Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Adjani didn't know how long she had been asleep, sat up in a daze, saw that Franz's study was still lit, briefly tidied up in the mirror, and walked over.

"Are you awake?" Franz asked first.

"Well, wake up." Adjani smiled politely but awkwardly.

"There are some things that need to be done by you." Then Franz handed her four bundles of proposals.

Franz plans to sign a 12-year development contract with Mexico for development in California.

Austria will build at least four cities for Mexico, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, as well as roads, build an industrial and agricultural base, and attract at least 300,000 immigrants to Mexico.

Theoretically, these jobs would cost a billion florins, and the Mexican government certainly can't afford that.

So according to the old rules, with justice, taxes, and land as collateral, Tasang Anna will not feel a loss in this business.

After all, if it is handed over to the Mexicans, it will be difficult to develop even in another twenty years. Mexico was officially founded in 1821, but in the next 18 years, the population of California increased from 3,500 to 4,000, with an actual population of about 20,000 and more than 300,000 indigenous Indians.

At that time, California was a living hell for Mexicans with plagues, poisonous snakes, and Indians.

And in the eyes of Tasan Anna, as long as he handed over California to Austria, he would be free to organize the defense of New Mexico with all his might.

New Mexico is also sparsely populated, but it faces Texas (a French colony) and the United States, and there are even many illegal immigrants who have set foot on New Mexico's soil.

As for Mexico's present financial problems, it was possible to exchange large quantities of industrial raw materials and silver directly with Austria for the necessary goods, and the Austrian fleet would guarantee it from harassment by other nations and pirates.

At the same time, Austria will fund the establishment of the Austro-Mexican Joint Development Company to help Mexico develop mining and agriculture, as well as the military industry. Of course, the Mexican government provides the necessary policy and legal protection, and the Mexican side receives 70% of the profits, after deducting the costs of investment and continued development in Austria.

In order to maximize Mexico's power, Franz intends to turn it into a powerful agricultural country and let it drain the flesh and blood of the United States as much as possible.

The Mexicans were very satisfied with these conditions, but they added their own conditions just in case, because they were afraid that Austria would repeat its old tricks and use immigrants to occupy Mexican land, as the Americans did.

Tasan Anna demanded that the majority of immigrants be Catholic and speak Latin, and although Austria and California were separated by the Atlantic Ocean and the land block, Tasan Anna chose to be cautious.

Franz naturally understood the Mexican mind, and this little problem was not too much for him.

At the same time, the development of California was in the name of Franz personally, and the Austro-Mexican United Company was in the name of Austria.

Once the Mexicans are done, the next step is to find an official who is strong enough to take on the task and loyal enough at the same time.

This task naturally fell to Baron Brooke, and after the discovery of the vast amount of gold in California, it was difficult to guarantee that someone would be able to keep his heart and not let some crooked thoughts be intended.

Of course, even the most virtuous person needs restraint to keep his heart intact, and Franz also needs an absolutely loyal army.

Naturally, it was the Royal Dragoon Regiment left to him by Franz II, and the soldiers of this regiment were either rich or noble, and they all had good prospects.

Equipped with a reliable general, Franz looked around and found that the family of Archduke Karl were all treasures.

Karl Archduke's second son, Archduke Carl Ferdinand, he was not as brilliant as his brothers, so he would not have acted as high-profile as Albreich and Friedrich.

But this does not mean that he is a mediocre talent, on the contrary, Archduke Carl Ferdinand is considered one of the best generals in Austria, but because he is too low-key, he has not performed much in his life, after all, his father and brother are too dazzling, and the Austrian Empire is too short.

As for the issue of immigration and labor, it is too simple, and there must be many people in Spain who want to escape from the sea of misery at this time, not to mention the poor creatures of the Central American Federation, who all have the same language and the same beliefs as the Mexicans.

But if that would make them Mexicans, Franz would have to laugh.

There is another advantage of Austria developing California, that is, there will be no more Chinese labor tragedy.

The deal would be of great benefit to both Austria and Mexico, as well as save a large number of refugees. As for the local natives, it is best to let the Mexican Indians negotiate peacefully, and if they can integrate into the city and the countryside, they can also help.

Franz noticed the shoes on Adjani's feet, which had been replaced by the flats she usually wore.

"Why did you wear high heels before?" Franz asked.

In fact, the trend of wearing high heels began in the mid-to-late 19th century, and thanks to the development of photographic technology, women discovered the charm of such shoes.

After the Napoleonic Wars, high heels were almost extinct in Europe, only in the high-class brothels of Paris. Later, it spread to the United States and became one of the American characteristics.

Adjani was embarrassed to see her experience as a Polish exile and former leader of the Polish Restoration Army more complicated than Franz had imagined.

"Because it's beautiful." This is indeed the most fundamental reason for Adjani to wear high heels, she is 169 cm tall, and she is definitely a tall woman in this era.

It is the nature of women to love beauty, and they will try all kinds of ways to satisfy their desires, even at the expense of cutting flesh and bones, and wiping their faces with arsenic...

Franz understood, but said anyway.

"Stinky beauty! After soaking your feet, you slept for six hours straight. ”

"Why do you wash your feet? Is there anything you want me to do? Adjani asked.

"It's all handed over to you, what is the foot-washing ceremony? I'm just letting you soak your feet and relieve your fatigue. Franz replied.

"Oh? Is that so? Don't say it, it's really comfortable. Adjani said.

"yes, then please don't make that weird noise next time." Franz said.

"And what kind of sound do you want to hear?" Adjani winked at Franz and said with a smile.

Franz picked up a book and flew over, but was quickly caught by Adjani.

"Alright, go to bed early, there's still a lot to do tomorrow."

"Good night, Grand Duke Franz."

"Good night, Miss Adjani."

After Adjani left, Franz closed the book.

Archbishop Rauscher has been waiting for a long time in the chapel next door.

(End of chapter)