Besides these reasons, the Austrian Empire was one of the few countries that allowed Gypsies to enlist. And thanks to Franz's reforms, the families of Austrian soldiers killed in action received a generous pension.
Such pensions might have meant little to nobles and the wealthy, but for commoners, they were a substantial sum—enough to change a family's fortunes.
For Gypsies living on the margins of the world, they were an even more irresistible lure. That was why they fought so fiercely, even risking their lives without hesitation.
The Austrian Empire's army was, in fact, where Gypsies were most respected. After all, on the battlefield, the brave unquestionably deserved respect.
Besides military service, tour guiding was another occupation well suited to Gypsies. Their natural sociability and ability to adapt to new things and unfamiliar surroundings made them a perfect fit for the job.
And once they had money, Gypsies in the Austrian Empire often made a different choice from Gypsies in other countries. They usually chose to settle down, or at least confined their wanderings to the empire. After all, no one truly enjoyed a life of constant upheaval.
The Albanians who had converted to Catholicism gave Franz an even bigger headache. He had assumed that, after signing an agreement with the Ottoman Empire, the Ottomans would move all the Albanians away.
It should have been an arrangement acceptable to both sides. The Ottoman Empire would abandon a province that was difficult to control and brought in less than it cost, while retaining its population and believers.
For the Ottoman Empire, protecting its believers and population was undoubtedly a point in its favor, while cutting away rotten flesh would save it considerable effort.
For the Austrian Empire, reducing religious and ethnic tensions mattered more than anything. As for the manpower needed