African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 51: Chapter 47 Marriage Alliance Matters

October 14, 1866, Heixinggen.

Ernst finally formed his first fleet, which was a major step for the Heixinggen consortium. As the fleet continued to expand in the future, the routes would become increasingly stable.

This would bring great benefits to Ernst. The purpose of forming the fleet was not merely about profit but about the ability to be independent.

As the saying goes, relying on others leads to inevitable betrayal. Depending on the Dutch will eventually lead to significant losses, if not today, then tomorrow.

Having a fleet in his own hands meant Ernst could personally participate in world trade. Overseas colonization depended on strong ships and guns.

Ships are the hubs connecting the world, and after the Age of Exploration began, they became the most important means of transportation globally. Several world overlords achieved dominance by controlling maritime power.

Today, the Heixinggen consortium established its first fleet, marking not only the first step in Ernst’s career but also a significant step for the entire East African colony.

The people and materials needed by the East African colonies could be better transported by their own fleet, especially some previously troublesome items that the Dutch refused to carry, and some required a high degree of confidentiality. If handed over to the Dutch, Ernst himself would not be at ease.

Ernst, returned from Venice, was at home reading the newspaper when the old Prince Constantine walked in from outside.

”Ernst, you’ve already turned 16 in the blink of an eye!” Prince Constantine exclaimed.

”What’s the matter, Father?” Ernst asked in confusion.

”Nothing, just seeing that you’ve grown up and have your own business, it’s just a sudden feeling,” Prince Constantine replied.

”Ernst, you’re no longer a child, and you should start considering your lifelong matters!”

Upon hearing this, Ernst already knew what the old man had in mind. Having lived through two lifetimes, Ernst had long awaited this day.

After living through two lifetimes, Ernst was not someone driven by emotions. His past life’s experiences had long worn away his edges.

In this life as a noble, Ernst himself felt that the notion of free love was rather naive. Now, Ernst prioritized interests.

Marriage, especially among contemporary European nobility, was based on transferring interests. In normal times, busy with work, Ernst himself did not dwell on these matters.

Now that Prince Constantine had personally brought it up, it seemed there was a plan in place. Ernst decided to follow his father’s lead and see what he thought.

”Father, have you already chosen someone?” Ernst deliberately asked.

”Haha, worthy of being my son, you know it.” Constantine laughed as he took out a document from behind.

”I’m getting older and still want to personally oversee your marriage. Your mother left early, and I raised you single-handedly, so naturally, I want to arrange your marriage well.”

With that, Constantine spread out the document in his hand and said, ”This time, there are three candidates. One is Princess Heidi of Sweden introduced by your aunt, another is Princess Martha of the Russian Empire, and the other is Princess Karina of Austria.”

Ernst looked at the document and asked in surprise, ”Why are they so young? The eldest is only twelve, and the youngest is only ten years old!”

Prince Constantine knocked Ernst on the head gently, ”Do you think you’re that old?”

”Ernst, you’re only sixteen. Don’t think you’re already an adult! When I was married, I was twenty-six. Naturally, you’ll have to wait a few years.”

”These princesses are indeed very young, but in a few years, they’ll grow into fine young ladies. Now it’s time to act early while I still have some influence to find you a good match,” Constantine said.

”No need to rush!” Ernst asked in confusion.

”What do you know? In recent years, the number of flawed nobles in Europe has increased, especially among various royal families. It’s always trouble cropping up, though nobody dares to mention it openly. I’m well aware of it. There were far fewer issues during our time, but I’m only telling you, so don’t mention it to anyone else.”

”Therefore, I’m looking for a healthy daughter-in-law and have even checked the medical histories of their parents to find these three who are absolutely healthy and whose status matches our Hohenzollern family,” Constantine explained.

From what his father said, Ernst understood the implications. His poor nephew Wilhelm II was one such victim; although he escaped hemophilia, he was born with a paralysis that caused his left arm to wither.

Thinking about it, Ernst felt a chill. If he remembered correctly, due to the intermarriage with the British royal family, hemophilia, a hereditary disease, was carried by Queen Victoria’s descendants into multiple European royal families, including Germany, Romania (with the Hohenzollern family suspected to be the biggest victim), Greece, Croatia, Russia, and Denmark....

Ernst didn’t know how many children Queen Victoria had, as he hadn’t specifically researched it. Moreover, this matter was not something a minor figure like himself could meddle in.

However, I still have concerns about the royal families of the aforementioned countries. Looking at the two candidates from Sweden and Russia on the documents, hmm, it should be fine!

The information here is clear about their parents’ circumstances and relations. After all, close kin marriages were quite normal in this era.

These three candidates have no ties with Britain, Ernst continued to read.

Suddenly, Ernst discovered something remarkable? Honestly, he hadn’t heard of any of these three princesses.

Among them, the Swedish and Russian princesses are related to his mother’s side, such as Sweden’s former Queen Josephine, who was Ernst’s aunt, and the first candidate was chosen by her. The second Russian princess also has familial ties due to his mother’s sister marrying into Russian nobility.

But the third is beyond Ernst’s knowledge: Princess Karina, daughter of the Mexican Emperor Maximiliano I, aged 10, has lived with the Habsburg family since childhood, under the care of her grandmother, Princess Sophie...

????...

Ernst was filled with questions; Princess Karina is just too outrageous!

If he remembered correctly, Maximiliano I is the brother of the now Austria-Hungary Emperor Franz within the Habsburg family.

He had heard of the name of the Mexican Emperor, but he didn’t recall him having any descendants in history?

If he remembered correctly, Maximiliano I had no heirs of his own and even adopted the descendants of the former Mexican Emperor as his sons.

”Father, what is the matter with this Princess Karina?” Ernst asked, puzzled.

”Princess Karina is the daughter of Maximiliano I, born in Europe when Maximiliano I and Empress Charlotte were still residing there.”

That’s incorrect, isn’t it? Ernst self-doubted; even if due to his birth a butterfly effect caused historical changes, it is impossible for our family to be connected to the Habsburgs!

”Father, I don’t understand, Princess Karina holds quite a high status within the Habsburg family, being Franz’s niece and growing up under Empress Dowager Sophie’s care, and her father is still the Mexican Emperor. Her status and position are far more prominent; why would there be any intention to contact us?”

Prince Constantine laughed and said, ”This is all thanks to Maximiliano I himself. The entire Habsburg family opposed his assignment in Mexico, taking the fall for Napoleon III, yet that fool disregarded his family’s objections, willingly renouncing his inheritance rights to go to Mexico to overturn his fate.”

”Now it’s trouble; France has withdrawn its troops from Mexico, and it’s said Maximiliano I’s situation is worsening. Recently he and Empress Charlotte have been touring across Europe persuading nations to intervene in Mexican politics.”

Ernst nodded, ”But what does that have to do with marriage alliances?”

”Isn’t it because Empress Dowager Sophie made this decision herself? Back in the day, Maximiliano I going to Mexico left Empress Dowager Sophie absolutely furious; she always adored Maximiliano I the most.”

”Maximiliano I and Empress Charlotte went to Mexico when the situation was unstable, and Princess Karina was still young, so Empress Dowager Sophie took her under her wing.”

”Dealing with Franz and Maximiliano I, two troublesome sons, Empress Dowager Sophie is now overly cautious, fearful of offspring’s misfortune being akin to her two sons. Thus, her educational approach is much harsher.”

”For instance, Maximiliano I, originally pampered excessively; he was nothing more than a rent-seeking parasite, yet Empress Charlotte riled him up with emperor ambitions leading to a severe downfall.”

”Princess Sophie believes her sons’ current states are all due to their wives’ faults, hence her stringent standards for picking a grandson-in-law, prioritizing status and capability.”

Ernst promptly nodded, realizing capability is indeed crucial.

”Finding such a person in Europe is not easy; the Habsburgs have no shortage of marriage candidates, but Empress Dowager Sophie’s emphasis on capability and character this time is stronger, finally choosing you.”

!!!

Ernst was somewhat embarrassed by the talk, feeling he wasn’t as great as described.

”My son, I know clearly, capability is naturally beyond question, achievements ranking first in all of Europe.”

”Character is even more commendable; he never indulged in debauchery. Many nobles live indiscretely, and it is rare for someone as young as you, Ernst, without scandals, to be so recognized abroad.”

”By status, our family isn’t inferior; the Hohenzollern family is exactly at its peak. Currently, both Prussia and Romania are under our Hohenzollern family rule, ranking first in continental Europe, and you will inherit my princely title in the future.”

”Although Karina’s father is the Mexican Emperor, that position is merely a self-indulgence among Mexicans! His true value is, nonetheless, being a member of the Habsburg family, yet he insists on giving up his inheritance rights. Now Mexico’s situation is increasingly difficult to manage; everyone recognizes Mexico doesn’t bear an emperor’s position.”