Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 046
Chapter Title: Marriage Reversal
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The Soissons Conference concluded far more smoothly than in actual history, ushering in a rare period of peace across Europe.
Spain and Britain signed the peace treaty without fuss, and transatlantic trade returned to its calm state as before.
My coffers had grown so abundant that disguising them through diversification was nearly impossible, and Wolf Wertheimer had become a major player drawing attention across Europe.
It was no longer feasible to hide our partnership, and with the backing to fully support him, there was no reason to delay any longer.
I established a joint venture company, pretending it was our first contact with Wertheimer.
On the surface, separate from the Habsburg-led Ostend Company, the new Franz-Wertheimer Company made its debut, sparking enormous repercussions within the Holy Roman Empire.
"Your Highness Franz! I heard the news. You're taking Wertheimer under your wing—does that mean you're planning to expand into finance as well?"
"I do have that in mind, but lacking expertise, I sought a reliable partner. That partner is Wolf Wertheimer."
"The Jews are notoriously wary; it must not have been easy to win him over. How did you manage it?"
"They must have wanted a stake in my ventures. Jews are as greedy as they are cautious, aren't they?"
"Your Highness! Will this bring positive changes to the mass production of large mirror glass you're pushing forward?"
"Of course. Not only can we invest far more capital, but by combining it with Wertheimer's existing financial products, we can offer much more efficient export channels."
"Ooooh! As expected!"
The merger wrapped up with surprising ease.
-The money-making demon Franz has devoured the Jewish Wertheimer, who was eyeing a comeback.
That was how many nobles viewed it. Of course, the prevailing opinion was that it wasn't a bad deal for Wertheimer either.
This way, he could potentially reclaim his position as court Jew later on—after all, Jews couldn't wield vast wealth without sheltering under someone's shadow.
Regardless, wasn't it better for Franz, who lavishly spread money around, to profit more than the self-serving Jew padding his own pockets?
To appease even those lingering with faint unease, I generously poured funds from the Wertheimer Company.
To be precise, I announced sharing the profits from the large mirror glass business with nobles from Austria, Bavaria, the Palatinate, and Saxony.
With initial investments covered by Wertheimer's money, which noble would object?
In truth, the funds were mine from the start, but to others, it looked like I was redistributing a Jewish magnate's wealth back to the Empire's nobles.
Thus, the launch of the new joint-stock company, which set Austria and even the Netherlands abuzz, was met with widespread acclaim.
Whether at the Privy Council or the Finance Committee, requests bordering on pleas to join my ventures poured in, confirming the tide had fully turned in my favor.
Yes. Indeed, nothing buys goodwill as surely as scattering money.
Nobles or commoners alike, when immediate gain dangles before their eyes, reason goes numb without fail.
With leisure, I received a copy of the Wiener Zeitung, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious newspapers.
Its front page, aimed at officials, nobles, and the upper crust, naturally featured the hottest topic of the moment.
I eagerly scanned it to see in print just how much support my latest move had garnered.
[France's King an Islamic Sultan? Louis XV Declares Plans to Build Massive Mansion for Indiscriminately Gathering Young Women!]
This madman had finally gone and done it.
The Franz-Wertheimer Company's debut was relegated to the inner pages, overshadowed by scandalous rumors crossing borders.
Ah... tsk. No helping it. I never stood a chance against this.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Though eclipsed by Louis XV far off in Versailles, my tasks continued to pile up in Vienna.
I needed to amass even more wealth before war broke out.
And I couldn't just prosper alone; I had to show nobles sharing in the gains.
To that end, coordinating interests and forging agreements was essential.
Plus, I had to humor the Elector of Bavaria, who visited Vienna incessantly.
"Your Highness Albrecht, how were the prototype samples I sent?"
"What more can I say? They hold up perfectly against French mirrors—no, in quality, the consensus is they surpass them."
"I'll outfit Your Electoral Highness's palace with these first."
"Hahaha! Thanks to Your Highness Franz, my head's practically in the clouds. From platinum to mirror glass and Bohemian crystal, the other electors envy me to no end!"
To the status-hungry Elector of Bavaria, I prioritized sending prototypes.
Since he loved bragging, he'd tout them everywhere, making him the perfect unpaid promoter.
Send one new product, and within months, Empire nobles inquired about purchasing theirs.
Truly a grateful type, in a way.
And that was it? Hardly. As a Privy Council member, I had to tend to diplomacy too.
Friedrich especially sent letters almost daily, insisting on prompt replies, so I dashed off responses.
Today was no different.
[...The pipe Your Highness improved is truly astonishing; Father's smoking has increased markedly. Isn't encouraging what Father enjoys the joy of a child? Sister and I offered to buy him more tobacco with our allowance, and he was delighted. This is all thanks to Your Highness...]
Glad he's doing well, but above all, relieved the letter lacked oblivious nonsense.
At first glance, despite the thrashing, he seems like a Stockholm syndrome case fixated on Father.
Maybe he's preemptively blocking future suspicions this way.
See? As written in our correspondence with His Highness Franz, our actions were well-intentioned... Something like that seems plausible.
[...Most encouragingly, I may return to Vienna soon. And this time, with truly joyful news—my heart races at the thought. Sister wishes to see Your Highness again, so I hope we can arrange a meaningful meeting soon.]
I doubt it's bad health for Friedrich Wilhelm I already.
No clue what happy event might bring Friedrich to Vienna personally, but he'll reveal it later.
I set the letter aside and rose for today's most crucial task.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ May 31, 1729, the last day of May under the full bloom of warm spring air.
I stood before the parade ground to reap the fruits of my labors.
As the financier hoped, the groundbreaking ceremony for the world's first army officer academy, named Franz-Theresa Cadet School.
New cadets enrolling this year stood in neat rows, overlooked from the dais by Charles VI.
Before him stood Principal Eugene, face alight with emotion, while I sat beside Therese.
"Your Highness, it's time."
The chamberlain checked his watch and signaled the start, so I stood.
I gazed over the 100 assembled cadets, nearby nobles, and officers.
Carefully selected first-year cadets, each with distinct strengths.
Mostly scions of high imperial nobility or military families.
Some technical branch applicants were commoners who pierced fierce competition.
When these cadets and their successors filled key military posts, Austria's army would transform utterly.
Anticipating that day, I took the glorious first step.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today is not merely the launch of a new school. Here, the Emperor's glorious Holy Roman Empire embarks on a new leap forward."
Cadets in crisp uniforms fixed their eyes on me one by one.
"You will receive tutelage from Prince Eugene, counted among Europe's—and the Empire's—greatest commanders. Absorb unfiltered the wisdom of the general who secured countless victories on Europe's battlefields and defended our Empire."
Cadets gazed at Eugene on the rostrum like a living god.
His face bore a more satisfied smile than usual.
"Thus, chosen by Prince Eugene and His Majesty, heavy responsibility rests on your shoulders. You are the Emperor's sword and shield, the face of the Imperial army. Remember: every action and choice in war—and beyond—reflects the House's glory and dignity!"
Tension and pride dawned on the cadets' faces.
"I too am of the House, yet foremost your steadfast patron, always here in support. His Majesty the Emperor and Archduchess Therese beside us will watch and cheer your growth."
Since it's my-funded school, instilling loyalty to the House freely—no one can complain.
Especially twelve-year-old Therese's angelic smile toward the cadets intensified their resolute gazes.
Even post-medieval, knightly romance lingered.
"The day you complete training and commission proudly! From that moment, the Imperial army leaps into a new era. Your first steps today lead beyond personal glory to the Emperor, House, and Empire's eternal prosperity."
Infusing pride, anticipation, and fervor.
I faced the cadets squarely and shouted resolutely.
"For His Majesty the Emperor!"
Instantly, cadets filling the grounds, plus flanking nobles and officers, roared back.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live Habsburg!"
"Glory to the Empire!"
The ceremony continued; patriotism-drunk cadets, vowing to be the House's sword, dispersed to greet families.
Watching fondly, I approached my father-in-law, whose expression had seemed oddly stiff earlier.
"Your Majesty, the event was a resounding success."
"Indeed. You and Eugene outdid yourselves; I'm thoroughly pleased."
"Glad to hear it. But you seem troubled today..."
Not our first rodeo; I could gauge his mood from his twitching eyes.
To me, his state seemed bewilderment or preoccupation.
"Heh... Your insight surpasses even my wife's. Therese truly has husbandly fortune."
"Something weighs on you. Entrust it to me anytime if I can help."
"Grateful for that. Actually, it concerns you deeply, complicating how to broach it."
The Emperor fished a paper from his breast and handed it over.
"See for yourself. Wasn't hiding it—feared spoiling today's event if known early, so delayed."
Unsure what merited such gravity, I cautiously took the letter-like paper.
By my recall, nothing warranted this reaction until the Polish Succession War.
So, what spectacle awaited?
[Regarding the Marriage Proposal Between the Eldest Daughter of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg, Friederike Sophie Wilhelmine, and Karl Alexander of Lorraine, Second Son of the Duke of Lorraine]
Oh, Friedrich's sister is matchmaking with a Karl from Lorraine.
Definitely off-script from my knowledge—explains the Emperor's fuss.
Yet the name rings familiar... Huh?
Karl Alexander von Lorraine.
...Brother? Why's your name here?
My hand froze clutching the paper.
What the hell is this, Your Majesty?
Why's my brother in marriage talks with Friedrich's sister?