At the time when Jerome Bonaparte and Achille Fuld were rejoicing over their government’s great victory at the Bourbon Palace, far away in Vienna, hundreds of kilometers from France, a grand welcoming ceremony was being held.

The hosts of this reception were the two most noble figures of the entire Austrian Empire—Emperor Franz Joseph of the Austrian Empire and his wife, Empress Elizabeth (Sisi).

At this moment, Emperor Franz Joseph and Princess Sisi stood on the train platform in the outskirts of Vienna, alongside several imperial ministers, princes, and ambassadors from around the world, waiting for the train’s arrival.

As time slowly ticked by, the train that was supposed to arrive on time was still nowhere in sight, causing Franz Joseph on the platform to show signs of impatience and anxiety. He was very concerned that something unexpected might have happened to the train along the way.

Standing beside Franz Joseph, Empress Elizabeth noticed the tension through their linked left hands and gently consoled him, "Your Majesty, relax!

It’s just that the train is delayed!"

Hearing Empress Elizabeth’s soothing voice, Franz Joseph’s anxiety eased a little.

He couldn’t help but softly express his gratitude to his wife next to him, "Thank you, Sisi!"

"Your Majesty, please wait a little longer patiently! The train will be here soon!" Empress Elizabeth comforted him once more.

"Mm!"

Ten minutes later, with the sound of train whistles coming from afar, everyone on the platform knew the awaited train had arrived.

The Minister of the Seal, responsible for assisting the Emperor with this welcoming task, quickly ran to the back of the diplomatic corps and shouted to the guard, "Band! Where’s the band?"

The royal band, belonging to Mei Quan Palace, responded to the Minister of the Seal’s call and appeared before him. The Minister of the Seal meticulously instructed the band, "As soon as the train stops, you start playing!

Also, make sure your sound is loud and clear!

Ensure that both the Emperor and Empress can hear clearly!"

"Understood!" The leader of the court band immediately replied.

"Alright, make your final preparations now!" The Minister of the Seal motioned for the band to seize the last moments to get ready.

He then hurriedly moved forward and soon was beside Franz Joseph.

"Your Majesty!" The Minister of the Seal respectfully greeted Franz Joseph.

"How are the arrangements?" Franz Joseph asked in a calm tone.

"Your Majesty, everything is ready! We are just waiting for the train to arrive at the platform!" The Minister of the Seal replied to Franz Joseph.

"Mm!"

When the train bearing the Habsburg emblem (a crowned double-headed eagle) halted in front of the platform, a spirited piece of music—"God Save Franz" (also known as "Hymn to the Emperor")—resounded from behind Franz Joseph.

At the same time, hearing the music from the platform, the Austrian Imperial Guard not far from the train platform, upon an officer’s command, loaded the ceremonial cannon shells into the Franz 1856 Bronze Cannon (a replica of the Little Napoleon Cannon).

"Boom" "Boom" "Boom"

After several thunderous blasts, all the ceremonial cannon shells were fired into the sky, displaying a myriad of colors.

Under the vibrant cannon fire and high-pitched music, a middle-aged man, dressed in a pure white general’s uniform, with a Grand Cross Medal hanging from his chest and collar, descended from the train with a face full of sorrow, and respectfully saluted Emperor Franz Joseph.

"Your Majesty!"

Franz Joseph returned the salute to the middle-aged man in a slightly somber voice, inquiring, "General Benedek, is Count Radetzky’s casket still on the train?"

"Your Majesty, Old Radetzky (the Austrian Imperial Army in Venice referred to Radetzky as Old Radetzky, and Benedek did so as well)..." Realizing his slip, Benedek quickly stopped and corrected himself, "Count Radetzky’s body is in the carriage!"

Franz Joseph knew that the soldiers and generals from Lombardy, Venice, and even he himself held Count Radetzky in great regard, so he did not rebuke Benedek for the error in address.

"Please have the soldiers inside the carriage carry out the old Marshal’s body."

Franz Joseph first issued this command to Benedek. Then, suddenly recalling he had seldom seen Radetzky since 1849, he was moved by memories of his past moments with Marshal Radetzky in Venice, and halted Benedek, taking Elizabeth’s hand, and in the surprised gaze of everyone, hastily boarded the train.

The soldiers preparing to carry the casket inside the carriage were greatly surprised to see the Emperor and Empress suddenly enter, hurriedly saluting Franz Joseph and the Empress.

Franz Joseph simply returned a salute before approaching Radetzky’s casket.

"I want to see the old Marshal, is it possible?" Emperor Franz Joseph made a request to the soldiers beside him.

"Your Majesty, we..." The soldiers were somewhat at a loss, as in principle, the coffin should not be opened before it reached the "General Hall" (the "General Hall" of the Vienna Military History Museum, where Emperor Franz Joseph designated Marshal Radetzky’s funeral to be held).

"Open it!" Benedek, following behind the Emperor, commanded the soldiers.

Compared to the distant Emperor in Vienna, the soldiers were clearly more obedient to Benedek’s orders. Under Benedek’s instruction, the soldiers opened the coffin lid.

Radetzky’s body appeared before Franz Joseph’s eyes. At this moment, he was dressed in a pure white military uniform adorned with medals, lying peacefully in the coffin as if in sleep.

It was this general with the kindly face of an old father who, when the Austrian Empire was in peril, regardless of being over eighty years old, resolutely took on the burden of saving the Austrian Empire’s dominion over Lombardy and Venice.

Under his wise leadership, the Imperial Army defeated the Kingdom of Sardinia with fewer troops, saving the Empire’s rule over the Apennine Peninsula.

At the same time, when the Empire needed it most, he dispatched a small number of troops to support Vienna.

Looking at this old marshal who had given his all, Franz Joseph felt a sudden impulse. He felt he should do a little more for Radetzky.

So, he turned his gaze to Benedek and asked with a double meaning, "General Benedek, I wish to know if you can now bear the weight of Marshal Radetzky!"

Hearing Franz Joseph’s composition, Benedek’s heart tightened. He understood this was a test from the Emperor.

If he passed the test, the Emperor was likely to grant him the position of Governor of Venice and Lombardy.

"Your Majesty! Although my skills are not as high as Marshal Radetzky’s, I am willing to give it a try!"

Despite Benedek verbally saying "give it a try," through his tone, Franz Joseph could hear an air of "who else but me."

"Then, General Benedek, would you be willing to accompany me in giving Count Radetzky one last farewell?" Franz Joseph extended an invitation to Benedek.

"Of course, Your Majesty!" Benedek gladly accepted the invitation from Franz Joseph.

Standing to the side, Empress Elizabeth also caught a hint in her husband’s words and softly said to him, "Your Majesty, over by Grand Duchess Sophie..."

"Qianqian, I am the Emperor of the Empire!" Franz Joseph firmly responded to Princess Sisi.

Seeing her husband’s resolute attitude, Elizabeth showed a comforting smile at the corner of her mouth, "As you command!"

Then, under Franz Joseph’s decree, Benedek stepped down from the train and announced Franz Joseph’s orders in front of everyone.

"By the order of His Majesty Emperor Franz Joseph, I especially summon Minister of Internal Affairs Bach, Grand Duke Albrecht, Governor of Bohemia, Richard Metternich, Assistant Minister of the Austrian Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Grand Duke Leina, Governor of Hungary, to come for an audience!"

The individuals named by Benedek instinctively paused, not understanding what the Emperor intended to do by summoning them at this time.

The vast majority of ministers and envoys in the crowd also did not understand the intention of Emperor Franz Joseph, only a few people did.

One of them was Prince Metternich, who, upon hearing that his son, Richard Metternich, was fortunate enough to be included in the list, couldn’t help but feel happy for him.

Because whether it was Minister of Internal Affairs Bach, or Grand Duke Albrecht, Governor of Bohemia, or Grand Duke Leina, Governor of Hungary, their ages were generally between 30-45 years old, an age that is considered youthful for a politician, yet they were each able to hold high positions at this age, which was enough to show the Emperor’s regard for them.

Richard Metternich being fortunate enough to stand among them indicated that the Emperor had already planned to remove Richard Metternich from the assistant position and instead appoint him to a more authoritative position.

"Please, those who are named, proceed to the train immediately!" Benedek repeated once again.

Richard Metternich whispered to Prince Metternich standing beside him, "Father, I’m going!"

"Mm!" Prince Metternich responded softly.

Albrecht, Bach, Richard Metternich, and others followed Benedek into the carriage.

Standing in the crowd, Prince Metternich also showed a comforting smile looking at Richard Metternich, then quietly praised, "Your Majesty, you did well!"

After speaking, Prince Metternich involuntarily glanced at a middle-aged man in a suit not far away.

At this moment, the middle-aged man showed an expression contrary to Prince Metternich. Through his eyes, Prince Metternich could even see the sinister and violent nature lurking beneath them.

This middle-aged man was none other than the Prussian Ambassador to Austria, Von Bismarck.