latour bowed his head, continuing to read from the report in his hand: "...Based on this, the military committee believes it can allocate the Graz Corps, Traunau Corps, and other units, a total of 27,000 soldiers, to Zurich.

"With these troops, the war should end before June..."

Franz II’s expression was a bit displeased.

The Intelligence Department reported to him that the rebels in northern Switzerland numbered only over two thousand, yet he had sent out ten times the army, fought for several months, and not only had the rebels not been eradicated, their numbers had even increased.

He turned to the several senior officials before him: "What are your opinions?"

Marshal Ussum and the Minister of the Interior among others agreed unanimously. They all had good relations with Mikhailovich and had received benefits from him, naturally speaking on his behalf.

Count Stadion frowned, he had always thought the Empire shouldn’t waste too much effort in such a godforsaken place like Switzerland.

He was about to voice his opinion when Metternich quickly interjected: "Your Majesty, Switzerland is not only the Empire’s western shield, this rebellion also concerns the Empire’s dignity.

"I believe it’s worth increasing some investment as long as it can swiftly suppress the rebels."

The Swiss Federation had formed under his maneuverings, an important political asset for him. If Basel and Schwyz among other states failed to join the Federation, it would be a personal affront first and foremost.

Currently, because he presided over the reforms and was favored by the emperor, even the royal secretary who was popular at the moment had expressed his stance, Stadion and other ministers chose to remain silent.

Seeing this, Franz II had no choice but to nod: "Then add more troops. By the way, how much military funding was mentioned just now?"

Latour hurriedly stated: "2.2 million florins, Your Majesty."

This was indeed one of the main reasons why Ussum and other military higher-ups supported combat in Switzerland; with such a large sum of military funding allocated, they could divert quite a bit from it.

Franz II frowned, looking at Count Stadion: "Are there any issues financially?"

The Finance Minister immediately put on a bitter face and said: "Your Majesty, you know that just the subsidies issued to the smelting and mining industries in the latter half of last year amounted to as much as 2.8 million florins. Recently, Vienna and Graz are constructing numerous free primary schools, having already invested over 1 million florins with at least another 900,000 required later.

"Additionally, the initial digging funds for the Botta Canal alone require 1.8 million florins.

"And the revenue from taxation has consistently shown a significant shortfall..."

Franz II turned to Metternich: "I remember you said that once the guilds were abolished, and those factories were built, they would contribute endless taxes."

Metternich’s temples started to sweat coldly as he defended: "Your Majesty, it takes time from the factories starting production to begin making profits. France has already fully proven that industry is the ’Cornucopia’ of finance."

Cornucopia is the treasure of the Fertility Goddess Demeter in Greek mythology, producing inexhaustible food, wine, and jewels.

Metternich further added: "Moreover, currently the Prussians are dumping cheap steel products all over Germany, severely impacting our smelting industry.

"We must support those factories first, and once they crush Prussia’s competing products, we can rake in astonishing profits."

Franz II trusted him greatly and thus no longer tangled with the issue of reforms: "So, how are we to resolve the issue of military funding?"

Count Stadion hurriedly whispered: "Your Majesty, actually the funding for free primary schools and the canal is still short by over 1.2 million florins..."

So, the short-term fiscal gap alone had reached 3.4 million florins.

The conference room fell into dead silence.

Just as the Emperor’s face started to darken, Metternich finally relented: "Your Majesty, we could temporarily issue some banknotes."

Franz II frowned again: "I remember you once said that to maintain the credit of banknotes, banks must reserve the same amount of gold and silver coins."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Metternich appeared somewhat nervous, "but as long as the issuance isn’t large, it won’t cause too much impact. Once the fiscal situation improves, just replenish the gold coins."

Stadion immediately seized this good opportunity and added: "I believe we need to quickly improve the tax situation."

Since the abolition of the Tax Farmers system, Austria’s fiscal revenue had consistently fallen short of previous years.

Metternich silently cursed him in his heart, then said: "Your Majesty, in fact, I have already persuaded Hungary, Bohemia, and Slovakia to increase the taxes they bear."

"Wonderful!" Franz II immediately showed a joyful expression, "You are truly the pillar of the Empire. Why didn’t you tell me this good news earlier?"

Metternich hesitated somewhat and continued: "Your Majesty, currently there’s still a minor obstacle.

"You know, Hungary passed the ’Law of Succession and Charter of Rights’ ten years ago, stipulating that only the Hungarian Grand Council has the authority to approve new taxes, you cannot bypass them to levy taxes..."

Franz II became angry: "So, what should we do now?"

"The Hungarians proposed that if you agree to reconvene their bicameral congress, they can increase the taxes remitted by 15%."