Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 037
Chapter Title: To Berlin
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About two weeks before my departure for Berlin, the Emperor held a meeting to officially announce it.
The Austrian Imperial Privy Council advisory meeting.
This body, where foreign policy and domestic nobles finalized their interests, was naturally composed of nobles of commensurate prestige.
From Ludwig, who handled duties close to those of a prime minister, to Austria's hero Eugene, and the Emperor's confidant, Chief Secretary Bartenstein.
Being squeezed in among such figures—when I was still not even twenty—made the atmosphere as chilly as the crisp autumn breeze.
Early in the morning, as hazy light filtered through the windows beyond the walls draped with the Emperor's banners...
"Everyone here should already know that a new member is joining us today. He's still young and has much to learn, so I trust you'll guide him well."
As the Emperor made his formal declaration, every gaze in the room snapped to me in unison.
Eugene had always been endlessly favorable toward me, and I'd met Ludwig once before, so their reactions were expected. But the rest of them all wore expressions of uniform shock.
Among those seated here, everyone except Secretary Bartenstein—the youngest besides me—was over fifty.
So, of course, they couldn't exactly welcome a newcomer thirty years their junior with open arms.
In fact, even in my previous life, I'd never worked alongside any of them on state affairs.
That said, none of that stopped my mouth from pouring out the social graces I'd honed in the modern world.
"I believe His Majesty has granted me this undeserved seat so that I might learn from you wise councilors up close, drawing on your vast experience and wisdom. I humbly commit to approaching this with a low posture and eagerness to learn, so I ask for your generous guidance going forward."
"Heh, I've heard the stories, but you're truly as humble as they say."
"With your proven track record, gaining experience here will serve you well in the future."
The privy councilors took immense pride in their careers.
No matter how impressive one's achievements, any organization would bristle at some young upstart strutting around with an air of arrogance.
Watching me navigate the social niceties, the Emperor spoke with a satisfied expression.
"Now, let's move to the main agenda. What are our top priorities at present?"
"First, profits from the Ostend Company are growing substantially. There's little backlash from the Dutch side, but voices of concern are coming from Britain."
Ludwig had barely finished reading from the document in front of him when reactions erupted from all directions.
"Those damn English pirate bastards!"
"What can you expect from a nation founded by pirates?"
"What business of theirs is it if another country sells goods? All while they themselves flood foreign colonies with their own wares."
Our Great Britain pirate brothers had been practicing this double standard for ages, so getting angry about it was just wasting energy.
In truth, much of the Ostend Trading Company's revenue had already been dispersed among the Dutch, Wertheimer's trade insurance firm, and other Jewish-backed companies.
Thanks to that, the visible scale was only about a third of the actual operation.
Even so, if Britain was already paying attention, it suggested political motives weren't entirely absent.
Taking the opportunity of my initiation to lay out some under-the-table dealings, I explained briefly.
"On this matter, I've been working Robinson, their ambassador, to steer things in our favor."
"Ambassador Robinson? But he's due to be dismissed soon. I understand public opinion back home isn't favorable to him."
"I've made arrangements to prevent that. I secretly passed him information that could give Britain an advantage in future negotiations with Spain. He'll report it home, and by next year, once the outlines emerge, his position should be secure."
"...You gave him that kind of information? Isn't it classified?"
"It's not classified—it's something I uncovered personally at my own expense. It won't affect the homeland, so why not use it where it counts?"
Robinson now owed us a massive debt of gratitude for this, so as long as he kept his post, the Ostend Company issue shouldn't worry us.
The Emperor spoke with a warm smile.
"Now you all should have some idea why I seated Franz here. Ludwig, next item?"
"...Ah, yes. There's growing opinion that we need to pay more attention to security along the Ottoman border. It's been peaceful since the Treaty of Passarowitz, but fiscal issues surrounding fortress repairs and garrison supplies are mounting."
"We'll address that in detail with the Finance Committee."
The discussion flowed smoothly, finally reaching the true purpose of today's meeting.
"...Next, I believe it's time to finalize the agreement with Brandenburg. Any objections?"
"Brandenburg wants us to back them in any future territorial disputes over the Duchy of Berg, in exchange for ratifying the Pragmatic Sanction."
"Indeed. And there are other tangled interests at play. That's why I intend to send Franz Stefan here directly to Berlin to negotiate with the Elector of Brandenburg himself."
"...Pardon? Y-Your Majesty. But His Highness Franz is still far too young."
It wasn't remotely reasonable for someone under twenty to take on the role of full envoy.
I had no desire for that level of special treatment stacked on special treatment, so I'd coordinated this with the Emperor in advance.
"Of course. That's why I'll appoint my secretary, Bartenstein, as the overall lead. Franz can serve in a supporting role to him."
Supporting role or not, with the Emperor's confidant as secretary, everyone knew I'd be the public face.
Still, this was the best optics, so there was no major backlash.
My closeness with Friedrich probably helped foster this receptive mood as well.
"Very well. Any objections or additions?"
The conference room fell silent.
No one was oblivious enough not to recognize when the Emperor's will was set.
As expected, I raised my hand and slipped in the item I'd already floated past him.
"Your Majesty, I have one more proposal."
"Speak."
"A summit with Prussia, no less—one tangled in complex issues—will be invaluable experience for all involved. Might I select some promising young students to bring along?"
"You want to show them how real diplomacy works?"
"Yes. They wouldn't participate in actual proceedings or ceremonies—just observe how the field operates. That alone would benefit them greatly."
A single glimpse was worth a thousand words of explanation, and that held true not just for war or battle, but for diplomacy and administration too.
I'd be footing the bill myself, so what reason was there to object?
The Emperor nodded casually in approval.
"Do so. Select noble sons and register them as your attendants—no issues there."
"Thank you."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the councilors' expressions shifted dramatically.
Nearly everyone here, Eugene aside, was old enough to have a grandson or two.
These spots usually went by precedence of prominent houses, so it wasn't unreasonable for them to assume as much... Sorry, gentlemen.
I'd already decided who to bring. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz.
The sixteen-year-old was a promising student of law and diplomacy.
His father, Count Kaunitz, had served as governor of Mähren (Moravia) for seven years, so his pedigree was nothing to scoff at.
Always cool-headed and rational, he'd never felt much tension even during exams.
But now, that boundless confidence had vanished—his lips were parched, his heart pounding.
"Hoo..."
"You may enter."
"Y-Yes!"
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had come out of nowhere.
He hadn't even dreamed he'd be selected for the delegation to Berlin.
His family's status was solid, but far more illustrious princelings existed.
He'd applied only because the official notice had come to his school—no serious expectations.
"Your Highness, I am Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz, son of Count Maximilian Ulrich von Kaunitz. It is my utmost honor to be permitted to serve you."
Having entered and flawlessly delivered his rehearsed greeting, he looked up to see the face of the man who'd chosen him.
The man who'd exploded onto the political scene in recent years, becoming the eye of the storm.
The power behind the throne at court—barely twenty, yet holding seats on the Finance Committee and Privy Council.
Franz Stefan greeted him with a smile that somehow seemed welcoming.
"Hm? You're even earlier than I expected."
"Yes! I believe it's proper etiquette to arrive thirty minutes early for a summons from one's superior."
"Good attitude, but no need to be so stiff. We'll be together round-trip to Berlin—if you're this tense the whole time, it'll make me nervous too."
"Yes! I'll do my utmost to relax!"
This was bad. His head wasn't working right; he had no idea what nonsense he was spouting.
Franz kept smiling at him, as if it were endlessly amusing. Was he coming off like a total fool?
"B-But, Your Highness... why did you choose me? Are there... others as well?"
"No, just you."
"Pardon?"
"Your reputation at school is stellar. I read your papers too—they're remarkably sophisticated for your age. I figured a bit more experience would make you an outstanding diplomat. Any issue with that?"
"N-No! Thank you for the kind words!"
Those papers—the half-baked scribbles from last year that were barely fit for kindling?
If he'd known Franz would see them, he'd have put real effort in. What a painful oversight.
"Especially this line: 'In the world of international diplomacy, there are no eternal allies or enemies. We must even consider alliances with France against Britain when circumstances demand. That is the mindset of a true diplomat.' Quite striking."
"Th-That was just... emphasizing the need to consider all possibilities. I don't actually think that would happen."
"Of course. It's that open-mindedness I like—don't worry about it."
Unable to tell if he was teasing or sincere, he could barely keep his wits, but one thing was clear.
This superior he'd serve wasn't picking him for a momentary whim.
And why would he?
"Stick by my side and see firsthand how sordid and shitty real diplomacy can be. It'll broaden your horizons—and turn into flesh and blood for you."
His words always aimed not at the present, but at a distant future. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "This is fun. So much fun."
It was the same with Josef, but watching these once-mighty retainers in their awkward youth made it impossible to hold back laughter.
Kaunitz the Marquis... no, the count's second son for now.
In his past life, he'd been an insufferably prickly and nitpicky bastard, but seeing him flounder like this made it hard to believe it was the same person.
Still, the saying that great oaks from acorns grow held true—his flashes of talent were already evident, and my assessment wasn't exaggeration.
After all, Kaunitz was the man who'd drawn a revolutionary line in European diplomatic history.
The reversal of the centuries-old France-versus-Habsburg rivalry into a France-Habsburg alliance against Britain.
He was the architect of that diplomatic revolution, overseeing the Empire's foreign policy right up to my death—and beyond.
At the time, the rest of us advisors, myself included, had stuck to the basics: pull in Britain and the Dutch to check Prussia.
He alone could flip the board with flexible thinking, giving Austria the strength to endure the Seven Years' War.
So, dragging him along now to build experience, he'd be pulling his weight in about ten years.
I'll roll him hard, work him relentlessly, and help him grow fast.
Chuckling contentedly, I headed to the dining hall—only to find Theresia sipping coffee, surprisingly.
"Huh? What's this, coffee?"
"Oh, this is practice... no, I like coffee, okay?"
"Still clinging to that pretense?"
"It's not a pretense!"
Pouting, Theresia patted the chair beside her invitingly.
"You're heading to Berlin soon, right? I asked Father if I could come too, but he shot it down flat."
"...Yeah, I would have too."
"I wanted to go so bad... He's so stubborn, no matter how much I begged. I even teared up yelling 'I hate you, Daddy!' but nothing."
To pierce his guard with that ultimate weapon and still fail?
I'd have been devastated. Father-in-law's mental fortitude must be tougher than I thought.
"Regensburg's one thing, but Berlin's far away—who knows what trouble might arise? His Majesty made the right call. Don't be too upset."
"...I know. I'm just disappointed. We won't see each other for ages. Though maybe it's for the best—I hate cigarette smoke. Friedrich told me that guy despises it too, since Father's always reeking of tobacco, and it's hard to bear... Huh? Hey, why are you suddenly standing up?"
"Sorry! I just remembered something I forgot! And thanks—a huge help!"
"Really? Then let me watch what you're doing!"
Theresia set down her coffee and scurried after me.
Right—Friedrich Wilhelm was a chain-smoking nicotine addict. How did I forget?
I practically ran to the lab.
If I pulled all-nighters starting today, I'd finish before Berlin.
A brilliant plan to win over the nicotine-addicted, domestic-abuse-prone king sparkled in my mind.