I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1420 Metternich's Reforms

Lucas stared at Pagani excitedly and asked, "Why? Are you scared out of your wits by the secret police, or have those corrupt officials bribed you?"

"Have you forgotten? We all swore to save Austria and fight for freedom for all people with our lives!"
"Yes, people are being arrested everywhere now, and our printing presses have been seized, but it is precisely in times like these that we must fight bravely."

"If even we back down, Austria will have no hope left!"

Pagani lowered his head and murmured, "No, there's no one left who needs our help."

"What are you talking about? You've seen so many serfs who toil until sunset every day, yet can't even get enough to eat, like black bread..."

“They are no longer serfs,” Pagani interrupted him. “You know, His Majesty the Emperor has allowed them to redeem their own land, and they only need to work three days a week now. Once the redemption money is paid, they will not have to do any more work.”

"Oh, the law also stipulates that landlords can no longer execute or buy and sell serfs. Go to the countryside and see for yourself, the serfs are overjoyed, and no one wants to oppose the emperor anymore."

Lucas was taken aback by what he said: "No, but..."

Pagani didn't give him a chance to speak: "Do you know why Baron Impellato didn't come?"

"why?"

"The local tariff between Vienna and Bohemia has been reduced to 12%, and it is said that it will be reduced to 5% within five years. At the same time, the guild monopoly will be completely abolished within three years. Now, anyone can open a workshop without the permission of the guild."

Lucas fell silent.

Baron Perato was the owner of Vienna’s second-largest glassware factory. Although he talked about freedom, human rights and parliamentary elections all day long, he actually just wanted to use the power of parliament to promote free trade in Austria and to stop being exploited by the guilds.

Now that his wishes have been largely fulfilled through the emperor's reforms, why bother with the "liberal movement"? Is he trying to get arrested by the secret police?
Pagani's momentum grew even stronger: "Mr. Metternich announced earlier this month that the government would encourage the development of industries such as textiles, mining, smelting, and machinery, for example, by reducing taxes on workshops and reducing imports from the UK, Italy, and other places, in order to protect domestic industries."

"Oh, he also mentioned that the government will invest in building canals, dredging waterways, and even begin laying railway lines from Vienna to Prague before the end of the year!"
"Everything will be alright; there's no need for any more liberalism and riots."

"Mr. Faulkner has been busy with loans lately; he's planning to open an ironworks in Moravia."

Faulkner was one of the most important funders of Stilz and was formerly a very radical constitutionalist.

While Lucas was still in a daze, Pagani got up and walked towards the door: "Anyway, that's how it is."

As he stepped out of the room, the piece being played on stage had just ended, and the hall fell silent.

Lucas chased after him unwillingly: "Please wait a moment, there are still many things we need to do."

Pagani stopped in the middle of the corridor: "By the way, regarding what you always say, 'It's not only hereditary gentlemen who can become officials,' Mr. Metternich also said that a civil service selection mechanism will be established, and everyone can serve as an ordinary official."

"Also, a free primary school is being built on the west side of Vienna. In the future, there may also be affordable medical care, just like in France, which you admire so much."

At the Stilz news agency's regular meeting the following day, less than one-fifth of the usual number of people showed up, and almost no one mentioned giving speeches or organizing marches; instead, they talked about the large-scale reforms.

When Lucas inquired about raising funds to buy a new printing press, no one paid him any attention.

After the meeting, Lucas walked back to his residence with his head down.

Austria does not yet have a Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, nor a Sejm (parliament), nor has it abolished the tax farmer system; it absolutely cannot give up like this.

However, there are very few people willing to fight alongside you for your ideals.

You can't accomplish anything by yourself alone...

He returned to his residence, took out several drafts from a hidden compartment in a drawer, counted them, and found he still had over 4 florins.

It was money his father had sent him over the years, totaling more than 37,000 francs, most of which he had spent on the activities of the Stilz company. However, he had accomplished nothing.

He glanced at the suitcase on top of the cabinet and sighed, "Perhaps, I should go back to Paris..."

……

London, England.

An unassuming theater at the south end of Edgewell Road was packed to capacity, with people even standing in the corners and aisles.

This was because the play being performed at that moment was a new production that had just won an award at the European Theatre Festival—"The Count of Monte Cristo".

In the VIP box on the second floor, Little Pete, like all the other audience members, stared intently at the actors on stage, nodding approvingly at the plot from time to time.

When the main villain, Earl Fletcher Wells, was betrayed by everyone and disgraced, and chose to commit suicide by shooting himself, the British Prime Minister couldn't help but applaud: "Ah, what a wonderful play!"

He was puzzled as to why the Earl of Wales, who was of British descent, would cause so much trouble in Provence, France.

Soon, the male protagonist on stage boarded a ship with his beloved and left Paris, and the curtain slowly closed.

The people in the theater immediately stood up, clapped vigorously, and cheered excitedly.

The door to the box was pushed open, and John Reeves, president of the King and the Constitution Defenders Society, strode to the Prime Minister's side and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency, all the suspects are in custody. They also found a script that insulted the Royal Family and defamed the Marquess of Wellesley."

The King and the Constitution Defenders Society is the body responsible for controlling public opinion in Britain. The plays Reeves was referring to were *Braveheart* and *Thirty Days of Iberia*.

Although the theater troupe brought them back, they dared not perform them at all. But no one expected that after performing only a few award-winning plays such as "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "Love in Paris," the police would come knocking on their door.

Little Pippi nodded: "I'll leave the arrest to you."

"Please rest assured, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."

Ten minutes later, a group of secret police tied all the members of the troupe together and took them away, causing a series of terrified screams in the theater.

Little Pitt and the Home Secretary, the Duke of Portland, who had accompanied him, were already in their carriage.

“What a clumsy trick!” The Duke of Portland glanced at the theater. “Those damned Frenchmen!”

“The script is indeed very interesting,” said Peter Jr. “and the method is very effective. Now, theaters all over Europe are staging the story of the French victory in Porto.”

He had read the script of "Thirty Days of Iberia" a few days ago, and came here today specifically to experience the award-winning work of the theater festival.

The Duke of Portland frowned: "We can't let this go. We must fight back!"
London also has many excellent playwrights, such as Mr. Richard Sheridan and Mr. Thomas Morton.

"They can also write plays that embarrass France and have them performed in various countries by theater companies."

Pete nodded calmly: "Then you'll take charge of this matter."

Shortly after, the car stopped at 10 Downing Street.

As soon as Peter entered the gate, he saw Lord Hawkesburg, the Foreign Secretary, waiting for him.

"It's so late, you must have something important to tell me."

(End of this chapter)