Chapter 125: Rudolf's Changes
Concerns about safe drinking water are a major issue that must not be taken lightly. In a previous era, Africans would rather drink muddy water from shallow pits than dig wells.
There isn't really any special reason for this—mostly, it's a matter of attitude. Perhaps Africans are more inclined to believe that bacteria and viruses are just Western conspiracies.
After all, Africans have been drinking this way for thousands of years and have continued to thrive. Even something as frightening as AIDS seems less daunting to them.
In a previous era, two South African presidents openly declared that AIDS was not caused by a virus but by poverty—an indication of African thought on the matter.
Bear in mind that those who can become president in South Africa are among the elite, yet they still hold such anti-intellectual views. One can only imagine the mindset of the ordinary African underclass, steeped in superstition and lacking in knowledge.
Maybe AIDS just isn't terrifying enough—unlike Ebola, which truly instills fear.
Of course, Ernst believes there is some logic to the conspiracy theories of African citizens and politicians. Reviewing Africa's most dreadful diseases, all of them began to erupt after Western colonization (around the 1950s).
At present, the most formidable disease in Africa—and the greatest obstacle to European development there—is malaria, which simply can't be compared to those incurable maladies.
Malaria can indeed be eliminated—this isn't mere talk. In a previous era, China eradicated malaria (there were thirty million cases soon after the country's founding). It's well known that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, and mosquitoes themselves were never fully wiped out.
Yet through well-coordinated plans and immense resolve, China still eliminated malaria. Even India, which similarly suffered from malaria like Africa year-round, managed to push rates down to extremely low levels.
Meanwhile, in the previous era, Africa was truly a paradise for diseases. The old malaria virus there not only failed to weaken over a hundred years but grew even stronger.
Hence Ernst is convinced that Africa is indeed lacking when it comes to disease prevention. In fact, there are many regions in the world at the same latitude and with similar environments, but none are as extreme as Africa (except for Haiti).
Though the East African colony is somewhat poor, its determination to fight disease is unwavering. Ernst is also enthusiastic about educating the populace within his domain about related knowledge. They may choose not to listen, but they certainly can't refuse to act…
…
Rudolf had lost all the enthusiasm he'd shown in the beginning. Previously, Franz forced him to undergo the rigid and demanding imperial education of Austria-Hungary.
Though that was tiring, it was nothing compared to what Ernst now had him do. If the old lessons could be called strenuous, these new ones verged on torture.
Such is the essence of exam-focused schooling—it strongly tests one's patience, and there is no end to the papers and homework.
Moreover, Ernst made full use of these assignments, sending them to the Austro-Hungarian imperial family for review by Empress Dowager Sophie and Franz.
When they saw the enormous heap of papers and homework, they certainly couldn't claim Ernst was neglecting Rudolf's education.
By Ernst's own estimate, Franz might check his son's progress on the first day, but once an endless flow of homework continued to arrive, he would surely stop looking. Thus Ernst's objective was met.
Alongside Rudolf, more than a dozen younger students at the Black Forest Military Academy shared in the hardship.
To recreate the educational atmosphere of a previous era, Ernst worked to restore familiar settings.
When one person suffers, it's definitely painful, but when multiple people do—and some have it even worse—others tend to feel a certain glee.
That was the case with Rudolf. Ernst had deliberately chosen a few high-achieving geniuses with high IQs as well as a few average students.
Since Rudolf had begun his studies earlier in Austria and covered more subjects, his knowledge base far exceeded that of the Black Forest students (the Black Forest Military Academy offered fewer subjects and covered fewer topics). At first, he received praise frequently.
Yet as those top-notch students gradually mastered the material, their gap with Rudolf shrank noticeably with each passing day.
This put great pressure on Rudolf. In particular, his exam scores were quickly closing in on those from the Black Forest Military Academy who had never encountered such subjects before.
"Rudolf, 97 points. You're still top of the class this time, but the improvement is small. Keep working harder." So said homeroom teacher Alfred Essenbezer, addressing Rudolf.
Alfred Essenbezer was deeply intrigued by Ernst's requirements. This was a modified version of Prussian compulsory education. It was different in its boundless tests and homework, as well as its use of a 100-point scale. The teacher himself didn't have to explain every test answer; he only needed to focus on key points, leaving the rest to the students.
In other words, the teacher's responsibilities didn't grow much, but the students' workload grew many times over. From Essenbezer's perspective, even he might not be able to handle such a volume of assignments, yet these students were managing. Though the quality wasn't top-notch, it was still impressive.
"Yes, sir!" Rudolf replied, both relieved and somewhat tense.
"All right, study your mistakes carefully," Essenbezer went on.
"David Zhang, 93 points—very good. An improvement since last time, keep it up.
Robert Jervis, 92 points…"
"Jim Liu, 32 points—failing."
Essenbezer said, exasperated, "Jim Liu, you need to work much harder, or you won't even see your classmates' dust in front of you."
Famed as a German teacher, Alfred Essenbezer rarely met a student as hopeless as Jim Liu. In a normal class, it wouldn't matter, but with Rudolf and so many high-achievers here, Jim Liu was obviously overshadowed.
Essenbezer couldn't understand why Ernst had placed such oddities in the same class. Other teachers felt the same.
None of them knew Rudolf's identity; they had all been hired from other schools with high pay by Ernst.
They treated Rudolf and the others equally. But Rudolf's excellent upbringing and deeper academic background (having studied from an early age) made a favorable impression on many teachers, and those genius students were well-liked for their quick progress.
Conversely, those who lagged were treated differently by each teacher—some were very strict, some tried gentle persuasion, and others gave up entirely.
In this way, a class much like exam-based schooling in a previous era formed at the Black Forest Military Academy. Its material far exceeded the rest of the academy's (since Rudolf had more to learn). Among them were geniuses, average students, and stragglers.
Besides their regular studies, they participated in the academy's usual activities.
Hence, Crown Prince Rudolf discovered a new world. He made plenty of friends and, for the first time, encountered people of all sorts—not just fellow nobles.
His heavy daily course load left him no time to dwell on his family at Schönbrunn Palace, and he gradually forgot his parents' conflicts, his grandmother's quarrels with his mother, and his father's stern face…
In the dorm and classroom, he was surrounded only by classmates. Occasionally, Ernst took him on weekends to the Prussian royal palace to meet Crown Prince Frederick and others, attending certain court events so that he wouldn't neglect aristocratic etiquette.
Even though this student life was more grueling, Rudolf was experiencing a joy he had never known before.
Previously, faced with Franz's strict demeanor and disapproval, Rudolf always felt inferior, viewing himself as useless.
But at the Black Forest, teachers sincerely praised him, and though his grades sometimes dropped and drew criticism, Rudolf realized for the first time that through diligence and earnestness, he could achieve results.
The teachers' objective evaluations and interactions with his classmates helped him feel that he was no longer simply the next Emperor of Austria-Hungary, advancing mechanically on a path arranged by his father. He actually had a sense of self.
Gradually, Rudolf smiled more often. The once timid boy became more confident, no longer blindly denying his own worth, but facing his strengths and weaknesses more objectively.
At the same time, he learned to switch roles between court and school. Before the nobility, he was the crown prince of Austria-Hungary, displaying the bearing and mien of royalty. At school, he was an ordinary teenager, free to play around, crack jokes, and do what he liked with classmates.
Seeing Rudolf's transformation, Ernst was satisfied. This was exactly the sunny, lively spirit a young man ought to have.
…
Sunday.
"Rudolf!" Ernst called him.
"What is it, Ernst?"
"Come here, kid!"
Rudolf obediently walked over to him.
"How's it going this month at school? Pretty interesting, right?" Ernst asked with a smile.
"School is great. Both the teachers and my classmates are wonderful."
"So, which do you like more—life at school or at Schönbrunn Palace?" Ernst intentionally set him up.
"They're both excellent. At the Black Forest, I've experienced different ways of life and have grown a lot," Rudolf replied, sidestepping the trap.
"Ha, you never smiled so much back at Schönbrunn. That's not how you act when you tell those bawdy jokes at school," Ernst teased.
Without blushing or skipping a beat, Rudolf said, "You can't slander me without proof. I'm a good kid, so how could I tell lewd jokes?"
"Ah, now you've learned to lie, have you? All right, I have people watching you daily. Trying to fool me, you little rascal? I know everything you say each week." Ernst flicked him on the forehead.
"Ow…" Rudolf clutched his head in pain, drawing a sharp breath.
"Seems you're about ready to graduate. So it's time for your performance. Tomorrow, we're going to the photo studio. Act like you do in the Prussian palace—full of confidence, understand? Just follow my lead," said Ernst.
Though Rudolf wasn't sure what Ernst intended, he nodded in agreement.
…
"All right, straighten your back a bit more, and look more imposing!" Ernst called out from a distance.
"Don't overdo it. By 'imposing,' I mean absolutely confident—adjust your expression."
Standing in the estate grounds, Rudolf let Ernst guide him. Early that morning, they had headed to the photo studio.
Ernst had the staff bring the equipment to his estate, then dressed Rudolf in military uniform. No one knew where Ernst had found a small black horse for him.
It was basically just for show, meant to make Rudolf appear taller. The horse was still young, and Ernst's ultimate goal was simply to look stylish.
When Rudolf was ready, Ernst took a moment to size him up from different angles and, satisfied, said, "All right, photographer, start shooting."
Click—a photo was taken of Crown Prince Rudolf.
…
A few days later, Schönbrunn Palace.
In the photograph, Rudolf sits astride a small black horse, looking imposing. His youthful face shows a hint of resolve and confidence.
Empress Dowager Sophie was delighted as she admired the picture sent by Ernst.
"Franz, do you think my grandson has the bearing of a future emperor?" she asked.
"He has about half the spirit I had in my youth," Franz declared, boasting shamelessly.
Paying him no real attention, Sophie remained focused on the photograph. She continued, "It seems Rudolf is doing well with Ernst—he looks much more energetic. According to Ernst, since Rudolf has adapted to these new teachers' methods, it's best for him to keep studying in Prussia for now. He'll bring him back at the end of the year."
"Mother, isn't that too long?" Franz asked uneasily.
"What's there to fear? I think Ernst is better at raising children than any of you. None of you are dependable, especially Ferdinand (Maximilian I). He's been gone for so long that Karina hasn't seen him in years!"
Sophie continued, "And look at Ernst. He sends weekly updates on Rudolf—those homework assignments and test papers stack up to tens of pounds. You, as his father, once swore you'd check his progress every day, but you gave up after day two!
"Look at my grandson. He's far healthier now—visibly a bit heavier, energetic, and hasn't fallen behind in his studies. People returning from the Prussian court say his whole demeanor has improved greatly!"
All in all, Empress Dowager Sophie was increasingly satisfied. It was precisely the result of Ernst's careful presentation of Rudolf.
For the time being, Ernst had no intention of sending Rudolf back, so in order to set Sophie's mind at ease, he only gave good news and kept any bad news hidden, highlighting the success of his "educational efforts."
In his previous life, Ernst knew that "impressions" build up day by day until they are fixed in one's mind. He regularly sent reports to Schönbrunn about what Rudolf was learning, doing, and how he was performing, strongly implying that Rudolf was thriving—so there was no need to worry.
Ernst wasn't afraid of being found out. After all, these were simply hints—he wasn't making things up, just exaggerating a bit at worst.
As Ernst's "experiment," he wasn't about to send Rudolf back prematurely. Should the Austrian court revert Rudolf's personality, his hard work would be wasted.
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