The next day, the rescue operation continued, and under the command of the Austrian officers, more people were rescued, more usable supplies were searched, and the port's functions were restored.

Of course, in exchange, the dock workers who were rescued and gathered would first repair the damaged Austrian warship. With proper management and incentives, the efficiency of these boatmen has been raised to an unprecedented level.

At this rate, the restoration work can be completed in less than two weeks. The actual casualties of this disaster were much higher than Franz had imagined.

Over the next few days, more than a thousand swollen and stinky corpses were found, and they had to be quickly cremated to avoid the appearance of the plague.

Franz, who has a heart, will naturally not be idle, and he took this opportunity to rely on "sugar-coated cannonballs" to win over a group of self-righteous British officials and celebrities and gentlemen in India, after all, the machinery, clocks and other small crafts of the Austrian Empire are indeed better than those of the United Kingdom.

In addition, the advanced Austrian revolver, a street weapon, is also sought after by the locals. Of course, the Indian kings were even more eager to invite Franz.

Nana Sahib and Kiel Singh, who were already powerful and had long been dissatisfied with the British like Tandia Toby, were the focus of his wooing.

These Indian princes are richer than expected, and they are willing to establish long-term and stable trade relations with Austria. Even the anti-British fighter Badge Rao II, who was far away in Zhangxi, quietly sent an emissary to contact Franz after receiving a message from Tandia Toby.

It's just that there is one thing that is very confusing, that is, more than ten days have passed, the repair work of the Austrian ship is nearing completion, and the dock has been basically restored, but there is still no British rescue team.

Of course, what is not known to everyone is that the other side is slow to react because of another big trouble during this period, that is, the Redwood Army that invaded Afghanistan suffered a crushing defeat.

Although they held out for two more months than they were in history, they received nothing but higher costs and more exaggerated casualty figures.

The retreating British army from Kabul was pursued by Akbar Khan's main force all the way, coupled with bad weather and environmental influences, and constant harassment by tribal forces along the way, and finally the team of more than 20,000 people was left with only one doctor left to return to Jalalabad Citadel alone.

(Jalalabad Castle, a British border fortress.) ）

George Eden, the Viceroy of India, an active advocate and proponent of the war in Afghanistan, never imagined that the invincible Redwood Army would be planted in this desert where birds don't.

Not long ago, he had just been awarded the title of Earl of Auckland, and if he lost Afghanistan at this time, not only would his position as the viceroy of India be lost, but even his political career would be ruined.

Compared with his own political future, the natural disaster and tsunami did not concern the governor at all, and he immediately ordered the British troops stationed in various places to immediately send half of their troops north to retake Kabul at all costs.

George Eden's approach led directly to the emptiness of troops in India, but fortunately, most of the locals were more honest.

Only the mighty Sikh Empire was ready to move, after all, after the reforms of Rangid Singh, they had the strongest artillery in the Indian subcontinent and the infantry and cavalry second only to the British, with a total strength of 80,000 at one point.

The Sikh Empire had 14 standing artillery regiments with 192 guns and more than 4,500 gunners. Although the size of the establishment has been reduced with the death of Ranjid, it is still the strongest presence in the Indian subcontinent.

In addition, they adopted a comprehensive reform of the French military system, from training to establishment to tactics. The threat of the Sikhs was understandable to British India, and George Eden had to draw troops from all over the world again to guard against this formidable enemy.

By this time, Calcutta was almost an empty city, and the British commanders stationed there could only strictly forbid contact with the Austrians who had landed on the shore, and never provoke them.

However, it was a good thing for the Austrians that the British did not come, after all, the transfer of power and materiel would be troublesome at that time. In this case, it is better to solve the problem according to your own wishes - balancing the interests of all parties.

As for those that could be brought back to the homeland, those that could not be transported were given as a reward and reward for the hard work of the Indians and shipwrights.

Franz's one-and-done approach equalized everyone's interests, at least on the surface, with a look of gratitude. As the Imperial fleet slowly sailed out of port, people gathered on the newly restored docks to say goodbye.

There was also an interesting episode in which some Indian reformists came to Calcutta to ask the Austrians for reform.

It's just that these people showed contempt when they saw that the leaders of the Austrian Empire were two small children. Friedrich was relatively short and had no habit of growing beards, so he looked like he was fifteen or sixteen years old.

Although Franz looks like a little adult in the old city, his actual age is only twelve years old.

There were also exceptions, such as the envoy sent by Baji Rao II was actually a little girl of seven or eight years old, and when she saw Franz, she couldn't help but let out a disdainful snort.

"Aren't you a child too! Hum what hum! ”

"Humph!" The little girl made that sound again.

It seems that Franz needs to show her the price of arrogance, ignorance and weakness!

Although she came on horseback and practiced Indian martial arts since childhood, she was still helpless in front of Franz, a connoisseur with a wealth of life experience.

Franz tucked it under his arm, and then after a congenial exchange he persuaded him, and immediately asked, "What's your name?" ”

The little girl has received unbearable training from ordinary people since she was a child, but she has never been bullied, let alone lost to others, and she suddenly felt very aggrieved when she was "persuaded" by him.

There was no answer, and Franz had to raise her hand again, this time very quickly.

"Lakshmi Bhayi."

"It's nice to be like this earlier."

Her sister Maria, who was spoiled by her parents, was also naughty all day long, so she had to let the other party know the rules herself.

Although this is a bit cruel, the sooner you understand the rules and the bottom line, the better, otherwise sooner or later one day she will be hurt even more, or break out of a catastrophe that no one can solve, and it will be too late to regret it.

"What are you here for?"

"Send a message."

"Then why do you give such a heavy trust to the young man? Isn't there anyone else? ”

"The Maharaja is watched by the British and cannot leave his territory, so he can only let me come."

Lakshmi Bayi is telling the truth, Baji Rao II once raised the banner of resistance. After the defeat, his actions were limited throughout his life.

That's when Franz held out his hand to her. Lakshmi Bhayi looked at each other with a puzzled expression.

"Where's the letter?!"

"It's a message."

"Then why didn't you say it earlier!"

Later, Franz had a "friendly" exchange with him, and only then did he learn the content of the message.

To be honest, he was a little disappointed, because the behavior of the prince made Franz feel a little disdainful. The message is very long, but it can be summed up in four words: "drive the tiger and devour the wolf".

This Badge Rao II hoped to restore himself to his position by the hand of Austria, or at least to inflict some blow on the British.

As for the fleshy things, such as measuring India's material resources to form the favor of the empire, admiring Western civilization, and being willing to convert to Catholicism, they are all empty promises.

What made Franz look down on him even more was that this self-conscious "hero" actually sent a little girl to deliver a message, of course, for safety, after all, who would have thought that a little girl would bring such a long message.

In addition, Tong Yan Wuji, whether for the British or the Austrian, he can put all the blame on a little girl.

Looking at the poor little girl beside him, Franz opened a box and stuffed her with a lollipop and gave her a new watch.

Lakshmi Bayi, who received the gift, wiped her tears and left happily.

(End of chapter)