The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1443: Restless Russia

In addition, the war taxes of the Austrian Empire only reduced the profits of companies and did not really make them lose money. In fact, even after paying war taxes, the profits of those companies were higher than those of their counterparts in other countries.

However, there is a psychological factor called loss aversion. Even though they have made a lot of money, they are still very unhappy with what Franz has done.

So some people tried to instigate the aristocratic group to cause trouble. After all, many of the nobles were officials and had more influence in the local area, and some even had private armed forces.

However, the aristocracy of the Austrian Empire had already seen through the evil nature of Franz after 1848. Isn't it normal for a tyrant to increase taxes? It's better than killing innocent people, isn't it?
In the Austrian Empire, the powerful nobles who truly opposed Franz were either killed, exiled, or not yet born during these years.

In fact, the lives of the small and medium nobles have improved a lot. Franz has never been stingy in making money for the entire noble class. As long as they follow Franz's policies honestly and peacefully, their lives have at least improved by one level in the past few years.

They were allowed to invest in the royal family's companies and the country's overseas colonies. The aristocracy could directly enjoy the fruits of national development.

Although Franz was the largest capitalist in the Austrian Empire, he never forgot who he was and would not take sides randomly.

As for the intellectual and cultural elites, they are more patriotic than imagined. These people also benefited from Franz's reforms. At least their treatment was improved unprecedentedly.

Especially for researchers and artists, having the state's support and working hard on their own are two completely different concepts. So they are not opposed to war taxes, and some even try their best to join the army.

In fact, the Austrian Imperial treasury was fully capable of bearing the burden of the war at that time. Why did Franz take the risk of levying war taxes and making some people unhappy?
This is actually a kind of domestication. The British bourgeoisie domesticated the king, and Franz could certainly domesticate the bourgeoisie. As the largest capitalist in the Austrian Empire at that time, he could create the world's largest capitalist empire if he wanted to.

At this time in the Austrian Empire, if someone really quit, the vacant position would be filled immediately.

But that's not what Franz wanted.
Of course, Franz would not impose war taxes without restraint, because war taxes would indeed affect economic development. For a country, war taxes are like drug addiction, which is difficult to get rid of once infected.

Russia, St. Petersburg.

Nicholas I was very happy to hear the news that Otto I had been humiliated, but no one knew why Russia was so well-informed this time.

"Is he dead?"

Nicholas I asked the question that concerned him most.

"No, your majesty. Not yet at least, but I heard he's seriously injured and probably won't live long."

Prince Liubai replied.

"That's such a shame."

Nicholas I sighed.

Although the news has not been made public, the Russian top brass has already started discussing it. Almost everyone thinks this is the best time to control Greece. After all, the Russians played a great role in the Greek independence issue.

Compared to Lord Byron and the British liberal fighters, whose military experience is questionable, the Russians actually fought the Ottomans both on land and at sea.

If it weren't for the British's strong opposition, Nicholas I's younger brother Mikhail would have been the King of Greece.

Of course, the British were not so selfless. In fact, the British also supported their own candidates, and even the French had their own candidates. In the end, Metternich was the better choice and chose Otto I, who seemed to have no connection with any party. But in fact, he knew very well that Franz would definitely inherit the Austrian throne as long as he did not die young.

Even if Franz died young, as long as Madame Sophie gave birth to a baby boy, this baby boy would be the leader of the great powers closest to Otto I.

Franz lived up to expectations. Although he was the youngest of his cousins, he always firmly held the leadership position.

On the one hand, Franz's abilities were indeed outstanding, and on the other hand, the Austrian Empire was powerful. Both were indispensable.

Back to the point, the Russians are facing another chance, and they don't want to miss it again. Quite a few Russian senior officials believe that they should take this opportunity to send troops to Greece and control Greece in the name of suppressing the rebellion.

It would be best if Otto I died, as this would allow Russia to take the opportunity to recommend a candidate of its own.

Of course, some people think that this is too ugly and may cause opposition from Britain and France. It is more reliable to divide Greece with the Austrian Empire or reduce its territory.

After all, for a weak country, too much territory is also a burden, just like the Ottoman Empire. If they could face reality, they would not have encountered such sudden disasters.

The Russian Empire is a responsible major power and is fully capable of shouldering the extra burdens for the Greeks, just as it helped them gain independence.

To quell the Greek rebellion, Russian officials felt that sending 50,000 to 80,000 troops would be enough. After all, the Greeks seemed to be weaker than the Ottomans.

They should be afraid
Prince Uvarov thought these people were crazy.

"Russia now has only one ally, the Austrian Empire. Do you really want to push the whole world against us?
The Austrians have invested so much effort in Greece, they will never give up easily. Moreover, the new Austrian emperor never avoids war, aren't you afraid of triggering a war with such naked provocation? "

"Don't be so nervous, Duke. We have defeated the Anglo-Turkish Alliance. Are the Austrians stronger than the Anglo-Turkish Alliance?

Besides, don’t you also think that the Russo-Austrian alliance will not last long?

This is a good opportunity to take the initiative."

"Don't lump me in with you, a bunch of stupid insects."

Prince Uvarov whispered.

"what did you say?"

"I say you are a bunch of hopeless idiots! We are not enemies with the Austrian Empire yet. We have just experienced a fierce battle and Russia is not ready yet!"

"What did you say? The army is ready. His Majesty the Tsar has no objection to suppressing the rebellion. You'd better not be so smart. General Plinsky's body is still warm."

Prince Uvarov ignored him and walked straight to the Summer Palace. In his opinion, no matter whether the war was won or lost, Russia would suffer the most.

If the Austrian Empire also turned to Britain, Russia would never have peace in the Near East. The Russian top leaders had gone crazy, and now there was only one person who could stop this, and that was Nicholas I.