European Financial Emperor

071 Those who prepare for the future (2)

Britain was somewhat encouraged by the war, just before the dawn of the Great Prussian War, initiated by the Ministry of Finance.

On the other hand, there were those who were preparing for war in a fairly calm atmosphere.

They were ‘Oxford Cannon’, a British artillery making company.

From the Great Spanish War in the past to the Napoleonic Wars, it was no exaggeration to say that the Oxford Canon’s achievements were truly revolutionary.

However, after Eaststellar’s really ridiculous specs were produced and shook the military market, it was falling into a coma.

Not long ago, they produced a cannon and cannon with the best range ever, but only the development cost was blown away by Eaststellar’s overwhelming firepower.

The British Ministry of Defense also participated in the board meeting convened in Cambridge, England, where Oxford Canon is headquartered.

The British Ministry of Defense owns a 15% stake in Oxford Cannon and holds a significant number of corporate bonds.

Oxford Canon now had to make a two-sided decision whether to close the company or to diversify its business.

Executives mostly turned to diversification.

“These days, the steel market is trending. Not long ago, Eaststellar took the scholars we took from England and created a new product, which opened up the possibility of manufacturing gloves.”

“Manufacture of gloves.”

“In addition, technology that can make high-strength and high-hardness reinforcing bars and wires has emerged, and it is said that a construction boom is taking place in South America by applying it to construction. I think we can diversify our company by following Eaststellar’s construction boom.”

“How are you going to raise the funds that go into it?”

“You just need to sell the government bonds you own and the corporate bonds of other companies.”

Defense Ministry officials shook their heads.

Because this wasn’t the answer they wanted.

“Cannon craftsmen make cannons, so why are they so weak and indecisive?”

“… … It’s useless to make cannons, so what do you mean?”

“Why is it useless? There are thousands of people lining up to buy your cannons.”

“If we bought our cannons, we wouldn’t even be able to use them because we were pushed by Eaststellar?”

“That’s what we’re talking about in Europe.”

“Then you mean to wage war on another continent?”

“That’s it.”

The Oxford Canon could not understand.

Where the hell are we going to fight another war in this country?

Even leaving behind the best weapons of the day.

“I don’t quite understand.”

“What is the situation in North America right now?”

“The United States and Mexico are pouring out huge amounts of carbonation against Spain and France.”

“okay. The war has already been waged. And all over North America. So, wars on other continents are being waged.”

“iced coffee… … !”

“Then that also means that you will eventually need common firearms, and most of the current artillery will be tied to Europe. If all of Eaststella’s cannons were thrown into the Dutch and Prussian wars, what would be left in the end?”

“It would be our Oxford Cannon. But no one will buy our cannons.”

“Is that North America?”

“That’s it. While Eaststellar’s production volume is being mobilized for the war with Prussia, hand over your new Oxford Cannon cannons to Portugal so that they can attack the North American continent. Perhaps France and Spain have acquired very few new Eaststellar cannons, and America is waging war with outdated artillery altogether. In the meantime, what will happen if your new cannons land in North America?”

“… … It will eat up North America in an instant.”

“okay. Now do you know? As for why you should build cannons.”

“Uh… … !”

If all goes according to the Department of Defense’s plans, Oxford Cannon will be able to enter a new business with the money it earns in North America.

Some would be able to attack the American market by paying cannons at a low price.

The only problem, if any, was what the British intended.

“So what do we get for Britain? I don’t think we’re going to support the war simply to keep the United States in check.”

“After all, they have been selling cannons for a long time, so the situation is quite bright.”

“Do you have any plans?”

“It’s a plan. There’s no such thing as being so blunt. We just want to make money by letting the United States eat land and selling military supplies there.”

“Are you going to fill the void in the economy with military trade?”

“Of course, that’s not all. In the future, we may be able to reclaim the North American colonies we lost.”

“… … Reclaim the colony?”

“Isn’t it worth it? It is to hand over the vast expanse of land to the United States.”

“Ugh!”

“If we build a new colony on that land, the current overproduction and trade deficit will of course be resolved. If that happens, even the United States, an emerging industrial country, will not be able to sustain its expansion.”

The Oxford Cannon saw the future in a plan laid out by the British Ministry of Defense.

They agreed to follow the Pentagon’s plan.

***

Three days later, Yi Hwan received the bow from the artisans.

He specifically asked me to make one more crossbow and one more longbow, which he had to practice and use.

The longbow is made from the lightest and most resilient alloy in existence, buffalo horns, and glued wood with rubber overcoats.

“The bow can be folded and unfolded, and you can hang it on your thigh when carrying it. Also, the bow string is made of a mixture of chemical fibers and wire, so it will be difficult to pull without a lot of strength. But I can assure you of its destructive power.”

“Oh, are you okay?”

“The scale was made precisely and firmly, as the boss said. The quiver can be mounted on arms, thighs or back, and has a cap to prevent arrows from spilling out. The arrows are light and hard, but the wood is thinly ironed to make it recyclable.”

“It’s really good. You’ve been through a lot.”

A crossbow is a form of using a shorter bow than a longbow, and it was made by improving existing parts.

The scale for shooting was precise and the accuracy was high.

Above all, it was highly useful because it could be used as a weapon immediately if the bow was removed from the crossbow.

“I am satisfied with this.”

“Then I wish you the best of luck in what you do.”

Artisans carved a four-leaf clover and edelweiss into their bows.

It was drawn in the hope that good luck will follow.

Lee Hwan handed this to the expedition.

They will now follow the circular top to North America, where they will begin their new journey.

“good luck.”

“thank you.”

Lee Hwan sincerely wished them good luck.

***

A few days later, on the way to Vienna, Austria.

Lee Hwan was driving a horseless carriage for the first time.

A power train made for basic power transmission was transplanted to the body made of iron, and a transmission was also attached, although primitive.

The wheels were made of steel with wood padding in places, and tires were rolled over the narrow wheels.

Since the tire had a comb-shaped groove, it was possible to drive it at a low speed even in the rain.

The top speed is around 60 km/h, and on average, it could run at a speed of 30 to 35 km/h.

For someone from the future, the speed of 35 km/h was truly heartbreaking, but in a land without the concept of a car itself, that wasn’t the case.

After reaching Austria by train from the Netherlands, Lee Hwan drove to the city center of Vienna.

When he appeared in the city, people’s eyes were focused on one place.

Tal Tal TAL… … .

Tire development was still incomplete, so even though the car’s suspension was roughly made, it seemed like my back would break.

The ride was really messy, but people wanted something like this, so they stopped and focused their eyes on Lee Hwan.

“If there is a horse-drawn carriage, then only geeks will ride it.”

“No, how about a silent train?”

“Aha! Then I see.”

Under the influence of the Vienna Conference, it was regarded as the capital of Europe, and as much as its reputation, the demand for carriages was high.

The road was sometimes blocked, so I was repeatedly standing and going, so naturally, I could hear people’s voices.

Although Lee Hwan was surprised that most were automobiles, he could see that he was sufficiently shaken by the appearance of a new vehicle.

‘If the promotion is done properly, it will sell well enough.’

What was more important was how to sell things rather than making new things.

Since Lee Hwan had an excellent ability to focus people’s attention, it could be said that he was very innate in that respect.

When he came to Austria, he was thinking of doing some car sales.

Hwan Lee, who drove to a mansion on the outskirts of the Habsburgs, about 20 km from the city center of Vienna, stood in front of a huge golden gate.

I’ve heard rumors that the outer houses of the Habsburgs were built of gold, but this was the first time I’d actually seen them.

“… … Hey, it’s like an imperial mansion.”

Among the Habsburgs, the core power group of the Austrian Empire, Elizabeth Sofia had a fairly strong position as the granddaughter of the Archduke.

The power of the family could be known enough just by looking at the ornate gate.

When Lee Hwan arrived at the entrance of the mansion, soldiers in silver armor approached him.

“Sir Michael Ritterkirk?”

“It is.”

A man in silver armor embroidered with a red lion greeted Lee Hwan.

“I heard a voice coming from afar and knew it. You are truly the owner of a company that leads innovation. welcome. This is Oscar, the guard captain of the mansion.”

“Nice to meet you. Ritterkirk.”

“The Archduke is waiting. Please eat inside.”

“The Grand Duke?”

The current Emperor’s uncle, Roan Schwerreitz von Österreich, was Archduke of Austria and former Marshal of the Army, leading an infantry unit.

As the head of the German Confederation, he was also a supporter who served as a political partner both physically and mentally behind the emperor who led the Habsburgs and the Austrian Empire.

He now resides in Vienna, the capital of Haustria, and served as the monarch of the Grand Duchy, assisting the emperor.

As the Grand Duchy of Austria is the heart of the empire and is said to be the core of the Habsburg family, it is not necessary to stress how important Schverreitz was.

He is also the current emperor’s political and diplomatic teacher, as well as a military adviser.

To say that such an archduke was waiting also created some tension for Lee Hwan.

Leaving the car at the gate for a while, ride a wagon to the back of the mansion.

Lee Hwan asked Oscar, who was sitting with him in the carriage.

“I only knew that you were attending a banquet with the lady of this house today. I didn’t know the Archduke was waiting for you.”

“You don’t know how much the Archduke was looking forward to the Lord’s visit. The Grand Duke was very pleased when the young lady announced that she had a good opportunity at the right time.”

“Ugh.”

“Anyway, I don’t think there will be any loss from this meeting.”

“It is so.”

Yi Hwan had the opportunity to meet the Archduke of Austria.

To be able to meet him, who is called the two great mountain ranges in Austria, did not even know if this would be a turning point in Lee Hwan’s life in the future.