Chapter 125 Rudolph's Changes
The safety of drinking water is a major issue and cannot be taken lightly. In the past, Africans would rather drink dirty raw water from shallow puddles than dig wells.
There is really no special reason, it's just a matter of concept. Perhaps Africans are more willing to believe in bacteria, and viruses are just a conspiracy of Westerners.
After all, black Africans have been doing this for thousands of years and have still reproduced. Even a terrible disease like AIDS seems vulnerable to Africans.
Two previous South African presidents openly declared that AIDS was not caused by a virus but by poverty, which shows the mindset of Africans.
You have to know that the people who can become the president of South Africa are the most elite people in Africa. If they are still so anti-intellectual, what about the mentality of the lower-class African people who are keen on superstition and lack knowledge?
Perhaps AIDS is not powerful enough and is not as awe-inspiring as the Ebola virus.
Of course, Ernst also feels that there is some truth in the conspiracy theories of African people and politicians. Looking at the horrible diseases in Africa, all of them broke out after the arrival of Western colonization (around 1950).
At present, the most terrifying disease in Africa, and also the disease that hinders European countries from developing Africa, is "malaria", which is completely incomparable to those incurable diseases.
Malaria can also be eradicated. This is not empty talk. China eradicated malaria in the past (there were 30 million cases in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China). As we all know, malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, but mosquitoes have not been eradicated.
However, China has eliminated malaria through perfect planning and great determination. Even India, which has suffered from malaria like Africa for many years, has suppressed malaria to an extremely low level.
In the past, Africa was truly a paradise for disease. Moreover, malaria, an old virus in Africa, has not only not weakened after hundreds of years of development, but has become even stronger.
Therefore, Ernst is convinced that Africa is really not good at disease prevention. After all, there are many countries with the same latitude and environment as Africa, but none of them are as outrageous as Africa (except Haiti).
Although the East African colonies were a little poor, they were still determined to fight the disease. Ernst was also keen to popularize relevant knowledge to the people in the territory. Of course, they could choose not to listen, but they dared not to do it...
…
Rudolf had none of the enthusiasm he had at the beginning. Before that, Rudolf was forced by Franz to accept the old-fashioned and harsh royal education of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Although it was also very hard, it was nothing compared to the study arranged by Ernst. If the previous courses were hard, now they were torture.
This is the essence of exam-oriented education. It is very trying because there are no end to the test papers and homework anyway.
Ernst would make full use of these assignments and send them to the Austro-Hungarian royal family for review by Queen Sophie and Franz.
When a pile of test papers and homework were placed in front of them, they could never say that Ernst did not value Rudolf's education.
According to Ernst's own inference, Franz might look at his son's educational results on the first day, but when endless homework was delivered to Franz, he would never look at it a second time, so Ernst's purpose was achieved.
Influenced by Rudolf, there were also a dozen younger students from the Hechingen Military Academy who suffered together.
In order to create the educational atmosphere of the previous life, Ernst tried his best to restore the scene.
When a person is unlucky, he will definitely feel pain and torture, but when he is not the only unlucky person, or even when there are people who are worse off than himself, he will gloat over their misfortune.
I am talking about Rudolf. Ernst specially selected a group of geniuses with excellent academic performance and high IQ, and also selected several students with average academic performance.
Since Rudolf started studying in Austria relatively early and learned a lot, his knowledge reserves far exceeded those of the students in Hechingen (the Hechingen Military Academy had fewer courses and knowledge points), so he was often praised in the early days.
But when those geniuses gradually accepted this knowledge, the gap between them and Rudolph narrowed at a speed visible to the naked eye every day.
This put a lot of pressure on Rudolf, especially in exams, where the scores were getting close at a very fast pace (students at the Hechingen Military Academy had not been exposed to these courses before).
"Rudolf, 97 points. This time you are still the best in the class, but your progress is not obvious. You need to work harder." The head teacher, Alfred Eisenbezer, said to Rudolf.
Alfred Essenbetzer was very interested in the type of education Ernst was seeking, which was an improved version of compulsory education in Prussia.
The difference is that there are endless homework and exams, and they are all marked on a 100-point scale, but you don’t have to explain all the questions and answers. You only need to explain the key points, and leave the rest to the students.
In other words, his own responsibilities did not change much, but the students' tasks increased several times, and based on Alfred Eisenbetzer's own experience, he himself might not be able to complete that amount of homework, but these students had to complete it, and they did it. Although the quality was not high, it was indeed incredible.
"Yes, sir!" Rudolph replied, feeling relieved but also a little nervous.
"Okay, take a good look at where your problem lies," said Alfred Eisenbezer.
"David Zhang, 93 points, this is a very good result, much better than last time, keep working hard.
Robert Jervis, 92 points..."
"Jim Liu, 32 points, failed."
Alfred Eisenbeizer said angrily: "Jim Liu, you still need to work harder? Otherwise, you won't even be able to see your classmates' backs in the future."
Alfred Eisenbeizer was a famous teacher in Germany. To be honest, he rarely saw students as stupid as Jim Liu.
If it was just an ordinary class, it would be fine, but with Rudolph and so many outstanding students as a backdrop, Jim Liu is not good enough.
Alfred Eisenbeizer really couldn't understand why Ernst added so many weirdos to the class.
Other teachers share the same feelings as Alfred Eisenbetzer.
None of these teachers knew Rudolf's identity. They were all borrowed by Ernst from other schools at high salaries.
Therefore, Rudolph was treated equally with other students, but Rudolph's excellent upbringing and relatively rich knowledge reserves (he received education early) left many teachers with a good impression of him.
Those talented students are also very popular with teachers and learn very quickly.
Students who are poor at studying are naturally treated differently by teachers. Some are very strict, some are more gentle and choose to persuade, and some simply give up on them.
Such a class, similar to the exam-oriented education in the previous life, was established in the Hechingen Military Academy. Its learning content far exceeded that of other classes (after all, Rudolf had to take more courses). At the same time, there were geniuses, ordinary people, and poor students in the class.
In addition to teaching content, this class also has normal activities and exchanges with other classes in the Hechingen Military Academy.
As a result, Crown Prince Rudolf opened up a new world, made many friends, and for the first time came into contact with all kinds of people, and they were not the aristocrats of the past.
The heavy academic workload left Rudolf no time to think about his family in Schönbrunn Palace. He even gradually forgot about the conflicts between his parents, the quarrels between his grandmother and mother, and his father's serious face...
In the dormitory and classroom, Rudolf was surrounded by only his classmates. Occasionally, Ernst would take Rudolf to the Prussian Palace on weekends to meet and communicate with Crown Prince Frederick and others, and participate in some court activities, so as to prevent Rudolf from falling short of aristocratic etiquette.
Although his current study life is more tiring, Rudolf feels a happiness that he could never experience before.
In the past, facing Franz's stern face and denial, Rudolf always felt inferior and useless.
But in Hechingen, Rudolf received heartfelt praise from teachers, and was sometimes criticized for his declining grades. For the first time, Rudolf realized that he could also make progress, especially that hard work and seriousness always produce results.
The objective evaluations from teachers and the exchanges with classmates made Rudolf feel that he was no longer just the future crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who mechanically followed the route arranged by his father, but also a person with his own true self.
Gradually, Rudolph smiled more often, and the once timid boy became more confident. He no longer denied himself blindly, but faced his strengths and weaknesses objectively.
At the same time, Rudolf learned to change his image between the court and the school. In front of the nobles in the court, he was the Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with aristocratic manners and appearance.
At school he became a normal teenager again, playing games with his classmates, joking around and doing what he liked.
Looking at the changes in Rudolf, Ernst was very satisfied. This was the look and vitality that a sunny boy should have.
…
Sunday.
"Rudolf!" Ernst called him.
"What's wrong? Brother Ernst."
"Boy, come here!"
Rudolf obediently came before Ernst.
"How was your time at school this month? Was it interesting?" Ernst asked with a smile.
“The school is very good. Both the teachers and classmates are very nice.”
"So which do you think is better, staying in school or staying in Schönbrunn Palace?" Ernst deliberately set a trap.
"Both are good. I also experienced a different lifestyle in Hechingen and grew a lot." Rudolf avoided the trap.
"Haha, why didn't I see you smiling every day in Schönbrunn Palace? You were not like this when you were telling dirty jokes in school." Ernst teased.
Rudolph said calmly, "You can't slander my innocence for no reason. I'm a good boy. How could I tell dirty jokes?"
"Now, you have learned to lie? Very good, I have people watching you every day! You little bastard, you still want to lie to me? I know everything you say every week." Ernst slapped Rudolf on the head.
"Hiss..." Rudolf took a breath in pain after being hit on the head.
"It seems that you are about to graduate. So, now it's time for you to perform. When you go to the photo studio with me tomorrow, you must act the same as you did in the Prussian Palace. You must be confident, okay? Tomorrow, follow my arrangements." Ernst said.
Although he didn't know what Ernst wanted to do, Rudolf nodded.
…
"Okay, straighten your back and look more arrogant!" Ernst commanded from a distance.
"You're overdoing it. When I say arrogant, I mean extremely confident. Get back on track, you know?"
Rudolf stood in the manor, letting Ernst do whatever he wanted. Early this morning, the two of them went to the photo studio.
Ernst asked his staff to bring equipment to his own estate and changed Rudolf into a military uniform.
I don't know where Ernst found a little black horse for Rudolf to ride.
This horse is just a show horse. In order to make little Rudolph look taller, the pony is also a minor. The final effect that Ernst wanted is handsomeness.
After Rudolf adjusted it again, Ernst looked left and right and said with satisfaction: "Very good, photographer, start shooting!"
"Click", the photo of Crown Prince Rudolf was taken.
…
A few days later, Schönbrunn Palace.
In the photo, Rudolph is riding a group of black horses, looking majestic, with a hint of determination and confidence revealed on his young face.
Queen Mother Sophie admired the photos sent by Ernst with great satisfaction.
"Franz, do you think my grandson has the qualities to be the future emperor of the empire?" asked Queen Mother Sophie.
"She has half the temperament I had when I was young," Franz said shamelessly.
Queen Mother Sophie did not think much about it. Her attention was all on the photo. She continued, "It seems that Rudolf is doing well with Ernst. He looks much more energetic. Ernst said that because Rudolf has gotten used to the teaching methods of the recent teachers, it is better for him to continue to stay in Prussia to receive education. We will send Rudolf here at the end of the year."
"Mother, hasn't it been too long?" Franz said worriedly.
"What are you afraid of? I think Ernst is better at educating children than you brothers. None of you are reliable, especially Ferdinand (Maximilian I). He hasn't come back for such a long time. Karina hasn't seen him for many years!"
Queen Mother Sophie continued, "Look at him. Ernst sends back Rudolf's situation every week. The homework and test papers weigh dozens of kilograms. You, as a father, vowed to check your son's academic performance, but you gave up the next day!"
"Look at my grandson. He is so healthy now. He looks much fatter than before. He is in good spirits and has not fallen behind in his studies. I heard from people who have been to the Prussian royal family that after seeing Rudolf, he seems to have a better temperament than before!"
Anyway, Queen Mother Sophie became more and more satisfied the more she looked at him. This was the effect of Ernst's packaging of Rudolf.
At present, Ernst has no intention of returning Rudolf in the short term. Therefore, in order to reassure Queen Mother Sophie, he naturally only reports good news and not bad news, and tries his best to show off his educational "results".
In his previous life, Ernst knew that "impression" could be engraved in a person's heart as long as it accumulated over time. Ernst sent messages to Schönbrunn Palace every day to let Queen Dowager Sophie know what her grandson had learned, done, and how he performed.
Anyway, I keep hinting that Rudolph has performed very well, so don't worry, just stay with me!
Ernst was not afraid of being exposed. Since he had said it was a hint, he would naturally not use false information. At most, he would exaggerate.
As Ernst's experimental subject, Ernst did not want to return Rudolf so early, otherwise, the Austrian royal family would have changed Rudolf's personality, and all his work would be in vain.
(End of this chapter)
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