War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Hofburg Palace, Vienna.

Franz pointed to the newspaper on the desk, and Maximilian saw that on the front page was a photo of him freeing slaves in Istanbul.

There are pictures of the rescued people kneeling down and bowing to him in gratitude, and he helping to check the health of the rescued people.

Maximilian said nonchalantly, placing his hands behind his head.

"Any questions?"

Franz took out another set of photos and placed them on the table. It was the same picture, but because of the different shooting angles, Maximilian's image, which had just been upright, instantly became dirty.

"I didn't do anything!"

Maximilian was about to explain when Franz knocked him.

"Have you forgotten your ancestors' teachings again? You are too careless in doing things, but it is also a bad habit to insist on reasoning about everything.

Since others want to frame you, don’t they know that you will explain?

Arguing is for others to see, and you can only win by making others look like a winner."

"Aren't you only one year older than me? Why do you always act so superior?"

"First, I am one day older than you and am your elder brother. Second, I am the emperor of the Austrian Empire, and this is my territory.

Third, I am still the actual helmsman of the Habsburg family. You should know the situation of your father and uncle better than anyone else.

Finally, don't try to interrupt. If you want to save people, either save only the people in front of you, or save everyone.

Besides, can't you see that those Ottomans are just passing the buck? Accepting everything will get you killed sooner or later."

Maximilian scratched his head and said reluctantly.

"Thank you. Sorry to bother you with the slaves."

The room suddenly became quiet, and soon Maximilian was ready to get up and leave.

"Wait."

"I'm not going to Naples. I'm staying at home."

"No, the people you brought back are unreliable. Don't get involved with them and get rid of them as soon as possible."

"You're spying on me?"

"There's suddenly a bunch of country bumpkins around you. It's hard for me not to notice."

"What makes you say people are unreliable? There are even more people around you whose origins are unknown!"

"You think you're the hunter? In fact, you are the prey! If you can control the situation, who do you care about?"

Franz was silent for a while. Rather than letting Maximilian stay in the country to cause trouble in northern Italy, it would be better to let him go abroad.

"Go away! Good luck to you!"

After Maximilian left, Ludwig came in.

Don't play with Maximilian, he has abnormal thinking and can easily lead you astray."

"Um."

Ludwig nodded.

Franz added.

"Take a break for now and don't exercise. Heal your hand injury first."

"Um."

"Attacking the face is the right choice, but just attack the triangle area. Don't hit the forehead, or you'll hurt your hand."

Ludwig raised his sandbag-sized fist and Franz shook his head.

"It's no use exercising. The bones in your forehead are much harder than your fingers."

"Um."

"The people you beat up are slave traders, a bunch of damned people, so you don't have to feel any guilt."

"Um."

“I built an orphanage for the people you saved and named it after you. They will receive the best care.

If you are concerned, you can go and have a look yourself.”

"I'm sorry, brother. I saw those people in a small and cramped cage, and I..."

Franz patted Ludwig on the shoulder.

"You are a kind person, you don't have to feel sorry for this. If it were someone else, they would definitely help you, but they would use different means.

All you need to do is live a healthy and happy life. We will help you solve the rest of the problems.”

"Thank you, brother."

"Go back and have a good rest. Tomorrow you have to attend the opening ceremony of the new Northern Railway Station, the mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral, and two balls on my behalf."

"Okay, brother."

After Ludwig left, Olga came out from the side and looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Just say whatever you want to say."

"nothing."

"Are you trying to say that my punishment is too light?"

Olga did not answer, and Franz continued to talk on his own.

"Every family faces different situations, and I am happy as long as Ludwig is alive.

As for Maximilian, he himself doesn't know what his problem is, and he is about to become king. It is useless and inappropriate to punish him now. Let him hit the wall. "

Olga thought this was Franz's private matter, and she didn't want to be seen as a talkative woman so she changed the subject.

"Are you really going to force the Ottoman Empire to abolish slavery? My brother Alexander has mentioned to my father many times that he wanted to free the serfs, but he was severely reprimanded by my father every time.

Every time my father and mother chatted, they said that the country would be destroyed by my brother sooner or later. Serfdom is the foundation of the country. If serfdom collapses, the country will be over. "

“I understand your concerns, but countries are different. Austria just completed the reform of serfdom, and there were only a few minor incidents.

And whether the Ottoman Empire abolished slavery is not my concern. I just ask the Ottomans to release all white slaves.

I think your father would agree with me on this point. Our actions are just.

As for the war, you don't have to worry. The Ottomans are just a paper tiger."

"What about the English?"

"The British are indeed very powerful, but the Near East is our home turf after all. Austria and Russia are also very powerful. Now I just hope your father won't hesitate too much."

In fact, Nicholas I did not hesitate at all. After all, it was the Tsar who led the army in person, and the Russian army moved much faster than usual.

Nicholas I arrived in just twenty-one days instead of the fifty-day journey.

At the same time, Austria was also sending reinforcements to Dobruja. After all, controlling Wallachia and Moldavia was much easier than imagined. It did not require too many troops, and one had to guard against the Ottomans' desperate moves.

At this time, the number of troops under Albrecht's command had reached nearly 80,000. Together with the 300,000 troops led by the Tsar and the 20,000 remnants of the Russian vanguard, the strength of the Holy Alliance and the Ottomans had reversed.

Although Orma Pasha had been desperately increasing his troops and building fortifications, he became increasingly insecure as he watched the growing number of enemy troops on the other side of the river.