Prime Minister Felix took out a document and handed it to Franz. "Your Majesty, considering the abundant resources and sizable immigrant population in our African colonies, we have drafted a colonial economic development plan. Please review it."
A colonial economic development plan? The term was remarkably forward-looking. In Franz's memory, it was only after dominions emerged that autonomous governments began systematically drawing up economic development plans.
At present, everyone saw opening up colonies as a means of plundering wealth. As for developing the local economy, they mostly let things run their course, with no long-term planning.
Doubts aside, Franz accepted the document and read through it carefully. He soon understood why this plan had appeared.
It was not because the Vienna Government had such far-reaching vision, nor had interest groups pushed for it. It was simply an instinct of the ruling class.
When the ruling class made policy, it naturally tilted toward its own interests. The noble class now dominated the African colonies, and it was also the noble class that controlled the Austrian Government.
Before farms and plantations had been successfully established, many people still had their doubts. But now, the plantations opened up in the early days had begun turning a profit. With successful examples right before their eyes, everyone attached vastly greater importance to them.
In the eyes of many traditional nobles, these were riches bestowed upon them by God, wealth that could be passed down through their family estates. The better the colonies developed, the more their wealth appreciated.
The ruling class naturally safeguarded its own interests. Without needing anyone to push it, the Vienna Government had drawn up a colonial development plan.
Franz asked with concern, "Has the terrain been surveyed for a railway running from Guinea to the Congo region? Are there any technical