Chapter 48 Engagement
At this point, Ernst finally understood. This Princess Karina should be the butterfly effect after her appearance, or maybe this universe is not a parallel universe of her previous life. Well, no matter what, let's just put it into perspective. It is better to control uncertain factors in your hands.
This Karina is the first person she has met in this world who is different from the people in history. Lenoir and others are not included. After all, the change in their fate was actively promoted by Ernst.
This Karina was born before her past life memories were awakened, which meant that Karina was born when Ernst was six years old.
When I was six years old, I was still a little kid. I spent all day in the manor as a demon king. At that time, I couldn't influence other people.
Moreover, Ernst had a premonition that something big would happen if he didn't marry her in the future.
Think about it, how much history have you changed since your awakening? One is the Hechingen Consortium and the other is the East African Colony, which indirectly changed the fate of a group of people.
Princess Karina of Austria had a high status, and the 19th century was an era when anything was possible.
Could it be a staged performance, Her Majesty returning to Mexico to avenge her father, or perhaps inheriting the Habsburg throne and rebuilding the Roman Empire. (I didn’t mean it on purpose. Think about how unlucky Franz was. His brother was executed by the Mexicans, his wife was assassinated in Italy, his son committed suicide in love, and his future heir was shot dead by the Serbians.)
…
Having said all that, Ernst also had some interests to consider. Ernst had been planning a colonial trade route from Prussia (German Empire) to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, through the Mediterranean and finally to the East African colonies.
Among them, Prussia doesn't have to worry at all and is just like home.
Italy was an ally of Prussia and could still be used before World War I.
Not to mention the East African colonies. I participated in the planning and construction, and my own words are king's law in East Africa.
Only the Austro-Hungarian Empire itself is the least influential. Now it would be great if the problem of political influence in the Austro-Hungarian Empire could be solved through marriage.
And the East African colonies were poor! Prussia (Germany) alone would definitely not be able to support it, and the equally large Austro-Hungarian Empire would have to be added.
It was a pity that so many resources were wasted when the Austro-Hungarian Empire disintegrated. Ernst was willing to be the successor.
"Father, just Princess Karina of Habsburg! We really don't have much influence in Austria. With this marriage, the family's industry can be better spread throughout the greater Germany, from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean. Improve the safety of your own industry.”
This is true. If this goal is achieved, any conflicts in Europe will not affect Ernst's great cause of developing East Africa.
A single German or Austro-Hungarian navy could easily be pinned to death in the sea, let alone a small commercial fleet.
The Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are Germany's only two sea passages. Germany is slightly better. After all, the northwest corner is the Atlantic Ocean, but out to sea is a giant like the British Empire.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire's overseas outlet is in the Adriatic Sea. Geographically, it feels worse than Germany, but the actual threat is not as great as that faced by Germany. It's not that Ernst looks down on the Italians, it's actually the last battle in the Lisa Sea. It's so embarrassing.
If the British want to blockade the coast of Germany, it will be very simple, but if the Italians want to blockade the coast of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, unless it is a dream, after all, the Austro-Hungarian Empire can also directly threaten Italy from land, and in the future, Prussia, Italy, and Austria-Hungary will still An alliance will be formed, and with Prussia as the mediator, the relationship will not be too bad.
"Well, okay, I will go to Vienna to discuss with Habsburg. Just wait for my news!"
With that, Constantine set off for Vienna.
…
Meanwhile, Austria, Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.
"Mother, is it too early to talk about marriage when Karina is so young?" Emperor Franz said helplessly to his mother.
"Humph, what do you know? You and your brother are not careless. They have caused so many things after getting married. I don't dare to let Karina follow in your footsteps." Queen Mother Sophie said.
When it came to his marriage, Franz did not dare to speak. The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was a global problem that even the emperor could not escape.
As for his younger brother Maximilian I, he went to the sinkhole in Mexico and still insisted on going his own way. He still doesn't believe his family's words and dreams of becoming an emperor.
"This time, I must personally choose the marriage partner of my descendants. It was because I doted on you two brothers too much that I caused such a lot of trouble." Queen Mother Sophie said.
As he spoke, he took Ernst's information from his hand and handed it to Franz.
"Look at the person I picked this time!"
Franz looked at the information and said: "My appearance is just a little more handsome than when I was young, but isn't my status too low? It would be good for Karina to marry one of those kings' princes, right?"
"What do you know? There are so many kings and princes to choose from, and there are only so many people in the European royal family. At the moment, I have not set my sights on him. Although this Ernst has a lower title, he is also a member of the Hohenzollern family. The orthodoxy, and Prince Constantine is the only one, and he will start as a prince in the future."
"And her mother passed away early. If Karina gets married, there will be no conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Ernst will also run an industry. I heard that the industry can be ranked among the top 30 in Europe. In the future, if Karina gets married, she will not have enough food and clothing. Worry, it’s good to be a princess.”
"How is your character, mother?" Franz asked.
"You can rest assured. I have investigated carefully this time. Ernst is already sixteen years old, but he is more enthusiastic about his career. There are no messy scandals. I have also seen his life trajectory. He is indeed a man." A man of action, I just went to Venice a while ago to build a fleet and then returned home."
"And he has no bad habits and a regular life schedule. It would be better to catch such an outstanding young man as early as possible."
"But mother, don't you really want to discuss this with your brother and sister?" Franz asked cautiously.
"Hmph, don't mention the two of them, especially Charlotte, who kept encouraging Maximiliano. If it weren't for her, our family would be reunited now. If your brother had any shortcomings, I would definitely I won’t forgive her.”
In this way, the Mexican emperor and queen were deprived of their daughter's guardianship rights. At this time, Queen Carlotta was still crying and making trouble and hanging herself in France, demanding that Napoleon III keep his promise and send troops to Mexico again.
After communicating with Prince Constantine who went to Vienna, the two families agreed to get engaged first and then marry Princess Karina when Ernst was in his twenties.
On November 3, 1866, the two families announced the engagement of Prince Ernst and Princess Karina. (Later generations called this event the reunification of the Hohenzollern family and the Habsburg family.)
Ernst and Princess Karina attended the ceremony and exchanged tokens of love under the influence of European tradition. From now on, Princess Karina of Habsburg will be Ernst's fiancée.
As a person who has lived two lives, Ernst does not have high requirements and can accept it as long as it is not too ugly. However, Karina does have a good foundation and will definitely be a great beauty in the future. At least in the eyes of the people of the time, the two of them were talented and handsome.
…
Now that he has determined his future marriage partner, Ernst cannot help but ignore his future father-in-law. After all, Maximiliano I was too miserable. The throne he got for nothing was actually Napoleon III's scapegoat. France It's not a big deal that all the blame for the colonization of Mexico was placed on Maximiliano I's head.
What's really bad is that the people of Mexico no longer trust the emperor. Under the influence of the Iturbide dynasty and the Americans fanning the flames, Maximiliano I cannot leave the palace and is forced to take the blame.
In particular, the various warlords in Mexico did not take Maximiliano I seriously at all. Among them, the Republican Juarez even regarded Maximiliano I as a thorn in their side and a thorn in their flesh.
Next year, when Maximiliano I was arrested and executed, Juarez was also a fierce man. He would not hesitate to offend the European monarchs and the Habsburgs to execute Maximiliano I.
Ernst wondered if he could rescue his unlucky father-in-law. He first selected a group of outstanding students from Hechingen students, pretended to be Indians, sneaked into Mexico, and finally packed up Maximiliano I and returned to Europe... …
There is really a glimmer of feasibility. If this thing doesn't succeed, I won't lose anything, but if it succeeds, I will definitely get good feedback.
Not to mention anything else, Habsburg will still have to take care of itself in the future, and the monarchs of various European countries will also look at themselves with admiration.
If Ernst wanted to develop East Africa, it would be indispensable for him to interact with other countries in the future. Otherwise, when the great powers divide Africa in the future, it would be ridiculous to have his home stolen.
Now, by establishing an image of safeguarding the aristocracy and supporting the monarchy, in the future the royal families of various countries will always have to say a few good words for themselves in front of governments of various countries, and governments of various countries will also be afraid of them.