Holy Roman Empire

In the early 20th century, studying abroad was no simple matter. The high cost was one thing, but the most critical barrier was the language. The prerequisite for studying abroad was to first learn a foreign language, not only to satisfy conversational needs but also to reach examination standards. Apart from the third-rate universities in Japan that were open to all comers, other universities had their thresholds. Unless one could pay a hefty sponsorship fee, the only other option was to pass an entrance examination. Whether the selection process was by written test, interview, or recommendation for admission, there was no uniform standard. Whether one could stand out was not only a matter of individual ability but also, more importantly, a matter of networking. This was also the main reason why students from the Far Eastern region went to Japan; after all, once there, they had books to read. Going to other countries to study, who knew if one could even obtain admission qualifications. The recruitment at Southeast Asian University was no exception. Entrance exams were only available at a few test centers in the Austrian South Seas Region; it was impossible to organize exams throughout Asia. The Ministry of Education had regulations that exam syllabuses would definitely revolve around high school textbooks. Faced with the same test, students who started preparing at the last minute stood no chance against local students who had studied diligently for over a decade. It might seem like over a thousand students were recruited from all over Asia, but those who could stand out in the written exam were mostly still from the Austrian South Seas Region. Failing the written test meant being cut off from free education and having to pay for schooling. Since Southeast Asian University was newly established, Wilhelm, the principal, lacked confidence, so the fees were very reasonable. Compared to the domestic tuition fees that often exceeded ten thousand, the least expensive major at Southeast Asian University only cost 500 divine shields a year. For wealthy students, this was naturally not a problem. But for the majority of students with modest backgrounds, this was a significant challenge. Especially for traditional families that passed down the practice of studying and farming, it was an enormous sum. Even with thousands of acres of finely cultivated land, the annual income amounted to just over ten thousand pieces of silver. It might seem sufficient, but a whole family depended on this income for sustenance; at most, they could only support one or two students abroad. Of course, the primary reason was that although there were rumors of the imperial examination system being abolished, it had not yet become a fact, and there was not much enthusiasm for studying abroad. It would be when the imperial examination was canceled, and people realized that studying abroad was the only option left, that the time for the students of the Far East to desperately seek education abroad would come, and whole families would contribute to supporting it. "Bo An, stop joking. Those who have just arrived in Japan are one thing, but for us, who have been studying for several years and are about to complete our studies, starting over in Southeast Asia..." Halfway through the sentence, Liu Renxin realized he had said something improper. Present were not only old overseas students but also newcomers. The speaker might have been thoughtless, but the listeners were sensitive. Even if pride prevented an immediate reaction, a thorn had been planted in their hearts. If it had been a stranger, the misunderstanding could be cleared up, and they could still be friends. But between friends, once such misunderstandings arose, even if resolved, it was hard to go back to how things were. The world of adults was never simple. Seeing the tense atmosphere, a classmate who usually got along well with Liu Renxin changed the subject, "Brother Liu need not be pessimistic. What we've learned in Japan these past years is indeed limited. Having the opportunity to further our studies is not necessarily a bad thing. As I know, many Japanese students are also starting to prepare, planning to compete for a place at Southeast Asian University. The situation in Tokyo is unclear, and we should plan ahead. Even if we can't achieve first rank, at least we must secure an admission slot." This was true. At that moment, Japanese people's longing for the European world was at its most intense. Anyone qualified to study in Europe would definitely not choose to study locally. Although Southeast Asian University was not a European institution, having a Shinra Prince as a principal was very attractive to everyone. Not to mention, graduating from Southeast Asian University and then seeking further education in Shinra itself would be much simpler. Japanese students were all making preparations, which undoubtedly brought a huge impact on international students. Even if someone told them that Southeast Asian University was a third-rate institution, no one would believe it. The greater the appeal of Southeast Asian University, the greater the competition. By that time, not only would the entrance exams be competitive, but even the spots for self-funded students would be contested. After all, a school is a school and can't be fully commercialized. Although having the highest bidder win could maximize profits, Principal Wilhelm couldn't afford to lose that kind of face! Under such circumstances, naturally, exams would have to continue. However, to ensure the fairness of educational resources, the Shinra Ministry of Education stipulated that self-funded students must not exceed five percent of the total number. Of course, international students were not included within the quota limits. In principle, as long as the money is sufficient and the school can accommodate them, the more, the better. Local universities didn't have this problem; the high fees scared away ninety-nine percent of international students, leaving Southeast Asian University the one to consider. The tuition fee of 500 divine shields deterred some, but it was not enough to intimidate most. There were still many who met the requirements. The First, Second, and Third Rank system was born under these circumstances. The lower the rank, the higher the tuition fee one had to pay, and if one couldn't even secure the Third Rank, it meant they were poor learners whom Southeast Asian University would not accept. This was an embarrassing problem; there were many brilliant international students, but there were equally as many poor learners. These individuals usually shared one common characteristic—they had no hope in the imperial exams. Sending them to study abroad was primarily for the purpose of securing government positions. Forget about any lofty ideals of saving the country; that was just the personal wish of the students and couldn't represent the wishes of their entire families. In some sense, academic performance wasn't important for everyone; the main goal was to gild their careers. Yet, after studying abroad for a few years without earning a diploma from a Japanese school, and if Southeast Asian University didn't even grant them admission, then they would face difficulties explaining themselves when they returned home. "The enrollment for Southeast Asian University is not far off, and to improve our grades in a short time, we can only pool resources to hire private tutors," said Li Boan, breaking the awkward silence. Better to brace for action at the last moment than to do nothing at all. Presumably, he wasn't the only one with such thoughts, except that usually everyone fancied themselves a genius and was too embarrassed to admit being a poor learner. Of course, to label them "poor learners" might be a bit harsh, but it was true that most people didn't learn much while studying in Japan. After all, Japan was also scarce in educational resources at that time, especially in higher education, which was a rare commodity. Most university teachers were students who had studied abroad, and the majority of these students attended third-rate European universities themselves, learned some surface knowledge, and returned to teach and educate others. Often, it involved first organizing teachers to learn, and then they would go back to teach the students. The ability to cultivate talent mainly stemmed from everyone's willingness to study diligently. At Tokyo University, it was common to see teachers and students researching a problem together deep into the night. By contrast, the quality at third-rate universities was entirely different. They were fundamentally deceptive, with many teachers who had never attended university just reading through the textbook to count as a lesson. Aside from a few international students who managed to get into regular universities and acquire knowledge, most were just marking time. ... The ripples caused by Southeast Asian University were just beginning, but they were quickly overshadowed by new sensational news. On February 6, 1904, the Japanese Government unexpectedly announced a break in diplomatic relations with Russia, and the situation in the Far Eastern region suddenly intensified. Everyone knew war was coming, except the Tsarist Government was currently caught in "the confusion of those in power," and Nicholas II still swore to the citizens that the Japanese Government dared not make a move. Okay, in the recent decades the Japanese Government indeed had been quite submissive to the great powers. Be it the initial Black Ships incident or the Philippine War, or even the previous embassy case, whenever the great powers intervened, the Japanese Government backed down. But the problem was when the Japanese Government backed down, they shared a common trait: the opponent was too powerful, and they had no chance of winning. Clearly, the situation was different now. The Russian Empire might be strong, but their power in the Far East was limited. At least before the Siberian Railway was open, the Russian Empire's forces in the Far East had no chance against the Japanese. If they could win, why would the Japanese Government back down? Since a war between Russia and Japan was inevitable, it was much better to start now than to wait for the Russians to be ready. Of course, the key point was that Britannia had officially broken off with Shinra. With the United Kingdom as an ally, it could offset the diplomatic pressure from Shinra. ... In the Vienna Palace, upon receiving the news of the rupture in relations between Russia and Japan, Franz had no choice but to step out of his comfort zone and continue fulfilling his duties as a monarch. Under the push of the butterfly effect, the Russo-Japanese War had undergone earth-shaking changes; at this moment, it was no longer merely a battle between Russia and Japan but also a contest between Shinra and Britannia. Shinra wanted to trap the Russians, that's true, but the outside world didn't know about it! To many, the Russian-Austrian Alliance was still seen as united in strategy. The current Russo-Japanese War was not just about the struggle for hegemony in the Far East but also a gambit in the contest for world supremacy between Britannia and Shinra. The players were all in position; now all that was awaited was the sound of the gong and drum to start the show. How could Franz, the host, be absent? Theoretically, letting his son preside would seem to be fine. But Franz was not at ease! Mistakes during normal times are one thing, but any small mistake at this critical moment could lead to the failure of the following arrangements. A failed arrangement is one thing, but what's feared is not trapping the Russians and instead prematurely revealing the plan, pushing the Russians to the British side. Although the destiny of the Holy Roman Empire seemed assured, and facing two opponents wasn't without prospects for victory, the risk was high! Achieving victory through solid strength is true happiness; victory through risk is gambling. For a great power, gambling is undoubtedly a taboo. When it comes to setting traps, Franz considered himself to be more skilled than his son, especially in trapping the Russians, with abundant experience. Just look at the Tsarist Government, they've been trapped many times yet have never made a fuss about it, which says it all. ... Franz said, "Russia and Japan have already severed diplomatic ties, it looks like war will break out in a few days. Frederick, start your actions! We must create trade frictions with the British and inflate prices before the news of the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War spreads." There was no choice; the Russian-Austrian Alliance had an agreement that if one side went to war, the other must provide support. The most important rule was that during wartime, one must not raise the prices of strategic supplies. Simply put, whatever the price was during the first order, it would remain the same thereafter. The situation was different this time; the Tsarist Government did not believe the Japanese would dare to make a move, so they hadn't made any advance orders for strategic materials. Just then, the Anglo-Austrian trade conflict erupted, providing the best excuse for price inflation, and Franz naturally wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. Purely business behavior, it was normal for prices to fluctuate. Even if the Tsarist Government discovered it, they could hardly say anything. "Father, is this really okay? The Tsarist Government is already in financial difficulty, and they can't even muster the funds for war in a short time. If nothing unexpected happens, the Russians will end up borrowing money from us. Inflating prices now will just make the Russians go bankrupt earlier." It wasn't that Frederick's integrity was exceptionally high; it was mainly because the Russian Empire was too poor, and a significant portion of the war expenses would have to be paid by the Vienna Government. The higher the prices, the more money the Vienna Government would have to lend out. With the financial state of the Tsarist Government, repayment seemed like a distant prospect. As for the collateral the Russians offered, its symbolic significance was greater than its actual value. It was estimated that if it came down to actual compensation with goods, the Russian-Austrian Alliance would likely come to an end. Of course, there was one exception: that the Tsarist Government was driven into a corner and had no choice but to sell off assets to survive. This could be seen in the post-collapse Soviet Union from the original timeline. As long as they could get money, they would sell anything. If it was not sold, it meant the offer wasn't high enough. If the price was right, even nuclear weapons could be sold. If it wasn't for a leak in the process, the first nuclear bomb transaction in human history would have been completed. To drive the Russian Empire into a corner was clearly no simple task. With Shinra unable to take direct action, the Japanese alone could never achieve it. Under these circumstances, the more money the Vienna Government lent to the Russians now, the more they would lose in the end. Inflating the prices of strategic materials would benefit capitalists, although Shinra had several businesses that were government and royal family controlled. Franz shook his head with great gravity and said, "Frederick, remember this rule: 'To receive, one must first give.' Without lending them some more money, how can the Russians feel at ease?" "The borrower is servant to the lender," this theory applied just as well in the early 20th century. The more money lent out, the more the creditor could be held hostage by the debtor. The United States from the original timeline, for example, lent out so much money that to ensure the loans were not in vain, it had to enter the fray to assist the Allied Powers after Russia's surrender. This was a positive example, whereas the negative example would be Britain and France. They lost all their loans due to the demise of Mao Xiong, which directly impacted the speed of post-war economic recovery. The Vienna Government faced the same situation now; if the Russian Empire collapsed, Shinra's financial system would face repercussions as well. The extent of the impact would ultimately depend on the amount of debt. It could be said that the more money lent out, the tighter the economic bind between Russia and Austria. Knowing it was wrong yet choosing to do it, Franz was not simply benevolent; his primary motive was to put the Tsarist Government at ease. A debt of a few billion divine shields wouldn't entrap Shinra, but a debt of tens of billions would truly become inextricable. "You can't catch a wolf without setting a trap," and to lure the Tsarist Government into the trap, Franz was prepared to invest heavily. It's only "money," after all, and printing a little more wouldn't matter as long as he could emerge as the ultimate winner. Even if it triggered an economic and financial crisis, it would be a loss shared by most of the world, a loss Franz could afford to take.