Chapter 1710 - 1616: Austro-Hungarian Empire

Chapter 1710: Chapter 1616: Austro-Hungarian Empire

The next day.

In a spacious conference hall, Count Stadion, Count Speelman, and other ministers were all silent with their heads down.

Franz II first cursed the member states that participated in the Stuttgart conference and finally furiously declared, "Go tell those traitors that the Habsburg crown is not something they can decide!"

After a few silent seconds, Count Stadion, the highest-ranked in the hall, reluctantly spoke: "Your Majesty, currently the Imperial Assembly can no longer convene... We are afraid it’s very difficult to effectively constrain these member states."

Franz II really wanted to say, "Then use the military to discipline them," but could only keep it bottled inside.

This Austrian internal turmoil, if it weren’t for Russia sending troops to help, would have been unpredictable in its outcome. Even on the Hungarian side, a ceasefire agreement has not been signed yet.

Where does the Empire have extra capacity to send troops abroad?

Franz II took a deep breath, unwillingly asking, "Isn’t there any other way?"

Count Stadion and other ministers exchanged glances: "Your Majesty, perhaps changing the name of the Empire isn’t entirely unacceptable."

Facing the Emperor’s cold gaze, he braced himself and said, "The Hungarians have always refused to sign the agreement because of the country’s name issue. If changed to Austria and Hungary Empire, the southern situation would immediately stabilize.

"Then the Russians stationed on the Hungarian Plain could leave. We have to pay them a logistical fee of two million florins every month."

He glanced at Count Geisler.

The latter quickly added, "Maintaining Imperial Assembly and Imperial Court, among others, also requires substantial funds annually..."

Franz II looked at the ministers lacking the will to fight, his tightly squeezed fists slightly trembling from exertion: "To abandon the name of the Holy Roman Empire is tantamount to losing the basis for ruling the Germanic Region, which is absolutely unacceptable!"

Count Speelman cautiously glanced at the Emperor and said: "Your Majesty, as long as there is mighty power, these places can return to the Empire at any time.

"Do you remember Mr. Metternich’s balance diplomacy theory?

"Currently, our country should avoid consumption, accumulate national power awaiting wars to erupt in England and France, and then can reopen the Imperial Assembly and restore the Empire’s name."

In fact, these ministers had privately discussed that given the current situation of German states banding together, completely unaffected by Austria, barely maintaining the facade of the Holy Roman Empire name held no real value.

It would be better to appropriately contract, meanwhile improving relations with Prussia and other Northern German countries.

On the other hand, an Austria without ambitions to dominate the European Continent would be zealously courted by England and France, and they could more securely engage in decisive battles.

In history, Austria indeed successfully implemented this strategy, keeping away from Europe’s main battlefields, enjoying years of peace. Later, when Napoleon was defeated near Moscow, Austria suddenly sent troops to stab France in the back, ultimately facilitating the Battle of Waterloo.

Franz II initially wanted to convene the ministers to discuss strategies, yet unexpectedly found nearly everyone inclined to retreat, quickly ending the meeting in dismay.

When he returned to his study, Count Colloredo arrived with a letter and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, this was just sent by Mr. Metternich."

Metternich was at that time still in Pest negotiating a ceasefire with the Hungarian Parliament.

Franz frowned as he opened the envelope and took out the letter, his pupils shrinking after just a few lines.

Metternich quickly moved from a few customary greetings to mention:

[Currently the biggest trouble is, there are only four Electors remaining, and Cologne obviously won’t collaborate with us...

This means in the future, Archduke Ferdinand likely cannot follow the process prescribed by the Golden Bull to obtain the Emperor’s title...]

Archduke Ferdinand is Franz II’s eldest son.

At the moment, aside from Prussia not openly declaring the abandonment of the Elector status, the other secular Electors have all "resigned."

Including the two Church Electors—Cologne and Mainz, along with the Habsburg’s Bohemian Elector, totaling four votes.

Prussia and Cologne are unlikely to vote for Habsburg, thus preventing Archduke Ferdinand from becoming Emperor.

What’s more worrying is, if Cologne and Mainz accept the conditions of Prussia and vote for Prussia, the Habsburg family would become subordinate to Brandenburg.

To increase the number of Electors, according to the Golden Bull, shifting or adding Electors requires a vote from the Imperial Assembly.

Now not to mention the inability to convene the Imperial Assembly at all; even if a meeting could happen, Prussia may still be the majority.

Franz II quickly looked further down:

[...The relatively prudent method is to change the Emperor, who needs election by the Imperial Assembly, to an Emperor with absolute ruling power over the state.

And merely altering the Emperor’s ruling range and name doesn’t require the Holy See to hold another coronation ceremony, allowing the Habsburg family to permanently retain the emperor title...]

Franz II was dumbstruck for a long time, his hands powerlessly dropping.

The Emperor’s title seems to be the only thing he can strive for the Habsburg family.

Otherwise, when Ferdinand inherits, his status could become the same level as the monarchs of Hesse, Bavaria, and other countries—according to European custom, the Emperor is a level higher than the King, at least ceremonially.

He turned to the portrait of Leopold II hanging on the wall, softly murmuring:

"Your mother defended Vienna during the Seven Years’ War. Your brother stood firm in the Bavarian Succession War. You didn’t allow the Prussians to seize Legnica. But in my time, the Empire crumbles..."

...

One week later.

Pest.

Metternich walked briskly into the negotiation hall, smiling at the Hungarian negotiation representatives: "Today is a day worth commemorating; we will formally sign the agreement."

The latter frowned: "Forgive my candidness, but if the issue of the country’s name isn’t addressed, I won’t..."

Metternich signaled his assistant to produce a gilded document: "His Majesty the Emperor has authorized me to promise that the name ’Austria and Hungary United Empire’ will be included in the agreement.

"The official renaming edict will be published a little later.

"You see, all obstacles have been eliminated."