Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 020
Chapter Title: Eye of the Typhoon (2)
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A man who preferred tall soldiers over the world's most beautiful women.
A king who found greater joy in selling a hard-to-obtain gem to expand his standing army rather than clutching it possessively.
Friedrich Wilhelm I, Elector of Brandenburg and King of Prussia, was exactly that kind of ruler.
Today, as always, he had summoned the nobles living extravagant lives to the palace and given them a thorough scolding.
There had been all sorts of commotion lately in the empire about platinum and such, but he was displeased with the very idea of such an uproar over mere precious metals.
Still, in the midst of this pathetic political mess, there was one thing that pleased him greatly.
His son Friedrich's gaze had grown noticeably sharper since returning from Vienna.
"What was the Austrian imperial court like, as you saw it yourself?"
"It was dazzling. It felt like so much money had been poured into it that even guessing the amount was impossible."
"Tell me what thoughts it stirred in you."
"They seemed intoxicated by their recent string of victories. It made me think they're focusing on frivolities when they should be solidifying their foundations right now."
He had been ready to knock some sense into the boy with his fist if he had come back dazed and bewitched.
Unexpectedly, the lad's thinking was already straight.
"I hear you spoke with Archduchess Theresia and Franz Stefan as well. What were they like?"
"Archduchess Theresia seemed remarkably mature for her age, and Franz Stefan... he struck me as someone who places great importance on money."
"Money... yes, money is important. But how it's used can determine a nation's fate."
"From what I heard, he's planning to sell platinum jewelry across Europe to make money, then invest in more ventures."
"Hah... now I see the emperor's going too far. Does he plan to bring in a moneymaker like that for his family? Well, fiddling with gems to earn coin might seem effeminate, but having lots of money is never a bad thing."
The King of Prussia nodded.
Franz Stefan.
Given the current atmosphere, he seemed the frontrunner to become Theresia's husband, but he wasn't someone to worry much about.
That said, if he truly had exceptional talent for making money, the Habsburgs' coffers would fill up, so it was worth watching what they'd do with it.
Crown Prince Friedrich finished recounting the tales his father wanted to hear, bowed, and left the room.
'Effeminate, huh...'
A man who fiddles with gems and schemes to make money is weak.
From his father's perspective, Franz might make a capable merchant but was hardly fit to rule a nation.
Yet who could call the Franz he had seen that day a frail man?
Of course, he couldn't say such a thing in front of his father, even if his mouth were torn open.
Even seeming to defend Franz could earn him a flick on the forehead at best, or a slap across the face at worst.
But actively agreeing with his father felt wrong somehow.
Trashing someone who had shown him kindness wasn't the act of a real man.
'...No. I need to be honest with myself. Why am I making excuses?'
Friedrich gave a wry smile and recalled the kindness Franz had shown him in Vienna.
He had given not just his sister, but even him—a total stranger from another kingdom—a treasure that other kings were clamoring to get their hands on first.
And not only that... he had specially engraved the ring for him. How could he not be moved?
Der Große (The Great).
Europe had few rulers called not just "king," but "the Great," and they could be counted on one hand.
Franz must have given it meaning he wouldn't regret those words becoming a great ruler.
It was his first time receiving such encouragement from a stranger, leaving him stunned yet grateful.
At the same time, throughout the journey back to Prussia, something had been boiling inside him.
He hadn't known what it was then, but now he did.
"Yeah. I have to become that."
Every time he looked at the engraving on the ring, the emotion surging through his heart was none other than exaltation.
Friedrich the Great.
The young crown prince resolved to pour everything into honing himself so that one day he could truly claim that title.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ...To put it simply, Bohemia refers to the modern Czech region.
Prague is the main city of the present Kingdom of Bohemia, and it forms part of the Habsburg Empire centered on Austria.
Of course, it wasn't always under Habsburg rule; Bohemia was once a fully independent kingdom.
Its king was one of the electors with a vote in choosing the emperor, making Bohemia one of the empire's most powerful states.
However, relentless threats from the rising Ottoman Empire, combined with a series of domestic and foreign misfortunes, led it to form the Eastern Alliance centered on the Habsburgs.
It enjoyed considerable autonomy at first, but relations soured over time, and about a hundred years ago, the Thirty Years' War erupted, slashing the population to a third.
To make matters worse, while most Habsburg nobles were staunch Catholics, many Bohemian nobles were Protestants.
Anyone might wonder how Bohemia stayed with the Habsburgs under such circumstances.
In fact, in his past life, when Theresia was elected heir to Austria, some Bohemian nobles refused to recognize her.
They installed Karl Albrecht, Elector of Bavaria, as a rival king and plotted to break away from the Habsburgs.
Though Theresia later reclaimed Bohemia, the deep-seated resentment remained.
Centuries of accumulated grievances couldn't vanish overnight.
But Bohemia was too important to simply abandon.
Its glass industry already rivaled Venetian products, and Silesia—which provided a huge chunk of Habsburg tax revenue—bordered it directly.
Capturing Bohemian hearts wasn't optional; it was essential.
And the most crucial figure to skyrocket my reputation in Bohemia was none other than Duke Philipp Hyacinth von Lobkowicz, whom I was meeting today.
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I am Franz Stefan von Lothringen."
"Hahaha, the honor is mine. You're the platinum prince whose fame echoes across Europe right now. I could have come to Vienna, but for you to travel all the way to Prague—I'm truly touched."
"Nonsense. How could I presume to summon someone of Your Grace's stature?"
Duke Lobkowicz, pushing into his late forties, looked at first glance like a kindly middle-aged gentleman, but he was no pushover.
As a Bohemian assemblyman and member of the Habsburg imperial privy council, he had mediated between the court and Bohemia for over a decade, earning trust from both sides.
Usually, such positions risk being seen as a bat flipping between sides.
The losing party often blames you entirely.
Thus, holding his seat this long was proof enough of his skill.
"His Majesty has mentioned you to me several times. He said it wouldn't be an exaggeration to credit the new tax system introduced in Bohemia last time entirely to Your Grace."
"You're too kind. I nearly got an earful back then. Some nobles even called me a Habsburg spy finally showing his true colors."
"Persuading people like that is politics, isn't it?"
The duke's estates spanned not just Bohemia but parts of Upper Palatinate and Silesia.
He was deeply involved in the arts, patronizing numerous artists, and had a foot in the glass industry—making him someone I absolutely had to win over.
Coming to Prague wasn't humility or virtue; it was simply the right move.
The duke knew it, I knew it, and the emperor who arranged the meeting knew it.
After exchanging formal pleasantries for a while...
"By the way, His Majesty mentioned that Your Highness is interested in the glass industry..."
The duke broached the main topic first.
"Yes. The potential of Bohemian glass seems limitless; how could I not be intrigued?"
"It's not mere curiosity that brought you all this way."
"Indeed. To be frank, I've already completed research with my artisans under my command."
"That means definite results, like with platinum. It couldn't have been done overnight; you must have invested heavily."
I could feel the weight my words carried now, thanks to the platinum jewelry's massive success.
If a green boy showed up claiming he could upgrade their key industry—just trust him—they'd probably slam the door in his face, and he'd be lucky for that.
My status prevented outright dismissal, but they wouldn't have taken me seriously.
Yet Duke Lobkowicz showed genuine interest, not polite pretense.
"If you wish, I can show you the results tomorrow. I brought the artisans along."
"Oh? In that case, let's discuss details after seeing those results tomorrow."
"Perfect. We'll do that."
"One last thing, then. Does Your Highness's plan end at improving Bohemian glass quality?"
"Of course not. A better product means nothing without massive promotion. First, I'll convince His Majesty to have the imperial court flaunt the reborn Bohemian glass."
No need for awkward explanations about how great this glass is.
Once the court endorses it and electors snap it up, the wave will spread across Europe inevitably.
"And Your Highness knows the court is pushing the Ostend Company. With higher quality, we could export to other continents through them. Or bundle it with platinum as a symbol of the Holy Roman Empire's superior craftsmanship."
Not just innovation, but expanding markets to turn it into real revenue.
I rake in huge profits—great for me. The court grows its company—satisfactory. Bohemia boosts its core industry and gains accordingly—no reason to refuse.
A win-win-win business, but that's why the duke saw through my true intent.
"Your Highness seeks the trust of Bohemian nobles."
"Impressive. You saw right through me."
"No denial, I see."
Pretending ignorance to someone sharp like him would only erode trust.
No hesitation.
I simply nodded slightly.
"I'm not a Habsburg."
"Even so, you're destined to become one. Bohemian nobles have been betrayed too many times. Trust requires real action and tangible results."
"I have no intention of sweet-talking them. I genuinely need Bohemia's help, and Bohemia needs me."
This wasn't a lie.
Sweet words fade, but steady income lingers in the ledgers forever.
Every glance at those pleasing numbers would tie them to the name Franz Stefan with fondness.
"Understood. Anyone else, maybe not—but coming from the man who shook all Europe with platinum, it's persuasive. Let's set aside the complexities for now. How about a relaxed evening?"
"Oh? Could I join Your Grace's salon?"
Duke Lobkowicz, one of Bohemia's top nobles, was renowned for his broad arts patronage.
He often invited beautiful, cultured artists to informal dinners, earning rave reviews from men everywhere.
Of course, it was all refined: drinking, discussing art, watching performances—nothing crude.
But which man would turn down dinner with beauties of wit and grace?
I'd heard rumors and was curious; an actual chance? No way I'd refuse.
Yet the duke's gaze toward me was oddly unsettling, dashing my expectations.
"Hmm... well, the salon tonight is a bit..."
"...Ah, perhaps business talk makes artists pointless?"
"No, no, nothing like that. It's just... hard to explain."
The duke glanced cautiously, scratched his head, and gave an awkward smile.
"Truth is, we couldn't secure suitable guests for the dinner."
"What? For Your Grace's dinner, they'd be fighting to attend. Why...?"
"Ah... well... there are rumors that Your Highness dislikes... mature women... ahem! We tried younger ones, but that proved tricky too."
Ah, so some rumor about Franz's tastes—wait, whose Franz?
"Who... me?"
"......"
"Disliking mature women means..."
My brain refused the words for about three seconds.
Deciphering the implication took two more.
"What the hell is this? Of course not! Where did this nonsense even come from?!"
Even my explosive reaction after five seconds total left the duke more embarrassed, averting his eyes.
"Oh, don't misunderstand. No judgment on tastes. But... you lavished platinum on the young archduchess, and word is you made it for her in the first place..."
Maria? While I was buried in glass research, this rumor spread to Bohemia?
That meant it was circulating across the entire Holy Roman Empire.
Even hearing Frederick's Silesian surprise attack in my past life hadn't shocked me this much.
Have these people lost their minds? Trying to socially assassinate me?!