Chapter 407 Veteran
Traveling three thousand miles all alone,
One sword once served as the division of millions.
Archduke Karl accepted Franz's suggestion, and he also felt that this was his last chance.
Historically, Archduke Charles is best known as the strongest of Napoleon's recognized opponents. But he doesn't like the label of loser at all.
If possible, Archduke Karl still hopes to prove himself on the battlefield.
Franz talked about the dilemma of the Swiss Orthodox Union, and also explained the difficulty of Austria not being able to directly send troops. This is undoubtedly a challenge, but at the age of 72, it is a pleasure to become a challenger again?
However, Archduke Karl still had another worry at this time, which was that he was worried about his silly daughter standing by the window.
And it's not like he's going to Switzerland for retirement. Taking this little princess with him may cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Franz also noticed the worry on Archduke Karl's face and followed his line of sight. A figure shrank down, revealing half of his ponytail.
Franz and Archduke Karl raised their foreheads at the same time. How could a military family raise such a thing?
"I will help take care of my little aunt."
"Okay, deal." Archduke Karl replied readily.
Franz's head was full of black lines, and he couldn't help but complain in his heart, "Is the difficult-to-discipline daughter the key point?"
Uncle Karl seemed relieved, but Franz still had to act more responsible.
"Don't worry. I will."
Franz was interrupted by Archduke Karl before he finished speaking.
"Oh, by the way. If you can, find a good family for her to marry. It doesn't matter if you marry a noble or a commoner, as long as she's not a loser and can take care of her."
Franz nodded.
"Franz, if you have nothing else to do, go back first. I still need to pack my luggage."
"Pack your bags?" Franz asked with some confusion.
"Yes, going to Switzerland." Archduke Karl returned to his usual appearance, speaking cleanly.
"You are too impatient. With Austria and the Holy Alliance suppressing us, they will not be able to overturn the situation within a few years. Unless one pole collapses, or they receive strong support from other parties, there will be no change."
To be honest, Franz really doesn’t know when the Swiss Free Alliance will take action, but judging from the intelligence, the Holy Alliance and France put too much pressure on them, even causing some states to waver, and with the help of the church Maybe there will be a turn for the better, but Franz himself must be fully prepared.
"Let's explore the terrain first. Are you going to let me fight with the map?" Archduke Karl obviously had his own plans.
"But you don't have to go there yourself. You can find some trustworthy people."
Archduke Karl shook his head.
"Switzerland is mountainous, and the most important thing in mountain warfare is familiarity with the environment. Don't you always like to say, 'A good fighter can hide thousands of troops invisible'.
And there is another sentence in the "The Art of War" that you gave me: Those who are invincible must defend; those who are victorious must attack; if the defense is insufficient, there will be more than enough to attack; those who are good at defending are hidden under the nine places; those who are good at attacking are those who are good at attacking. It moves above the nine heavens, so it can protect itself and achieve complete victory.
He's right. "
Franz knew that it was useless and unnecessary to persuade him, so he got into the carriage and left. Before leaving, she brought some small toys and food to Karolina. Although her family was the richest aristocratic family in Austria, she had never seen some things that spanned generations and continents.
"Franz, you are so funny. Where did you get all these things?" Karolina always felt that she had everything at home, but Franz always got some novel things that she had never seen before, and Both in terms of personality and appearance, she is better than her three brothers.
"It seems from the book. Aunt Karolina, you can do more reading."
"You are so awesome! I...I can't do it. My head hurts when I read a book. When will you come back? Otherwise, I will go find you!"
Girls of Karolina's age are full of curiosity about boys. However, her father and brothers at home protected her so well that she had little contact with women of her own age.
Not entirely, there was always a thin little boy beside her, always staring at Franz fiercely, as if looking at a love rival.
"I will come often in the future." Franz said.
"Really?!" Carolina said slightly excitedly.
"Well, Uncle Carl has entrusted your studies to me, and I will often come to supervise your studies in the future."
"Ah? Don't want it? I'll tell my father!"
Franz grabbed Karolina's arm and said.
"Uncle Carl is going on a trip, so don't distract him."
Karolina and Franz looked at each other, and when she saw the other person staring at her, she felt her face was so hot, and then she lowered her head and whispered.
"good."
"Then I'll come back after a while."
"good."
Franz had already climbed into the carriage, while Carolina still stood there blankly.
"Ah, he held my hand. But why didn't he put a ring on me?"
In the carriage, Franz did not regret what he had done.
Archduke Karl, his personal ability and experience are definitely not inferior to any active commander in Austria. It's just that it's almost impossible for him to lead troops again in Austria, and sending him to Switzerland doesn't count as burying his talent.
If Archduke Karl can win, he will be honored and become a legend, and the story may be passed down to future generations.
But even if it can't, it doesn't matter, because Archduke Karl is already 72 years old. Whether he is defeated and dies in battle or "accidentally" dies, it can be an excuse for the Austrian Empire to send troops.
This approach can be said to be very cruel, but it is not heartless, and it is efficient and reasonable.
Of course, Franz knew Archduke Karl relatively well, and he could not imagine the scene of the old man's defeat.
What Franz has to do now is to make this empire stronger. After all, only the strong can possess the luxury of peace.
Zhenla, Phnom Penh.
The third child of Ambrosius and Queen Anmei was born, a boy who would inherit the throne of Chenla in the future.
The birth of an heir is something worth celebrating, but the powerful families in the Chenla region don't think so. The church's power has developed rapidly in the Chenla area, already controlling 70% of the land and 80% of the population, and accounting for more than 95% of the economy.
The power of the clan was weakening, and slaves and subjects often even fled to areas controlled by the church. If things go on like this, they may disappear from the world.
In fact, generally speaking, religion and nobility are allies, but the church in the Chenla area is actually controlled by Franz. Their goal is to completely control the country. Naturally, they will not make peace with those local forces. On the contrary, they will divide and disintegrate their power.
After all, these so-called clans are obstacles to national unity and centralization. It is good if they are willing to accept transformation. If not, then they can only be sent into the dust of history.