NOVPUBOn November 14, 1873, the Southwest Africa Railway was completed. With its western terminus in Guinea and stretching south to Pretoria, this major artery was built, solidifying Austria’s rule over South Africa completely.
From surveying to completion, this strategic railway took over a decade of effort, making it the longest, most difficult, and most expensive railway ever built by Austria to date.
Of course, only the main line was finished; the construction of the branch lines along the way could potentially take another twenty years and might still be incomplete. The primary reason wasn’t the difficulty of construction or a lack of labor, but rather the colonial government’s lack of funds.
Africa’s development was relatively lagging, limiting government tax revenue and incapacitating it from supporting massive railway construction. The central government funded the construction of the main line as it was a strategic necessity.
This railway, spanning a total length of 7476 kilometers, amounted to a total cost of 7428.6 million Divine Shields. On average, the construction cost per kilometer was nearly 10,000 Divine Shields, a figure far exceeding that of domestic projects.
And this was under the premise of having access to free labor. For the construction of this railway, the colonial government conscripted millions of laborers, maintaining a massive construction crew of over two hundred thousand people year-round.
With the main line completed, the construction of the branch railways would have to progress slowly. Railways of higher economic and strategic value were given priority in construction, while those of lower value were simply left as plans for the time being.
The Southwest Africa Railway set many records, such as the largest investment, the highest labor utilization, the longest distance, and the most new technological developments applied...
If the value of the labor was converted into money, another record would be added: the highest cost for a long-distance railway.
In the 21st century, perhaps building such a railway would be easy, but in this era, it was undoubtedly a world record and a manifestation of Austria’s comprehensive national strength.
Despite the monumental significance of the Southwest Africa Railway, Franz still did not attend the inauguration ceremony, due to his seasickness and the risk of potentially losing his life en route, which would turn a joyous event into a tragedy.
To show the importance attached to it, Crown Prince Frederick and Prime Minister Felix personally attended the opening ceremony. Frankly speaking, Franz was against it.
Prime Minister Felix, at the ripe age of 73, still in good health though, could easily succumb to a simple cold due to the limited medical technology of the age, which could be fatal.
There was no helping it, the old fellow had the stubbornness of a German and insisted on conducting an on-site inspection in the African Continent, and Franz couldn’t stop him.
This was related to Franz’s proposed "African localization strategy," about which many in the Vienna Government harbored doubts. Over the past few years, the government had continuously sent people to conduct on-site inspections, all to set their minds at ease.
However convincing the information on paper, it wasn’t the same as seeing for themselves. With a responsible attitude, Prime Minister Felix had always intended to undertake an inspection personally but had been delayed by busyness.
Frederick’s presence was something of an accident, as it wasn’t his turn to attend, being only 17 years old and unable to make imperial decisions.
But it just so happened that the grand dukes of the Habsburg family were all busy, and with his two brothers not in the country, they couldn’t delay the railway’s inauguration.
The only relatively free one was Maximilian, but after consideration, Franz felt that even sending his son would be more reliable than him.
Moreover, Maximilian was now the Emperor of Mexico, no longer a grand duke of Austria, and it would be impolite to command him in such a manner.
So what if he was a bit young? After all, Prime Minister Felix was there, capable of making decisions in the event of an emergency.
In fact, after so many years of teaching by Franz, Frederick’s capabilities were not lacking; it was just the experience he was missing.
Franz’s health was good, and he had plenty of time to nurture the next generation, so he naturally was in no hurry to force growth.
He had walked this path himself, and even as a transmigrator, he found it somewhat challenging. Without the support of seasoned ministers, it wouldn’t have been so easy for Franz to take power.
Not changing the ministers for so many years, beyond political continuity, was due to loyalty formed during times of crisis.
Those ministers from the past, even the less competent ones, were held in high esteem by Franz. Beyond loyalty, it also involved much helplessness.
Emperors need to win people’s hearts too. "When the birds are over, the bows are put aside" is true, but it’s also necessary to occasionally display them, to show their glory to successors.
Franz could proudly claim that he had never disposed of anyone once their usefulness was up; he still needed loyal guards. This was not an era for idle retirement.
...
Paris, compared to Franz’s calmness, was where Napoleon III’s heroism waned. Although there wasn’t the defeat of the Franco-Prussian War, and he didn’t end his days in melancholy, his body didn’t lie.
The indulgence of his younger years had left lasting effects, now manifesting themselves. Had it not been for the fortune of having Eugénie, the Crown Prince, his lifelong struggles might have just dressed someone else for their wedding.
In Europe, illegitimate children cannot inherit the throne, and Napoleon III’s careless lifestyle as a young man led to various diseases in his forties, including kidney disease, bladder stones, chronic bladder conditions, prostatitis, arthritis, gout, and obesity.
In the face of illness, no one is exempt, high or low. A once imposing figure, Napoleon III was still laid low by illness, now fervently instilling his experiences into his son.
This is not some foolish drama where the son grows up happy and carefree. As the heir to the French Empire, one needs cunning; Louis XVI is a clear example of what happens without it.
In this regard, Napoleon III could take pride, rising from an exiled royal offspring to a position of power; his life was a legend.
There was another in the original timeline, just short of achieving this great deed again. Yet, under the influence of external powers, he chose to step back at the last moment, refraining from a forceful restoration.
Napoleon III put down the newspaper in his hand and inquired, "What do you think of the commotion in the Balkan Peninsula?"
After a brief contemplation, Crown Prince Eugénie replied, "The coup in Greece and the uprising in Bulgaria happening almost simultaneously seems too much of a coincidence."
According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, just a few days before the incident, the Austrian Police had been exterminating an independence organization in the Macedonian Region.
Viewed separately, these events bear no connection to one another, yet taken together, they pose a significant problem. Preliminary judgment suggests that someone must have instigated these events.
However, the person behind the scenes likely miscalculated, overestimating the Balkan independence organizations, failing to incite a rebellion in Austria."
Napoleon III nodded, then shook his head, "Your analysis isn’t bad, but who do you think is behind this? Or rather, who is the most likely suspect, and what is their ultimate objective?"
Without any hesitation, Crown Prince Eugénie made a judgment: "I guess it’s the Ottoman Empire. Russia and Austria both suffered heavy losses due to the agricultural crisis, and they need to divert the crisis outward.
The Ottoman Empire happens to be their common enemy; their hatred spans hundreds of years. Now that the Ottomans have declined, they’ve become easy prey for both nations.
There had even been rumors of the two countries planning to join forces for revenge against the Ottoman Empire. Austria hasn’t made much noise, but the Russians have already been preparing for war.
This information is 80% accurate, and the Sultan Government, sensing the crisis, took preemptive action to cause them trouble, buying itself some time.
However, something doesn’t feel right. The Bulgarians bear a deep-seated hatred towards the Ottoman Empire, and even if they wanted to pursue independence, they would look for support from us or the British."
Napoleon III smiled slightly, "Indeed, on the surface, the Ottoman Empire is the most likely suspect, but in reality, the least likely is the Sultan Government.
If they had the capacity, they wouldn’t have ended up in their current predicament. Controlling the Greek coup, the Bulgarian uprising, the Balkan independence organizations, all without giving themselves away, is no easy feat.
If there wasn’t a long-term preparation, it would be impossible. There are not many nations in the world capable of this; we are one, but it definitely wasn’t us.
The other possibilities are the Anglo-Austrian two countries, the experts at this game. Remember, my child, if such undetectable uprisings or revolutions occur in the future, over 90% of them are the work of these two, keep your eyes on London and Vienna."
While speaking, Napoleon III also expressed a deep wariness. If possible, he would like to eliminate these two greatest enemies, leaving behind a stable empire.
Unfortunately, both adversaries are slippery and elusive, never providing Napoleon III with an opportunity to strike. Having been emperor for twenty years, for more than half of that time, France was ostracized by various European nations.
Leading the ostracization were England and Austria. Napoleon III was certain that one wrong move, and a war against France would be sparked.
In a one-on-one fight, France feared no enemy, but the enemies intended to gang up! This forced Napoleon III to remain exceedingly cautious, fearful of another anti-French war.
As a military enthusiast who has lived his entire life without experiencing a substantial war, this was indeed a regret.
Crown Prince Eugénie, puzzled, asked, "Why include Austria? In this Balkan affair, they are also victims; it makes no sense for them to do this."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Napoleon III coughed for a while, and Eugénie hurriedly patted his back. Then he poured a glass of water and handed it to Napoleon III.
After taking a sip of water and pausing for a moment, Napoleon III continued, "Think carefully about what exactly Austria has lost and what it has gained.
In the future, when dealing with Franz, you must be extra cautious, especially when it comes to interests. Weigh the pros and cons of any advantage presented to you; if you are unclear about it, it’s better to simply refuse it."
These were hard-learned lessons Napoleon III personally summarized since the annexation of the Kingdom of Sardinia, compelling France onto the path of annexing Italy.
At first, Napoleon III failed to see the problem, but over time, the truth became gradually apparent.
The Italian Area has everything going for it except for resources. It seems lucrative, but its true value is even less than the lands west of the Rhine River.
An obvious ploy dragged France into an embarrassing situation; now much of France’s resources require imports, particularly the coking coal for steelmaking. The production from French African colonies isn’t enough to meet domestic demands, forcing imports from either the United Kingdom or Prussia.
Yet, this sorrow could not be openly expressed. To everyone else, the annexation of the Italian Area seemed like a great victory for France. Now, unable to let go, France had no choice but to tough it out and digest the situation.
Until the Italian Area is entirely assimilated, France will need a strategic contraction. The pace of overseas expansion has slowed, let alone meddling with the interconnected European Continent.
Watching Eugénie reflect, Napoleon III added, "The British are the same; you mustn’t take them lightly when dealing with them.
Don’t be fooled by the current alliance between England, France, and Austria. In reality, everyone would rather stab each other in the back and take the other out.
Franz is not one to fish for fame or gains by deceit; he has never broken a promise in all these years, not because he’s trustworthy, but because the stakes have never been high enough to compel him to break his word.
And the British, there’s no need to say, being allies with them requires more caution than being enemies. The Near East War is one such example. If they hadn’t stabbed us in the back, we wouldn’t have lost."
Even now, Napoleon III still harbored resentment for the defeat in the Near East War, blaming the British for the debacle.
It can’t be helped; after all, when the French Army made a wrong move, they were betrayed by the British and the People of Sardinian. We don’t need to speak of Sardinia; they have already paid the price, becoming a part of the French Empire.
The British, who seemed to fail, became the winners post-war. Naturally, Napoleon III cannot swallow this bitter defeat.
...
(Note: Napoleon Eugene Louis Jean Joseph Bonaparte is the full name of Eugénie. Napoleon III’s first illegitimate son is also named Eugénie, but they are not the same person.)
