French capitalists? Franz immediately recalled after hearing this; this was also an important reason why Austria lost this war.
At the time, he couldn't understand why the Austrian government was so soft-hearted and didn't directly confiscate these French assets during wartime.
Firstly, we must understand a basic reality: the Austrian Empire's current financial situation is extremely poor, with high debts.
The empire government had to borrow from banking consortiums, including the French banking consortium, which was as rich as a kingdom.
Chancellor of the exchequer Bruck was very farsighted and saw the importance of railways to economic development, actively promoting railway construction.
However, due to the outbreak of the Crimean War, the Austrian Empire's finances once again fell into difficulties.
To develop railways more quickly, he planned and implemented a railway concession act, selling a large number of state-owned railways to private companies, including many French capitalists.
In the international financial world, there are some unwritten rules: first, governments cannot arbitrarily cancel debts; second, governments cannot confiscate the assets of capitalists under various pretexts.
If these rules are violated, then these banking consortiums will no longer lend to such a government with poor credit.
This is the situation Austria is in now; to protect its already precarious government credit, it does not dare to confiscate French assets.
Furthermore, Austria and France have not yet entered into full-scale war, and many people oppose taking extreme measures like confiscating private property.
In fact, under the reforms of Chancellor of the exchequer Bruck, the Austrian Empire had successfully reduced the huge debts incurred from the Anti-French War, quelling rebellions, and redeeming noble land by about one-third.
But an accident occurred, mainly due to the Crimean War.
During the Crimean War, Austria was hesitant and finally abandoned its ally Russia, mobilizing its troops along the border with Russia.
This forced Russia to be unable to withdraw troops to support the Crimean battlefield, which was an important reason for Russia's loss in this war.
The Austrian Empire already owed a lot of debt, and for this mobilization, it issued bonds worth 500 million florin.
As a result, after the Crimean War ended, England and France unanimously believed that Austria was there to pick up the pieces, while Russia hated Austria's betrayal.
Ultimately, Austria gained nothing from the war but saw its debt soar to about 1.2 billion florin.
The annual interest was already suffocating Chancellor of the exchequer Bruck, and Bruck finally convinced the emperor to reduce military spending.
But now war has erupted again, and the empire's finances are almost unsustainable.
At this time, the empire government is even less daring to risk angering the banking consortiums.
"Damn Frenchmen, I knew it! No wonder our military supplies are abundant but cannot be transported to the front lines! No wonder our rear army movements are so slow!" Chief of the General Staff Baron Hess stroked his beard and glared, cursing these capitalists loudly.
"Your Majesty, I just received some new intelligence from the empire's intelligence agency.
I'm afraid some of our Austria capitalists are also involved in this operation," Karl said with a difficult expression.
"What!" Baron Hess was emotional, roaring in exasperation, "These traitors, we should hang them! They are Austria!"
"Well, I will inquire about this in detail when the empire's intelligence agency personnel arrive tonight."
Franz felt no surprise in his heart.
It's a joke; capital has no borders.
Although there are many patriotic capitalists, most capitalists have almost no conscience; otherwise, so many people wouldn't want to hang them from lampposts.
"Karl, go send a telegram now and tell Chancellor of the exchequer Bruck to come to Venice to see me immediately.
Also, have Hall deliver these two letters to the empress and Archduchess Sophie separately."
Franz took out two letters from his pocket and handed them to Karl.
Hall was the attendant who Archduke Albrecht had ordered to call Dr. Stahlde after Franz woke up.
He was a bit short but loyal and had followed Franz for many years.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Karl bowed respectfully to Franz, then jogged out of the dining room to the telegraph office to send the message.
"My Chief of the General Staff, please calm down first.
This is how the empire is.
Don't look at the empire having forty million people and hundreds of thousands of troops; the internal situation is just this complex."
Franz looked at Chief of the General Staff Baron Hess, whose face was still flushed with excitement, and soothed him.
"Here, have some water."
Franz took a glass of water from the tray held by the waiter and handed it to Baron Hess.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Baron Hess took the water glass, drank a large gulp, and then asked, "Your Majesty, aren't you angry hearing this infuriating news?"
"Angry? Of course, I'm angry.
I can't wait to execute all these traitors."
Franz said in a calm tone.
"However, we must consider the actual situation.
Rash actions could lead to serious consequences.
However, I think I have come up with a good idea," Franz narrowed his eyes and raised the corner of his mouth.
"Oh?"
Baron Hess looked at the emperor with some curiosity, eagerly anticipating what good idea the emperor might have.
Franz waved his hand, then said, "This method cannot be revealed for now, at least not yet.
After Bruck arrives, I need to discuss it with him."
"Alright, Your Majesty."
After a pause, Franz pointed to the map, then said, "Let's continue discussing the war situation, my Chief of the General Staff.
As long as we win the war, those causing trouble in the rear will naturally fail."
Baron Hess nodded in agreement, then asked, "Your Majesty, what is your opinion?"
"Railways, you and Karl both mentioned railways just now.
This is good, but you are still too conservative.
I believe they will stockpile supplies in all railway hub cities near the Lombardy Kingdom border, such as here, here, here, and also here."
Franz pointed successively to Turin, Genoa, Susa, and Alexandria on the map.
Baron Hess carefully observed the locations Franz pointed out, pondered for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, I agree with the first three.
After all, the French army crossed the Alps and came by sea, needing supplies in Genoa and Susa, and Turin being the capital is also reasonable."
"As for Alexandria," Baron Hess paused, then said decisively, "This place is too close to the front line.
I don't think they have the audacity to stockpile large amounts of combat supplies here."
Franz looked at Chief of the General Staff Baron Hess and said slowly, "This is a gamble.
According to the war report from the front line, Gyulai's army's advance route is directly towards Turin, so he did not pass through Alexandria."
"Furthermore, I can tell you that this is information that my direct royal intelligence department informed me of not long ago."
Baron Hess, of course, knew how vast the empire's spy network was, and the intelligence department directly under the royal family was even more mysterious.
It is rumored that the emperor's mother, Archduchess Sophie, still controls a female intelligence force.
Who would have thought that these noble young ladies who danced elegantly and charmingly at social balls were actually spies?
Well, anything can be blamed on these spies, or rather, agents, spies, intelligence personnel, Franz couldn't help but mutter to himself, I can't possibly tell you that I read this in a book from later generations.
"If this is accurate intelligence, it means the Kingdom of Sardinia has taken a gamble.
They gambled that the French would act quickly enough, while we Austria would act slowly, and they won the gamble."
"Yes, my Chief of the General Staff, Gyulai is an idiot."
Franz couldn't help but rub his forehead and curse again.
Baron Hess also nodded, strongly agreeing with the emperor's words.
Gyulai was indeed an idiot.
