Metternich stepped forward, placed a hand on his chest in salute, and continued, "This isn't really my place to speak, esteemed Regent King, but I truly don't wish to see the European Royalty overwhelmed by tragedy."
Joseph looked at this political genius who had extended the life of the Austrian Empire by decades, his expression calm, and said, "Mr. Metternich, can you tell me what the price of bread was in Vienna a month ago? I mean the actual transaction price, not the government-controlled price."
Although Metternich was puzzled as to why the Regent of France suddenly asked this, he quickly replied, "Four pounds of bread cost 14 kroiser and 2 fen ni, Your Highness."
He was referring to the price if paid with silver coins; if using banknotes, it would be 16 kroiser.
Joseph nodded, "So that's 4 sous and 3 danny per pound of bread. Hmm, in Paris, it's 1 sous and 8 danny. How about salt?"
"Thirteen florins per bushel, Your Highness."
