African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 52: Chapter 48: Engagement

As the conversation reached this point, Ernst roughly understood that this Princess Karina seemed to be the butterfly effect caused by his own arrival, or perhaps this universe was not merely a parallel universe of his past life’s universe. Hmm, no matter what, it’s better to control uncertain factors in one’s own hands.

This Karina was the first person he encountered in this world who was different from history, excluding Leno and others, after all, the changes in their fates were actively driven by Ernst.

This Karina was born before his past life’s memories awakened, meaning she was born when Ernst was six years old.

At six, he was just a little kid, causing mischief in the manor all day long, unable to influence others.

Moreover, Ernst had a premonition deep in his heart that not marrying her in the future would lead to major trouble.

Think about it, how much history has he changed since awakening? One is the Heixinggen Foundation, the other is the East African colony, indirectly altering the destinies of a group of people.

The Austrian Princess Karina held a significant status, and the 19th century was an era where anything was possible.

Could it be a reenactment of Her Majesty returning to Mexico to avenge her father, or perhaps inheriting the Habsburg throne to rebuild the Roman Empire? (It’s not intentional, but think about how unfortunate Franz is, with his brother being executed in Mexico, his wife assassinated in Italy, his son committing suicide for love, and his future chosen heir being assassinated by a Serb.)

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Having said so much, Ernst also had to consider his own interests and trade-offs. He had been planning a colonial trade route from Prussia (Germany) to the Austria-Hungary Empire, through the Mediterranean, and finally to the East African colony.

Among them, he had no worries about Prussia; it was like his own home.

Italy was an ally of Prussia, and before World War I, it could still be utilized.

As for the East African colony, there’s no need to mention it; he participated in its planning and construction, and his word was law there.

Only in the Austria-Hungary Empire did he have the least influence, and now if he could resolve the issue of political influence within the Austria-Hungary Empire through marriage, it would be ideal.

Furthermore, the East African colony was poor! Prussia (Germany) alone couldn’t sustain it; the equally large Austria-Hungary Empire had to be added.

The disintegration of the Austria-Hungary Empire wasted so many resources; it was such a pity. Ernst was willing to take over.

”Father, let’s go with Princess Karina of the Habsburgs! We indeed have little influence in Austria, and through this marriage alliance, we can better spread the family’s industries throughout the Greater German region, ensuring the security of our industries from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean.”

It’s the truth; if this goal were achieved, any European conflicts wouldn’t affect Ernst’s grand ventures in developing East Africa.

The single navies of Germany or the Austria-Hungary Empire could easily be suppressed at sea, not to mention a small commercial fleet.

The Baltic and the Mediterranean are the only two access routes for Germany to the sea. Germany fares a bit better given that its northwest corner faces the Atlantic Ocean, but heading out to sea would place it against the giant British Empire.

The overseas route for the Austria-Hungary Empire is in the Adriatic Sea, geographically inferior to Germany, yet it faces fewer real threats than Germany does. It’s not about looking down on Italians; it’s just that the last Battle of Lissa was so disgraceful.

If the British wanted to blockade the German coast, it would be simple, whereas for Italians to block the Austria-Hungary coast, they must be dreaming, as Austria-Hungary could directly threaten Italy from the land. Additionally, Prussia, Italy, and Austria-Hungary would form an alliance in the future thanks to Prussia’s mediating role; relations wouldn’t be too bad.

”Hmm, alright, I’ll go to Vienna to discuss with the Habsburgs, and you wait for my news!”

With that, Constantine set off for Vienna.

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Meanwhile, in Austria, Vienna, at the Mei Quan Palace.

”Mother, isn’t it too early to discuss marriage for someone as young as Karina?” Emperor Franz said helplessly to his mother.

”Hmph, what do you know? It’s all because you and your brother caused so much trouble after getting married. I don’t dare let Karina follow in your footsteps,” said Empress Dowager Sophie.

Mentioning his marriage left Franz speechless; the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is a universal problem, even emperors can’t escape it.

As for his brother Maximiliano I, he went to the pit of Mexico, persisted in his own ways, and still didn’t believe what his family told him, dreaming of being an emperor.

”This time, I must personally select the marriage partners for the next generation. Back then, it was because I indulged you two brothers too much that we ended up with such a mess,” said Empress Dowager Sophie.

While speaking, she handed Ernst’s information to Franz.

”Look at this, what do you think of the person I chose this time!”

Franz, looking at the information, said, ”His looks are just slightly better than mine when I was young, but isn’t his status too low? Karina would not be worse off marrying a prince of any king.”

”What do you know? There aren’t that many kings and princes for you to choose from, and there are only so many royals in Europe. At the moment, none have caught my eye. Although Ernst’s noble rank is a bit low, he’s still a legitimate member of the Hohenzollern family, and Prince Constantine has only him as a legitimate heir. In the future, he’ll start as a prince.”

”Furthermore, her mother passed away early, so Karina wouldn’t face any mother-in-law conflicts if she married there. Ernst is good at managing industries, and I heard his businesses rank among the top thirty in Europe. In the future, Karina will live a life of comfort as a princess consort.”

”What about his character, mother?” Franz asked.

”Rest assured, I’ve thoroughly investigated this time. Ernst is already sixteen, but he’s more focused on his career without any scandals. I’ve reviewed his life trajectory too; he’s truly a doer. He recently went to Venice to form a fleet and then returned home.”

”Moreover, he doesn’t have any bad habits, and he maintains a regular lifestyle. It’s better to secure such an excellent young man early.”

”But mother, have you really not discussed this with my brother and sister-in-law?” Franz asked cautiously.

”Hmph, don’t mention them, especially Charlotte. She kept urging Maximiliano recklessly back then. If it weren’t for her, our family would be whole and united; if anything happens to your brother, I will never forgive her.”

Just like that, Emperor Maximiliano and Empress Carlota were stripped of their daughter’s custodial rights, while Queen Carlota was still in France making a scene, demanding Napoleon III fulfill his promise to send troops back to Mexico.

After communicating with Prince Constantine, who went to Vienna, both families agreed to an engagement first, with the future goal of Ernst marrying Princess Karina once he was in his twenties.

On November 3, 1866, both families announced the engagement of Prince Ernst and Princess Karina. (In later generations, this event was referred to as the Hohenzollern family’s reunion with the Habsburg family.)

Ernst and Princess Karina attended the ceremony, exchanging tokens of love under the influence of European tradition. Henceforth, Habsburg’s Princess Karina was Ernst’s fiancée.

As someone who had lived two lives, Ernst’s requirements weren’t high; as long as she wasn’t unpleasant to look at, he could accept it. But Karina indeed had good looks and was destined to be a great beauty in the future. At least in the eyes of contemporaries, they were a perfect match.

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Having determined his future partner, Ernst couldn’t just abandon his future father-in-law. After all, Maximiliano I was too unfortunate, being handed an unwanted throne. It was merely Napoleon III’s burden, as the blame for France’s colonization of Mexico was shifted onto Maximiliano I.

The real predicament was that the Mexican people no longer trusted the emperor, influenced by the Iturbide Dynasty, with the Americans adding fuel to the fire. Maximiliano I was constrained, unable to leave the palace, and had to bear the blame.

Particularly, the Mexican populace saw him as a thorn in their side because of the Iturbide Dynasty’s influence and the American instigation. Moreover, Juarez was a fierce man, willing to offend European monarchs and the Habsburgs to execute Maximiliano I.

The next year, would be the time when Maximiliano I would be unable to avoid arrest and execution. Juarez was so ruthless, he didn’t hesitate to execute him despite the potential backlash from European monarchs and the Habsburgs.

Ernst thought about whether he could save his unlucky future father-in-law. After all, it wouldn’t cost him much if the plan was unsuccessful, but if successful, it would certainly bring great rewards.

If nothing else, the Habsburgs would still have to take care of him in the future, and the monarchs of Europe would at least view him with newfound respect.

Ernst realized that if he wanted to build a reputation as someone who supports the aristocratic class and monarchism, this endeavor was necessary. In the future, royal families across Europe would have to say good things about him in front of their governments, and those governments would have to show some consideration.