Chapter 426 Return to Europe

May 7, 1873.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who had not yet warmed up in East Africa, was about to return to Europe. The merchant ship Ernst boarded this time was the "Lion". The entire fleet was transformed from armed merchant ships.

By the way, he took a battalion of the Royal Guards Division to Austria. This battalion then played the role of a guard of honor. They were all elites selected from the Guards Division.

Let’s not talk about their military qualities. They have the best looks and figures. They have good horses with good saddles. East Africa specially prepared the best tailors and handmade high-quality military uniforms for them.

The battalion sent by the Guards Division actually consisted of 3,000 men, mainly infantry and cavalry. However, there was no need for Ernst to take the horses to Austria. He could negotiate this matter with the Austrian Army and borrow their horses.

Before leaving, Constantine said with some regret: "I will not go to Vienna this time, but the face of our Hechingen royal family cannot be lost. This is also a good opportunity to promote East Africa. At least let the Austrians know that we are not in East Africa." It’s not a weak country, and it’s inevitable to spend more money, so don’t be picky about it.”

"Don't worry! Father, in addition to business negotiations, the most important thing about going to Vienna this time is to marry Karina. After all, it is a major marriage event, and I personally will not take it lightly." Ernst promised.

Ernst has always spent money very rationally, or rather without pomp and pragmatism, and this is what Constantine is more worried about.

Normally, there is no problem with this. Of course, the former is more reassuring between a prudent successor and a prodigal successor. However, European aristocrats are the most concerned about comparison and face. Ernst’s character is obvious among the aristocrats. Out of place.

In this regard, Constantine had some misunderstandings about Ernst. Ernst did not spend money searching for money, but paid attention to using good steel on the blade, and East Africa was Ernst's blade.

If East Africa develops, even if Ernst wears rags, then the European nobility must "respect" themselves. This is the confidence brought by national power, so compared to holding parties and making connections in Europe, Ernst They are more willing to spend money on improving the national strength of East Africa.

Moreover, Ernst’s social circle was actually more of the Prussian royal family, the Sigmaringen royal family (including Romania), the Austrian royal family, and the Swedish royal family. In such top aristocratic circles, the topics generally discussed are not measurable by money (super rich) Money is calculated separately).

Constantine: "Okay, I'm just reminding you. After all, I really can't get away and go to Vienna this time when you get married. I'm just a little worried."

One of Constantine and Ernst had to stay in East Africa to take charge, so Constantine could not go to Vienna to attend his son's wedding. This matter mainly relied on Archduke Ferdinand (Maximiliano I). operate.

Therefore, this wedding was divided into two parts, one in Austria and one in East Africa. It was actually held twice. The first town and city had already arranged the crown prince's wedding on the work schedule.

"Woo...", with the crisp whistle of the "Lion", the East African Kingdom's state visit delegation officially left for Austria.

It was a state visit instead of a wedding group because Ernst had other tasks. Ernst had to stay in Europe for at least half a year this time, and the wedding was scheduled for the end of the year.

Before getting married, Ernst was mainly responsible for sourcing rags for the East African Kingdom in Europe, including various types of factories and equipment needed by East Africa, as well as steel and other materials needed for the construction of East African railways.

With the outbreak of the economic crisis, a large number of factories in Germany went bankrupt, and production machines were piled in warehouses and factories without anyone paying attention, and prices plummeted. In particular, steel, coal, and railway companies have suffered the most serious losses. These are what the East African Kingdom needs most at present.

At the turn of spring and summer, the Somali cold current begins to form and continues to strengthen. The surface water along the East African coast flows from low latitudes to high latitudes, that is, the equator flows northward, and the trade wind belt moves northward.

Therefore, it was smooth sailing from East Africa to the Red Sea, which greatly shortened Ernst's trip. Just a few days later, Ernst's fleet sailed from Dar es Salaam to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Because the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea behind are relatively closed, there are no big winds and waves, and the journey is relatively smooth.

May 22, 1873.

The East African fleet arrives in Trieste.

Returning to Trieste, Ernst felt a little emotional. Trieste now is obviously much bleaker than last year, and the traffic is not as good as before. It seems that Austria's economic situation is very bad.

As Ernst led the Hechingen Consortium to take the lead in launching the dumping war, a large amount of goods flooded into the market, accelerating the transmission of the economic crisis in the Austro-Hungarian Empire to surrounding countries.

It was more intense than in history. In the time and space without Ernst's intervention, the economic crisis in the Austro-Hungarian Empire was also the first to break out. However, because the 19th century was not as closely connected as the 21st century, the world market had not yet taken shape. When a crisis broke out in a country It will not affect other countries in the short term.

Before the economic crisis of 1873, the economic crisis even broke out in a certain country, usually the United Kingdom. After 1873, the economic crisis began to rage throughout the world. When the world market was finally formed in the early 20th century, the 1929 crisis would occur. The most powerful and profound economic crisis in the history of capitalism. The solution to the world's economic crisis in 1929 was the outbreak of two world wars: World War I and World War II.

In 1873, countries around the world obviously did not need to be so extreme because the world economy was not yet so close. The solution for countries now is to increase tariffs, create tariff barriers, and protect the capital of each country.

At the same time, there are still a large number of backward areas in the world that have not yet been developed, or are not controlled by major powers. These areas are good places to pass on the crisis.

However, the major powers have not yet reached that point, or have not responded. The social problems caused by the economic crisis have restrained most of the energy of governments.

The specific details include rectifying their respective financial markets, eliminating small and medium-sized enterprises with weak competitiveness and serious problems, and nationalizing railways. In the final analysis, it is about solving the employment problem.

Due to the dumping of goods from Germany and Austria, European countries have now begun to impose high tariffs. Only the United Kingdom is somewhat hesitant. After all, the United Kingdom is in a special situation. In the past, the United Kingdom has always been in an economic superiority position, so the influence of groups advocating a free economy is Very big.

Now the United States, Russia, Germany, France, Austria and other countries are carrying out industrialization, and European countries do not rely on Britain to develop their own industries as they did in the past. Therefore, Britain's overproduction is worse than before, making the crisis profound and long-term. .

After the East African fleet arrived at the port of Trieste, even an army disembarked from the ship without attracting the attention of others. There were only a few Austrian officers who came to contact them.

"Your Highness Ernst! Welcome to Austria!"

"Well, hello."

Ernst just greeted them casually, but his attention was focused on the port of Trieste.

There were several long queues at the Port of Trieste, all unemployed workers looking for employment opportunities. Ernst noticed that his own companies or institutions were recruiting workers.

Because the notice board at the end of the long line said: "East African Railway Company, recruiting 250 workers, railway workers will be given priority."

"Hechingen Tobacco Company (Trieste), 12 employees, no academic requirements."

"East African Immigration Agency, immigrate to East Africa to solve employment problems and stay away from the risk of unemployment. Family immigration is given priority."

Ernst asked several Austrian officers: "Is the current economic situation in Austria as depressed as Trieste?"

"Well, actually we don't feel that much. We usually stay in the army. If we weren't responsible for receiving you today, we probably wouldn't have left the military camp."

Ernst said: "Okay! The next main thing is to arrange the people I will take. Some of them are the East African Army. This time I want to take them to Vienna, and I need you to arrange a special train."

"This is also the purpose of our coming here. The superiors have arranged the route in advance. Now the pressure on the railway is not as great as before, so this matter can be solved easily."

This is inevitable. In addition to the economic depression that has led to a significant decrease in railway passenger traffic, the main reason is that Venice diverts part of the traffic from Trieste. In the past two years, thanks to the boom in railway construction, Austria has also built two railways to connect and control Venice. Fortunately, the railways were completed before the economic crisis.

This puts Trieste's status as Austria's largest port under certain threat, but the loss of a large number of talents and industries in Venice makes it basically impossible for Venice to overtake Trieste again.