War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

February 1, 1840.

The "Venice", as a steam-powered ship without a paddle wheel, did not cause a sensation. After all, after the Five Powers Conference, the focus of the great powers was no longer on the Austrian Empire.

In the luxury box, Franz was lying on a special large bed, reading a newspaper and enjoying a foot massage from Oshio Shanyin.

At this time, Friedrich opened the door angrily and broke in. After seeing the picture in front of him, he was stunned for two seconds and made a sign of the cross.

"Oh, God! What a depraved man!"

"When the door is closed, the air conditioner will escape." Franz said casually.

Friedrich subconsciously closed the door. Although it was on the sea, since it was out of the Mediterranean Sea, the weather had always been very hot and humid.

Franz's room had air conditioning. After the sweaty Friedrich blew the cold wind, he naturally agreed with Franz's point of view, but he soon realized that something was wrong.

"Franz, you guy! You clearly said it was built to build warships, so why did you change it to a transport ship (merchant ship)?"

"This is what your father agreed to. He is the sponsor. I only provided the design plan."

Franz spread his hands and said it had nothing to do with him, but Friedrich would not believe his lies.

"Who are you lying to? My father doesn't know anything about shipbuilding. He must be just what you say!"

Franz had no choice but to sit up.

"We are afraid that you will die young."

"Nonsense! When I have enough steamships, I will take both Crete and Gibraltar."

Friedrich seemed very excited. It was obvious that Franz had killed his dream.

"You also said that you are not the type to die early? If you succeed, I am afraid that the British will bring the entire North Sea Fleet over. Don't think that a few ironclad ships can change the situation. Under the 64-pound gun, that layer of iron and As fragile as paper.”

To correct a previous mistake, the propeller was first invented by the Austrian Joseph Zerrell in 1829.

It is almost universally agreed that iron-hulled boats are sturdier than wooden boats. However, because the iron hull would affect the accuracy of important navigation instruments on the ship, such as the magnetic compass, it was initially strictly limited to transport ships used on inland rivers.

But if you can strictly follow the safety production regulations, you are not a capitalist. The French "Aaron", the American "Great Western", the British "Sirius", iron-hulled steamships continued to sink into the water one after another, and traveled across the ocean without any scruples.

In 1839, the British astronomer George Eli finally solved the compass problem, and Britain dropped a blockbuster, the "Great Britain", the first steam iron-hulled ship in human history with a weight of more than 4,000 tons.

Due to the arrival of the British Mediterranean Fleet, and in the name of protecting the Jews, it was showing off its power on the oceans of various countries.

Therefore, countries in the Mediterranean region launched a maritime equipment competition. Warships from France, Russia, Britain, and even Sardinia and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies were launched into the water like dumplings.

At this time, Austria launched three 3,000-ton iron-hulled steam transport ships, which made Friedrich very angry. He didn't understand the use of these things. Could they be fighting land wars at sea like the Spaniards?

In fact, Franz built these iron-hulled steamships not as battleships at all, but as cruise ships and transport ships.

It’s just that many people still can’t understand the value of these transport ships, because clipper ships at the same time were not only cheap but also fast. It only took less than 3 months to travel from London, England to Mumbai, while traditional sailing ships took 5 Months, even half a year.

Now with steamships, this time would be further reduced to two months.

Franz and Archduke Karl reached an agreement to convert the three steam warships that were originally going to be launched this year into transport ships.

There was nothing that could be done about it. After all, after Friedrich tasted the sweetness of the sneak attack, he was concerned about the British Mediterranean fleet.

Although this spirit of not being afraid of powerful enemies is admirable, this kind of gambling on the fate of the country is not advisable. After all, the Austrian Empire envisioned by Franz is a real big country, not an upstart like Japan and South Korea. .

And for the millions of immigrants that may appear in the future, these 3,000-ton steamships may not be enough.

"Then we just watch the British ships showing off their power in the Mediterranean all day long?" Friedrich asked.

"Otherwise? I would rather have a mediocre peace than a glorious war. Don't forget the ancestral teachings!"

This sentence was said by Queen Theresa. At that time, the Austrian Empire had greatly depleted its national power due to successive wars. At this time, although the Austrian economy was recovering, it was still in the pain caused by the Napoleonic Wars.

Franz moved out of his ancestral home, leaving Friedrich speechless.

But the reason he was really speechless was that he was obviously a warmonger, but he talked about peace.

"What's going on with this young lady? You actually let a lady pinch your feet, disgusting fellow! I want to break off our relationship with you!"

Franz said nonchalantly about Friedrich's threat.

"This is Ms. Oshiosugi Yin, from Japan. As for pinching feet, it is a local custom. I also respect other people's national traditions."

Although Oshiosugine didn't like Franz telling lies, she still politely knelt down (Toshita seat) to salute Friedrich. After all, she was not considered Franz's guest at this time, but a servant.

What's more, in Oshiosugine's mind, whether he can return to Japan is only a matter of Franz's thoughts. And she didn't feel at all that serving Franz was a shameful thing. On the contrary, she felt it was a great honor.

"Hello, Archduke Friedrich, I have heard about you for a long time. It is a great honor to meet the hero who attacked Alexandria today."

It's just that the former's actions frightened the latter so much that he jumped onto the stool.

"What's going on? Customs?"

Friedrich asked in shock, and Franz smiled and nodded.

"Dayan Shanyi?"

"Da Shioshuyin."

"Miss Oshiosugiyin, your German is pretty good. Is everything this guy said true?" Friedrich asked curiously.

"Yes, it's thanks to Archduke Franz. He took me in and paid for me to study in a women's college." Oshio Shanyin is a smart girl. She knows very well that the other party is not used to Japanese etiquette. Then he changed his way of speaking.

At this time, Friedrich began to carefully observe the girl in front of him. She was very fair, but her clothes looked strange, but she had an indescribable temperament.

"He didn't do anything weird to you."

"Uncle Friedrich, please be more serious."

"You are with such a beautiful girl again, how can you make me not think about it! I have been working hard for this country all day long, and now I am nineteen years old! I have never even touched a girl's hand!"

Friedrich had deep resentment because every time he saw Franz, Franz would always be surrounded by beauties, while he would only be surrounded by big men and stinky feet.

"Shan Yin, touch Friedrich's hand." Franz ordered.

As soon as Oshiosugine's hand touched Friedrich, the latter jumped onto the stool again.

"Look, it's no one else's fault."

"Then it would be too dangerous for a girl like you to live in the same room as you alone." Friedrich said.

"I think it's much better to be with me than to be alone in a room with sailors who haven't seen a woman for months."

Friedrich thought for a while and felt that what Franz said made sense, but he still asked.

"Franz, what did you bring her here for?"

Chapter 2 was posted in the wrong place in Volume 4.