Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 084
Chapter Title: Dawn of the Empire (3)
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Modern democratic nations overwhelmingly adopt the principle of majority rule.
However, majority rule doesn't equate to democracy itself, nor is it an absolutely correct system.
To be precise, it's more accurate to say that majority rule is the only viable alternative because it reflects the will of as many people as possible.
Dictatorship isn't an option, and unanimous consent is hopelessly unrealistic.
In reality, if the number of voters is sufficiently large and collusion is impossible, majority rule can function quite rationally.
People's interests are diverse, so they freely coalesce and split based on issues, allowing the system to operate smoothly.
But if the vote-holders are a minority and prior collusion is possible, majority rule can devolve into de facto dictatorship.
Consider the Special Dispute Resolution Committee under the Imperial Parliament.
It started as a temporary body for resolving disputes, but as the world goes, attaching "special" to a name inevitably expands its authority over time.
Much like Korea's Border Defense Council, meant to oversee borders, ended up meddling in state affairs, the committee now handles nearly all of the Imperial Parliament's work.
Of course, the committee has safety nets in principle to prevent any single faction from dominating.
Even if a majority is secured, the parliament can review it again unless at least six independent electoral principalities withhold their votes.
Yet, since the end of the Habsburg-Ottoman War, this safeguard has never once been triggered.
"We will deliberate on the agenda item: freezing the empire-wide common tariff rate. Currently, tariffs on the Danube, Rhine, and Elbe are unifying within their regions, but different regions still operate independently. Austria argues that systematically removing these barriers to expand the internal market would benefit imperial commerce."
"No objections."
"An enlarged internal market will enrich all imperial principalities."
"Next: establishing imperial public banks and public bond ordinances. Prussia has submitted a proposal to create dedicated banks handling imperial bonds and bills of exchange, with mandatory contributions from each state."
"This feels a bit too coercive..."
"In exchange, small states get discounted rates on imperial bonds regardless of credit rating, and free cities receive active support for circulating them."
"I approve!"
Unlike the Imperial Parliament, where everything requires unanimity, the special committee allows most matters to pass by simple majority vote.
Moreover, when the seven newly independent Balkan principalities joined the committee, the clause requiring six or more principalities' approval became meaningless.
Those seven alone secure eight votes if they side with Austria or Prussia.
I subtly pushed through numerous policies in the ensuing years, invoking the greater good of the empire in the names of Charles VI or Friedrich.
"Next: constructing a canal linking the Rhine, Main, and Danube. With Christian Balkan states joining the empire, the Danube has become the true core of imperial logistics. Connecting it to the Rhine would yield unimaginable economic benefits."
Attempts to link the Danube—which flows from Germany to the Black Sea—with the Rhine had been made before.
But it wasn't easy, and with the Black Sea effectively Ottoman territory, the necessity was questioned. Now, the situation has changed.
Almost every nation along the Danube has joined the empire, and the Ottomans are a toothless lion—what's there to fear?
If the Ottomans disrupt Danube logistics, it would provide perfect casus belli.
"The canal plan is excellent, but how will we fund it?"
"By creating an imperial development fund, with principalities benefiting most contributing proportionally more."
The regions along the Danube—Bavaria and the Palatinate electorates, naturally.
These two, bordering the Rhine, stood to gain the most, undeniable.
"Wait, so Bavaria and the Palatinate bear the largest costs?"
"Wouldn't that be the case? Rhine-bordering states will pay heavily too. Austria has already agreed to do so."
"The canal is welcome, but the costs..."
The shortest construction would take fifteen years, but that would mean narrow width, rocky beds—impractical.
With current tech, it needs to be a thirty-year national megaproject.
That demands astronomical funds, so Bavaria and the Palatinate's shock is understandable.
Thus, other principalities have no choice but to approve.
"The Grand Duchy of Bulgaria approves."
"Serbia approves."
"Prussia approves. Rhine logistics will gain tremendous momentum. This is a grand step for the empire's collective benefit."
Yes, opposing this brands you an empire-sabotaging reactionary.
Long-term funding might be tight, but future revenues abound, minimizing burdens.
We extracted massive reparations from the Ottomans, so no issue here; others' shares are light, so they welcome it with open arms.
The remaining heavyweights—major electorates and equivalents—couldn't overturn the tide despite objections.
83 ayes, 37 nays out of 120.
Bavaria and the Palatinate, swept aside again, influenced nothing.
"Imperial public bank headquarters in Vienna, branch in Berlin. Ten auditors..."
"We'll form a body for canal construction and equipment procurement. Bohemia's heavy industry, Prussia's..."
Even electors couldn't easily oppose policies framed as benefiting the entire empire.
Thus, the special committee rammed through countless bills with overwhelming majorities.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It had been some time since everyone learned Bavaria's elector had been demoted to the empire's third power, eclipsed by Prussia.
"...Your Highness, don't you sense the recent developments are anything but normal?"
"Your frequent visits make it clear these aren't peaceful times."
Bavarian Elector Karl Albrecht had lately increased meetings with Palatine Elector Philipp.
Given Philipp's age past seventy, Albrecht mostly visited him, but details like that hardly mattered.
"You've heard reports from Regensburg—what's happening there normal?"
"Hmm... It's radical, certainly, but not enough evidence to call it a conspiracy."
"The evidence is crystal clear!"
Thud!
Albrecht dumped his aides' analyzed documents on the desk.
"At a glance, it seems for the empire's good. Minor principalities benefit too. But look closer—the biggest gains all flow to Austria or Prussia."
"...That much?"
"Yes. Individually plausible, but together? First, common tariffs—noble intent. Yet Danube tariff revenues mostly funnel to Vienna. Increased logistics volume benefits all? Elbe and Havel grain exports surged most, profits to Prussia."
"Indeed..."
If it stopped there, Albrecht might've just been annoyed.
"You've heard of the imperial public bank—headquarters Vienna, branch Berlin. Ten auditors: six pro-Austria or pro-Prussia."
"Minor principalities love cheap loans there, so no checks."
"And the canal groundbreaking? Selected contractors show tolls and water fees mostly to Austria's treasury. We're being played!"
Putting it all together, if Bavaria and Palatinate gained 1, Austria took 10.
Prussia next, other electors got scraps.
It stayed subtle because those two skimmed via contracts, allocations, revenues.
"But it's all circumstantial. Plus, smaller duchies get immediate, tangible gains supporting Austria's agendas..."
"They're blind to the ground eroding beneath them, chasing short-term profits. Charles VI is lost in a dream, no doubt."
"...A dream?"
"Yes. Dreaming of becoming a true Roman emperor. Ruling parliament like a god, replacing governors at will—drunk on that sweet delusion."
Absurd? Maybe. But could one be so sure?
Pro-Austria faction alone neared fifty votes. Toss Prussia some scraps, majority secured.
They're passing agendas this way nonstop.
Albrecht was convinced it transcended suspicion.
All documents together left even Palatine Elector agreeing.
But the real problem, even if true:
"How do we stop it?"
They could do nothing.
"...We expose Charles VI's nefarious scheme. Abolish the committee or overhaul rules."
"It's all circumstantial. No hard proof. Minor principalities worship Franz Stefan like a god. Will they heed us?"
Everyone knew Franz was Charles VI's proxy.
Claiming Charles sought absolute monarchy equated to accusing Franz of deceiving them all along.
"Above all, wasn't it you, Your Highness Albrecht, who claimed Franz was easy to handle—like a merchant?"
"Er... Yes. But I now see Franz as Charles VI's chess piece."
Could Franz orchestrate such sophisticated politics?
There must be a puppet master behind.
Albrecht pegged Charles VI.
"Emperor pushing openly invites suspicion, so Franz as front. Odd from the start—entrusting daughter and dynasty to a Lorrainian boy? Why?"
"If true, we've gravely underestimated Charles VI."
"We must admit that and wake up now."
With the enemy clear, countermeasures simplify.
Albrecht and Philipp concluded Bavaria and Palatinate couldn't touch Austria or Prussia domestically, no matter what.
So what then?
With doom looming, they couldn't just watch power slip away.
"...I'll discreetly contact foreign powers. Your Highness Philipp, monitor Vienna and Regensburg closely."
"Sigh... Thought my final years peaceful, but this bolt from the blue. Understood. Can't let Charles VI shatter the empire's traditions."
Inviting external forces to resolve internal disputes was Holy Roman Empire tradition.
Thus, they merely upheld tradition—nothing wrong.
They had to correct it this way.
Before the mad emperor dismantled imperial order entirely.