African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 120: Chapter 115 Rudolph: The Source of Nightmares

”Ernst! Why are there so many carriages? Where are you going?” Constantine asked, looking at the neat rows of carriages in the courtyard.

”Father, Christmas just passed, and I thought I’d visit the children at the school. They’re all orphans and have no family, so I plan to go see them,” Ernst replied.

”Hmm! Well done, Ernst. I also want to see those poor children. Wait a moment, we’ll go to the school together,” Constantine said.

As nobles, generally speaking, the clever ones aim to cultivate their reputation by aiding disaster victims and disadvantaged groups.

Of course, there are some miserly people who want to take every last bit of savings from their subjects, tarnishing the nobility’s reputation.

But most nobles are smart; even if they lack compassion, they will put on a show.

The Habsburgs always had a good reputation locally, and Constantine would support some of the struggling residents of Heixinggen during holidays and festivals.

...

The carriage slowly moved, with Ernst and Constantine sitting inside.

”Ernst, I know you’re busy, but you can’t always be engrossed in work. Sometimes you should pay attention to other things,” Constantine started talking to Ernst.

”Uh... Father, could you get straight to the point?” Ernst asked.

”You idiot, it’s about your marriage. How long has it been since you last saw your fiancée?” Constantine said, frustrated.

Ernst was momentarily stunned, reflecting that the last time he saw that little girl was a few months ago when he passed by Mei Quan Palace.

”Father, Karina is so young, there’s no rush. Although I know you’re eager to have a grandson, my future wife isn’t going anywhere, and we can talk about it in a few years,” Ernst replied.

Karina was only eleven this year, and she would turn twelve after the new year; at such a young age, Ernst regarded her as just a little girl. Besides, he wasn’t very old himself, and this was a political marriage, which he didn’t mind. Anyway, the wedding was years away, so there was no need to worry.

”You brat! Do you think I’m just a hasty person in your mind? Although I’m getting older, I’ve never panicked over anything in my life. If you weren’t my son, I wouldn’t care about your affairs!” Constantine said.

”As someone who has been through it, I’m sharing life experience with you. Your mother and I also had a political marriage without any feelings at first, but as we got to know each other, we became attracted and discovered each other’s strengths. Even when Jenny passed away, I didn’t remarry and raised you alone.

So, feelings develop over time. Even if there’s a stone in your heart, it’ll warm up if you hold it close; let alone human relationships!

Of course, I understand that the slogan of free love has become quite popular among your young generation...”

Hearing this, Ernst couldn’t help but interrupt, ”Father, haven’t you been sneaking glances at romance novels? I’m never someone who’s swayed by emotions. For me, free love was never an option since I understood things. My identity dictates that family interests take precedence.”

That was true; having lived two lives, Ernst saw things clearly. Love was like unreliable lottery tickets, a momentary impulse to put it bluntly.

The outcome is entirely up to fate; if two people can’t get along, no matter how close they were before marriage, they won’t be happy afterward.

Yet for some, marriage may begin just as a way to get by, but over time, feelings develop, and they grow old together.

Therefore, Ernst didn’t prioritize feelings, especially with his accomplishments in developing East Africa, which he found extremely gratifying.

Just like a fishing friend from a previous life said, ”I fish every day without luck, but I’m still addicted.” Moreover, Ernst wasn’t unlucky with the efforts in East Africa, as returns were visible.

Even though the current returns were minimal, they did bring great satisfaction to Ernst.

Of course, Ernst wasn’t saying he was cold in terms of emotions. It’s just that his career was his priority at seventeen, which was the prime of youth, so he needed to be disciplined.

”That’s not what I’m saying. I mean you should spend more time with Karina when you have the chance. The poor child has such irresponsible parents (couple Maximiliano I), so she must be feeling bad. Besides, developing feelings helps future marital harmony,” Constantine said.

Hearing this, Ernst pondered for a moment. What Constantine said made a lot of sense; given the Habsburg family’s mental state, characters like Maximiliano I and Rudolph were rare, and mental issues occurred in previous generations.

Of course, Maximiliano I was mentally sound, intelligent, but was unlucky, and spoiled with idealism, leading him to that forsaken land of Mexico.

As for Crown Prince Rudolph, his tragic fate was entirely due to family reasons. Princess Sisi wasn’t suited to being a queen, yet she greatly influenced Rudolph’s character. Coupled with Franz’s conservative and autocratic thinking, the rebellious and confused Rudolph chose to end his life, a tragedy steeped in anger towards his parents.

With Ernst in this timeline, Maximiliano I’s destiny had completely changed; he was now carefree in East Africa, occasionally pointing fingers at matters and often sending telegrams to Ernst.

Ernst finally understood why Maximiliano I chose to be emperor in Mexico. In modern terms, he was a typical armchair strategist!

His attitude of ”I could do that” was exactly why Maximiliano I became an emperor, but the attempt proved futile.

However, Ernst humbly accepted some of Maximiliano I’s suggestions because they provided different perspectives on East Africa’s progress.

As for Crown Prince Rudolph, he was still a kid, and Ernst planned to find an opportunity to pull him out of the Austrian palace to reshape his values.

In his previous life, Rudolph’s political aspirations were radical, dreaming of bypassing being emperor to become Hungary’s president alongside Austria, seeking more benefits for Hungary.

That was a typical betrayal! Yet it bore some similarities to Princess Sisi’s thinking, so Ernst felt he could correct Franz’s parenting by adjusting the child’s mindset.

Can things possibly end worse than Rudolph’s suicide in the past life! Besides, Ernst could use the premise of normal cultural exchange to drag Rudolph out for some tough experiences, acknowledging that the Austrian royal education was doomed to fail, so it would be better for Rudolph to learn and experience different aspects of life.

After thinking this much, Ernst told his father, ”Father, don’t worry. I’ll visit Austria more often.”

Ernst decided to observe the psychological state of his fiancée while finding opportunities to deal with Rudolph.