I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 322

European countries are as close psychologically as they are geographically, leading to frequent interactions.

This proximity fosters deep familiarity, which, paradoxically, often strains relationships between neighboring countries.

Despite these tensions, modern Europe is increasingly coalescing into a unified entity, with member states maintaining amicable relations within their federation.

This unity is largely attributable to the widespread embrace of tolerance and respect for multiculturalism as core values.

Racism and disrespect towards other cultures are now widely condemned as barbaric.

This progressive trend originated in France and has since been adopted by a majority of European nations.

The Holy Roman Empire [a complex political entity in Central Europe that existed from the 9th to the 19th centuries], with its inherent multicultural and multi-ethnic composition, was particularly quick to embrace tolerance and respect as its guiding ideology.

“The first great empire of Europe, Rome, allowed even people from its provinces to rise to become emperors. In our Holy Roman Empire Federation, the rightful successor to Rome, there must be no discrimination or inequality.”

Regardless of the legitimacy of their claim as Rome’s successor, the citizens of the Holy Roman Empire genuinely embraced this identity.

Joseph III formalized this sentiment by enacting anti-discrimination laws through imperial decree, imposing strict penalties on those who violated them.

No one was exempt, not even the nobility.

In one instance, an Imperial Privy Council member was dismissed from his position a mere two days after making a faux pas by suggesting the inferiority of certain races.

While such measures couldn’t instantly eradicate ingrained prejudices, they established a crucial consensus that outward expressions of prejudice were morally unacceptable.

Joseph III actively leveraged this consensus, utilizing the pride of being a Roman citizen as a key strategy.

During his visit to France, Christian [likely referring to Joseph III’s father, a previous ruler] had concurred with this strategy.

However, he repeatedly cautioned against allowing this sentiment to devolve into misguided fascism.

-It’s crucial to emphasize the pride in being a citizen of a dignified nation, but avoid emphasizing the superiority of the nation itself. This distinction, though subtle, can have significant long-term consequences.

“Yes, yes. Don’t worry, Father.”

Joseph III had recently developed a new pastime.

He enjoyed walking around and immersing himself in the prestige of the empire he had built.

“Frankly, while we may lag behind France in certain technological advancements, we cannot overlook the power of our accumulated tradition, can we?”

“Absolutely correct, Your Majesty.”

“In reality, our technology is only inferior to France, and we surpass the rest in most aspects, wouldn’t you agree? The UK held a slight advantage for a few years, but I believe we are on par now. And the Nordic Federation is simply a paper tiger.”

“Your Majesty is absolutely right.”

If you were to ask who the Holy Roman Empire Federation’s primary rival was, 99 out of 100 people would point to the United Kingdom.

Prussia? They were so fearful of being absorbed that they hastily joined the Nordic Federation.

Spain? They attempted to form their own federation but failed and are now focusing their attention on North Africa.

Russia? They suffered defeat in the last major war, resulting in a significant reduction in their national power; they are simply losers.

France? They have traditionally been friendly nations and were never considered rivals.

Therefore, the British Commonwealth stands as the sole contender capable of challenging the Holy Roman Empire Federation for the position of second-most powerful nation in Europe.

Of course, the UK would scoff at this notion, but the Holy Roman Empire Federation genuinely believed it.

“In that regard, what is the status of my previous request? I explicitly instructed you to review and report back this week, correct?”

“Yes. The establishment of a dedicated department for cultural affairs is indeed a wise decision. Regardless of what others may say, we remain the heart of European culture. France may excel in science and sports, but we possess tradition.”

“Precisely. Tradition accumulated over centuries cannot be overturned overnight. For now, let’s tentatively name the department the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Promotion.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“However, it is regrettable that we stood idly by while France poached our renowned artists.”

He didn’t intend to reprimand his subordinates, but the officials’ faces paled as they bowed their heads and exclaimed.

“We are deeply sorry! We will rectify this immediately!”

“No. Don’t dwell on past events; instead, focus on future improvements.”

To be honest, Joseph III had greatly enjoyed French cultural life during his time there, so he couldn’t fault them entirely.

In particular, Mozart’s music, which his father had personally introduced to him, held such profound value that he could never forget the emotions it evoked.

“To put it mildly, my only regret upon leaving France was not having the opportunity to see Mozart again in person. The fact that his birthplace lies within my territory, yet I cannot see him, is quite paradoxical, wouldn’t you agree?”

“But Mozart is now advanced in age and rarely performs in theaters himself.”

“Nevertheless, the compositions he creates continue to enrich France, do they not?”

The status that Mozart holds in Europe right now can be summed up in one phrase: ‘God of Music’. Nothing more needs to be said.

Just saying God of Music has become a proper noun referring to Mozart.

Experts assert that even if Mozart had lived only half of his current lifespan and died young, he would have secured his place in music history forever.

In other words, even if Mozart’s career ended now, it would be difficult to find anyone comparable in the long history of music.

‘Father was truly remarkable in this regard. How did he spread his influence like a spider web throughout the arts?’

Joseph III had maintained a close relationship with Mozart since his youth.

Mozart, who enjoyed a good rapport with his father and mother, even composed songs for prenatal education whenever his mother, Marie, was pregnant.

As a result, Joseph III and his sister Beatrice saw Mozart almost weekly from a very young age and engaged in numerous conversations with him.

‘Come to think of it, Mozart often complained that Father was overly concerned about his health.’

He had thought his father was being too fussy at the time, but now he understood his concern.

Even at his age, Mozart continues to compose masterpieces that will endure in history, purifying people’s minds and bodies.

On the other hand, the most celebrated musician of the Holy Roman Empire Federation is suffering from unspeakable pain after losing his hearing at a young age.

Even the emperor cannot fathom the depth of despair and anguish a musician must experience upon losing their ability to hear.

That’s why the emperor himself is visiting to offer his condolences.

Of course, many people did not understand this.

“However, Your Majesty. Is it truly necessary for Your Majesty to personally visit the home of a mere musician? You could simply send a carriage and summon him to the palace.”

“Harboring such an authoritarian mindset is precisely why we continue to lose the nation’s treasured artists. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the nation that leads in culture will prosper. France understands this, which is why they are investing so heavily.”

“I apologize. I did not fully grasp the depth of Your Majesty’s intentions.”

Even though he said this, Joseph III did not extend this courtesy to just any artist.

The person he is visiting now is already a master whose fame has spread throughout Europe, far beyond the borders of the Holy Roman Empire.

Moreover, he recalled that even his father Christian had expressed great interest in this individual during their last meeting.

“Your Majesty. Everything is prepared, so please come in. They are overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s visit.”

“What’s with all the fuss? I’ll be back in a moment.”

As Joseph III entered the reception room, the homeowner, who had rushed out to greet him, bowed respectfully.

It was a rather simple greeting for the emperor of his country, but the emperor did not take offense.

He had heard that the man usually acted like a recluse.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. Ah, I can only communicate through writing due to my hearing impairment.”

At Joseph III’s gesture, the stenographer standing behind him quickly transcribed the emperor’s words onto paper and presented them to the man.

After reading the words, the man greeted him with the utmost etiquette, as if expressing his gratitude.

He was a man who would speak his mind even in front of the Marquis of the Empire, but the emperor was different.

Moreover, if he was not just any emperor but a heroic figure who had revitalized the declining empire, then even more so.

His ears were deaf, but his mind remained sharp, and his musical senses were becoming increasingly refined.

The greatest master who allows Rome to claim that they are not disappointed that Mozart went to France.

The saint of music, comparable to Bach, spoke.

“It is a great honor for you to visit me in this manner. My name is Ludwig van Beethoven.”

“My name is Joseph III. I recently learned that your hearing has deteriorated to the point where you can only communicate through writing? As a lover of your music, I am deeply saddened. I should have instructed my people to take better care of your ears.”

“I am grateful simply for Your Majesty’s concern. However, there are things that I can hear even as my ears become deaf. Recently, I have been attempting to incorporate these sounds into my music.”

“As expected, the minds of geniuses operate differently. Still, being unable to hear at all must be incredibly inconvenient in daily life. I have instructed my people to provide you with the best possible care, so from now on, you will be attended by exclusive servants who will cater to your needs. Please, do not hesitate and focus solely on your creative endeavors.”

“To care so deeply about me······.”

Seeing Beethoven’s emotional expression, Joseph III slowly revealed the true purpose of his visit.

“By the way, regarding the Heroic Symphony you composed some time ago, the subtitle was Christian, correct?”

“Yes. At that time, I was deeply impressed by the advanced social culture of France······.”

“I was in France at that time, so I am well aware of the situation. I can still vividly recall my father’s face when he received the dedication song and was overjoyed.”

“Ah, I see. Your Majesty is his son.”

Joseph III still remembered that time vividly.

Even for his son, there were only a few instances where he witnessed Christian so genuinely happy.

“It was also quite amusing that Mozart, filled with competitive spirit after listening to your song, composed another song in response. Was it titled Great Hero? How did you feel at that time?”

“I was proud that a senior I respected and admired showed such a reaction.”

The fact that the great Mozart displayed such a childish reaction likely stemmed from the exceptional quality of Beethoven’s composition.

If the symphony had been of lesser value, Mozart would have simply dismissed it and moved on.

“In that case, why don’t you compose another song? I am planning an event, and I would like you to contribute a piece to it.”

“What kind of event?”

“You are aware that France is investing heavily in culture, correct? We cannot afford to fall behind, so we are exploring various strategies. One of these involves fostering talented musicians.”

Joseph III, who shares a love for the arts, observed Christian’s preferred method from the sidelines.

It involves identifying and recruiting promising talents at an early stage.

By gathering exceptional young individuals and providing them with continuous training, a few outstanding talents will inevitably emerge.

Joseph III intends to apply this approach to music.

“There was a system in ancient Greece where young musicians were gathered and made to compete. I plan to systematize this perfectly and elicit popular response. People are enthusiastic about competition. Of course, competing with music and ranking may be a bit uncomfortable for musicians.”

“···There will certainly be many people who feel that way.”

“However, by doing this, it will be much easier to gain recognition and attract sponsors than before. It will be easier for talented people to shine.”

He who controls culture controls people’s consciousness in the long run.

Beethoven, after listening to Joseph III’s long-term plan, nodded without much hesitation.

First of all, if the emperor of a country is so seriously interested in fostering musicians, he cannot miss this opportunity.

“I understand. I will do my best to create the best song.”

“Thank you. It is just a plan, but we plan to invite dignitaries from all over the world, so it will be of great help to you. The person to whom you dedicated the song may come.”

As soon as he threw the bait, Beethoven’s eyes were filled with undisguised motivation.

That’s enough.

Joseph III got up from his seat after giving the most important request.

“Ah, and if you don’t mind, please write a dedication song about me. I am still the Emperor of Rome, so how about the title Kaiser [German word for Emperor]?”

The official who was translating the writing looked at him with a dumbfounded look, but so what.

He wrote a song for his father, so he should write one for him to balance things out, right?

Joseph III was just confident.