Holy Roman Empire-Chapter 1023 - 37, Incomprehensible Capital

Chapter 1023: Chapter 37, Incomprehensible Capital

Spring breezes brushed the face, heralding the revival of all things. Under the sunlight, the withered chastetree began to sprout fragrant red buds again, as if narrating the cyclic nature of history.

The rehearsal before the military parade had started, but observing the troops converging from around the world, Schlieffen was not pleased at all.

Regardless of whether it was a group of officers or ordinary soldiers, there was no essential difference as they marched in the square formations.

The Prussian Army was indeed elite, but the troops participating in the parade from other regions were not mere straws either. It was impossible to stand out by stepping on the shoulders of others.

“Trying to be conspicuously innovative” was simply wishful thinking. All parade sequences were preset, and the participating troops only needed to follow the plan.

“Military orders are inviolable” was not a joke; taking the initiative to try something new, regardless of the outcome, would inevitably lead to a military tribunal.

...

Schlieffen wanted to catch the Emperor’s attention, but he wasn’t prepared to achieve it through reckless actions. If he messed up the National Day parade, not only would he be ruined, but the troop’s designation might also be revoked.

Regardless of how glorious the Prussian Army had been in the past, within the current defense system of the Holy Roman Empire, they were just a trivial part.

They were merely a small addition; if they weren’t there, it wouldn’t make much of a difference. The Holy Roman Empire, with its population of 130 million, had already established absolute dominance on the European Continent.

If they could not attract the Emperor’s attention, then so be it. After all, the likelihood of that was already low, and they had a backup plan.

What made Schlieffen sadder was that among the numerous armies that had arrived in Vienna, they had become the most modest. If this also counted as attracting attention, then they had indeed succeeded.

Other state armies arrived in armored vehicles, looking very imposing, while the Prussian Army came on horseback.

Although cavalry had not yet left the historical stage, the torrent of steel had become the main line of future development. Especially the countries that had experienced the anti-France wars were all determined to develop armored tanks.

Chasing trending topics is human nature. Regardless of whether it’s a large state or a small state, as long as they retained an army, they all procured a bunch of new toys to showcase.

If it were not for the transportation department’s prohibition, it’s likely that some would have arrived in planes or tanks.

Since the number of people from each state participating in the parade wasn’t large – at most a few dozen to a hundred – the mode of transportation hardly mattered.

As such, of course, they came in the most impressive way possible. After all, everyone cared about their image; in front of the entire national populace, they couldn’t afford to lose face.

You should know that cinema had already been invented, and as the Holy Roman Empire’s first parade, it was definitely going to be recorded. Once documented, any blemish would be eternal.

As it turned out, this was all an overthinking.

Planes, cannons, and armored tanks were all supposed to be part of the Central Army’s performance. The participating state armies were all foot soldiers in formation.

This outcome could only bring Schlieffen a slight relief, but mostly bitterness. Watching as neighbors, who were once inferior, surpassed them one by one was definitely not a pleasant feeling.

…

The Holy Roman Empire’s grand military parade not only tugged at the heartstrings of domestic citizens but also captured the attention of the world.

As a newly rising hegemon, every move of the Vienna Government was subject to “political interpretation” by outsiders. Even if there was no intended purpose, motives would still be interpreted.

Not surprisingly, the most interested in all this was the Spanish Foreign Minister Runiour, who had just arrived in Vienna, seeking diplomatic support and policy loans.

…

In the Vienna embassy area, there was a row of clearly tiered, staggered buildings full of sunlight and vitality.

Almost everyone who arrived here would stop to admire this art-infused Spanish-style embassy.

Perhaps this was the last stubbornness of an old empire. Although Spain had declined, its diplomatic investment was never modest, at least not in the Vienna Embassy.

“Minister Brad, having been in Vienna for twenty years, if anyone understands the Holy Roman Empire best, it is undoubtedly you.

The Vienna Government is organizing a parade at this time. Do you really think they are just trying to show off to the British?”

Runiour couldn’t help but overthink; although the Vienna Government seldom caused trouble, whenever they did, it was earth-shattering.

Regarding the parade itself, it wasn’t a big issue, but neither was it minor. If it had happened before, Runiour wouldn’t have cared much.

But now things were different. The European war had ended more than three years ago, and the economic crisis was also passing. The Holy Roman Empire, having initially completed the integration of the German States, had come out of its weak phase.

The rejuvenated double-headed eagle always had to hunt. No matter how much they changed, an eagle was still an eagle and couldn’t turn to vegetarianism.

Looking at the current world, the only one with the strength to contend with the Holy Roman Empire was Britannia, with the Russians perhaps counting as half.

From the surface, in recent years, the Anglo-Austrian relations had indeed been tense. The Vienna Government showing off the parade to the British had no flaws.

However, Runiour didn’t believe the situation was that simple. After all, the Holy Roman Empire’s strength was on land, whereas the British excelled at sea.

Even if the Shinra Army was formidable, the British, protected by the Channel, wouldn’t feel any real pressure.

Unless they changed the venue of the parade to the sea and brought together dozens of battleships for a demonstration, perhaps that would make the British uneasy for a few days.

Minister Brad gave a slight smile, set down his coffee, and responded, “The Vienna Government’s purpose, of course, is not just to show off to the British.

If they really wanted to trouble the British, increasing the naval budget and building more warships would be more effective.

Your Excellency, the Minister, let’s not forget that besides the British, there is also a polar bear on the European Continent. Although this bear is currently hibernating, we cannot ignore their presence.

Especially since they have just changed to Tsar Nicholas II, who has recently been making moves domestically.

Based on past experiences, I personally believe that Emperor Franz organizing this national parade is once again a warning to the Russians.

It’s almost a cycle; each ambitious Tsar taking the throne makes the Russian-Austrian relations tense for a while. After hitting a wall, the relations between the two countries quickly normalize again.

Of course, this doesn’t rule out the intention to demonstrate to the whole world. After all, they are again the hegemony, and they must do something.”

In recent decades, mentioning the “Russian-Austrian Alliance” was enough to give European politicians a headache. This alliance directly determined the direction of European affairs.

However, this seemingly indestructible alliance had internal relations far less harmonious than what the outside world perceived.

The struggle for dominance within the alliance between Russia and Austria never ceased in secret. Only in recent years had Austria gradually gained the dominant position in the alliance through its economic advantages, thus somewhat easing the tensions.

Yet, how could Tsarist Government be willing to play second fiddle? Starting from Alexander II, almost every Tsarist had made efforts to escape the influence of Austria.

Unfortunately, the Tsarist Government was simply too poor. Every time their economy showed signs of recovery, a new war ensued.

The ultimate outcome was that after each war, the Russian Empire’s dependency on Austria increased.

From economic to military, followed by industrial systems, and now even cultural arts, the ties between the two countries had grown exceedingly close.

The recent economic crisis was a prime example, with problems in the Holy Roman Empire’s economy leaving the Russian Empire with no room to struggle and dragging it directly down with it.

Whether willing to admit it or not, the interests of Tsarist Government’s ruling class were tied together with Austria.

If they faced misfortune, Austria might only suffer short-term pain; but if Austria encountered problems, their wallets were doomed without a doubt.

If not for this situation, Tsarist Government would not have been easily deceived into joining the anti-France war, nor would it have sat idly by as the Holy Roman Empire was reinstated.

By now, it was no longer a matter of individual dissent; any action that damaged the relations between the two countries was akin to tampering with the bureaucrats’ and nobility’s cheese.

Were relations indeed to sour, with the Vienna Government allowing African agricultural products into the market and easing restrictions on mineral resource development, Russia’s agriculture and mining industries would be doomed immediately.

Not only bureaucrats and nobles would disapprove, but also compradors and national capitalists. While engaging in unrelenting purchases, Russia’s industrial lifeblood inevitably surrendered as well.

All stakeholders opposed, and just the Tsarist wanting change wouldn’t be enough; the outcome was predictable.

This conclusion was not mere conjecture by Minister Brad, but rather a lesson learned from decades of experience by England and France.

France had spent over thirty years and England forty years trying to dismantle the Russian-Austrian Alliance. Countless international relations experts and scholars had painstakingly studied this before reaching this conclusion.

To disrupt the relations between the two, the simplest and only method was: a political upheaval in the Tsarist Government that completely ousted the current beneficiaries.

Moreover, the new ruling class must be resilient. They had to resist the enemy’s sugar-coated bullets and prepare to endure long-term hardships and suppress domestic uprisings by bankrupt farmers and workers at any moment.

“Yes!”

As long as it didn’t involve Spain, Ruenior had absolutely no intention of meddling in the messy affairs between Russia and Austria.

“As long as we are not involved, then let’s just enjoy the show. By the way, how are the loan negotiations going with the bankers in Vienna?”

Ruenior hadn’t forgotten the purpose of his visit to Vienna; as long as he could secure a loan, everything else was secondary.

Speaking of the loan, Minister Brad’s smile suddenly disappeared. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, “Your Excellency, the Minister, you know how it is. Those vampires are all about sucking people dry.

Not only is the interest on their loans high, but they also demand collateral, and not just any ordinary collateral.

They want the issuing rights of Betasta as the collateral.”

Minister Brad was also helpless. Given the financial situation of the Spanish Government, ordinary commercial banks could absolutely not afford to offer a loan. To obtain a loan, the only option was to turn to those unconventional speculative banks or financial micro-lending companies.

Interests are the most blinding. Seeing bankers overseas deeply involved in politics, even directly controlling a nation’s currency issuance, some in the Shinra financial world also became restless.

There were even those who had eyed the Divine Shield’s issuance rights, but those individuals were unlucky, encountering a formidable government and quickly meeting their maker.

While they couldn’t feast on the largest prey, a slightly smaller piece was equally tempting. With Spain approaching at this time, the financial speculators couldn’t hold back.

After a long silence, Ruenior slowly said, “They have quite an appetite, aren’t they afraid of choking?

Who exactly has given them the confidence to swallow us? Could it be…”

Before Ruenior could finish his sentence, Minister Brad interjected, “It’s not the Vienna Government, I can be sure of that.

They didn’t act even when the issuing rights of Italian States were served up to them; nor did they exploit the recent economic crisis.

The Divine Shield is already a global currency, and Betasta is linked to the Divine Shield; our currency issuance rights aren’t that significant to them.

As for the origin of these vampires, in fact, we are all too familiar. Besides those damned Jewish ghosts, there is no one else in the world so greedy…”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

The bold are killed by their greed, and the timid die of starvation. In this regard, Jewish capital stood out the most.

Though they suffered heavy losses in the previous anti-corruption campaign, after some time to recover, Jewish capital had reappeared in the financial world.

But this time, their role was not as mainstream bankers but rather as operators of financial schemes and speculative banks.

There was no other fast way to make money other than dealing in schemes, as the normal business model would not allow them to rise so quickly.

Unlike their previous brazenness, having been socially thrashed, Jewish financiers had become much more restrained.

Realizing that Shinra was not suitable for their development, these people were also considering multiple backup plans. It was precisely because Spain came knocking at this time that the subsequent story unfolded.

After calming down, Ruenior quickly realized something was amiss. Daring to eye the Betasta issuance rights without any backup was not just simply audacious.

“That’s not right, there must be something behind this. Jewish capital is not strong in Austria, and alone they couldn’t possibly gather so much cash in such a short time.

Moreover, our situation is not good; when other commercial banks dare not lend, how can they dare to lend?

We must find out who is backing them. Otherwise, I would rather deal with the Vienna Government than do business with these vampires.”

Despite not knowing who was plotting, Ruenior was clear about one thing: Jewish capital lacked the capability to confront a nation.

Even if a contract was signed, if the Spanish Government breached it, they wouldn’t be able to do anything.