"Three German, two Czechs, one Poland, one Venetians, and one Ukraine, the Empire's army is truly diverse," Franz, who was sitting behind his desk, holding a cup of coffee and reading documents, couldn't help but exclaim.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Adjutant Karl, standing not far ahead with several documents in his hand, replied respectfully.
Karl flipped through a black-covered document in his hand and said, "Your Majesty, currently, German account for 35 percent of the Empire's army, Hungarian account for 18 percent, Czechs account for 12 percent, and the rest are composed of other ethnic minorities."
Since the outbreak of the Vienna Revolution in 1848, the Austrian Empire had been in turmoil.
At that time, King Charles Albert of the Kingdom of Sardinia in the south, under the banner of unifying Italy and resisting Habsburg rule, attacked the Austrian Lombardy–Venetia Kingdom. The Kingdom of Hungary in the east erupted in an uprising led by Kossuth.
After a series of rebellions and military victories, the Austrian Empire began military reforms, recruiting as many German and Czechs as possible to be soldiers and officers, reducing the proportion of Hungarian in the Empire's army, and disbanding the Empire's proud light cavalry (Hungarian were known for their light cavalry.)
"Well, these young men are all good. Do they all speak german?" Franz put down his coffee cup, blew on it to cool it down, and asked Karl.
"Your Majesty, this Poland Sergeant basically speaks german. The Venetians soldier knows a little and can understand officers' commands and daily greetings, but that Ukraine soldier doesn't speak german at all. According to the information, he is only 16 years old and just joined the army," Karl said with a somewhat regretful tone after looking at the document.
"Oh, then it seems this Ukraine soldier is a genius marksman," Franz couldn't help but tease.
At this time, the Austrian Empire was not yet the later Austro-Hungarian Empire. The military command language was only german. Officers needed to learn the soldiers' languages, but at the same time, soldiers were encouraged to learn german as much as possible, at least to master basic commands.
Speaking of this, Franz suddenly remembered the somewhat peculiar education system of the Austrian Empire. The Empire's government retained the tradition of using local languages for teaching in primary education, but required the study of german in secondary schools.
When Franz thought of this, he couldn't help but shake his head. The political compromises reached by those in the cabinet for temporary internal language equality, no one would have thought that they would later become the foundation for the Empire's division.
"Karl, please tell the chef to prepare more dishes today. After all, I can't let these soldiers come here and go back on an empty stomach," Franz said slowly.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
...
Vienna, Hofburg Palace.
Prince Rudolf Capisteranus von Liechtenstein, the Court Chamberlain, was already 69 years old and had served the Habsburg court diligently for over thirty years. He had slightly curly silver hair and usually wore a serious expression, rarely smiling.
However, today, this usually rigid Prince was acting out of character, running through the palace corridor for the first time, clutching a telegram tightly in his hand, with a hint of excitement on his face.
"Empress, Empress, good news, good news, the Emperor is awake!" Prince Rudolf shouted as he ran, completely disregarding his usual decorum.
Loud shouting was forbidden in the solemn and majestic palace, but the attendants and maids, seeing the running man, all bowed in respect.
At this moment, Empress Elizabeth of the Austrian Empire was having afternoon tea with her mother, Ludovika, in her room, with a hint of melancholy on her face. Her husband had gone to face the enemy with a determination to die, but ended up falling into a coma in Venice. Archduchess Sophie, however, did not allow her to go to Venice to visit him.
(Empress Elizabeth Amalie Eugenie of the Austrian Empire is also known as Sisi)
Sisi was wearing a black silk dress inlaid with silver threads today. With her high nose bridge, deep eyes and eyebrows, and her beautiful, thick, and shiny black hair, anyone who saw her would consider her a rare beauty.
Suddenly, the voice of Court Chamberlain Prince Rudolf came from afar. Sisi was a little dazed when she heard it and uncertainly said to Ludovika, "Mama, I think I heard Prince Rudolf calling me."
Ludovika saw the faint tear stains on her daughter's face and felt heartbroken.
She picked up the exquisite porcelain teapot, poured Sisi a cup of fragrant black tea, and gently comforted her, "Sisi, you might be too tired these past few days and are having auditory hallucinations. Prince Rudolf is known for being a man of rules, following them strictly, how could he possibly shout in the palace?"
After thinking for a moment, she said with some concern, "Why don't you go rest? You haven't had a good night's sleep for several days."
Sisi picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and was about to speak when Prince Rudolf's voice clearly reached her ears this time, and the sound of footsteps was getting closer.
"Mama, I wasn't mistaken! It really is Prince Rudolf calling me!" Sisi exclaimed excitedly. "He said... he said Franz is awake!"
Bang!
The door was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang. Prince Rudolf, holding the telegram, rushed to Sisi, panting.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his chest that was heaving from running, and then said in as calm a tone as possible, "Empress, Archduke Albrecht has just sent a telegram. The Emperor has woken up and is currently recuperating."
"Thank god! Thank god!" Sisi was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes. She grabbed her mother Ludovika's hand and jumped up happily like a little girl.
Please don't doubt, in 1859, Emperor Franz and Sisi were still a loving couple.
Suddenly, a figure flashed through Sisi's mind - Franz's mother, Archduchess Sophie.
"I must quickly tell Aunt Sophie this great news!" Sisi said and was about to rush out. She was eager to tell Aunt Sophie this good news.
Archduchess Sophie is the older sister of Sisi's mother, Ludovika. They are both daughters of King Maximilian I of Bavaria.
"Yes, yes, quickly tell your sister this news, she will be happy," Ludovika also said happily.
Ludovika looked gratefully at Court Chamberlain Prince Rudolf. He came to Sisi first to report the news, allowing Sisi to inform her sister, which could effectively ease the tension between them.
"My respected Empress," the Court Chamberlain added calmly, "Archduchess Sophie is praying for Emperor Franz at St. Augustine's Church."
Sisi snatched the telegram from Prince Rudolf's hand, lifted her skirt, and rushed towards St. Augustine's Church.
"Mama, I'm going now."
"Sisi, be careful, don't fall!" Ludovika had to raise her voice to caution her daughter as she watched her receding figure.
"Thank you, Prince Rudolf," Ludovika turned around and sincerely thanked the old official.
"It is my duty, Ludovika," Prince Rudolf bowed slightly and replied respectfully.
...