Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 083
Chapter Title: Dawn of the Empire (2)
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A vicious and brutal plan to incite a civil war and seize power.
This wasn't because I particularly wanted to grow a mustache or anything.
The political structure of the Holy Roman Empire is malformed.
I've already hammered that point home until my lips were chapped, so no need to belabor it again.
Now that we've taken control of the committee, even the most oblivious folks will soon realize they've been slowly boiling frogs.
Once that happens, it'll be inevitable: cries that this whole thing was Austria's scheme, Charles VI's plot to become an absolute monarch.
...If they don't catch on, I can always bribe someone to stir up that kind of public opinion.
Either way, late or soon, such sentiments are bound to emerge. And if my memory serves, my father-in-law's days are numbered.
It's the perfect timing for all that pent-up resentment to explode.
Miss this window, and once Theresa and I solidify our imperial authority, even the malcontents will find it much harder to act openly.
So, as a true emperor, isn't it my role to create an environment where my vassals can voice their honest thoughts?
"Pleased to meet you. Starting today, you'll be working under me on weapon development."
"Yes! It's an honor to serve under Your Highness!"
"The harder we work, the greater the chance our brave young soldiers fighting on the front lines will return home safely. Do you understand?"
"Yes! With the full awareness that we're carrying the lives of the Empire's youth on our shoulders, we'll pour every ounce of effort into this!"
When we were refining platinum or glass, the young pups barely knew the tech and mostly endured it because of my status. But now, not a single one dared raise an objection.
This must be what they call the halo effect.
With my absolute popularity in Austria and reputation for cherishing artisans, word spread that I was establishing a weapons research institute. Artisans started flocking not just from Austria, but from across the Empire.
And I wasn't just preaching hard work to them.
"From now on, we'll pursue rifle improvements in two main directions. One is refining the existing loading method—what we'll conveniently call the muzzle-loader for now. The other is revolutionizing the loading mechanism itself."
"Why pursue both instead of focusing on one? Wouldn't it be more efficient to push the superior option?"
"Good question. The first can be improved quickly with current tech, but the second will take considerable time. So, we're upgrading muzzle-loading rifles for immediate gains while developing breech-loading rifles for long-term military superiority."
Without overwhelming military backing, sparking conflict to crush dissent and consolidate power is nothing short of suicidal fantasy.
Even a narrow victory would shatter the Empire's strength, leaving winner and loser alike crippled and crushed by reality.
But what if we demonstrate such overwhelming might that fighting isn't even feasible?
A couple of battles could shatter their will entirely—minimal cost, maximum effect.
In short, without firearm innovation, recreating the War of the Austrian Succession is pure delusion.
"If I may, Your Highness mentioned rapid results, but can weapon improvements really happen that fast?"
"Valid concern. Guns and cannons are the pinnacle of human knowledge; they're not easily tinkered with. I've researched them for over a decade with solid results, which is why I've assembled you formally."
"Ooooh!"
"Commanding wars while developing weapons? Does Your Highness live 48 hours a day?"
Combining modern foundational knowledge with the well-memorized history of firearms, muzzle-loader upgrades were feasible with current tech.
The main hurdles were percussion caps and mass production systems for improved guns.
Just rifling and bullets alone would leapfrog current performance. With unlimited manpower and funds, we could arm the army with new rifles in a few years.
But easy to improve means easy to copy.
No matter how tight the security, after one or two wars, other nations would imitate us.
To stay ahead, we need breech-loaders—but simulations showed they're beyond current capabilities.
Machining tech is too primitive; without top artisans, we can't produce quality goods.
We could force it, but handcrafted rifles would cost a fortune.
Fine for elite troops, but impractical overall.
Hence, two tracks.
"Trust me for now. Follow, and I'll prove it with results."
I outlined the overall direction for the upcoming rifle upgrades.
"Understood!"
"We'll follow Your Highness to the end!"
"When do we start?"
When do we start? What a clueless question.
The sooner we finish, the more we can produce.
Sorry, folks—overtime starts today.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The new principality established on the Balkan Peninsula.
Friedrich announced a grand welcoming ceremony for their delegation and made the unexpected move of personally traveling to Regensburg.
Other electorates and minor principalities interpreted it as Friedrich flaunting his prestige.
Austria might be the imperial heart, but they saw themselves as the Empire's second power, and this was his way of showing it.
It had to look that way—but really, it was staged for Friedrich to meet me privately without suspicion.
We used to meet freely with minor excuses; now, even once requires burning cash like mad.
A hassle, but unavoidable.
Higher status and influence mean greater risks.
Most matters could go through Theresa or Wilhelmina, but this was too big—any distortion of intent was unacceptable.
I had to meet him in person at least once.
As expected, the night before the welcome ceremony.
In a meeting room disguised as a Prussia-Austria summit, Friedrich gaped at my proposal.
"Is that... even possible?"
"Any reason it wouldn't be?"
"Well... thinking about it, no? Ah, one thing: I get stoking their discontent, but what if these cowards just endure it?"
Friedrich, whom I hadn't seen in ages, had gained poise, analyzing the situation coolly.
His habit of looking down on inferiors remained, but that's just his nature.
"You mean Bavaria or the Palatinate sitting idle?"
"Yes. As I felt last time, their glory days are long gone. They're relics. Would relics draw swords when their positions waver? Or just grumble and trip us up quietly?"
Not wrong.
The Bavarian elector only whined 'That hurt!' after Prussia slapped them with 30x tariffs—no direct retaliation.
"Which is why we need a bigger shove. Like instilling the fear they'll never amount to anything again."
"Using the committee, then. Begging your pardon, but I figured you'd wield it more... discreetly."
"I will—direct action is years off. We'll stack gains meanwhile, preparing to realize this vision."
But the Imperial Diet members aren't fools.
They might be swayed by my 21st-century intrigue for now, but soon they'll sense something's off.
"One more thing, tied to that: openly allying Prussia and Austria will deter other princes from rebelling. Your plan?"
"Declare neutrality. Or pretend we've split by then."
"Then join if internal opposition rises? Like the last French war."
"No, too obvious. Watch and wait. Once we crush the rebels, the tide turns—support us as the inevitable victor."
"That could mean heavy Austrian losses."
"Not likely. We've prepared extensively, with capable generals as my hands and feet."
Moritz and Josef might not match Friedrich alone, but together they're close.
Whatever irked him, Friedrich narrowed his eyes and chugged his wine.
"Your Highness, even so, if we can't personally crush those blocking our path—you and I—it won't satisfy."
"...Pardon?"
What? We haven't even started—anger issues much?
"Your plan is perfect. Absolutely. But its perfection lacks that thrilling edge."
"We call such tactics 'gambles.'"
Arrhythmia? Why's your heart racing over plans?
"No. We need surer victories. Traditionally, Bavaria and the Palatinate drag in France at every crisis. And France grinds its teeth at Austria."
"...You're not suggesting drawing in France too?"
"It bolsters the purge justification: daring to threaten the imperial house with foreign powers."
If it played out that way, we could eradicate anti-imperial factions entirely—but risks are ballooning.
France intervenes, Britain won't sit; Britain moves, Russia next door might grab scraps.
I want power consolidation, not world war.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. With deft pre-diplomacy, we hook just France. Frog legs? I'll snap 'em all. After all, Your Highness's most trusted force is the Prussian army. Hahaha!"
Trusting Prussians over Austrians is its own issue... but unavoidable.
I don't know what sparked his surge, but his point wasn't terrible.
With upgraded rifles army-wide and solid prep, we beat France or Britain in short wars.
"Let's wrap this topic and discuss tomorrow's welcome. Since you can claim kingly title, a more domineering vibe might—"
"That's my specialty. Leave it to me. Hahaha!"
Confidence is good, but this déjà vu feels ominous.
"Your Majesty Friedrich, all well and good, but even if Germany unites later, don't think we can take on the world. I can't back that."
"What? Who'd think that? Even I wouldn't go that far."
I know saying 'Famous last words' just raises flags.
I'll stay suspicious to the end.
This is the War of the Austrian Succession—not a preview of world war.