Internal Strife (Part 2)

Such a maneuver? Kolowrat's words opened Friedrich List's eyes to a new world.

"But what are we to do?" Friedrich List was clearly tempted; after all, such a risk-free profit was incredibly attractive to anyone.

"It is simple. Our Emperor trusts you deeply right now. You can take advantage of this excellent opportunity to obtain an operating concession from him. As long as we work together in perfect harmony, we will naturally achieve a win-win situation."

Strange to say, humans are peculiar creatures; the transition from burning passion to self-degradation can happen in an instant.

Faced with immense temptation, few can maintain their original integrity.

Kolowrat's proposal could earn Friedrich List more money than he had made in the previous several decades combined.

Seeing Friedrich's expression, Kolowrat knew he had pulled this extremely dangerous economist to his side. He would certainly become a secret weapon for dealing with Metternich in the future.

Kolowrat understood that it was difficult to retain people with ideals and beliefs alone; only shared interests and sins could bind them firmly together.

At the same time, just as Kolowrat had said, Prince Metternich sought out his old associate, the titan of the Austrian banking industry and the head of the Rothschild family's interests in Vienna, Salomon Rothschild.

"Salomon, my old friend, I have some monumental good news to tell you."

"My dear Metternich, you are truly my lucky star. You always have so much good news; what have you brought me this time?"

The two had known each other for many years and shared many common interests. They didn't waste time with pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"With the approval of His Majesty Francis II, the Northern Railway Company has been officially announced. Congratulations on becoming the creator of the first steam railway within the Austrian Empire. This will be a historic moment, and the people will remember your achievements."

In truth, the Rothschild family had its own intelligence network. Before Metternich arrived, he had already learned of this news and had prepared a generous gift for the Prince.

However, it was highly unusual for Metternich to come in person today. Still, he happened to want to see this old friend as well.

"You flatter me; I am merely a businessman. This is all thanks to His Majesty's wisdom and your assistance," Salomon Rothschild said with feigned humility before continuing.

"Your Excellency, you could have just sent your steward, Berger, for a matter like this. Why come yourself? I imagine you have more than just this one piece of good news for me."

Metternich smiled and said, "Salomon, you are as clever as ever; nothing can be hidden from you. There is indeed more good news. According to the original plan, the Northern Railway Company's line was to run from Vienna to Brno, then through Olomouc to Lviv, connecting Vienna with Moravia, Silesia, Galicia, and Bukovina."

Metternich took the tea offered by a servant, blew on it, and set it aside, perhaps finding it too hot, before continuing.

"Now, His Majesty Francis II has specially granted you an additional line. This route starts south in Vienna, passes through Prague, and ends in Dresden. Once the Austrian Empire officially joins the Zollverein, you should know how much potential this route will unleash."

Even if Austria did not join the Zollverein, this route was historically highly sought after because it passed entirely through prosperous regions.

If what Metternich said held true, the Rothschild family would possess a railway line covering the entire north of Cisleithania. The total length would reach a staggering 1,100 kilometers, connecting the most developed regions of Cisleithania; its economic value was self-evident.

"Prime Minister, please convey my sincere gratitude to His Majesty. Our bank will always be a friend to the House of Habsburg." As he spoke, several burly men walked in from the doorway, laboriously pulling a cart carrying a large iron chest.

"Metternich, my old friend, I have specially prepared a gift for you, but you must agree to one thing."

Metternich was an old hand at this; he knew that this greedy fellow, Salomon Rothschild, must be planning an even greater conspiracy. He did not answer.

Metternich's silence was within Salomon Rothschild's expectations. He ordered his men to open the chest. The heavy chains were removed, and the lid was slowly lifted, revealing it filled with neatly stacked gold bars.

"There are 1,500 gold bars here, each a standard 100 ounces. If you can get His Majesty to accept my proposal, I am willing to offer another 2,000 gold bars as a token of appreciation."

A 100-ounce gold bar was worth approximately 4,250 Florin, equivalent to the pay of an ordinary soldier for 42 and a half years. The total value of this gift was equivalent to 17,000 years of a soldier's wages.

Furthermore, the density of gold is very high—three times that of iron—so it was entirely possible for a large iron chest to hold 1.5 tons of gold.

"Salomon, my friend, what exactly do you want?"

"The Southern Railway Company."

"Forgive my candor, my friend, but that condition is difficult to satisfy," Metternich replied.

"Your Excellency, I know you have been worrying about the situation in northern Italy. Now we have a once-and-for-all opportunity. As long as we build the railway to Venice, we can bind the interests of Italian merchants and nobles to the interests of the Empire. By then, the Italians will never be able to resist the rule of the Austrian Empire again."

Metternich knew these things without Salomon Rothschild having to say them.

However, the railways of Cisleithania could not be controlled by one person or one company; this was something His Majesty would never allow. Having served Francis II for so many years, he knew exactly where the Emperor's bottom line lay.

Moreover, personally, he did not want Salomon Rothschild to control the entire Austrian transport system, as this "Emperor" Salomon would only become more arrogant.

This Salomon Rothschild liked to compare his family to the sixth great power of the world, and his subordinates naturally catered to his preferences by calling him "Emperor."

Although Salomon Rothschild enjoyed this title, he did not allow others to mention it in public, as there was, after all, another Emperor in Vienna.

The reason Metternich had come in person was precisely because he feared Salomon Rothschild's ambition for the Southern Railway. To this end, Metternich had even intended to secure the Vienna-to-Dresden route for the Emperor to satisfy Salomon Rothschild's appetite.

"Salomon, you know that our Emperor is an extremely cautious man. He will not put all his eggs in one basket, and he certainly will not allow anyone to take his basket away."

Metternich's words were clear enough, but Salomon Rothschild did not seem to intend to give up.

"You and His Majesty should reconsider. If His Majesty requires it, the Rothschild bank is also willing to provide His Majesty with a personal interest-free loan of 10 million Florin."

Salomon Rothschild was so persistent not only because he was optimistic about the future of the Austrian Empire's railways, but also because a friend from France had given him a promise.

As long as Salomon could secure the Austrian railways and transfer control to a French company, or provide assistance to France at a critical moment, he would be France's most important friend.

The road for Austria to join the Zollverein was long and arduous. Even before joining, the factions within the government had already begun carving up the spoils.