War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Franz, who was listening to Adjani's report, keenly discovered a problem, that is, the amount of ivory brought back this time was too large to be processed. It would take at least 10 years to realize it without devaluing it. time.

All kinds of ivory products are not selling well in the Austrian market. Although the sales of ivory buttons and ivory fan bones are relatively large, their added value is very low, and they are only larger compared with other products.

Since the Austrian Empire had not set foot in the colonial field before, it did not understand the low acceptance of ivory products in the market. Ivory products sold relatively well in the market of experienced colonists like Britain and France, and its high tariffs made Franz feel helpless. He did not want to be ripped off at all.

At this time, European trade protection was still prevalent, especially the increased tariffs on luxury goods, which were almost exaggerated. Usually merchants could find middlemen to avoid tariffs, but Franz could not. Such large-scale smuggling would not be carried out by the French. Discovery was impossible, and revelations would seriously damage the royal family's reputation.

"Archduke Franz, I think you could promote pool instead of football."

Adjani knew that Franz was worried about the trophies he brought back from Africa. She was not an economic expert, but she was very confident in knowing everything about eating, drinking and having fun.

"Play pool?"

First of all, Franz himself does not understand billiards. Secondly, he is sure that the dominant ball sports in the future will be football and basketball. Thirdly, pool balls do not look big and are very durable. It is estimated that the market will be easily saturated.

"Yes, the sport of billiards is very popular among aristocratic circles in France and England. And those young men don't seem to be interested in football, and the latter seems to be a catalyst for family conflicts."

Although Adjani kept her tone calmer when describing it, Franz could tell there was something in the other person's words.

"Family conflict? This word is too serious," he said. After all, the friends around him represented unusual families. If a fight really broke out, it would probably be regarded as a political incident.

"No, it's not too late for you to listen to what happened recently before making a judgment."

Adjani took out a notebook and read it carefully.

“On February 18, 1840, Lord Lebstein suffered a fracture in his left foot, on February 26 the eldest son of the head of the Taffy family had two teeth knocked out, and on March 11 Richard Metternich suffered a broken nose. "

"Are they playing kung fu football? And why are so many feet injured?"

In fact, football in this era has no rules, and the level of violence is comparable to passionate football. Punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and even sand throwing are all allowed.

Adjani took a football and placed it carefully on the ground.

"Archduke Franz, please come and try."

"This is not a shot put!" Franz felt that there must be something fishy in it.

"Of course not. I am your attendant, and I am not a child. How could I play such a boring prank?"

Adjani spread her hands and smiled.

"It sounds like you have less time to play tricks on others."

Having said that, Franz still tried it with his feet.

"So heavy! So hard! How can this be solid!"

Only then did Franz remember, let alone pneumatic tires, even rubber tires were not popular. How could there be modern football under such circumstances?

"This is the best football on the market, and it uses your vulcanized rubber technology. Otherwise you would be kicking an animal's bladder or stomach."

The footballs of this period were mainly made of animal bladders or stomachs, filled with stuffing, and covered with a layer of animal skin. Even the shape was not round, but approximately round.

"Okay, so how many pool balls can I make with the ivory I brought back?"

Adjani raised three fingers and said.

"About three million."

"so little?"

Franz was a little surprised to know that nearly ten shiploads of ivory had been plundered from the Ivory Coast alone, which was accumulated by the local indigenous people for decades.

The Ivory Coast, known as the "Ivory Coast", was completely plundered by Franz. As a result, he could only make three million billiard balls, which was really unacceptable to him.

"We need to further eliminate those that are not round enough or hard enough. Only one-third of them can be put on the table in the end."

Moreover, the wear rate of billiard balls is far beyond Franz's imagination. The texture of ivory billiard balls is hard, and damage from frequent collisions with each other is inevitable.

"Then what to do with the rest."

Franz did not expect it to be so wasteful. In fact, the technology at the time could only make five billiard balls from one ivory, and the defective rate was very high.

"Of course they are sold to ignorant people and poor people who want to save face."

Judging from Adjani's appearance, it seemed that she had done this kind of thing. In fact, the business of second-hand billiard balls was quite popular at that time, but most of the transactions were carried out in small circles, which required a very wide network of contacts.

"But how can ordinary people afford the price of billiards?"

Franz is still immersed in his fantasy of using sports to enhance national self-confidence and cohesion. Although the idea is a bit self-deceptive, as long as it is effective, its value cannot be completely negated.

"This is an aristocratic sport. Do you know how much a good marble countertop costs? Just three to five clubs are needed, and different materials must be used according to different functions, and special processing must be performed."

Adjani was very proficient in this kind of luxury. Franz didn't want to refute, so he could only sigh. It seemed that his plan would be put on hold for the time being.

The direction of promoting football is generally correct, and it is also in line with the development trend. But this matter still needs long-term consideration. For example, the rules and the ball itself need to be reformed to make it easier to promote.

"Okay, you win. But getting them to play pool won't work just by talking about it. You have to teach me first so that I can play with them. As for how to promote it, it depends on luck."

It’s no wonder that Franz had doubts. The Austrian aristocratic circle was already in the habit of enjoying opera and instrumental music, or riding horses and hunting, while the rural aristocrats liked mountain climbing and fishing.

Because Franz Karl had the same hobbies as Archduke John and the country nobles, he became an outlier among the nobles in people's eyes.

"Okay, Archduke Franz. But do you want to learn English pool or French pool?"

It seemed that Adjani was already prepared. When she rang the doorbell, someone started to get busy at the table tennis table next door.

In fact, Franz wanted to use the rules of later generations to create a new "Austrian style". Unfortunately, he had no contact with this sport at all and could only learn the most popular British billiards at the time and the most famous in later generations, namely snooker.

After listening to Adjani explain the rules, the noise in the next room also stopped. Only then did Franz discover that there was another door next to his study.

"This is?"

Franz discovered a problem. Some women especially like to expand. For them, no matter how big the room is, they will find it insufficient.

"This is a pool hall. Archduke Franz, do you think I'm thoughtful?"

Adjani made a look like you are about to praise me. It was obvious that everything in front of her was done by her. But Franz doesn't quite understand one thing. What's the impact of whether or not he plays pool?

Or maybe she was overthinking it, and she just had a preference for pool games.