Chapter 228 Setting Sail

February 1, 1840.

The "Venice", as a steam-powered ship without a paddle wheel, did not cause a sensation. After all, after the Five-Power Conference, the focus of the powers was no longer on the Austrian Empire.

In the luxurious box, Franz was lying on a specially made big bed, reading a newspaper while enjoying a foot massage by the sound of the great salt cedar.

At this time, Friedrich pushed the door in angrily, and after seeing the scene in front of him for two seconds, he drew a cross.

"Oh, God! What a degenerate man!"

"Close the door, the air conditioning will escape." Franz said carelessly.

Friedrich subconsciously closed the door. Although this place is on the sea, the weather has been very hot and humid because it has left the Mediterranean.

There is air conditioning in Franz's room. After the sweaty Friedrich blew the cold wind, he naturally agreed with Franz's point of view, but he soon realized that it was wrong.

"Franz, you bastard! We clearly agreed to build warships, why did you change it to a transport ship (merchant ship)?"

"This is what your father agreed to. He is the financial sponsor. I just provided the design plan."

Franz spread his hands to show that it had nothing to do with him, but Friedrich would not believe his lies.

"Who are you kidding? My father doesn't know how to build a ship. Whatever you say must be true!"

Franz had to sit up.

"We are afraid that you will die young."

"Nonsense! When I have enough steamships, I will take over Crete and Gibraltar."

Friedrich seemed very excited. It was obvious that Franz killed his dream.

"You still say you are not the type to die early? If you succeed, I'm afraid the British will bring the entire North Sea Fleet here. Don't think that a few ironclad ships can change the situation. Under the 64-pound gun, the iron sheet is as fragile as paper."

Here is a correction of a previous mistake. The propeller was first invented by Austrian Joseph Zerel in 1829.

It is almost a consensus that iron-hulled ships are stronger than wooden ships. However, because the iron-hulled hull will affect the accuracy of important navigation instruments on the ship, such as the magnetic compass, it was strictly limited to transport ships used in inland rivers at the beginning.

But if you can strictly follow the safety production regulations, you are not a capitalist. The French "Aaron", the American "Great Western", the British "Sirius", iron-hulled steamships were launched one after another and shuttled across the ocean without scruples.

In 1839, British astronomer George Eley finally solved the compass problem, and Britain dropped a bombshell, the Great Britain, the first steam iron-hulled ship in human history exceeding 4,000 tons.

Due to the arrival of the British Mediterranean Fleet, and under the guise of protecting the Jews, it showed off its power on the oceans of various countries.

Therefore, countries in the Mediterranean region launched a maritime equipment competition, and warships from France, Russia, Britain, and even Sardinia and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies were launched like dumplings.

At this time, Austria launched three 3,000-ton iron-hulled steam transport ships, which made Friedrich very annoyed. He didn't understand what these things were for. Could they fight land battles at sea like the Spanish?

In fact, Franz built these iron-hulled steam ships not as warships, but as cruise ships and transport ships.

It's just that many people still can't understand the value of these transport ships, because the clippers of the same period were not only cheap but also fast. It took less than 3 months to travel from London, England to Mumbai, while traditional sailing ships took 5 months or even half a year.

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

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

There was nothing they could do about it. After all, after Frederick had tasted the sweetness of sneak attacks, he had his eyes on the British Mediterranean Fleet.

Although this spirit of not fearing a strong enemy is admirable, this practice of gambling on national destiny is not advisable. After all, the Austrian Empire envisioned by Franz is a truly great power, not a nouveau riche like Japan and South Korea.

Moreover, for the possible immigration wave of millions of people in the future, these 3,000-ton steamships may not be enough.

"Then we just watch the British ships, showing off their power in the Mediterranean all day long?" Friedrich asked.

"What else? I would rather have a mediocre peace than a glorious war. Don't forget the ancestral teachings!"

This sentence was said by Queen Theresa. At that time, the Austrian Empire had greatly depleted its national strength due to continuous wars. Although the Austrian economy was recovering at this time, it was still in the pain brought about by the Napoleonic Wars.

Franz brought out the family rules of his ancestors, which immediately made Friedrich speechless.

But the real reason for his speechlessness was that he was a warmonger, but he was full of peace.

"What's wrong with this lady? You actually let a lady massage your feet, disgusting guy! I want to break up with you!"

Franz said indifferently to Friedrich's threat.

"This is Miss Oshiosugi Oon, from Japan. As for foot massage, it is a local custom. I also respect people's national traditions."

Although Oshiosugi Oon didn't like Franz's lies, she still knelt down politely (under the ground) to salute Friedrich. After all, she was not a guest of Franz at this time, but a servant.

What's more, in Oshiosugi's cognition, whether she can return to Japan depends on Franz's thoughts. And she doesn't think that serving Franz is a shameful thing at all. On the contrary, she feels very honored.

"Hello, Archduke Frederick, I have heard of your name for a long time. It is a great honor to meet the hero who attacked Alexandria today."

However, the former's action scared the latter and he jumped directly on the stool.

"What's the situation? Customs and habits?"

Friedrich asked in shock, and Franz nodded with a smile.

"Dayanshanyi?"

"Oshiosugi."

"Miss Oshiosugi, your German is good. Is what this guy said true?" Friedrich asked curiously.

"Yes, thanks to Archduke Franz. He took me in and paid for me to go to the Women's College." Oshiosugi is a smart girl. She knows that the other party is not used to Japanese etiquette, so she changed her way of speaking.

At this time, Friedrich began to observe the girl in front of him carefully. She was 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 are with such a beautiful girl again, how can I not think of something wrong! I have been fighting for this country all day long, and now I am 19 years old! I have never even touched a girl's hand!"

Friedrich had a deep resentment, because every time he saw Franz, Franz was always surrounded by beautiful women, while he was only surrounded by big men and smelly feet.

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

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

"Look, it's not others' fault."

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

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

Friedrich thought about it and felt that Franz's words made sense, but he still asked.

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

Chapter 2 was posted in the wrong place in Volume 4.