Chapter 428: Chapter 1, Teach the Child
 

With the conclusion of the London Peace Conference, the European Continent finally welcomed a brief period of peace. Those who have never experienced war can never truly understand its horrors.

As the victor of this war, Wilhelm I didn’t show much joy. In terms of territory, the Kingdom of Prussia now was hardly different from the German Empire of the original timeline, with a total population that had surpassed twenty million.

However, these achievements couldn’t conceal the fact that the military had become too powerful; without Bismarck, the government simply couldn’t suppress the military faction.

The balance of power was disrupted, which was not a good thing for the Emperor. Wilhelm I had a keen political mind and did not entertain any ideas of “drawing the ladder up after him, or cooking the hare once the hunting dogs had caught it.”

Within Berlin Palace, Wilhelm I announced a new appointment: “Due to Prime Minister Frank’s ill health, he has resigned from his duties, and now Marshal Maoqi will take over.”

If suppression was not possible, then the solution was to divide and conquer. Maoqi was adept at military strategy but far less so in politics; placing him in the position of Prime Minister was nothing short of a deathblow.

No matter how high his current prestige was, as soon as he made mistakes, he would still be pulled down, and all the prestige he had gained in the war would vanish.

In ordinary countries, it would be unthinkable for a military marshal to become Prime Minister. The clear line between civil and military roles would block such a move. However, this was the Kingdom of Prussia, where it was entirely normal for military leaders to serve as Prime Minister.

Wilhelm I employed an open strategy, where a change in position often results in a change in stance. Unless Maoqi was willing to be a mere figurehead, it was inevitable that he would eventually move to restrain the military.

Struggles for power are cruel, and often beyond one’s control. As military leaders, they could justify overriding the government. But once they became government heads, the situation changed dramatically.

…

Compared to the harmonious power struggles within the Kingdom of Prussia, the situation in the neighboring Russian Empire was starkly different. After the treaty was signed, the Tsarist Government’s army began arresting people all over the place.

The reckoning after the autumn harvest did come, and these days were not in vain for Alexander II; almost everyone who could be found out had been found. The reason he was holding back previously was to settle all accounts at this moment.

Suddenly, St. Petersburg’s prisons were overcrowded. A vast number of corrupt officials were caught, sending a wave of panic throughout the bureaucracy.

If a strict investigation was carried out, every single bureaucrat in the Tsarist Government could be arrested.

Even if they hadn’t committed crimes, they were on the path to doing so. The term “miscarriage of justice” was superfluous; the corruption of the Tsarist bureaucracy was profound.

Alexander II was not a naive teenager and naturally wouldn’t think of getting rid of all the officials—that would be very unrealistic.

The current arrests targeted those who caused the war to fail. Someone needed to be responsible for the defeat, and Alexander II was not looking for a scapegoat. The blame was theirs to bear.

In Winter Palace, Alexander II was troubled by the continuous capture of criminals. Most of them were nobility, whom, by tradition, could not be executed.

Often the problems did not lie entirely with the senior officials. If they took one share, those below them would take three, leading to the massive defeat through embezzlement at every layer.

Some insignificant government clerks were even embezzling more than the senior officials. Corruption was worse at the lower levels; the higher-ups had to consider potential consequences.

To kill them all was impractical. These small fry were not ordinary people either; they were at least middle-class, and their execution would carry bad social repercussions.

Moreover, the death of these individuals wouldn’t change the decrepit administration of the Russian Empire.

Finance Minister Kristanval suggested, “Your Majesty, exile them. We still need to use political means to dismantle the rebel army. Now is not the time for a mass execution.”

This was the most helpless yet most effective solution for the Tsarist Government. However, later on, due to lax supervision, these exiles managed to return and overthrow the Tsarist Government.

The existence of the rebel army saved these scoundrels. In order to encourage the rebels to surrender boldly and with peace of mind, Alexander II had no choice but to show mercy.

Rebellion was not like corruption; nobles would die for it. Regardless of how high their status was, those involved in the rebellion could all potentially face execution.

After hesitating, Alexander II made a decision: “First, retrieve all embezzled funds, then exile these scoundrels to the harshest regions of Siberia.”

Exile was a skillful punishment; while most of Siberia was harsh ice and snow, not all places were terrible.

For instance: conditions in New Siberian City were relatively good, although it had not yet developed and was just a small town.

Another example: Oymyakon was the other extreme, with winter temperatures often reaching minus 71 degrees Celsius, and even hitting an unusually chilly minus 96.2 degrees Celsius, ensuring they would become icicles.

Clearly, Alexander II loathed these individuals and planned to freeze them to death.

…

While Alexander II was rooting out the corrupt, the contention for the Polish throne grew more intense, spreading throughout the entire European Continent and even affecting the Vienna Palace.

Poland was a major country, with forebears of significant renown. Many were interested in its crown, including some from within the Habsburg Family, among whom were two of Franz’s brothers.

This unhealthy interest was promptly suppressed by Franz. His reasoning was simple—do you want to become a monarch of a nation that ceases to exist?

Instantly, everyone became aware and vividly remembered the dire situation of the Kingdom of Poland. With three powers having partitioned Poland in the previous century, how difficult would it be for it to happen again?

The Prusso-Polish Alliance was a joke. Once the Russian Empire recovered, a conflict was inevitable.

Still, very few people were optimistic that the Prusso-Polish Alliance would win; not every war could find so many allies.

This Eastern European war, if it weren’t for the British pulling strings from behind, not only would Poland not be able to gain independence, but the Kingdom of Prussia would have become history as well.

Will they be so lucky next time? If they lose the war, Poland is certainly doomed.

Everyone’s enthusiasm was immediately doused, and the cautionary tale of Maximilian still stands. He didn’t heed advice and ran off to become Emperor of Mexico; everyone is crystal clear about the state of his current affairs.

If one day Maximilian is suddenly ousted, nobody would be surprised at all, as being a cautionary tale naturally doesn’t lead to any good outcome.

Calming internal turmoil, Franz paid no heed to the external strife. Regardless of who becomes the King of Poland, they would be inheriting a mess and would be incapable of leading Poland to rise.

A look at the map is enough to understand: to the east is the Russian Empire, to the southwest is Austria, and to the north is the Kingdom of Prussia. The three powers have them completely encircled.

Merging with the Kingdom of Prussia to form the Federal Empire is actually their best option. However, the big Polish hearts cannot accept it, and moreover, this path is not easy to tread.

Secondly, the only other option is to stubbornly confront the Russian Empire, fighting all the way through the Ukraine Region and taking possession of that black earth to attain the foundation of a powerful nation.

That’s nearly the stuff of dreams; Franz doesn’t believe the Polish can achieve it. This would require not only military victory but also superior political and diplomatic skills.

The worst strategy would be to seek strong allies. With the Russian Empire doomed to be the enemy, there’s no more to be said about that. If Poland wants to protect itself, it must maintain good relations with various European countries.

The two neighbors, Prussia-Austria, are even more pivotal, only by managing relationships well with these two countries can they have a glimmer of hope.

Adhering to the principle that political education should start from a young age, the Polish question became a practical case study in Franz’s teaching of his children. Mainly, it was for instructing his eldest son, Frederick, as the other three little ones were too young.

The youngest, George, was born in 1865 and is only 2 years old now, too far from politics.

In fact, Frederick isn’t much older, he’s only 11 now. Had he been born to an ordinary family, he would only be a primary school student.

Starting to learn politics so early, whether he can accept it, Franz himself is not entirely sure.

But not teaching isn’t an option; what if he gets led astray and turns into an idealist like his second brother Maximilian? That’d be a complete disaster.

“Frederick, now I’m going to test you. If you were the King of Poland, what would you do now?”

Faced with this tricky question, Frederick gave an answer that Franz did not expect.

“Not do anything?”

Seeing no reaction from Franz, Frederick added, “I mean abdicate!”

Franz did not object or agree but continued to ask, “And your reason?”

Frederick, shaking his little head, said, “I don’t know what the King of Poland is supposed to do, and what he can do! Given that, it’s better to let go.”

That’s an answer as well, at least it preserves oneself. Franz smiled slightly, saying nothing.

Preserving oneself before taking action is a concept Franz instilled in them from an early age. Franz isn’t sure how useful it is; abstaining from temptation now doesn’t mean one has touched the true power.

Many pursue idealist causes knowing they’re impossible, and although this idealism is commendable, it’s disastrous for the royal family.

Franz continued, “What if you were the King of Prussia instead? You wouldn’t just let go, would you?”

The situation in the Kingdom of Prussia is so much better than in Poland. Having defeated the Russians, Wilhelm I is at the height of his power, with at least a 90+ approval rating (out of 100).

After thinking, Frederick said, “Rebuild and develop the domestic economy. Prussia gained too much from this war and needs time to digest it all.

And it must be done quickly, to complete the internal integration before Russia comes to its senses, only then will there be a chance of winning a second Prusso-Russian war.”

Franz, with a smile, said, “Not bad, you at least know how to strive and not shrink from difficulties.

However, that’s not enough, developing oneself is indeed important. Striking against adversaries is equally critical. You can pay attention to Wilhelm I’s actions; he certainly won’t just watch Russia regain its strength.

You might even see a Prusso-Polish merger. Of course, that all depends on whether Wilhelm I’s political skills are sufficient.”

Frederick shook his head, filled with doubts. A Prusso-Polish merger—what kind of move is that?

Aren’t everyone against a Prusso-Polish merger? What does the Kingdom of Prussia have to merge with Poland? It’s not only opposed by the European countries but also the Polish themselves—would such a merger be useful?

Franz didn’t continue to explain; observations made on one’s own are always more impactful than knowledge given directly by someone else.

Using international affairs as a textbook and the actions of various monarchs as case studies was Franz’s method of teaching his children.

Whether it’s a positive example or a negative one, experiences one has gone through personally leave the deepest impressions.

Learning their strengths, summarizing their faults, and drawing lessons from them. This was both a teaching method for his children and a form of self-learning for Franz.