Chapter 627 Nouveau riche
Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.
Franz was stunned as he looked at the list made by Archduke Karl. The latter's request far exceeded the former's estimate.
But he knew very well that the Swiss' verbal strength did not match their actual mobilization ability, and their fighting will was equally worrying.
Historically, the Swiss Catholic League claimed that it had 110,000 troops, but the total number of casualties on both sides during the entire civil war was only 86, of which nearly half were non-combat losses.
This made it difficult for Franz to place too high expectations on it, so the weapons and equipment requested by Archduke Karl were rejected due to the financial difficulties of the empire.
However, Austria will distribute relief food to the Catholic League (Orthodox League) through churches and other charitable organizations, and Franz even plans to hold a fundraiser in Vienna.
"Galicia has also been hit by a disaster, why don't you also do a fundraiser?"
Adjani said insinuatingly.
Speaking of which, the Poles are really a strange nation, stubborn and surprisingly arrogant. Even if they were frustrated by Franz many times, she would still try.
But it may be precisely because of this kind of character that they can successfully restore the country every time.
"Yes, but not in the name of the Polish Nationalist Army." This is Franz's bottom line. He cannot spend money to cause trouble for himself. Spending money and betraying the country is really stupid.
"Don't worry, don't worry, I'm on their wanted list. I, Adjani, am now the most loyal servant of the Habsburg family."
She patted the large patch of snow-white on her chest, which made it tremble wildly. Franz could only hold his forehead and pretend not to see it.
"Take out the word faithful."
In fact, as he grew older, Franz's body also quietly changed.
Fundraising is a win-win situation for the royal family and the government. It can not only relieve the pressure of disaster relief, but also enhance the credibility (good reputation) of the royal family and the government.
And now that 1848 is getting closer, a good reputation will add more security to one's future.
After all, Galicia and Tyrol were the only regions that did not participate in the rebellion during the Year of the Storm.
At this time, Galicians were still third-class citizens of the Austrian Empire, but with the opening of the railway, the area would also usher in a wave of great development.
Franz just took this opportunity to express his goodwill to them in advance. After all, the icing on the cake is far less memorable than giving help in the nick of time.
"No way, I am really extremely loyal. You see, I still have their reward order."
Franz looked at the photo that had obviously been traced many times and said helplessly.
"You printed this reward order, right?"
Adjani was a little surprised, but then shook her head.
"The paper used for printing is from the Belgrade factory, the ink used for printing is from Bohemia, and the reward order is most likely printed from the newspaper "Good Night, Vienna". How could the rebels use it? Can you afford these things?”
Franz was a little helpless, and so was Adjani.
"They printed it so ugly! Who can recognize me!"
"You're not afraid that they will actually send a killer."
"I go in and out of either the palace or the mansions of important people all day long, and the escorts I travel with are all your personal guards. If they are really capable, I am afraid they would have broken into the palace long ago."
Adjani looked completely confident. In fact, assassination required not only courage, but also careful planning and a little bit of luck.
In fact, Adjani has suffered many assassinations over the years. Not only did gunmen directly block the road and assassinate her, but there were also people who tried to sneak into balls held by upper-class nobles, and even directly sneaked into the institution where Franz trained spies.
However, there are many rules in Vienna's upper class circles. Not everyone can enter with an invitation letter, nor can they just have a noble title.
Among institutions that train spies, a very important training is counterintelligence. And those newcomers are easily exposed in front of the veterans who are instructors, and Adjani is a master who has studied this skill intensively.
Therefore, those boys and girls who are used as chess pieces often never return. Those who are more lucky will be sent to Africa to work as hard labor, and those who are less lucky may appear directly in the garbage dump of the slums, or in the Danube River. Of course, there are also It could be anywhere
Those who return are often double agents who have been instigated or brainwashed. In fact, the distribution and actions of the Polish Nationalist Army in Austria at this time, Adjani may be better than Landry Promi (the leader of the Polish Nationalist Army at this time) Still clear.
But there was one thing that Franz was quite curious about. He was very interested in his bounty.
So he asked insinuatingly.
"I would like to know who is the person with the highest bounty placed by the Polish Nationalist Army at this time?"
Adjani may have limited understanding of politics and Franz's "big plans," but she understands men and pretends to answer without thinking.
"Tsar, Nicholas I."
But inadvertently, the corner of his mouth had raised an arc. But Adjani concealed it so well that Franz didn't notice it. The latter is a bit depressing, but the former is right.
The Tsar and Russia are indeed the sworn enemies of the Poles, and they also occupy the most Polish territory. It is completely reasonable to list them as the number one hunting target.
But this was obviously not what Franz wanted to hear, so he continued to ask.
"I'm asking about China."
"Francistan Karelinsky."
Frankenstein Karelinski was originally a high-level member of the Polish Restoration Army. In fact, he had been serving the Tsarist Russian government or indirectly or directly killing many real Polish Restorationists.
In 1845, he even openly surrendered to the Tsar, was granted the title of Russian nobility, and became the head of the Special Third Section in Poland.
"I'm asking about the Austrian Empire." Franz said helplessly.
Adjani pretended to be surprised and said: "Emperor Ferdinand I! The reward is 500,000 rubles."
"What about number two?"
"Your mother, Madame Sophie. The reward is 450,000 rubles."
"What about third?"
"Prince Metternich, the reward is 300,000 rubles."
Franz finally had enough.
"How much am I!?"
"1."
"10,000 rubles?" Franz asked in surprise, and Adjani shook her head.
"1 ruble!"
"This is so disrespectful!"
Franz felt insulted, but Adjani laughed so hard that she deliberately spoke provocatively.
"Who would have trouble with a little kid who pretends to be a fool?"
"No! You have to give me more!"
Franz felt that he had lost face and desperately wanted to regain some dignity.
"Just wait a little longer. The bounty will naturally be higher when you reach adulthood next year. Although the Polish Restoration Army is considered evil, it is not so bad as to attack underage children."
Adjani's explanation made Franz even more unhappy, but fortunately there was only one year left.
Franz suddenly remembered something else.
"Is Mr. Wheatstone here?"
"No! These British people are so arrogant! Not only did they reject invitations from two magazines, Nature and Science, but they also wrote an article criticizing the Austrian Empire."
Franz was speechless for a while.
"What did he say?"
"Mr. Wheatstone says the Austrian Empire is an upstart!"