Whatever their purpose, they had to strengthen their ties with California.
Thus, Mexico went to every conceivable length to preserve its overland route to California, which meant it had to complete a railway from California to Mexico before the Nicaragua Canal was finished.
Franz had in fact been planning a railway from San Francisco to the Port of Veracruz for years. But Mexico had first refused, endlessly stalling and obstructing; then, after the plan was finally approved, it threw up every possible obstacle, so that the line still had not opened. It had even indirectly spurred the growth of horse breeding and escort services in both regions.
Though the Mexicans had thoroughly rattled him before, Franz had no intention of splitting hairs over it at this very moment. Once the railway was complete, he would have plenty of ways to keep these people in check.
By then, the Austro-Mexican Joint Development Company already held half of Mexico's economy in its grasp, and the taxes it paid accounted for seventy percent of Mexico's fiscal revenue.
Its development over the years had also won over a great many local social elites, though naturally it had offended plenty of people as well. In particular, when it had helped Santa Anna suppress the rebellion, the mercenaries had failed to hold back their fire, exposing the Austro-Mexican Joint Development Company's strength.
This left Mexico's upper ranks, especially the local warlords, deeply uneasy. They could not wait to get rid of it.
But with Santa Anna standing in front to bear the pressure, Franz did not need to worry too much.
Moreover, aside from its large number of mercenaries, the Austro-Mexican Joint Development Company had its own security teams. These armed forces could utterly crush Mexico's local militias.
If the Mexicans truly wanted to make a