Chapter 1232: People die for money

Chapter 1232: People die for money

Vienna, Hofburg Palace.

Zhu Qiongying, who was forcibly called back, glared at Franz. After all, she was a little angry after being called "The Right One" for so many years.

After being repeatedly tossed by Franz, this time she was asked to go to the Qing Dynasty to receive refugees.

"You think you can threaten me? I'm not your doll, you can rub it as you please!"

Franz explained.

"No, it's not a threat."

Zhu Qiongying felt happy. She felt that she had won the bet again. She was about to say something, but she heard Franz continue.

"This is an order."

Zhu Qiongying's face turned ugly. She had endured the humiliation before, but now she really couldn't bear it anymore. However, Zhu Qiongying took a deep breath and spoke softly.

"Dear Your Majesty Franz, your request is not within the scope of our previous agreement, and our southern Ming territory is limited and our population has reached its limit.

You don't allow us to compete with the Dutch for territory, so what can we do? "

Franz laughed.

"It's very simple. If you do as I say, I will give you a new Jiangnan!"

"real?"

Zhu Qiongying's eyes lit up after hearing this. Although she didn't like the guy in front of her, she knew that he was a person who kept his word.

"certainly."

Franz answered in the affirmative, then walked up and picked Zhu Qiongying up.

"But I will keep your secret for the rest of my life."

On the other side of the world, Australia, with a land area of ​​7.74 million square kilometers, has only 430,000 residents at this time, but its population will soon quadruple.

This is the charm of gold.

However, gold in Australia was not discovered in 1851 as is well known, but earlier in 1823 when a surveyor discovered gold by the river. After that, a geologist named Clark was ordered to investigate.

Soon the geologist made an astonishing discovery, and he was very excited to bring the large number of samples he had found to Governor George Gipps.

"Lord Governor, we are going to get rich! There is a golden mountain here! No! There may be more than one!"

However, Governor George Gipps said solemnly after hearing this.

"Mr. Clark, put those things away quickly, or our throats will be cut!"

In fact, the Australian authorities value security and stability more than gold. After all, this was once a penal colony for British criminals, and various large and small security cases emerged in endlessly.

Outsiders, travelers, and even hired workers often disappear mysteriously in the local area. These cases are often defined as disappearances. After all, it is normal for people to get lost in Australia.

Occasionally, mutilated corpses are found, which the authorities attribute to savage attacks.

In fact, it's not that those officials didn't know what happened, they were just afraid of retaliation and habitually pretended that nothing happened.

After all, Australia is so big and has so many wild resources. As long as the murderer wants to escape, he can always find a place to stay.

In the eyes of the British government, killing an individual was really nothing in Australia at that time. The descendants of these demons could do anything as long as they were given enough temptation.

Therefore, the Australian government is afraid that gold will cause riots and even rebellions. In their view, it is not impossible for these criminals to establish an independent country like the Yankees.

Later, in 1839, another geologist proposed the same point of view, but it still failed to attract the attention of the authorities.

In 1847 a shepherd discovered gold under a fallen tree, in 1849 a Melbourne goldsmith picked up gold while out and about, and soon after a Ballarat shepherd picked up gold.

That same year, a builder on the island of Gippsland stumbled across gold while repairing a fence, and rumors of gold continued to pour in.

Until the news spread back to England in 1851, gold diggers all over the world were crazy about it.

Franz has already started his layout in Australia, but his goal is not gold.

In fact, it may be difficult for ordinary people to mine gold from under the eyes of the British, but it is not difficult for the Austrian Empire.

However, petty theft could no longer satisfy Franz's appetite. Instead of small-scale mining in private, it was better to cooperate with the British, which would benefit both parties.

However, even cooperation cannot be official, this kind of thing can only be done in private. Franz's chosen lobbyist was Archduke Leopold I of Belgium.

After the Luxembourg Crisis, the Kingdom of Belgium has been downgraded to the Principality of Belgium. However, after being a caged bird of the French for several years, especially after almost becoming a prisoner during the Second Republic, King Leopold I did not hate Franz and Austria so much. .

Leopold I knew very well that the core of the German Confederation was the Austrian Empire, and the fate of the Principality of Belgium was in Franz's hands.

Both parties are smart people and don't need too much nonsense to get to the point. The Austrian Empire has provided people, equipment, and technology, and has already discovered the approximate location of the gold mine.

The British royal family only needs to issue a permit and then allow the Austrian Empire to introduce labor and equipment. After deducting the cost of the gold dug out, the two parties will pay a 50-50 split or the company will pay 100,000 pounds to the British government every year.

King Leopold I took a breath, he couldn't help but be shocked by Franz's courage. Whether it is a 50-50 split or an annual dividend of 100,000 pounds, it is a fantasy.

After all, most gold mines in the world only produce 10,000 or even a few thousand pounds a year. After deducting the cost, Austria must mine at least 20 gold mines at the same time to ensure that it does not lose money.

To maximize the output of these 20 gold mines, tens of thousands of workers are needed. Where can the Austrian Empire find so many cheap laborers?

Is every gold mine in Australia a rich mine?

Leopold I shook his head. He thought it was unlikely.

"Franz, my brother. Is it too risky for you to do this?"

Faced with Leopold I's temptation, Franz asked directly.

"Is there any business in the world that is guaranteed to make money?"

"But I see that you look confident."

"If you don't believe that you can win, what else can you do?"

Leopold I smiled.

"I believe the British royal family will accept your proposal."

"I wish you success."

Half a month later, London, England.

Victoria and her husband were still very excited when they heard the news of Leopold I's visit, but they felt a little guilty.

After all, when Belgium faced two life-and-death crises, Britain chose to stand aside.

In terms of personal relationship, Leopold I is Victoria's uncle, Albert's uncle, and the matchmaker of both parties. The relationship can be said to be very close.

It is precisely because of this that Franz chose Leopold I as a lobbyist.

"Uncle, will he blame us?"

Victoria asked a little nervously.

"No, as a king, he should understand our choice. What's more, Britain and Belgium are both constitutional monarchies, and the king cannot replace the will of the country with his personal will.

He will understand us."

Prince Albert hugged his wife and comforted her.

"Are you disgusting!"

Their eldest son Edward complained.

Thanks to the book friend Zhan Wuliang for the reward.