Chapter 677 Funeral
Vienna, northern suburbs.
There was a small tombstone on the Karen Hill in the Royal Academy for Women in Vienna, and not many people attended the funeral.
But if anyone knew the true identities of these people, they would be surprised by the high standard of this funeral.
“Lord God, we remember here today the memory of Sister Pereny Shaffer, whose death reflects our common human condition and the brevity of this life.
But you have revealed to us through Christ that death is not the end, nor will it take away all the graces you have given to people.
Heavenly Father, since we are your children and have shared your Son’s salvation and the hope of eternal life, please accept Sister Pereny Schaffer into the heaven promised by your Son.
For our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit is one God and everlasting King. "
Archbishop Rauscher folded the scriptures and made the sign of the cross on his chest.
Everyone also made the sign of the cross: "Amen!"
The atmosphere was a bit depressing because everything was so sudden. A young man who had just emerged passed away in such a violent and hurried manner.
Franz thought it was just the beginning, but he didn't expect it to come to an end so soon.
Besides the suddenness, there was also an infuriating despair. The murderer of Pereny Schaffer was her brother, and Henry Schaffer committed suicide in fear of his crime just after he was imprisoned.
It is unclear whether he committed suicide out of fear of crime or was murdered to silence him.
The Shaffer family was actually loyalists, and the family was very mediocre and did not hold important positions in the royal company or the imperial government, nor was it affected by the "Operation Christmas Eve".
Although the Shaffer family does not attach great importance to Pereni, it will never rise to the level of "honor killing".
As for the murderer, Henry Shaffer, he was a complete playboy who drank, took drugs, gambled, set fires, kidnapped, tortured, and brutally killed innocent citizens.
In his short 21-year career, he violated imperial laws more than 2,000 times. If such a person had any sense of noble honor, Franz did not believe it.
Not only are such people alive and walking around, but they can even engage in "honor killings". Franz feels that it is necessary to deal with the issue of corruption.
The cause of this incident was the purge requested by Pereny Shaffer. Although it was Franz who made the decision, his status as a member of the royal family kept ordinary people away.
Strict protection measures give people no chance even if they want to take risks.
And so came the death of Pereny Shaffer.
However, those "big shots" were smarter than last time and did not leave any clues. Instead, they threw out Henry Shaffer, or the Shaffer family as a scapegoat.
Because the matter is complicated and the Shaffer family is "innocent," the final result is likely to be settled.
Those "big shots" did not want to do anything else but to dampen Franz's spirit and teach him some principles of life.
Those people expected that this matter would end with the death of Henry Shaffer. After all, wouldn't it be exactly what the other party wanted if he punished the loyalist Shaffer family? And it will chill the loyalists.
It is indeed not wrong to analyze this from the perspective of political struggle, but Franz wants to deal with other issues now.
For example, how did Henry Shaffer escape legal sanctions, and who was so powerful that he could only cover the sky in Vienna with one hand.
If the previous Winster family was able to dominate Bohemia because of Emperor Tiangao, then who is this Henry Shaffer in front of them?
How could a small family of little people and families that Franz had never even heard of do whatever they wanted in Vienna. Could it be that this guy is some kind of hidden family, or is he a mysterious power like the Parliament of Owls?
This is of course impossible. The result of the investigation is simply that the cost of crime at this time is too low. Things that seem huge now were considered inconsequential at the time.
Many of them involved higher-level things that even Franz couldn't do anything about, but the easy thing was that almost all officials at that time had problems with malfeasance, abuse of power, and accepting bribes.
Therefore, Franz can still carry out a wave of liquidation of those officials who released Henry Shaffer and helped him.
As for the support of this kind of family, as mentioned before, although the Schaffer family is a famous family, if it were not for Pereni, an outstanding graduate of the Royal Academy for Women in Vienna, Franz would not even have the name of this family. never heard of that.
However, the specific method of liquidation still needs to be studied before a decision can be made. Franz still needs to minimize the possibility of accidents.
At this time Franz turned to Baron Brooke and said.
"I'm sorry to have to meet you in this way."
The latter also said with some regret.
"Archduke Franz, actually we have met before. I was invited by Miss Talia to give lectures at the Royal Women's College.
Miss Perrine is a very remarkable person, ambitious and talented.
But I reminded her that as a reformer, the first thing to do is to cut off ties with the family. "
Baron Brooke was right. Cutting off ties with his family may seem heartless, but he is protecting both himself and his family.
In fact, compared with the experience of being hated and assassinated, as the president of the Imperial Central Bank, Baron Brooke dared to claim to be the first in Austria, and no one dared to claim to be the second.
"Mr. Brooke, after all, there are only a few people who can do what you do. Although Miss Perrine has left us, the reform will not end like this."
After listening to Franz's words, Baron Brooke's expression became even more gloomy.
"Archduke Franz, please forgive me. I suggest you take back that naive idea. The problems the empire is facing now cannot be solved by one or two people.
If reforms are rushed too quickly, even you may be at risk. If something goes wrong, or if it proves impossible to become emperor, then this will be a great loss to the empire. "
In fact, Baron Brooke still has some words that he has not said. Even if he becomes the emperor, if there is no suitable opportunity, the so-called reforms will most likely become empty talk or just minor repairs to the original structure.
But the so-called suitable opportunity is difficult to find, unless there is another Napoleonic War, or a purge like the Thirty Years War.
But that was not just an opportunity, it might also lay the groundwork for the collapse of the empire.
"Thank you, your words have benefited me a lot. I will do my best, and I hope you can take care of yourself. After all, there are too many moths in this country, and maybe one day a disgusting one will fall out."
Baron Brooke nodded, feeling a little regretful in his heart. After all, how many people in the huge Austrian Empire government dare to show their swords and are not resistant to corruption?