Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1542 - 1448: Crossing the Dnieper River
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Lucas quickly covered the girl’s mouth, then casually strolled around the nearby streets, confirming there were no Secret Police trailing them, before returning inside.
He locked the door behind him, took Gloria’s hand, and seriously asked, “Are you sure the information is reliable?”
The girl nodded vigorously: “It was spoken by a big figure personally, and there were many high-ranking officials in the hall at the time.
“He said the army lost more than 1,400 troops at Alo, almost being driven out of Zurich by the Basel rebels.
“It seems our Emperor intends to continue gathering troops to reverse the defeat in Switzerland.”
Lucas angrily whispered, “That crown-wearing liar keeps raising taxes, squeezing out everyone’s last penny, yet throws Gold Coins into the valleys of Switzerland without a care!”
Gloria added, “Oh, and I also heard that the Empire’s finances are in trouble. The Emperor needs to raise a large amount of military funds, and it seems those people last night want to use national debt or something to threaten the Emperor for their purposes.”
Lucas snorted coldly: “These greedy and cold-blooded Nobles, they’re just like vipers…”
Halfway through, he suddenly remembered that his girlfriend’s family was also a Grand Noble family, so he lowered his head, halting the rest of his words.
However, Gloria loudly agreed: “You’re absolutely right. I know, my father is also providing shelter for those shameless people, and he’s committing a crime!”
Lucas’s gaze toward his girlfriend softened: “You’re the only one different from them…”
He then swiftly pulled the girl out the door: “We must do something. Hmm, we need to tell everyone the truth first!”
The two arrived at the Stilz Society’s secret printing location, pushed open the door covered in cobwebs, and then Lucas began to check on the printing press, which hadn’t been used in who knows how long, while the girl started writing the manuscript based on their discussion on the way there.
The next day.
A shopkeeper, who was slowly opening his shop door, felt something being stuffed into his arms.
He looked down and found a pamphlet.
He immediately got tense, wanting to throw it away at once, but noticed that there were barely any people on the deserted street, meaning there were no Secret Police.
He nervously opened the pamphlet and saw printed on it: Millions of florins spent on military expenses, only to result in a shameful defeat. The Emperor, with his brutal rule, decides to strip the People of Swiss of their pursuit of freedom but faced ruthless blows from the Basel Rebel Army…
The shopkeeper was startled, hurriedly stuffed the pamphlet into his pocket, bowed his head, and ducked into his shop.
By just one morning, Vienna was already abuzz with discussions about the “Swiss defeat.”
A few days later, some newspapers in Vienna began to report that “Styria and other regions had encountered droughts, and this year’s grain production might significantly decrease,” causing the price of 4 pounds of bread to rise by 1 kreuzer.
Price fluctuations in the past could never have been this swift, but this time it was the result of someone mobilizing a lot of capital, making preparations in advance.
Despite the small increase—a kreuzer is the smallest denomination copper coin, worth only one-sixtieth of a florin—it was a stubborn rise despite the “Bread Price Act.”
In Schonbrunn Palace, Franz II looked at court minister Count Colloredo, swinging his cane and loudly stating: “You were right. The Empire must wash away the shame, and those Basel rebels shall pay for their crimes!”
He was already enraged by the defeat in Switzerland, and recently, there had been more ministers supporting troop reinforcements to Switzerland, reinforcing his resolve to regain face.
Of course, this was also the attitude of the Metternich faction.
Recent domestic reforms in Austria were not going smoothly, putting considerable pressure on Metternich, and he also wished to divert public attention with external warfare.
During the next day’s Military Committee meeting, Franz II personally made the decision to send an additional 20,000 troops to Switzerland, directed by General Mikhailovich, to arrive in Zurich before the onset of winter.
Meanwhile, the Stilz Society organized activities that had been suspended for several months.
Beside a church in a parish, Lucas was passionately delivering a speech: “It’s all deception! The Emperor has been deceiving us with lies about reform!
“Officials remain corrupt to the core, we’re paying more and more taxes, bread is getting more expensive, and the Empire is still burying tax money and soldiers’ lives in countries that have nothing to do with us, leaving us to struggle and die amid hunger and suffering!
“Listen, fellow countrymen, don’t stay silent any longer. We must resist! Only resistance can make the King accept a real Congress and win freedom and the rights as human beings!”
Around them, dozens of people immediately let out a muffled outcry, “We must resist, don’t be silent!”
“We must decide the tax rate ourselves!”
“Congress, freedom, and rights!”
“Let the Emperor go to hell!”
…
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Bern’s new town is on the right bank, and the old town is on the left bank, connected by seven bridges. The residents primarily speak German. Bern covers an area of over 230 square kilometers (including suburbs), with an urban population of 124,000 and an elevation of 550 meters. Bern was established as a military fortress in 1191. It became an independent city-state in 1218, freed itself from German rule in 1339 to gain independence, and joined the Swiss Federation in 1353. Since 1848, it has been the seat of the Swiss Federal Government, also known as the “Federal City.” Industries include electrical machinery, precision machines, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, and printing. It is renowned for its watchmaking, known as the “Watch Capital.”
Bern hosts over 80 foreign embassies in Switzerland, and many international organizations are based here, such as the Universal Postal Union, the International Railway Transport Directorate, and the International Copyright Union. Thirty percent of Bern’s city area comprises woods and parks. The Bern city authorities strictly control new urban construction projects and have formulated related laws, such as not allowing new buildings in the old town, and in the new city, only office buildings, service facilities, and residential complexes can be constructed. Building heights are also limited, and the architectural style is required to harmonize with existing structures. The Bern city government emphasizes the promotion of national traditions and styles in urban construction, and the old city retains its medieval building style, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Within Bern, there are fountains of various forms, arcaded walkways, towering clock towers. The square in front of the Bern City Hall is, as of January 2009, the best-preserved medieval square. Among Bern’s many historical relics, the Clock Tower and the Cathedral are unique. The Clock Tower, built in the 12th century, has its interior and city-facing side made of wooden structures. In 1405, a major fire destroyed it, but it was later rebuilt with stone.
