Chapter 90: Austro-Hungarian Trip Part 1 (two in one chapter)
After reading this survey report, Edel had a better understanding of Romania's economic and demographic changes. I forgot to mention that the government revenue report had been sent by Prime Minister Stuart who was about to step down.
Come over. In 1910, fiscal revenue was 531 million lei, an increase of 8% from the previous year's 492 million lei, which was generally good.
"I'm very satisfied with the report of Carust." Edel said to the captain of the guard. Romania has never done such detailed statistics before, and this time it was a statistical report made by the crown prince himself. We can't always let the royal family do it.
Doing this kind of thing, Edel thought in his heart. He planned to hand over the statistics to the government, which would also help them better understand the situation in the country. Anyway, the cost would not be big, only about one million lei. But it still needs to be done.
Let’s wait until the election of the new government in February. Anyway, the new prime minister must also be approved by the royal family.
Edel now needs to prepare for his trip to Austria-Hungary, because he will take the train to Vienna in one week. He thinks about purchasing items again. This time he goes to Austria-Hungary mainly to purchase four Skoda 305MM shore guns. By the way,
Buy some other items. Constanta is too important to Romania now, and the navy cannot guarantee security. In addition, the existing forts are getting older, many of them were built around 1890, and they are completely unable to defend against modern Dreadnoughts.
Ship attacks, so we can only buy better shore guns for protection first. In the previous life, Skoda's shore guns were famous. Although the classic 350MM shore guns have not yet been born, it is still possible to make up the numbers with the 305 first.
After making preparations to go to Austria-Hungary, Edel boarded a special train to Vienna on January 24, 1911. It was a state visit to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in name, but it was actually a blind date.
The train arrived in Vienna on the morning of the third day. The captain of the guard came over and said to the well-dressed Crown Prince, "Your Highness is here to greet you. Archduke Otto Franz of the Habsburg family."
When Edel heard that he was being greeted by his future father-in-law, he quickly prepared to get out of the car.
Archduke Otto Franz, who was on the platform, was arranged to greet his future son-in-law this time. It felt a bit strange, mainly because of the discussion of the Habsburg royal family. Because this time the Romanian crown prince came mainly for a blind date, so that he could meet his future son-in-law.
It was not appropriate for his brother, Crown Prince Ferdinand, to greet him, and the others were a bit underweight. Only Archduke Otto Franz seemed appropriate because he was his father-in-law.
"Nice to meet you, His Excellency Archduke Otto Franz." As soon as Edel got off the train, he said hello to Archduke Otto Franz, who was standing at the head of the welcoming team. He is indeed a playboy of the Austro-Hungarian royal family, and he looks very talented.
Archduke Otto Franz was notorious in the Habsburg family for his dissoluteness and misbehavior. His wife and children rarely saw him, and he did not want to hold any position in the empire and would only sleep all day long.
Hua Suliu. Even though he married Princess Josepha of the Kingdom of Saxony in 1886, his uncle, the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph, was very dissatisfied and ended up with him giving up his right to inherit the throne. Now that he can welcome himself, he is probably the same
Because he is my future father-in-law.
Seeing how enthusiastic his future son-in-law was, Archduke Otto Franz responded with relief. "Your Highness Edel, I'm glad you can come to Vienna." After saying that, he hugged Edel.
After the two were polite, Archduke Otto Franz sent Edel to his hotel. At the door, he pulled Edel and said to him, "We have prepared a welcome dinner for you tonight, be sure to attend."
"I will attend on time, Your Majesty the Grand Duke." Edel said to his father-in-law with a smile on his face.
After seeing off His Excellency the Grand Duke, Edel took the captain of the guard and his entourage into the room.
"Callust, I need to prepare something for the welcome dinner." The crown prince said to Calust, who was instructing the guards to prepare and salute.
"Okay, Your Highness." The captain of the guard replied after hearing the crown prince's instructions. He pointed at a guard and shouted. "Bik, go and get the third white suitcase from the clothes cart."
"Okay, go right away." The guard named Bic replied. He immediately put down what he was doing and went to get the clothes the crown prince needed.
Etiquette for European aristocrats is very cumbersome, especially for the royal family. Edel prepared more than 20 sets of dresses for this trip, including dinners, luncheons, afternoon teas, outings, hunting, etc. These dresses are all designed by well-known designers
Each piece made by a master designer costs thousands of pounds. In the past, nobles went bankrupt buying clothes, which clearly shows the luxurious life of nobles.
Edel rested until four o'clock in the afternoon, got up, had something to eat, and prepared to put on his black evening dress.
"Callust, are you okay yet?" Edel asked as he stood in front of the mirror and looked at the attendant who had been working on him for almost half an hour.
"Okay, Your Highness."
The attendant who was more proficient in clothing answered.
Edel looked at himself in the mirror, who was obviously wearing retro clothes, and for the first time he was afraid of dressing. In the mirror, he seemed to have returned to the 18th century, which made Edel, who was influenced by the simple style of later generations, feel weird.
.
In the evening, Edel was riding a carriage on the road to the Hofburg Palace. It was now time to get off work, and the streets were full of traffic. Edel looked out the window and saw cars driving fast on the road. Among them Most of them are T-type cars, and there are also other models dotted among them. Workers on both sides of the road after get off work are also riding bicycles on their way home. Most of them have the classic 28-bar bumper. This also shows that people from all over the world have a strong interest in bicycles. Approval for this bike.
It seems that Bielski is doing a good job at the bicycle factory, Edel thought to himself while sitting in the carriage. Edel has not cared about Bielski's work for a long time. He only sees it every time the income report is given.
This stubborn Polish figure.
"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Hofburg Palace." The captain of the guard said to the pensive Crown Prince.
"Then let's go down."
The captain of the guard opened the door first and led the crown prince out of the carriage. Standing at the gate of the Hofburg Palace, Edel looked at the huge palace in front of him. The history of this palace can be traced back to 1279. Each generation of emperors
Almost all of them have renovated or expanded their palaces. Therefore, the Hofburg Palace is a witness to various architectural styles in Europe. Whether it is Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, or the late 19th century
The imitation classical style, the Hofburg Palace brings them all together.
It records the prosperous days of the empire under the enlightened rule of Empress Maria Theresa. It also records the glorious achievements of Joseph II who inherited his mother's business and implemented drastic reforms. Of course, it also records the marriage of Emperor Franz I's daughter in order to settle the dispute with Napoleon.
The shame. Of course, the scene of the rise and decline of multi-ethnic countries during the era of Emperor Franz Joseph I is indispensable.
When Edel was sighing at this palace, Archduke Otto Franz saw him and stepped forward and asked, "Edel, are you shocked by this palace?"
"Yes, Your Majesty the Grand Duke, I am sighing at the hugeness and long history of this palace." Edel answered his future father-in-law.
"Okay, let's go in. You are the protagonist today."
Archduke Otto Franz took Edel into the gate and passed through Heroes' Square to the ceremonial hall where the party was held. In Heroes' Square, Archduke Otto Franz briefly explained to Edel that in the Turks
Prince Eugen, who was invincible in the war, and Archduke Karl, who successfully resisted Napoleon. It can be seen that Austria-Hungary still attaches great importance to Edel, and a welcome dinner was held for him in this 1,000-square-meter ceremonial hall, where the emperor usually
The place where the throne is enthroned and where balls are held.
When Archduke Otto Franz took Edel into the ceremonial hall, the guests who had already arrived knew that the protagonist of the evening had arrived.
"Edel, you have to have fun today, this is specially organized for you." The playboy and future father-in-law teased Edel.
"Your Majesty has arrived." Just when Edel was about to answer, the duty officer made an announcement and everyone stood up. Then a gray-haired old man came in. Edel and everyone hurriedly saluted. "See you.
Pass Your Majesty."
After everyone had finished their salutes, the 80-year-old man walked up to Edel and said, "I came here mainly to see my niece-in-law. As expected, he is a talented person and a good hand in governing the country. I handed Mary over to him."
I feel relieved to give it to you."
Edel responded politely, "Your Majesty, you are exaggerating."
"No." Franz Joseph I waved his hand to stop Edel's speech and continued. "I have carefully watched your performance in Romania in the past few years. Whether it is internal affairs or the military, your achievements are unmatched by your peers in Europe."
People do the best, and in time Romania will grow and develop under your leadership.”
Edel had no idea that Franz Joseph I would comment on him like this, and he believed that the words of the old emperor would spread throughout Europe in a short time. Now Edel is not ready to stand in front of the stage for everyone to study.
Edel immediately denied it, saying, "His Majesty's praise makes me extremely frightened. Romania's achievements today are all due to the hard work of my father and the entire Romanian people."
After seeing Edel's denial, Franz Joseph I stopped talking. He took Edel to the steps of the hall and said to the guests who came to the dinner. "This time let us welcome Edel of Romania.
The Crown Prince came to Vienna. Let him feel the enthusiasm and hospitality of Vienna."
The guests who heard Franz Joseph I's words raised their glasses and shouted together, "Welcome, Crown Prince Edel."
Edel also raised his glass as a gesture and drank the glass of wine with everyone. Franz Joseph I was after all an eighty-year-old man. After the welcome dinner speech, he returned to the rest area of his room on the grounds of physical exhaustion.
After Franz Joseph I left, Archduke Otto Franz appeared again and said to Edel, "I will introduce him to you."
After introducing a few people to Edel, Archduke Otto Franz took him to a young girl. Edel could tell at a glance that this was Princess Mary, his main purpose this time. But he still pretended
If you don’t know him, please wait for Archduke Otto Franz to introduce you.
"Edel this is my daughter Sophie Marie."
After hearing the introduction from Archduke Otto Franz, Edel smiled and said to the princess, "Nice to meet you, Princess Sophie Marie."
Sophie Marie looked at the Crown Prince of Romania led by her father and said with a smile, "I'm glad to see you too, His Highness Edel."
"My biggest surprise today is seeing Princess Sophie Marie." Edel praised the beauty in front of him.
"Your Highness, you're welcome." Sophie Marie replied a little shyly.
Archduke Otto Franz watched the two of them gradually chatting away, and said to them, "I have something else to do, you can talk about it."
After the two of them watched Archduke Otto Franz leave, they immediately got into the crowd of women. Seeing that her father was still a playboy, Sophie Marie sighed and said, "I made you laugh."
Edel advised, "It's okay. Everyone has their own way of life, as long as they like it."
"Thank you for understanding." Sophie Marie said to Edel beside her.
"Mary, can I call you this?" Edel asked the princess beside him.
"Can."
"I'm coming this time..."
Archduke Otto Franz watched the two chatting happily in the crowd of women. From time to time, his daughter was teased by Crown Prince Edel and laughed. Knowing that this time his daughter had found a good home, Archduke Otto Franz before
He also got to know Edel and knew that he had only two maids who slept with him and no other women outside. Although he was a playboy, as a father, he still wanted his daughter to be happy.
No one was bothering the couple at the dinner, and every guest knew who was the star of the dinner.
At the end of the dinner, the two of them seemed to have known each other for a long time. Seeing that the time was almost up, Sophie Marie said, "Edel, I am very happy to be with you."
"Me too, the only regret is that I have known you for too short a time." Edel said loving words.
"It's getting late today, you should go back and rest early. How about we meet tomorrow?" Sophie Marie said.
Seeing that it was almost ten o'clock in the evening, Edel knew that the dinner party was almost over and he needed to go back to rest, so he agreed. "Well, let's see you tomorrow, beautiful princess."
"Goodbye my prince."
After the two said goodbye, Sophie Marie returned to her room, and the maid Anna asked curiously, "Princess, how is His Highness Edel?"
Sophie Marie recalled the scene of chatting with Crown Prince Edel and said with a little blush, "He is handsome, gentle, and very funny."
The maid Anna looked at her master's sweet smile and knew that she was in love.
After Edel parted with Sophie Marie, he greeted Archduke Otto Franz and walked out of the Hofburg Palace. The captain of the guard waiting at the gate came up and asked his crown prince. "How was the dinner, Your Highness?"
"
Edel recalled his experience with Sophie Marie and replied, "Very good, this is a good start."
After saying that, he sat in the carriage and continued to talk to his captain of the bodyguard. "Call me at the hotel. I am very tired today."
