The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 526 I am afraid of my brother's suffering and I am even more afraid of him driving a Land Rover
Austria, Schönbrunn Palace, Danfeng Chaoyang Hall.

Emperor Joseph II made a special visit to this palace, which is located in Schönbrunn Palace but is completely in Chinese style.

This is the first time that Joseph II has come here in person since Queen Theresa passed away two years ago.

As for the reason, it is very simple. Emperor Mo's third brother, Joseph II's brother-in-law, Mo Zirong, accepted the title of Grand Duke of Transylvania entrusted to him by the Queen before her death.

You must know that in this so-called Holy Roman Empire, which was actually the Austrian Empire, Hungary's existence was extremely special and extremely important.

Transylvania is a very special place in the Kingdom of Hungary.

Because historically, after the Ottoman Empire captured Budapest, a large number of Hungarian nobles fled to Transylvania to continue their resistance and eventually restored their country.

Transylvania is like the last fortress and home of the Hungarians, and is an important spiritual pillar of the Hungarian nation.

This is very similar to how the Chinese felt about the Bashu region during the Anti-Japanese War.

At this time, Transylvania had not yet been forcibly ceded to Romania. This happened more than a hundred years later during the Treaty of Versailles.

Therefore, at this time, the residents of Transylvania were still mainly Hungarians, and Romanians accounted for only a small part.

At the gate of Danfeng Chaoyang Palace, Mo Zirong, King of Pengguo of the Dayu Dynasty of the Chinese Empire, Grand Duke of Transylvania and Marquis of Mallorca of the Holy Roman Empire, was already waiting at the gate with his wife, Princess Elizabeth of the Holy Roman Empire and Archduchess of Parma.

Seeing that Mo Zirong and his wife were still very respectful, Joseph II still felt a little uncomfortable.

What does Mo Zirong's existence mean? It is equivalent to placing a vassal king with considerable independent power under him, the emperor.

It is equivalent to that although his mother Queen Theresa died, she still left behind a regent who inherited part of her political legacy to interfere in Joseph II's management of the country.

However, the throne does not equal power. If you don't have the ability, you won't be able to sit firmly on the throne even if you are given the title of Jade Emperor.

Then, this is what gave Joseph II even more headaches.

Mo Zihuang not only became the Grand Duke of Transylvania, but also did a very good job.

Because at this time, the Eastern world had not yet completely collapsed and lost all its face as it would have done decades later in history.

Even after the Great Yu Dynasty expelled the Tartars, its actual national strength and superficial image were further enhanced.

This made the Hungarian people more convinced that they were descendants of the Huns.

What did they originally mean when they claimed to be descendants of the Xiongnu? It's just like how later generations of netizens claimed to be descendants of Zhu Yuanzhang just because their surname was Zhu.

This was originally for self-entertainment, but most of the time it was just used as a topic of conversation, and there was even a risk of being laughed at.

But suddenly, this true descendant of Zhu Yuanzhang, a certain iron-fisted second-in-command, came to the door personally and said affectionately, "So you are my long-lost relative!"

Just think about what an explosive scene this would be. Not only would his 'noble' birth be confirmed, but the distant relative who came to acknowledge him was also the most powerful person in the world, above millions of others.

This was the scene after Mo Zirong became the Grand Duke of Transylvania.

Not only did the Hungarians in Transylvania support him and treat him as one of their own, but the nobles of the Kingdom of Hungary in the northwest also admired Mo Zirong highly.

Some even believed that he was more suitable to be the King of Hungary and better suited to lead the Hungarians than Joseph II.

On the other hand, Queen Theresa was still indebted to the Hungarians, and the Hungarians also recognized and respected her. Therefore, Mo Zirong, who inherited part of her political legacy, also received great respect from the Hungarians.

At the same time, Mo Zirong gave the Hungarians hope.

Because the Hungarians' greatest wish is not to become part of the Holy Roman Empire or the Austrian Empire, nor to go south to defeat the Ottoman Turks, but to take back the Ukrainian Plain in Eastern Europe.

To the north of the Kingdom of Hungary is the famous Lviv Oblast of Ukraine. Just 600 kilometers further east is Crimea, and to the Caspian Sea in Central Asia is only 1,800 kilometers.

This distance is the straight-line distance from Beijing to Chenzhou, Hunan. If you actually walk, it is equivalent to the distance from Beijing to the Yangtze River, which is not far.

The Hungarians dreamed of restoring such a vast semi-steppe empire and becoming the master from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea.

But the reality is that the Hungarians do not have this ability. They have long lost their original glory as the Shield of God, and even their ability in riding and shooting is almost gone.

But Mo Zirong has this ability, or in other words, behind Mo Zirong, there is China, which is regarded by Hungarians as their ancestral country.

As long as the Chinese Empire is willing to move westward to control Central Asia and its influence reaches the area around the Caspian Sea, the Russian Empire will be attacked from both sides and will most likely be defeated and forced to give up Crimea.

You have to know that it was only a few decades ago that Russia annexed the Crimean Khanate, and it has not even been twenty years since the Torghut Mongols near Crimea returned to their motherland in the East.

Therefore, Crimea is now generally regarded as a territory occupied by the Russian Empire, rather than a territory from ancient times.

In short, Mo Zirong carries the Hungarians' ambitions for thousands of years. Before this ambition is completely shattered, they all support Mo Zirong.

This might be something that even Queen Theresa had not expected. Even Mo Zirong himself did not fully understand what the Hungarians wanted from him, so much so that even Joseph II, who had supported him so much, began to be wary and jealous.

"Brother Karl, your palace is really beautiful, Sister Elizabeth, you are really happy."

When he got closer, Joseph II cheered himself up and pretended to be happy to greet Mo Zirong and his wife.

"Thank you for your compliment, Your Majesty. If you are willing, please come here more often. I really hope to have a long chat with Your Majesty." Mo Zirong also quickly extended an invitation to ease the relationship between the two.

Especially since the relationship between the two was deliberately kept cold by Joseph II, as a subject, Mo Zirong had to take the initiative to repair it and could not just wait for the emperor to bow his head.

However, when Mo Zirong finished speaking, he also laughed in his heart. Westerners still don't understand the subtlety of the East.

This palace is named Danfeng Chaoyang Palace, which was named by Emperor Mo Zibu himself. The so-called Danfeng Chaoyang means that when a wise and enlightened ruler is in power, talented people will emerge and come to serve the king.

The Chinese emperor specially named his palace, Mo Zirong's, Danfeng Chaoyang Palace, and the meaning is obvious.

The two sides exchanged a few pleasantries, and Archduchess Elizabeth of Parma made a few words to smooth things over between her brother and her husband, and the atmosphere soon eased.

Especially after the future Grand Duke of Transylvania, who was just over one year old this year, was brought out, the estrangement between Joseph II and Mo Zirong over the past year seemed to have disappeared.

"Karl, after the Queen really left us, I realized how difficult it is to govern such a complex empire." Joseph II was not lying, he really felt the same way.

Especially when he wanted very much to apply the progressive ideas he had learned in Paris and exchanged with the top European thinkers to this ancient empire, the resistance from below was so great that it made him despair.

For example, when he wanted to end serfdom in the territory of the Holy Roman Empire, he was opposed by almost everyone.

However, Joseph II did not understand why it was obvious that liberating serfs, improving production relations, releasing productivity and increasing productivity were the keys to the Holy Roman Empire's future.

But why did no one support it, even some serfs opposed it?

Mo Zirong felt a little embarrassed because he was one of the ones who objected the most.

In Mo Zirong's opinion, Joseph II was too anxious. The Kingdom of Hungary was so important that the Holy Roman Emperor could serve as the King of Hungary only because of the support of the Hungarian nobles.

But now, Joseph II actually wanted to abolish the foundation on which the Hungarian nobles relied for their survival, that is, the huge serfs they controlled.

No wonder that before Queen Theresa died, the person she was most worried about was Joseph II.

She was very sure that Joseph II would cause the country to fall apart, so she insisted on restoring the Grand Dukedom of Transylvania and granting it to Mo Zirong, hoping that Mo Zirong could help the empire stabilize Hungary and prevent them from leaving the empire.

"Your Majesty, a king should serve those who support him and those who can support him, not some empty ideal or political system.

Progress may be the best, but it may not be the most appropriate."

Mo Zirong couldn't help but say that this sounded very cruel, but it was the truth of power.

Hearing what Mo Zirong said, Emperor Joseph II suddenly showed a look of dissatisfaction on his face.

Many people had said these words to him, but in the eyes of Joseph II, these were excuses for the great nobles to continue exploiting the serfs, and were a slander against his lofty ideals and the future of the empire.

Those who can say such nonsense are all corrupt classes that obstruct progress.

"Yes, Karl, I am very clear about this." Joseph's dissatisfaction flashed across his face, but instead of disappearing, it was suppressed by the emperor's good self-control.

"But we believe that the time is ripe, and that the emancipation of the serfs and the establishment of a broad-based civic empire are the only guarantees for the continued glory of the Holy Roman Empire.

Moreover, England and France are currently engaged in a fierce war, and the Russian Empire in the north is also engaged in a bloody battle with the Ottoman Empire in the south.

During this period, no external forces have the time to interfere with the progress of the empire. If this period is missed, that madman Friedrich will wail again and summon a bunch of evil allies to help him! "

Although the emperor's dissatisfaction quickly disappeared, it was still noticed by Mo Zirong. Now, after hearing his crazy-like remarks, Mo Zirong completely gave up the idea of giving advice and assisting Joseph II.

He sighed. If he could fulfill Queen Theresa's request and keep Hungary within the empire, he would have lived up to her trust.

As for the rest, it can only be decided by Joseph, who is the first person responsible - the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I believe you will make the right judgment." Since he had decided not to support the government, Mo Zirong's attitude immediately changed. He stopped dwelling on this and changed the subject.

"Your Majesty, I think you came here today for something else, right? Let me guess, it must be related to France."

Joseph II was surprised that Mo Zirong did not strongly object this time. He did not want to understand why Mo Zirong had such a change, and simply replied happily:
"Yes, it's about France, about our brother-in-law, His Majesty King Louis XVI.

He has gained so much recently that it is said that the leaders of France and North America are discussing the formation of a monarchical alliance.

Well, it sounds ridiculous that France and the United States form a monarchical alliance, but in this era, it is not ridiculous at all.

In this era, monarchy is the mainstream, and republic is a heresy. Even in a country like the United Provinces of the Netherlands, the former king still has to be given a permanent hereditary rulership.

Moreover, historically, the French also thought that they could get a big piece of the North American pie, but they were fooled by the Americans who went back on their word.

"Yes, this rumor has been circulating very strongly recently. Some even say that France will take back Louisiana, which was ceded during the Seven Years' War, from Spain.

Then let Louisiana and the thirteen North American states form a new North American kingdom with Louis XVI as king.

Mo Zirong frowned as he spoke, "This is too difficult, but we can't completely rule out the possibility. If this goal is truly achieved, England's colonies in the Caribbean will be lost."

At this time, an absolutely unimaginable situation is that the vast North American continent cannot generate much economic benefits for European countries.

Unless they directly exploit wealth by making up excuses like the British did, but facts have proved that this will lead to fierce resistance and European competitors will take advantage of the situation.

The Caribbean region, which was later regarded as a bunch of failed states, is actually a very rich treasure land.

Because there were a large number of black slaves and plantations here, the sugar, cocoa and other products produced were sold well in Europe and were very profitable.

Therefore, Mo Zirong judged that the only purpose of the French in forming this seemingly dreamy monarchy was to seize the rich Caribbean region from the British.

"Yes, I also think this is difficult to achieve." Joseph II nodded, but then looked at Mo Zirong seriously.

“But Carl, we have to make sure this never happens, and it’s not going to be easy.

If Louis XVI really accomplished this feat, England would only lose the Caribbean, but we would probably lose the entire empire."

Mo Zirong understood that losing the empire did not mean the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, as France did not yet have the ability to do so.

But if they became strong, they would definitely break up the Holy Roman Empire, strip off all the glory of the Habsburg family, and turn it into the Kingdom of Austria.

Well, the two serious-looking men and Louis XVI, who was dreaming in the Palace of Versailles, really did not anticipate how shameless and ungrateful the Americans would be, and how exaggerated it would be.

"Your Majesty, do you want me to go to Paris or the Palace of Versailles? I think we really need to communicate." Mo Zirong had a good relationship with Louis XVI, and they were brothers-in-law, so they could talk to each other.

Going to Paris is naturally to find the French government, and going to the Palace of Versailles is to find Louis XVI himself.

"No!" Joseph II suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Karl, don't go to France. I know them. They won't give up the delicious cake they have. I want you to go back to China and meet your brother, the Emperor of China.

I think he certainly wouldn't want to see an overly powerful French Kingdom."

(End of this chapter)