The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1204 Small gains
Richard Metternich knew that Franz was not bragging and that he was not afraid of powerful officials, or rather, no matter how powerful the official was, he could not shake Franz's position.

"Then what should I do? Should I quit the diplomatic world?"

"What else can you do after leaving the diplomatic world? Continue to be a playboy? Or become a public relations manager? Specialize in dealing with rich women?"

Richard Metternich's face was full of black lines, and it seemed that his dissolute behavior had left a very bad impression on Franz.

"Your ideas and work styles are not compatible, and staying in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will only be a waste of your youth.

Go to France. Louis Napoleon will like you, but don't use your father's tricks. Personal relationships are worthless in the eyes of some people.

Louis Napoleon has been in exile in England for many years. If you really want to negotiate with him, you should do it the British way. "

"The English way?"

Richard Metternich recalled his British girlfriends and tried to find out the British way.

“If you treat the negotiation as a business deal, you will all be much more relaxed and less likely to have misunderstandings.”

At this time, Richard Metternich thought of the British mistresses he had hooked up with. They were usually snobbish, arrogant, inferior, and lacked knowledge. They could often cheat him out of a small profit, but if they thought he was a stingy miser, they would probably abandon him on the spot.

"I understand!"

Richard Metternich smiled evilly, leaving Franz confused.

“Paris is a great place, but don’t mess around. After all, they may be more romantic than you.”

Richard Metternich nodded emphatically.

"clear."

"Okay, go out and let Edward in."

Richard Metternich left in a hurry, as Paris at that time had an irresistible attraction for such playboys.

Moreover, the French ambassador position is also a lucrative one, a high position that many diplomats cannot reach in their entire lives.

The most important thing is that Richard Metternich’s father, Clemens Wenzel von Metternich, also served as a French ambassador, and it was his outstanding performance in France that laid the foundation for his position in the diplomatic community for decades to come.

Richard, who also served as a French ambassador in history, seemed to be mediocre, but it was not because he lacked ability.

The fact that he was able to hold such a key position as ambassador to France for eleven consecutive years is a testament to his ability and that he is deeply trusted.

But the reality is cruel, the diplomatic philosophy of the Austrian Empire is outdated. On the one hand, the principle of British interests first has changed the original diplomatic rules of the game, and on the other hand, the decline of the Austrian Empire is also an indisputable fact.

The combined effect of the two parties made Richard Metternich extremely lacking in influence. After all, the fundamental basis of a country's diplomacy is its strength.

“A weak country has no diplomacy” is absolutely applicable in this turbulent era. Even if you are eloquent and argue your case, the most you can get is an evaluation of being principled.

However, the Austrian Empire at this time did not decline as it had in history. Its international influence was still strong, and its national strength had been improved by several levels. No one could ignore its existence, let alone humiliate it.

In fact, there was a reason why Franz insisted on letting Richard Metternich serve as ambassador to France. As a time traveler, he was very clear about Napoleon III's ambitions.

Louis Napoleon wanted to be emperor, he needed the support of others, and he was even more inferior in his heart and urgently needed recognition from others. Richard Metternich was the best traditional diplomat of the Austrian Empire.

If this card is played well, Austria will gain unparalleled influence in France.

Edward Taffey entered the room softly and closed the door carefully.

"Edward."

Franz's voice suddenly sounded, and Taffy shuddered.

"Franz, you're scaring me."

"You're still the same."

Taffy scratched his head.

"Not long."

Franz was a little helpless.

"You still have no concept of time. A lot has happened in the past two years." "A lot. We have all grown up."

"Have you really grown up? Do you have children?"

Taffy immediately looked flustered.

"Franz, are you kidding me? I'm not married yet. I'm not that vulgar!"

Franz coughed twice.

“Let’s change the subject. Are you happy being the Governor-General in Tanzania?

But I still want to remind you that women are impatient and insecure, especially beautiful and capable women. If you can't give them what they want, they will find a way themselves. "

Taffy thought hard and finally uttered two words with difficulty.

"happy."

"If you are unhappy, don't force yourself. Tell us what you are unhappy about."

"It's so desolate! There are farmlands everywhere! Cotton, coffee, sisal, corn, cassava, and those Orientals actually eat rice as their staple food. It's terrible."

"Cough cough."

"what's wrong?"

"Nothing, you continue."

"We are fighting every day. Why are the natives so warlike? And why don't we build factories and railways in East Africa?

Now only a few coastal cities have access to roads, and it is difficult for us to communicate with the inland areas, let alone transport supplies.

And if we can build factories locally, we can produce a lot of things ourselves and save a lot of money.”

Franz nodded. He was very pleased that Taffy could follow his thoughts and seemed to be really careful in thinking about these things.

“You are right, the railway will definitely be built, but the cost of building railways in Africa is too high now, and the flood problem has not been solved. It will be useless to build it. A flood will waste all the money.

You should solve the flood problem first and put the railway issue aside for now."

"Okay. But I don't understand water conservancy issues. I need to ask some experts to help me."

"no problem."

"What about the plan to invest in setting up a factory?"

“Yes, but the scale should not be too large. On the one hand, it is necessary to provide some jobs for the workers, and on the other hand, it is necessary to provide opportunities for immigrants to make money.

Beyond that, there will be big changes in the next few years.”

"Big change?"

“Well, now the Suez Canal has been started.”

"That would mean digging through two continents! Is that really possible? I thought you were kidding them."

"If I can fool one or two people, can I fool the whole world?"

Taffy blinked noncommittally.

“In ten years at most, the Mediterranean Sea will be connected to the Red Sea. By then, the distance between Tanzania and our country will be shortened by two-thirds, and the local industry will definitely be greatly impacted.

If you invest too much now, you will lose everything by the end.”

Taaffe did not question Franz's words because he knew very well that there were few countries in Europe, let alone colonies, that could compete with the industrial capacity of the Austrian Empire at that time.

But what Franz did not explicitly say was that the colonies should not have too strong industrial capabilities and a complete national system. After all, the economic base determines the superstructure.

“As for war, let the Dalits fight if they want, it is always good to expand territory, but don’t try to arm them.

Also, slavery is prohibited.”