Ambrosius's Letter

Austria's frenzied railway construction brought a major problem to light: the country's output of pig iron was woefully inadequate.

As a result, iron and steel companies sprang up like mushrooms after the rain.

The demand for coal rose sharply along with them, and Austria's industrialization began to accelerate.

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Thalia bounced into Franz's room, waving a letter in her hand.

"Archduke Franz, that archduke from the countryside has written!"

Seeing Thalia looking so pleased with herself, Franz couldn't help feeling curious.

"Why are you so happy?"

Thalia didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked, "Would you like me to read the letter to you?"

Franz sighed.

"Are you worried that if you teach me, you'll be out of a job later? Don't worry, that won't happen. I'll read it myself. It's a good chance to practice."

Franz had only just opened the letter when he froze. What on earth was this?

By then, Franz had learned German and French. He also knew a little English from his previous life, but he didn't have the slightest clue what this was.

"Can't read it, little genius? This is Spanish!" Thalia said with a laugh.

Franz was speechless. Why would an Austrian write a letter in Spanish?

So he said, "Then you'd better read it."

Thalia began playing coy again.

"Is that how you ask for a favor? Have you forgotten all your noble manners?"

"Miss Thalia, would you be so kind as to read this letter for me?" Franz rose and gave a little bow, enunciating every word.

"Since you put it that way, I suppose I'll oblige."

Thalia took the letter and began to read.

My dear nephew, Franz,

As you suggested, my application to serve as a military observer stationed in Chenla caused quite a stir among the military.

After heated debate, the high command finally accepted my application.

General Thürheim told me he would do everything in his power to find suitable candidates for me.

In the end, however, he could find only two brave men who spoke Chenla's language and were willing to accompany me there.

At the same time, Prince Metternich approached me. He hoped I would serve as Austria's special envoy, establish diplomatic relations with Chenla, and gather as much intelligence as possible about the country.

He also granted me certain powers so I could protect myself at critical moments.

He would send a professional diplomat to accompany me. I gladly accepted. I wouldn't pass up any chance to strengthen my little team.

Normally, a military observer should have twenty attendants. My team now consisted of two officers and one diplomat.

In the end, I could only find seventeen desperadoes—ah, no, adventurers—to accompany me, just enough to make twenty.

Most of them are Spanish and Portuguese. They've spent years traveling between Europe and Asia and know something about Chenla.

Unfortunately, they don't speak German. Luckily, we speak Spanish and Portuguese.

By comparison, the church's priests were much easier to deal with.

Archbishop Rauscher received me in person and told me the good news of the Lord.

Ten thousand words omitted here.

Archbishop Rauscher hoped I could bring civilization and the good news of the Lord to Chenla, so three more missionaries joined my party.

The church provided 20,000 florins for this expedition, along with a thousand freshly printed Bibles.

After that, through the church's connections, we found a French merchant ship whose captain was willing to take us there.

At present, France is the only European country that can trade with Vietnam and Chenla.

We have now reached the Cape of Good Hope. Unfortunately, we encountered a storm on the way, and two of our companions perished.

Since their bodies were never found, the priest could only pray over the sea, hoping to guide their souls up to heaven.

By the time you receive this letter, we should have reached Chenla.

May God protect us and help us fulfill the heavy responsibility entrusted to us by our country and the church.

Wish me luck. May I find the princess and save her.

—Ambrosius

Franz thought about the problems Ambrosius might encounter. In his previous letter, he had already told Ambrosius about the unspoken rules of the Eastern bureaucracy and a few things to keep in mind.

For example, don't stare people in the eye.

In Europe, speaking to someone without looking at them could be seen as disrespectful.

But in some parts of Southeast Asia, making eye contact was considered impolite.

Of course, if you stared at a woman, that was another story. She would think you liked her.

After thinking it over, Franz realized there was only one thing he needed to remind Ambrosius: don't be too hasty. And instead of relying on Austria's inefficient bureaucracy, it would be much quicker to send letters directly to Schönbrunn Palace.

Thalia asked curiously, "I asked a well-traveled general about it. The Kingdom of Vietnam is one of Asia's greatest powers, and it's as large as France. Archduke Ambrosius has only twenty men. Can he really save the princess?"

"The dragon was as big as a mountain and lived in a sturdy castle. Did the knight turn back?" Franz asked.

"But those are just fairy tales."

"Does that mean fairy tales are all lies?" Franz argued shamelessly. After all, he was young enough to get away with it.

Thalia was indeed caught in a bind, unable to explain herself.

All she could say was, "Have you finished your lessons? You're slacking off again. Go on, get to it!"

"You're the one who wanted to read the letter to me."

"Still talking back? I'll fight you!"

Thalia gave up on reasoning with him. Seeing that they were alone, she dropped the letter and rushed over to ruffle Franz's hair.

Franz knew that if he wanted to help Ambrosius, he would have to rely on the church.

After all, Emperor Minh Mang of Vietnam had forbidden Western missionaries from preaching in Vietnam, earning the enmity of the French.

France had once helped the Vietnamese, providing weapons and money during their war of independence and even sending a team of officers to train their soldiers.

France's judgment of Vietnam was that it had "cast French kindness behind it and turned against the civilized world of Europe."

Although Vietnam had explicitly forbidden preaching, the church had never given up its efforts to spread the faith there.

Emperor Minh Mang of Vietnam ordered the arrest of Western missionaries who preached in secret and persecuted the country's own Christians.

Before long, the French would invade Vietnam under the pretext of protecting persecuted Christians.

The French church had once called on Catholics across Europe to spread the good news of the Lord in Southeast Asia.

But these people weren't fools. Since the Vietnamese government had forbidden preaching, they went wherever its power couldn't reach.

To the countryside, for instance, or to Chenla.

Among them, of course, were missionaries from Austria and Italy.

As the leading figure in the Austrian Empire's religious circles, Archbishop Rauscher naturally knew how to contact them.

And these missionaries, familiar with the local conditions, were worth far more than sending an army to Chenla.