War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Is there such an operation? Count Korolaf's words opened Friedrich List's eyes.

"But what should we do?" Friedrich List was obviously moved. After all, this kind of business without capital is extremely attractive to anyone.

"It's very simple. Our Emperor now trusts you very much. You can use this great opportunity of His Majesty's trust in you to find a way to obtain a business license from him. As long as we work together and cooperate seamlessly, naturally, It can be a win-win situation.”

Oddly enough, human beings are a very strange animal. They can go from full of passion to self-destruction in an instant.

In the face of great temptation, few people can maintain their true intentions.

Count Korolaf's proposal would allow Friedrich List to earn money that he had not been able to earn in the previous decades.

Seeing Friedrich's expression, Korolav knew that he had brought this extremely dangerous economist to his side. He will definitely be his best weapon against Metternich in the future.

Korolav understands that it is difficult to retain people with only ideals and beliefs. Only common interests and sins can bind people tightly.

At the same time, Prince Metternich, just as Count Korolaf said, found his old buddy, the leader of the Austrian banking industry, and the Rothschild family's spokesman in Vienna, Solomon Rothschild.

"Solomon, my old friend, I have great news for you."

"Dear Metternich, you are really my lucky star. You always have so much good news, and this time you brought me something."

The two have known each other for many years and share many common interests. There was not much nonsense during the meeting, just a few simple greetings and then we got down to business.

"With the approval of His Majesty Franz II, the Northern Company Railway Company has been announced. Congratulations on becoming the founder of the first steam railway in the Austrian Empire. This will be a historic moment, and the people will remember your achievements. .”

In fact, the Rothschild family has its own intelligence system. He had already learned the news before Metternich arrived, and had prepared a generous gift for Prince Metternich.

But Metternich actually came in person today, which was very unusual. However, it just so happened that he also wanted to see this old friend.

"You are exaggerating. I am just a businessman. This is all thanks to His Majesty's wiseness and your help." Solomon Rothschild continued to say while being humble.

"Your Excellency, you can just ask Butler Berg to come over for this kind of thing. Why come here in person? I think you don't just have this good news to tell me."

Metternich smiled.

"Solomon, you are still so smart. I can't hide anything from you. There is also good news. According to the original plan, the route operated by the Northern Railway Company was from Vienna to Brno, and then to Lviv via Olmuts. This serves as a link between Vienna and Moravia, Silesia, Galicia and Bukovina.”

Metternich took the tea from the servant, blew it on it, maybe it was a little hot, so he put it aside and continued.

"Now His Majesty Franz II has authorized you to add an additional line. This line starts from Vienna in the south, passes through Prague, and ends in Dresden. When the Austrian Empire officially joins the German Customs Union, you should know that this line will explode What a huge potential there is.”

Even if Austria did not join the German Zollverein, this route was historically popular because it passed through rich areas.

If Metternich's words were followed, the Rothschilds would have a railway line that completely covered the north of Netallenia. The total length will reach an astonishing 1,100 kilometers, connecting the most developed areas of Netaleña, and its economic value is self-evident.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, please convey my sincere gratitude to His Majesty the Emperor. Our Rothschild Bank will always be a friend of the Habsburg family." After saying that, several strong men walked in from the door and laboriously pulled a cart. , there was a big iron box in the car.

"Metternich, my old friend, I have specially prepared a gift for you, but you need to promise me something."

Metternich was also an old man, and he knew that Solomon Rothschild, a greedy guy, must be planning a bigger conspiracy. He didn't answer.

Metternich did not answer, as Solomon Rothschild expected. He ordered his men to open the box, the heavy chains were removed, the lid of the box was slowly opened, and it was filled with neatly arranged gold bars.

"There are fifteen hundred gold bars here, each of which is a standard one hundred ounces. If you can make His Majesty the Emperor accept my proposal, I am willing to give you another two thousand gold bars as a thank you gift."

A 100-ounce gold bar costs approximately 4,250 florins, equivalent to 42 and a half years of military pay for an ordinary soldier. The total price of this gift is 17,000 military pay for an ordinary soldier.

In addition, the density of gold is very high, three times that of iron, so it is entirely possible to store 1.5 tons of gold in a large iron box.

"Solomon, my friend, what do you want?"

"Southern Railway Company."

"With all due respect, my friend, your condition is difficult to meet." Metternich replied.

"Your Highness, I know that you have been worrying about the affairs of the northern Italians. Now we have a chance once and for all. As long as we build the railway to Venice, we can tie the interests of Italian merchants and nobles with the interests of the empire. Together, the Italians will no longer be able to resist the rule of the Austrian Empire."

Solomon Rothschild did not need to say these words, Metternich also knew them in his heart.

It's just that Netalenia's railway cannot be controlled by one person or one company. This is something His Majesty the Emperor will never allow. Having served Franz II for so many years, he knows very well where Franz II's bottom line is. .

And personally, he did not want Solomon Rothschild to control the entire Austrian transportation system. Because by then, this "Emperor" Solomon will become even more arrogant.

This Solomon Rothschild likes to compare his family to the sixth great power in the world. His subordinates naturally liked him and called him "Emperor".

Although Solomon Rothschild liked this title very much, he did not allow others to mention it in public. After all, there was another emperor in Vienna.

The reason why Metternich came to visit him personally was because he was afraid that Solomon Rothschild had ambitions for the Southern Railway. For this reason, Metternich also planned to obtain the route from Vienna to Dresden from the emperor to satisfy Solomon Rothschild's appetite.

"Solomon, you know that our Emperor is an extremely careful person. He will not put his eggs in one basket, let alone allow someone to take away his basket."

Metternich's words had made it very clear, but Solomon Rothschild seemed to have no intention of giving up.

"You and His Majesty will think it over carefully. If His Majesty needs it, Rothschild Bank is also willing to provide His Majesty with an interest-free loan of 10 million florins."

The reason why Solomon Rothschild was so persistent was not only because he was optimistic about the future of the Austrian Imperial Railway, but also because a French friend gave him a promise.

As long as Solomon can take over the Austrian railway and transfer control to a French company, or provide help to France at critical moments, then he will be France's most important friend.

Austria's road to joining the German Customs Union is long and difficult. Even before joining the German Zollverein, the division of interests among factions within the government began.