Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Deal
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Pitt, who had come to Vienna, was struck by a fresh shock.
To gauge a nation's true strength, nothing beats walking the streets yourself.
In truth, nobles in any country lived mostly affluent lives and had few complaints about reality.
So, it was the everyday lives of the citizens with their feet firmly on the ground—not the nobles amusing themselves in the heavens—that you had to peer into.
Of course, the "citizens" in Pitt's mind were those with sufficient assets to deserve the vote.
"How is it? Vienna, as seen with your own eyes."
"The citizens' eyes brim with hope, and the streets buzz with vitality. It's the classic sight of a nation on the rise."
Ambassador Robinson nodded in satisfaction at Pitt's reply.
"When you arrived in Vienna and immediately wanted to tour the streets, I knew you were no ordinary man. So, have you given any thought to our proposal to join us?"
"Does the offer to meet Your Highnesses Franz and Theresa still stand?"
"Of course. If you're to be comrades in the same boat, it's only right that we make it happen."
In truth, the conclusion had been set from the moment he first received the proposal.
He had insisted on seeing the streets and mulling it over just to gauge the caliber of this Franz Stefan.
And after a direct conversation, his hunch would surely turn to certainty.
Surprisingly, Robinson arranged the meeting with Franz the instant Pitt gave his answer.
It wasn't odd for a British House of Commons MP to meet Franz or Theresa, but he hadn't expected it to happen so swiftly.
Evidently, the rumors of Robinson's closeness to Franz were true.
"It's an honor to meet you. Your Highnesses Franz and Theresa."
"Welcome. I'm Franz Stefan. The journey from London to Vienna is no short hop—thank you for your efforts."
He had imagined someone more stern and imposing, but Franz seemed surprisingly courteous and humble.
Well, outward appearances didn't matter anyway.
The conversation here would have nothing to do with such superficial traits.
"If I may be so bold—and since Your Highness likely wants to cut to the chase—I'll speak plainly. I hear the Young Patriots' Society formed by Ambassador Robinson is connected to Your Highness Franz."
"Indeed. I want constructive relations with your country, and Ambassador Robinson readily agreed."
"...As a member of His Majesty's Parliament, collaborating with a foreign prince could be seen as treason."
"Who knows? If our interests align, why not walk together? It's like trade, really—exchanging what we have to create greater wealth."
He certainly had a persuasive edge, but the key was what exactly they'd exchange.
Pitt glanced at Ambassador Robinson, who nodded.
"The ambassador told me Your Highness has no designs on British territory and hopes Britain stays out of Austria's domain. Is that correct?"
"Precisely. What's the point of clashing when neither can destroy the other or claim victory? No need for pointless nerves and wasted strength."
"Does His Imperial Majesty or Your Highness Theresa agree with this policy?"
Franz merely smirked in response.
Theresa sitting silently beside him, without interjecting a word, was proof enough that consensus had already been reached.
"Then what aid can Your Highness offer us?"
"I'll spare no support to help Representative Pitt expand his influence in Parliament. Of course, to avoid any future leverage against us, we'll stay completely in the shadows."
"And if we become the majority in Parliament through that, we simply advocate for Austria's interests?"
"Hardly. As I said, we want this continent. But your country is half-heartedly straddling both sides. What we desire is for you to choose and focus on both—stick to that, and we ask for nothing more."
It was certainly an appealing offer on the surface.
Pitt had believed even without Franz's urging that the British Empire should prioritize colonial expansion.
And coming to Vienna had only strengthened that conviction.
If Britain had ignored Hanover's fate and pressured Prussia instead, could Friedrich have come here to mock them?
"But Your Highness Franz, didn't Austria expand Mediterranean trade through this treaty and increase cornerstone imports via the Dutch East India Company? Isn't this groundwork for more colonies?"
"No need for such worries. I'm not interested in colonies. India is purely for securing cornerstones, and Mediterranean trade is just to grow the nation's wealth. If I truly wanted colonial expansion, I'd start by building warships first, wouldn't I?"
"...I see. Understood. Then, if I may be so presumptuous, could I request a private audience with Your Highness?"
"Certainly. Shall we move to the next room?"
As Franz rose with a smile, Pitt followed.
Once in the adjoining room and the door closed, Pitt let out a soft breath.
"Well then, shall we discuss the rest? Why did you want to speak alone?"
Franz kept his affable smile.
Pitt smiled back in kind.
Cooperation was one thing, but some matters needed clarifying first.
"Your Highness, wouldn't it be best to speak frankly? Hanover is the stumbling block to your control over the Holy Roman Empire, isn't it?"
"Hmm..."
"If Great Britain focuses on colonies, Hanover's importance diminishes relatively. And with mighty land powers like Austria or Prussia shaking Hanover, the homeland can't remain unaffected. So, you're telling us to abandon Hanover and focus on India or North America?"
No matter how aligned their aims, if their visions for the future stood in opposition, that man could never be an ally.
"How can I trust that Your Highness won't become my enemy?"
If he didn't provide a convincing answer here, Pitt would regrettably call the cooperation off.
A lesser man could be manipulated, but Franz was different.
Gazing at Austria's frightening transformation and the man before him, hiding his true intentions while dangling sweet carrots, made it clear.
Any clumsy attempt at exploitation could backfire spectacularly.
So if he wanted to use Pitt, he should reveal his hidden true heart.
William Pitt—the great commoner, Britain's powerhouse—was no pushover.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I hadn't expected to manipulate him easily from the start, but this exceeded even my predictions.
As a figure who etched his name in history, he wouldn't be so pliable.
Discarding him like a chess piece after using him was impossible; he was too sharp and capable.
In truth, I'd asked Ambassador Robinson to find a young, promising talent, so I couldn't complain now.
An incompetent fool incapable of independent thought could never rise to the top of Britain's Parliament, so this plan always carried some risk from the outset.
But I hadn't anticipated he'd see through my intentions so perfectly.
"A guarantee I won't become your enemy..."
"Yes. The possibilities I can think of right now boil down to two main ones. Your Highness pretends to unify the Holy Roman Empire while neutralizing Hanover alone. Then, pulling in France or Spain would easily check Britain. Colonies are treasure troves of infinite potential. If I were you, I'd prioritize securing multiple stable overseas colonies over unifying the Holy Roman Empire."
Colonial management isn't some endless money-printing factory, my friend.
Of course, the fact that colonial economies were shiny but rotten pits would only emerge much later, so I couldn't point that out here.
Convincing him that colonial expansion was paramount was the core of my plan.
"And the other possibility?"
"I can't shake the doubt that Your Highness truly wants to unify the Holy Roman Empire. I see you as supremely rational and pragmatic. Would such a man believe he can gather all these shattered fragments into one?"
A thoroughly rational and cold analysis.
Frankly, it was a shame.
If a man like this were in the Holy Roman Empire instead of Britain, I'd have pulled any string to bring him under me. Why are you British?
"Then if I fail to satisfy you, Representative Pitt will just head back to London."
"Yes. A pity, but I'll pretend I never heard it. I'm confident I'll rise as a key player in Parliament within twenty years anyway."
"Hmm... Fine. Since we've agreed to bare our souls honestly, I'll speak frankly."
Changing my tone entirely, I pondered how to convince him, dragging out my words appropriately.
Should've brainstormed countermeasures over drinks with Friedrich... The more that guy drinks, the more he sounds like his mustache is growing...
Mm, mustache?
A flash of our last conversation hit me, revealing the perfect way to hook Pitt.
My hesitation was merely whether I truly had to say this myself.
Damn it, fine. No one's listening anyway, so off-the-record ramblings won't be recorded.
Even if Pitt writes memoirs later, I can just call it all lies.
Sorting my thoughts, I took a deep breath and fixed him with eyes burning with fervent zeal.
"You ask if I truly believe I can unify the Holy Roman Empire? Wrong. Representative Pitt, you've completely misunderstood me."
"...Pardon?"
"I understand that suspicious glare. But you don't know how deeply I've agonized over the fate of this Holy Roman Empire and our great German people. You islanders could never grasp the aspirations of those stranded in the heart of the continent!"
My mother was French, but the blood in my veins was partly German, making me a proper German.
Before Pitt could furrow his brow and respond, I swiftly pressed on.
"Hundreds of years! Precisely hundreds! For centuries, our great Germanic people have been divided, unable to unite our strength, suffering loss after loss. Trapped under the hollow name of the Holy Roman Empire, we've feuded among ourselves, groaned under foreign meddling, and stagnated! Want to know my true plan? I'll tell you. It's to build an empire led by Germany, for the German people, by the German people!"
"The empire I speak of isn't mere territorial summation! It's a spirit! The destiny and aspiration of our people, forged in blood and soil!"
This was the ripened taste of pure 20th-century madness.
A bit too stimulating for an 18th-century ear?
"An empire of the German people...?"
"Exactly. A living space where our German people can breathe, prosper, and unfold our greatness! Yes, establishing our empire's Lebensraum is why God sent me down—my sacred mission! Do you understand now, Representative Pitt?"
"Uh... uh... yes. Le... bensraum..."
"Hanover? Representative Pitt, Hanover is but a minor step toward the greater cause. You, Great Britain—advance across those vast seas and expansive colonies. That's your destiny. Ours lies here! On German soil. To unify this fractured empire, forge a mighty German nation-state that no one dares covet—that is the goal I'll stake everything on!"
Having unleashed my tirade, I gulped down water.
Then, in a tone utterly polite and courteous—unlike before—I turned to him.
"Does this convey my sincerity, Representative Pitt?"
What more questions could there be?
Pitt nodded awkwardly, eyeing me like something from another world.
Yes, this should convince him of my utter devotion to German unification.
Please, just etch it in your mind—don't write it in your diary.