War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Faced with Madame Sophie's preaching, Maximilian did not choose to refute immediately. He felt that his mother was a little different from usual.

After all, Mrs. Sophie is a staunch believer in corporal punishment. She usually chooses to use the stick to suppress those who oppose her or those who do not like her.

Seeing that Maximilian remained silent, Madame Sophie continued.

"Maximilian, you are very smart and excellent. I have always been proud of you, but you are too arrogant. As a king, you should listen more to other people's opinions in the future."

Maximilian immediately retorted.

"How could I be arrogant, mother? I have always been following your teachings."

Madame Sophie's eyelids twitched.

"Then do you know why your elder brother is always frowning lately?"

Maximilian was a little impatient.

"Can you please not mention him? Isn't he frowning all the time because he lacks the ability and is unwilling to give up his power?"

It seems Franz was right.

"You are hopeless. This is all because of you."

"I?"

"That's right, you shouldn't have taken over those slaves, at least not without being fully prepared.

Now Franz is asking the Ottoman Empire to honor the provisions of the Flower Hall Declaration on the prohibition of the slave trade, and is asking the Ottoman Empire to provide the identity information and number of slaves so that their relatives can claim them. "

Maximilian frowned, somewhat confused.

"Isn't Franz imitating me?"

"He is helping you clean up your mess! Your unclear acceptance of the slaves is like accepting a hot potato from the Ottoman Empire."

"Why is it a hot potato? Those slaves are very grateful to me, and the world praises me. What have I done wrong?"

"Don't even mention that the two countries are about to go to war. Even if there is no war, we and the Ottomans are sworn enemies. They can discredit you in many ways."

"So what? Those cowardly Ottomans don't have the courage. Can any other country hold me accountable for my actions?"

Madame Sophie smiled.

"What if there are Russians among the slaves? Or British? What would you do if Britain and Russia asked you for people?"

As soon as Madame Sophie finished speaking, Maximilian couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"this"

"There is more trouble than that, my child."

"I think a king should have the courage to take responsibility. You see, my deeds are being praised all over Europe! The people have sharp eyes! They will not forget me!"

Maximilian said proudly, and Madame Sophie's eyes were full of helplessness, but no guilt at all.

"Don't be so stubborn, you're not stupid. Do you think I'm doing everything I can to help you promote your heroic deeds?"

"Could it be Franz?"

Madame Sophie nodded and continued.

"Have you ever thought that in a dozen years, if the country falls into decline, or if the people you rescued are not living a happy life, will they change their story and claim that you kidnapped them?"

"This is impossible!"

Maximilian couldn't accept it.

Madame Sophie just smiled.

“You may have heard of the story of a farmer and a snake in Aesop’s Fables of ancient Greece.

You should also be aware of the rebellion launched by the Egyptian laborers who were previously rescued by the Empire.

Maximilian, you are a good boy, but you still need to be trained. I believe you will become a good king in the future.

But you must listen more, learn more, and don’t be blindly confident. Sometimes a person’s biggest enemy is himself.”

Maximilian was about to say something else when Madame Sophie handed him a box.

"Mother, what is this?"

"This is a small gift to celebrate your becoming King of the Two Sicilies. It costs eight million florins. You must use it sparingly."

"Thank you, mother."

Eight million florins was an astronomical figure for most people and organizations of that era, but Maximilian was not too moved. After all, he was about to become king. With his talents, although he could not compare with the Austrian Empire in the short term, he could at least surpass Spain.

In Maximilian's mind, someone like Ferdinando II was not worthy of being king, as he knew nothing about the development of the country.

If he were to become king, he would definitely build a railway that would run through the entire country of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and then allow the peasants to move into the cities and vigorously develop industry and commerce. He would develop whatever could make money. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies would definitely replace Northern Italy in the future!

"Well, go and say goodbye to your brothers and sisters."

Madame Sophie's patience was running out, but she still hoped to behave like a good wife and mother as much as possible. After all, this was Maximilian's first time away from home.

"Yes, mother."

Maximilian managed to leave before Madame Sophie's patience ran out.

Hofburg Palace, Emperor's study.

"Franz, if you were a man you would have spoken to me directly instead of asking your mother for help.

Or in other words, all you can do is call me mom?"

Seeing Maximilian stiffening his neck, Franz let out a long sigh.

"It is better to teach people through experience than through people, but the cost of making mistakes in your and my position is too high. I hope you can keep your mother's words in mind.

Let’s get down to business.

I need two more regiments on Lampedusa, and a new military base."

"I refuse! You might as well let me cede Lampedusa to you directly. There are only 2,000 residents on the entire island. Why are you deploying two regiments at once?"

"I'll give you double the tax on Lampedusa."

Maximilian had no idea how much tax Lampedusa collected, but the most important thing was that he could not give up his precious territory.

"I don't need your money, and I don't want my country involved in a fight between you and the British."

"That's true. But my brother, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is already on the chessboard. Believe me, when the British need to attack the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, they will have all the reasons they need."

"My people are innocent, and as long as the Two Sicilies remain neutral, the British will have no reason to attack us."

"Neutral? What kind of neutrality is that? You mean Switzerland?"

"If it weren't for you and that old bastard Louis Philippe's interference, how could the Swiss Confederation be forced to dissolve?"

Maximilian asked back. He was obviously very dissatisfied with the actions of the German Confederation and France at that time.