Preparing the Flour Mill

Volvo Department Store was open for ten hours a day, and with preparation time, the employees actually worked twelve hours a day. No one objected, nor did anyone ask Ferdinand for overtime pay.

First, Ferdinand paid a salary slightly above market price, which satisfied everyone.

Second, at that time, factories in Vienna basically worked twelve hours a day, and some factories even worked sixteen hours a day.

Third, working in a department store was easier than working in a factory. On one hand, there was a comfortable department store environment; on the other hand, there was a dull factory building where danger could occur at any time. Of course, everyone knew how to choose!

Moreover, in the eyes of people at that time, working in a department store was a very respectable job, with stable income and a pleasant working environment.

Ferdinand subtly shifted the concept. On the surface, the department store seemed very similar to a department store, just with a little more work.

After all, supermarkets were a new thing, and people didn't know what they were. For Ferdinand's convenience, he added the word "department store" to make it more acceptable. Of course, there were also many department store professionals.

Many people chose to apply for the job just because of the name "department store." Ferdinand managed to recruit people in a short time, which was a stroke of luck.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Steward Karl's efficiency was still very high, and he clearly investigated all the flour processing plants near Vienna.

"Your Highness, there are thirteen large and small flour processing plants in Vienna. Only two of them are of considerable size and are profitable. Another seven are basically breaking even, and the remaining four are already at a loss. The market competition is very fierce!" Steward Karl reported diligently.

Steward Karl clearly did not agree with Ferdinand's plan to establish a flour processing plant. In his opinion, the market for the flour processing industry was already saturated, and the competitive pressure was too great. It would be difficult to make money by entering the market now!

After hearing Steward Karl's report, Ferdinand also hesitated. After all, there were thirteen flour processing plants in a small Vienna. How many would there be in the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire?

After a moment of silence, Ferdinand still decided to stick to his plan. He had his own advantages; he could produce and sell his own products, and his costs would be much lower than theirs. At worst, he could develop some related by-products later. Was he still afraid of competition?

"Hmm, I understand. You've worked hard, Karl!" Ferdinand affirmed the old steward's work.

"It is my honor to serve Your Highness!" Karl said happily.

"Karl, if I were to acquire a flour processing plant, how much would it cost?" Ferdinand asked cautiously.

In 1881, establishing a factory was not that simple. It required building the factory, ordering and purchasing machinery, training workers, and so on. After all the miscellaneous matters were completed, it would be considered good if it could start production within a year.

Acquiring a factory was much simpler and could start production with little effort.

As long as the price was not too high, Ferdinand still preferred to acquire one.

Steward Karl was silent for a moment, seemingly appraising the factory, and then said, "Your Highness, if it's a bankrupt small factory, it might only cost a few thousand pounds; the two profitable flour processing plants are estimated to cost seventy to eighty thousand pounds!"

Ferdinand was shocked. The gap was too large! He then thought that if a factory was losing money, there must be problems such as old equipment, poor management, or small scale and lack of competitiveness. In this situation, it was good enough if someone was willing to take over; why be picky?

"Hmm, then let's first contact those factory owners and see if they intend to sell. I'll make a decision after evaluating them!" Ferdinand said.

"Yes, Your Highness, as you wish!" Steward Karl said. Seeing that Ferdinand had no intention of keeping him, he turned and left.

After dismissing the old steward, Ferdinand stayed at home reading the newspaper. Today, he had an important banquet that he had to attend personally: the birthday of his uncle, the tragic emperor, Franz Joseph I.

Franz Joseph I (August 18, 1830 – November 21, 1916) was well-known for his achievement in establishing the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1879, he allied with the German Empire led by Prussia to form the League of the Three Emperors. In 1914, he issued an ultimatum to Serbia, drawing Austria and Germany into World War I. In 1916, he died of pneumonia in Vienna at the age of 86.

Recalling the old emperor's life, Ferdinand was filled with emotion. A living celebrity was right before his eyes!

"A great diplomat!" was the world's evaluation of him. Perhaps God had given him a lopsided talent. Compared to his sharp diplomatic skills, his abilities in other areas could be described as mediocre.

He used diplomatic means to establish the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, this decadent empire was constantly plagued by problems, with endless ethnic issues that always troubled him, hindering the empire's progress, and ultimately leading to its collapse.

Regrettably, Franz Joseph I's performance in this regard was not very good, showing indecisiveness. Although he took many measures to alleviate ethnic conflicts, the effect was minimal!

His later years were even more tragic. His brother was shot in Mexico, his wife was assassinated by an Italian anarchist in Geneva, his son committed suicide at a young age, and his chosen successor was later assassinated by a Serbian!

In retaliation, he launched a world war, causing tens of millions to fall on the battlefield. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, for which he had strived his entire life, also collapsed in the storm!

"Ferdinand, it's time to go. You're not going to cause any more trouble, are you?" Princess Clémentine said with some worry.

Recently, she had clearly felt that Ferdinand had changed. He had become more eccentric, indulging in all sorts of strange things, which made her very worried.

"How could I, my dear mother? How could you think that! You must believe me!" Ferdinand quickly explained, showing that he was quite troubled by Princess Clémentine.

The original Ferdinand had acted somewhat eccentrically, unlike most nobles. He had few friends and liked to tinker with strange things.

Princess Clémentine did not suspect that he had been replaced. Seeing Ferdinand approach, she directly beckoned him into the carriage.

Vienna – Schönbrunn Palace, its history can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The old Emperor Franz Joseph I was born in Schönbrunn Palace, and it was also Franz Joseph I's favorite and longest-resided residence.

Now, this magnificent palace was bustling with people and exceptionally lively. With the establishment of the League of the Three Emperors, the political and diplomatic landscape of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was in its most relaxed era.

Nobles, ministers, envoys from various countries of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and great nobles from other parts of Europe had all sent representatives. The prestige of the House of Habsburg was fully displayed at this moment.

The banquet was different from what Ferdinand had imagined. There were not so many formalities. The old emperor accepted everyone's congratulations and the banquet began directly.

Ferdinand was not the main character. Apart from getting acquainted with a group of important figures, the legendary melodramatic plot did not happen.

Oh, Ferdinand, who was quite good-looking, also met a few noble ladies. If he wished, there was a possibility for further development.