February 1, 1840.

The Venice, as a steam-powered ship without paddle wheels, did not cause a sensation, after all, the focus of the Great Powers after the Five Powers was not on the Austrian Empire.

In the luxury box, Franz was lying on a special large bed, reading the newspaper while enjoying a foot massage in the sound of the big salt cedar.

At this point, Friedrich angrily pushed the door and broke in, and after being stunned for two seconds at the sight of the image in front of him, he drew a cross.

"Oh God! What a depraved man! ”

"When the door closes, the aircon will run out." Franz said nonchalantly.

Friedrich subconsciously closed the door, although it was by sea, but because it was out of the Mediterranean, the weather had been very hot and humid.

And Franz's room was air-conditioned, and after the sweaty Friedrich blew the cold air, he naturally agreed with Franz's opinion, but he soon realized that something was wrong.

"Franz, you guy! Obviously said that it was a warship, why was it changed by you to a transport ship (merchant ship). ”

"This is what your father agreed, he is the financier, and I am just providing the design plan."

Franz spread his hands and said that he had nothing to do with him, but Friedrich would not believe his nonsense.

"Who are you fooling? My father didn't know how to build ships at all, so he must have said what he said! ”

Franz had no choice but to sit up.

"We're afraid you'll die young."

"Nonsense! When I have enough steamboats, I'll take both Crete and Gibraltar."

Friedrich looked agitated, and it was clear that Franz had killed his dream.

"You still say you're not the type to die early? If you succeed in this, I'm afraid the British will drive the entire North Sea Fleet over. Don't think a few ironclads will change the situation, under the 64-pounder gun, that layer of iron is as fragile as paper. ”

To correct a previous error, the propeller was first invented by the Austrian Josef Zerell in 1829.

Iron-hulled ships are stronger than wooden ones, this is the consensus of almost everyone. However, because the iron-hulled hull would affect the accuracy of the ship's important navigational instruments, such as the magnetic compass, it was initially strictly limited to inland river transport vessels.

However, if you can strictly follow the regulations on safe production, you will not be a capitalist. The French "Aaron", the American "Great West", the British "Sirius", iron-hulled steamships continued to underground water and shuttled the ocean without any scruples.

In 1839, the British astronomer George Elli finally solved the problem of the compass, and Britain dropped a bombshell, the "Great Britain", the first steam-iron ship of more than 4,000 tons in human history.

With the arrival of the British Mediterranean Fleet, and in the name of protecting the Jews, they flaunted their might on the seas of various countries.

So the countries of the Mediterranean region launched a competition for maritime equipment, and the warships of France, Russia, Great Britain, and even the kingdoms of Sardinia and the Two Sicilies were launched like dumplings.

At this time, Austria launched three 3,000-ton iron-hulled steam carriers, which annoyed Friedrich, who did not understand the use of these things, could it be like the Spaniards to fight land battles at sea?

In fact, Franz built these iron-hulled steamships not to be warships at all, but to cruise ships and transport ships.

However, many people still do not understand the value of these transport ships, because the flying clippers of the same period were not only cheap but also fast, taking less than 3 months to travel from London to Mumbai, while traditional sailing ships took 5 months, or even half a year.

Now with steamships, that time will be further reduced to two months.

Franz agreed with Archduke Karl to convert the three steam warships that were supposed to be launched this year into transport ships.

This is also something that cannot be helped, after all, after Friedrich tasted the sweetness of the sneak attack, he was worried about the British Mediterranean fleet.

Although this spirit of fearless of strong enemies is admirable, this kind of gamble on the fortunes of the country is not advisable, after all, Franz envisioned the Austrian Empire as a real power, not an upstart like Japan and South Korea.

And for the possible future wave of million-level migration, these 3,000-ton steamships may not be enough.

"Then we'll watch the ships of the British, all day long in the Mediterranean?" Friedrich asked.

"Or else? It is better to have a mediocre peace than a glorious war. Don't forget the ancestral teachings! ”

This sentence was said by Empress Teresa, at that time, the Austrian Empire was greatly depleted by successive wars, and although the Austrian economy was recovering at this time, it was still in the midst of the pain caused by the Napoleonic Wars.

Franz moved out of the ancestral family law, which immediately left Friedrich speechless.

But the reason why he is really speechless is that he is a warmonger, but he is full of peace.

"What's the matter with this young lady? You actually let a lady pinch your feet, disgusting guy! I'm going to break up with you! ”

Regarding Friedrich's threat, Franz said indifferently.

"This is Miss Oshio Shanyin, from Japan, and as for pinching feet, it's a local custom. I also respect other people's national traditions."

Although she did not like Franz for talking nonsense, she still politely knelt down and saluted Friedrich, after all, she was not a guest of Franz at this time, but a servant.

What's more, in the cognition of the big salt Shanyin, whether he can return to Japan is only in Franz's thoughts. And she didn't feel at all that it was a shame to serve Franz, on the contrary, she felt honored.

"Hello, Archduke Friedrich, I have heard of your name for a long time, and it is really a blessing to have the honor to meet the hero of the surprise attack on Alexandria today."

It's just that the former's actions scared the latter so much that he jumped directly onto the stool.

"What's going on? Customs? ”

Friedrich asked in shock, and Franz smiled and nodded.

"Dayan Mountain One?"

"Big salt fir sound."

"Miss Osashine, your German is good. What this guy says is true? Friedrich asked curiously.

"Yes, thanks to the Archduke Franz. He took me in and paid for me to go to a women's college. "Oshio Shanyin is a smart girl, and she knows that the other party is a little uncomfortable with Japanese etiquette, so she changes her way of speaking.

At this time, Friedrich began to carefully observe the girl in front of him, she looked very fair, but her clothes looked strange, but she had an indescribable temperament.

"He didn't do anything strange to you."

"Uncle Friedrich, please be serious."

"You're with such a beautiful girl again, how can I not want to be crooked! Lao Tzu was born and died for this country all day long, and now he is nineteen years old! I haven't even touched a girl's hand! ”

Friedrich's resentment was quite deep, because every time he saw Franz, Franz was always surrounded by beautiful women, and he was surrounded only by big men and stinky feet.

"Shanyin, touch Friedrich's hand." Franz ordered.

As soon as Friedrich's hand touched Friedrich, he jumped on the stool again.

"You see, it's not anyone else's fault."

"Then it's too dangerous for her to be a girl in the same room with you alone." Friedrich said.

"I think it's much better to be with me than to be in my own room and face sailors who haven't seen a woman in months."

Friedrich thought for a moment and thought that Franz had a point, but he asked anyway.

"Franz, what's the use of you bringing her here?"

Chapter 2 is misplaced in the fourth volume.

(End of chapter)