War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Franz's aunt had amazing ambitions, and it was not enough for her that Saxony became the largest cotton processor in North Germany.

What she really wants is to surpass the Austrian Empire and become the textile industry hegemon in the German Customs Union, so simply expanding production capacity cannot satisfy her wishes.

Of course, the Queen of Saxony made this decision after careful consideration and detailed investigation. Relying on her special relationship with the Kingdom of Hanover, she was able to purchase cheaper cotton raw materials, an advantage that other states in the German Confederation did not have.

Although Austria has Egypt as an import channel, after the Turkish-Egyptian War, a large number of local cotton fields were ordered to be converted to grain, resulting in a significant reduction in its cotton output. Therefore, Austria has to turn its attention to Mexico and the United States.

The former's cotton output has not increased due to years of war and the fact that the income from planting is far less than that of sugar and tobacco. As for the latter, the British have always followed the lead, which is also an important reason why the French must find a stable cotton source for themselves.

Franz's aunt did not feel that the influence of the Austrian Empire on the North American continent could compete with France, so she did not choose to communicate with Mrs. Sophie when dealing with the market expansion led by the Austrian Empire.

Because she was confident that she would be the final winner, she plunged into the competition for the clothing market.

But then the U.S. policy made a 180-degree turn, which dealt a huge blow to other countries in the German Customs Union.

All countries and individuals who tried to compete with Franz for the market suffered heavy losses, and Saxony was naturally not immune.

Everyone thought that the masterminds behind this operation were Franz's parents, but the Queen of Saxony was the twin sister of Lady Sophie, and their relationship was naturally unusual, so they never expected that they would be on the list of those who were deceived.

When Queen Maria Anna learned the truth, she was ready to leave for Vienna immediately, trying to play the "family card" to help herself recover her losses.

Mrs. Sophie felt that this was an opportunity to win over Saxony, an important northern ally of the Austrian Empire, otherwise she would most likely send him away out of sympathy by giving him some money.

Some people may think that Mrs. Sophie is ruthless in nature, and even the twin sisters are plotting against her. But in fact, when it comes to complex national interests, we must not think rashly in terms of human relationships, let alone judge based on simple closeness and distance.

Schönbrunn Palace, Madame Sophie's palace.

Franz finally met Mrs. Sophie's twin sister. The two had almost the same appearance and figure, but this aunt seemed to be ten years older than his mother. The skin on her face is sagging and wrinkles are visible, just like those of housewives who work hard all day long.

"Hello, Aunt Maria."

"Hello, Franz, I haven't seen you for a few years, but you've grown so tall!"

"You are still beautiful, Aunt Maria."

In fact, Franz did not lie. Women in this era age very quickly, and Aunt Maria is already considered beautiful among women of her age.

"Hey, time is not forgiving. Unlike your mother who doesn't have to worry about anything, even though she married a husband who doesn't care about anything, she gave birth to a capable son. What a blessing!"

"Alright Maria, let's get down to business. If you continue to go around, you will be stunned by this brat." Mrs. Sophie reminded.

"Okay, Sophie, I'll get to the point. Franz, my aunt lost six million florins this time, and I need you to make up for it."

"Isn't it three million?" Mrs. Sophie said in surprise.

"Don't I want to test whether your son is stupid?" Queen Maria Anna said with a hint of sarcasm (Archduke Franz Karl is a recognized idiot).

"Franz, then just do what aunt said and give her six million. Let this person who has never laid an egg be envious." Naturally, Mrs. Sophie would not let her sister go.

"Then you laid so many eggs, why don't you give me one, and I want Maximilian." Queen Maria Anna said half-jokingly.

However, this kind of thing is not uncommon among European royal families.

Mrs. Sophie actually hopes that at least each of her children will have a crown, so she is seriously considering this matter.

"Why?"

"Because the color of this egg is different!" Queen Maria Anna laughed.

All the Franz family have chestnut hair, and only Maximilian has black hair, so he is often talked about behind his back.

"You dare to say anything, you want to die!" Mrs. Sophie strangled Queen Maria Anna's neck, and the latter could only beg for mercy.

"Aunt Maria, do you think this is good? My family's clothing factory places an order for 600,000 spindles of cotton cloth from Saxony every year."

Franz spoke easily, but Queen Maria Anna's eyes widened, because the amount of cotton processed in Saxony was only 600,000 spindles a year. And don’t forget that it is the country with the most developed textile industry in North Germany. She said with some disbelief.

"is this real?"

"Of course it's false!" Mrs. Sophie was still resentful of what her sister had said before, and now was a good opportunity for revenge.

"It's so bad!"

"I lied to you! This little brat Franz is always serious when he speaks, although he often sounds like he is bragging."

The relationship between Mrs. Sophie and her twin sisters is still very good, and there are no outsiders in her bedroom, so the conversation can naturally be more open.

"But I have a condition. The price of Saxon cotton must be consistent with the Austrian Empire."

Franz's words did not surprise Queen Maria Anna. After all, such great luck would be almost impossible without any additional conditions.

"Of course there is no problem. The top leaders of Saxony, including my husband, have long lost their pioneering spirit. Now liberal thoughts are rampant in the country, and the mob is ready to revolt and overthrow the country together with my husband.

But our police and soldiers are unemployed.

I am trying my best to win over those powerful people, but they only know how to fight for power and gain, and the whole country is in chaos. The businessmen have already defected to foreign forces, and the country of Saxony is hopeless."

It can be seen that this queen is really tired from her life. Franz glanced at Madame Sophie, who nodded, and the former withdrew from the room.

"Don't bow your head, the crown will fall; don't shed tears, the bitch will laugh. You are the queen of Saxony, there is nothing to be afraid of, believe me, at least you have me as a solid ally to back you up."

Madame Sophie suddenly remembered what Franz had said and found it interesting, so she used it. But these words sounded completely different to Maria Anna's ears, and they instantly made her feel that her image as a sister was much taller.

"Sophie, you know, the Queen of Saxony doesn't have much power. I can only do things within the scope of my power. Unlike you"

"Dear Maria, I am just a princess. Everything depends on people. If you lose your confidence, no one can save you. If your husband can't do it, then keep the power firmly in your own hands."

As a barrier between Austria and Prussia, a too weak Saxony is not a good thing, because once it weakens, it will intensify the contradiction between the northern and southern giants.

At the same time, it will also greatly enhance Prussia's influence in North Germany, which is not what the Austrian Empire wants to see.

As for Hanover, which seems to be powerful, it is actually heading for destruction step by step. It is more difficult than ever to rely on a group of second-rate dealers to create obstacles for Prussia.

Affected by the German Customs Union, the countries that joined the Union were experiencing a golden period of rapid development, and it was only a matter of time before Hanover, a country that relied heavily on British goods, would decline.

Saxony was an important pawn used by the Austrian Empire to counter Prussia. If Austria went directly to suppress Prussia, it would most likely arouse the anger of Protestants throughout North Germany.

Moreover, Britain, France, and Russia will not sit back and let them unify Germany, so proxy war is a good choice at this time.