Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 091
Chapter Title: Generational Change (2)
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The funeral of Prince Eugène of Savoy was carried out on a scale grander than that of any other noble.
Eugène had no children, and his sole heir was a distant nephew he'd barely managed to track down in his old age.
That was why the Emperor himself oversaw the ceremony, allowing it to proceed as Austria's highest-grade state funeral.
I had personally purchased the Belvedere Palace, where Eugène had resided, and converted it into a gallery displaying his and the imperial family's achievements, opening it to the public for all to see.
The final voyage of the great ship Eugène, setting sail for the heavens.
His casket was placed in the upper palace of Belvedere so that even ordinary citizens could pay their respects.
A bronze sword engraved with the motto VICIT (He has conquered), his field marshal's baton, and three Polish victory banners stood proudly atop the coffin, gleaming solemnly.
Once all the citizens of Vienna had viewed Eugène's casket, wept in mourning, recalled his triumphs, and prepared to bid farewell to this great general...
His casket was laid to rest in Stephansdom.
Even delegations from nations like France and the Ottomans arrived to pay their respects with utmost courtesy. As I concluded my final eulogy, thunderous applause rained down upon me.
After the rites ended and I descended from the podium, Leopold Joseph, who had been waiting, approached and bowed his head.
"I heard your teacher stopped by the Hofburg Palace before passing."
"Not quite before passing—rather, his last public appearance was that visit to the Hofburg. He then secluded himself to complete his final grand strategy."
"Ah, you mean the letter your teacher left for Your Highness."
It spanned dozens of pages, so calling it a 'letter' felt off, but it was indeed the last will he bequeathed to me.
"I only skimmed the beginning, but even at over seventy, his insight remained sharp as ever. Thanks to that, our future plans will gain even more momentum."
"A truly remarkable man. I wonder if I'll have such intuition at that age..."
"No need for that. Keeping someone over seventy in active service is elder abuse, plain and simple. Any normal state would have completed the generational handover long before then, no?"
"Sigh... Then I suppose I can retire before sixty. Just twenty more years of hard work ahead."
We fell silent for a moment, watching Eugène's casket being carried into the cathedral.
Attending the funerals of acquaintances had long since become routine.
But reliving the funeral of a close comrade I'd already experienced once before? That was just infuriating.
If I had to go through my firstborn daughter's funeral again... No, that must never happen. Never.
"Oh, right—Your Highness, I heard Prussia sent a delegation too."
"The King wanted to come personally, but his ministers dissuaded him. Instead, they sent the Duke of Anhalt-Dessau, who's close to the King. Haven't met him yet?"
"Yes, I've heard about it but haven't seen him in person."
"Is that so? Then perhaps a greeting before he leaves... Ah, speak of the devil, here he comes."
Luckily, the man wasn't one to dawdle; I spotted an elderly figure approaching at a brisk pace from afar.
Leopold I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau.
Prussia's field marshal and the key military figure overseeing the reform of their infantry.
He approached warmly, bowing with a flourish.
"Even as yesterday's sun sets, today's rises. So the new sun of Austria stands here."
"Berlin has its own massive sun, doesn't it?"
"Hahaha, truly, God has blessed our empire with two suns. And the young man beside you—is he the famed General Joseph?"
"Yes! Leopold Joseph, at your service. An honor to meet you!"
He glanced at Joseph's slightly shadowed face, then turned back to me and continued.
"Eugène raised his successors well, so he must have departed in peace. Much like how I feel gazing upon His Majesty Friedrich."
"You came all the way to Vienna, so it seems Your Grace isn't at an age to worry about health just yet."
"I'm just past sixty now. But being here really drives it home—our era is over."
"......"
"England's Churchill, France's Villars, the Netherlands' Overkirk. And Austria's Eugène. Now, I'm the last one who remembers those battlefields of old. Time to step aside for the new era."
Gazing at the cathedral, he was no longer Prussia's field marshal.
Just a lonely old man, left behind after seeing off his entire generation.
I understood his sentiment, but it was too soon for that.
The most important main event was still to come.
"Given that Prussia's King sent you, the field marshal, I assume you know what's coming next... Am I right?"
"Yes. I've heard the broad outlines. That's why I've come to see Your Highness."
"Then set aside the loneliness for now. Isn't it a blessing? You're the sole survivor of our generation who gets to witness the future."
A spark returned to the fading old man's eyes.
It was time for Joseph to learn as well, so we could discuss it together.
As we bid farewell to Eugène's final journey—a path from which he would never return—we began speaking not of past memories, but of the future ahead.
The clock ticked forward.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Once the funeral proceedings fully concluded, I was able to meet privately with my father-in-law, who looked three years older in an instant.
"Did all the distinguished guests depart safely?"
"Yes. No issues, and they all sincerely saw Prince Eugène off on his way."
"He was a man worthy of such honors. Franz, it feels like... one of my own hands has been severed."
The military was now fully reorganized around Joseph and Moritz, whom I had promoted, with academy graduates steadily joining the officer corps.
In other words, the so-called 'Franz generation'—the new blood—was completely replacing the old guard.
Was it just the military?
Diplomacy, too, was advancing at breakneck speed under my full support for Kaunitz; in another five years or so, conditions would be ripe for his unprecedented appointment as minister.
The Privy Council was already under my control, with the other members mere yes-men raising their hands to my opinions. In truth, the generational shift was nearly complete.
It was no wonder Charles VI saw Eugène's death as a sign that his own era was fading.
"Your Majesty, with me as your hand and foot, what is there to worry about? I will serve you faithfully until the day you truly become Rome's Emperor."
"...So, you're about to begin the preparations? The timing feels a bit awkward, though. We're in the midst of smallpox eradication and reducing infant mortality—riding a wave of peace."
"Quite right. That's why we're focusing on groundwork now. With the mourning for Prince Eugène still fresh, we'll publish a massive newspaper edition in his honor."
"...A newspaper?"
Newspapers existed even now, of course—but nothing like what modern people imagined.
Even Britain and France, the biggest publishers, printed just 2,500 to 3,000 copies weekly, with readership severely limited.
They simply lacked the means to print more quickly on that scale.
Mass-deploying presses would waste space and resources.
But after examining the design, simple tweaks could boost efficiency by at least 2.5 times.
"First, we'll swap the pressure lever and split the inking and pressing into two stations. And then..."
"No, no—not the technical details. What do you plan to do with it?"
"The reason for printing newspapers is simple: publicity. With coffee houses popping up all over Vienna, we can distribute there first—they'll absorb the volume easily."
Those who frequented coffee houses enjoyed socializing and had some education—perfect newspaper readers.
Vienna's current weekly print run was around a thousand copies; bumping it to twice weekly at six thousand should achieve our goals.
"Do we really need publicity?"
"Absolutely. The coming era demands the passionate support of the citizenry. Ultimately, though, the aim is for intellectuals across the entire Empire—not just Vienna—to read our papers."
Vienna already cheered for the imperial family, so no issues there.
But to unify the Holy Roman Empire, nothing mattered more than the absolute backing of the people.
The easiest path? Make them idolize and support the Habsburgs.
Of course, securing the home front was key to pacifying the Empire, so swaying Viennese opinion held value in itself.
People already liked and followed the court—but ramping up their obsession with me? No harm in that.
"We'll splash big on Prince Eugène's achievements—beloved by all Vienna—and how diplomatic missions from across Europe came to see him off. Then, naturally, the pages will fill with the imperial family's great deeds."
"...And after that?"
"Serial features on how this Empire unites under Your Majesty and the Habsburg name. Citizens will share in the memories of great victories in real time—not just the court and nobility."
Bonus: The better the court shone, the easier it would be to expose the viciousness of rival electorates trying to trip us up.
With the Empire's trade networks linking everything, Viennese opinion would spread to those states in no time.
"...Fine. You'll fund it all yourself anyway, right?"
"Of course. As if I'd ask for a separate budget."
"Your money, your call—I won't interfere. Do as you please."
"Understood."
He let me handle most affairs my way already, but this time, his enthusiasm felt especially lacking.
"Your Majesty, Prince Eugène lived to a ripe old age blessed by God. You must stay healthy at least until then—to witness our Elizabeth bearing children."
"Mm... I'd like that, if possible."
In my memories, Charles VI died next year—but not from fate's illness.
"If I may be bold, Your Majesty, to live long, you must quit that hunting first. How about cutting back and cultivating other hobbies?"
"...What? Franz, are you telling me to hole up in the palace like some girl, reading books and gossiping?"
*Yes, please do,* I wanted to say—but he'd never listen.
In this era, the biggest reason noblemen's lifespans trailed women's wasn't war—it was hunting.
In my past life, both my father and Charles VI had perished from hunting injuries and illnesses.
Hunting was the mark of true manhood for noblemen here, so I got it.
But dying from a hunting wound? Too pathetic.
My father in Lorraine was thriving precisely because I'd banned his hunts.
Of course, the War of the Austrian Succession ignited upon Charles VI's death; if he lived hale, it weakened foreign incitements to rebellion.
"I know how much Your Majesty enjoys hunting. Still, with so much ahead, please refrain for the time being."
"...You mean pressuring the electorates into action? I've been meaning to ask—how do you plan it? What do you need from me?"
"I'll explain now. I stress again: Your Majesty's role is pivotal."
"Sigh... Alright. Life's lost its spark lately, but since you ask, I'll hear you out."
Perfect—he was hunting-mad, so this scenario fit ideally and lent credibility.
I lowered my voice to a near-whisper.
"First, Your Majesty must pass away."
"......?"
"Then, using the newspapers I've prepared..."
"Guards! Guaaaards!"
*No, you idiot, I'm not telling you to actually die.*
Claiming no zeal for life, yet look at that sudden vigor.
My father-in-law brimmed with vitality, good for another decade at least.