After successfully opening up the Guinea colony, Austria's colonial march did not stop. Its gaze turned once more toward the Congo region.
In any case, this era was full of unclaimed lands—whoever occupied them owned them. Naturally, Franz would not stand on ceremony.
By October 1854, Austria had successively established thirteen colonial outposts across the African Continent and transported more than forty thousand immigrants to the colonies.
Franz asked in confusion, "Prime Minister, why have we stopped transporting immigrants to the colonies?"
According to Austria's original plan, all the refugees were supposed to be sent over. Yet less than a tenth of that had been completed.
Prime Minister Felix explained, "Your Majesty, the plague on the Balkan Peninsula has already spread. If we rush to transport immigrants now, I fear we may bring the plague to the colonies.
"Although we have worked hard to recruit doctors, the colonies' medical and sanitation facilities remain far from reassuring. Should the plague spread, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Franz shook his head. "Prime Minister, you are worrying too much. How many people are there in the colonies? Even if a plague breaks out, it would be very easy to disperse and isolate them.
"Besides, winter is almost here. This plague should be nearing its end. Even if it is brought to the African Continent, the situation will not be too serious.
"According to the intelligence we have gathered, the mortality rate among Russian soldiers infected with the plague is only seven or eight percent. That is not even higher than the natural death rate in the African colonies.
"The war on the Balkan Peninsula is about to end. When the time comes, most of these refugees will likely choose to return home. In the future, it will be difficult for us to