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

Chapter 1630: Refuse Temptation
In Vienna, Franz received another petition regarding the abolition of departure taxes and investment restrictions.

In addition to those who originally wanted to leave, there is now a group of economists.

"Your Majesty, some of them may be acting out of self-interest, but many more have seen new opportunities. British capital is fleeing Britain, and if we can take them in, we can seize this enormous wealth."

The reason why the British were able to rise rapidly after the Anglo-Dutch Wars was because they accepted Dutch commercial capital.

The UK's economic crisis is protracted, and the British government seems helpless. If we can adjust our policies in time, it may be possible to replicate Britain's past success.

"Make the Austrian Empire the world's financial center."

Lady Fanny von Arnstein said with great pride.

Franz understood that the idea and the entire plan that followed were not necessarily the person in front of him; it was just that those old guys thought that letting her have a higher success rate.

"Don't get too cocky. The plan is good, but it's not suitable for the current Austrian Empire. We're not ready to accept that gift."

Franz's answer greatly surprised Lady Fanny von Arnstein, who, along with a host of economists and bankers in the Austrian Empire, considered it an irresistible temptation.

"Your Majesty, did I hear you wrong? You want to refuse this incredible fortune? Money is innocent; the guilty ones are the greedy."

You don't need to do that. You can handle it perfectly well, just as you can handle me. I'm a proud person, and before I met you, I never felt that anyone could be above me.

She had clearly misunderstood something; she thought Franz might have some kind of mental fastidiousness, which was why he was unwilling to accept capital from Britain.

In reality, Franz wasn't conservative; he just felt that things weren't that simple, and that the shift of the world's financial center was never just a simple transfer of currency.

Franz viewed the transfer of financial capital as nothing more than icons and numbers; if the Austrian Empire could not produce enough goods, this wealth would ultimately not remain.

The brief explosion of capital was merely taking risks for Britain; it could not truly change the status of the Austrian Empire, much less make it a financial center.

Ultimately, the Austrian Empire's market reach was limited, and it couldn't achieve the global trade dominance of the British. This wasn't something that could be accomplished in a few years; it required long-term accumulation to unlock its full potential.

Moreover, the circulation of currency within the Austrian Empire at this time was actually calculated precisely. If a massive influx of foreign capital were to suddenly enter the Austrian Empire's financial system, chaos would surely ensue.

Although Franz created the so-called Europa Monetary Union, its actual influence was limited to Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Austria's allies.

Franz was enjoying his seigniorage tax revenue and had no need to accept British capital to cause him trouble.

If the Austrian Empire cannot provide enough goods to match its financial capital, it will cause the financial system to stagnate.

The consequences would be dire; the situation Franz had painstakingly built over the years could very well be destroyed in an instant.

"Miss Fanny, I would like to ask you what you consider true wealth?"

Before she could answer, Franz continued.

"Are they the numbers on the books? Or the cold, hard gold? For an individual, they might be, but for a nation, at least for the Austrian Empire, they are not."

For me and the Austrian Empire, true wealth lay in the land beneath our feet, in the ceaseless roar of our factories, in the toil and sweat, in the prosperity and strength of our nation, and in the livelihoods and well-being of our citizens. Look at Britain.

What caused their economic crisis?
The root cause of everything was a false prosperity, over-investment, and the bursting of the financial bubble. Were the British not hardworking? Look at the workers who died from exhaustion on their machines.

Aren't the British smart? Look at the scientists, inventors, and engineers who started the Industrial Revolution!
Did the British lack a spirit of adventure? Those pirate merchants and colonists braved the winds and waves, never backing down in the face of the unknown and danger, connecting the world market.

Isn't Britain powerful? Do you know how the world views our invincible navy? Second only to the Royal Navy.

Having money alone is far from enough.

Lady Fanny von Arnstein fell silent; she had never thought this far ahead. And it wasn't just her; so many financial experts in the Austrian Empire, and indeed throughout Germany, hadn't considered these things.

Fanny suddenly remembered asking her grandfather about his feelings upon meeting His Majesty the Emperor, and the old man thought for a long time before answering with eight words.

"As if standing on the edge of an abyss, as if treading on thin ice."

However, as someone who aspires to become the world's number one female economist, she will not give up so easily.

"Your Majesty, I think your worries are unnecessary. As long as we keep all that foreign capital within the Austrian Empire, wouldn't the problem be easily solved?"

I think it shouldn't be difficult for you to do it with your methods.

"You're on the wrong path!"

Franz couldn't help but complain bitterly.

"You haven't solved the fundamental problem, and the profits you've gained are only temporary. It's like adding water to a broken bucket; even if the water level rises in the short term, it will eventually leak out."

If the water pressure is too high, it could cause further damage to the broken bucket. So-called reputation and investment environment are invisible and intangible, but they truly exist.

Once something is lost, it's not something that can be recovered overnight. You should think about the right path.

Franz's rejection did not dampen Lady Fanny von Arnstein's spirits; on the contrary, she was quite happy and excited.

"The difference between the British and us may be that they do not have a monarch as wise as you."

"You flatter me. One person's strength is ultimately limited. The future still depends on economists like you. Don't be discouraged. When our industrial system is resilient enough, when our technology is advanced enough, and when our market is vast enough..."

Capital will naturally flock to it, and we will embrace it as its masters, not as passive recipients.

Franz was prepared to end the conversation with this lukewarm remark: the reason he didn't get involved in finance, and even wanted to restrict the financial industry, was mainly because once capital became an easier and safer way to make money, they would abandon the high-risk, high-investment real economy.

Imagine if you could make a fortune by handing your money over to a bank's financial representative, then who would be willing to take the risk of investing in industry, agriculture, or even industries with unknown risks and uncertain futures?
Just when Franz thought it was all over, Lady Fanny von Arnstein shuddered and fell into his arms.

Franz looked down and saw the Lady looking at him with seductive eyes; clearly, it was all premeditated.