Chapter 210 The Clown
“Mr. Lenoir, I hope you will work harder on this trip to Vienna and form a team there first. In the future, our company will be able to form a Berlin-Vienna duo. The core structure and the focus of the two sides are also different, which is also good for the company itself," Ernst explained to Lenoir.
"Your Highness, don't worry. I have accumulated a lot of work experience over the years, and I am determined to develop Hechingen Energy Power Company in Austria." Lenoir promised.
Compared with running the company, Lenoir was more interested in research, but after truly becoming a senior executive of the company, he found that with the help of the company, he could combine more resources to realize some of his ideas.
"Karl, I'll leave Berlin to you, are you confident?" Ernst turned to the young Carl Friedrich Benz and said.
"Your Highness, I will definitely live up to your expectations." Benz said excitedly.
Anyone who suddenly takes over such a large company will be so excited, especially a young man like Benz.
Having been learning from Lenoir over the years, Benz has developed the ability to take charge of his own business, and he handles many of the company's daily affairs.
"Rorschach, you need to take more responsibility this time when you go to Vienna. Your imagination is very wild, but your execution is not enough. You need to learn more from Mr. Lenoir."
……
Berlin Energy Power Company, just by hearing the name, you know that Ernst's original intention in founding this company was not limited to the field of internal combustion engines.
In fact, steam engines are also an important research project of the company, because the vast majority of machines on the market are still powered by steam.
This time Ernst will split the company. Although Berlin is good, it will enjoy the dividends of German reunification in the future, which will be more conducive to gathering talents in Germany.
But we must be careful. The Prussian government is one of the most efficient governments in this era and has strong nationalism, so Berlin Energy Power Company is very dangerous just in Berlin.
For example, railways, this important strategic resource, were targeted by the Prussian military and government, and then nationalization became a trend. Ernst did not think that the internal combustion engine was less attractive than railways.
Therefore, the name of Berlin Energy Power Company needs to be changed. It is definitely not possible to use the East African name. It is better to change it to Hechingen.
As we all know, the Hechingen Consortium spans Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This is already a common sense concept in the minds of ordinary people.
After changing its name to Hechingen Energy Power Company, it was very logical to open a branch in Vienna. Vienna is also the world's top level in terms of higher education, so there is no need to worry about talent issues.
The First Railway in East Africa will definitely use steam locomotives for a period of time, and Ernst does not plan to invest too much in this regard.
The best way is to find a partner without investing too much and ensuring that you have a certain say in this field.
There is no more suitable candidate for this partner than the Austrian royal family. In fact, Ernst has always been more inclined to cooperate with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which always seems to be easier to deal with than Prussia.
There are too many states in Prussia. Although the Hechingen royal family has a certain influence because of their surname, the inherent deficiencies in the Hechingen area are destined to have low influence in Germany, especially Ernst. He had no choice to enter the Prussian army and government, and was naturally separated from the center of Prussian power.
The first partner for cooperation in East Africa in the future must be the Austro-Hungarian Empire, not Prussia. This is not only the result of the marriage, but the main reason is that the Austro-Hungarian Empire will not be enthusiastic about overseas colonial expansion in the future. Nothing can be done.
If East Africa wants to develop, it must have a big partner. It is best that this big leg has very little ability to interfere in East Africa.
The new company has two headquarters, one in Berlin, led by Benz, specializing in the new project of automobiles. In Vienna, Lenoir and Rorschach were responsible for focusing on research in the railway field. Diesel locomotives were a separate project, while steam locomotives were completed in cooperation with Austria.
Austria's railway development is quite satisfactory among the world's powerful countries. Due to the large number of nationalities in the country, the Austrian government attaches great importance to railway construction.
So the strength of many railway companies in Austria is not weak, but not too strong either. This is exactly the basis for the cooperation between Hechingen Energy Power Company and Austria.
With the development over the years, Hechingen Energy Power Company also has many unique skills in the field of steam power, which complement Austria's advantages.
Localizing the railway project in Austria also has the advantage of facilitating imports from East Africa. The Suez Canal will be opened next month. Austrian ships can reach East Africa directly as long as they pass through the Suez Canal.
This also means the decline of the entire southwest route in Africa, the strategic position of Cape Town has declined rapidly, and the shipping value of ports along the East African coast has also dropped significantly, but it has become more convenient to travel from East Africa to Europe.
......
"Ernst, you are really a thief. I heard some time ago that you were busy setting up an agricultural company in Austria, and I didn't see you coming to the palace. This time I asked for help and ran to the palace. Did you lead that kid Ferdinand into trouble?" Franz said speechlessly.
"Your Majesty, you can't say that. Am I also driving the economic development of Austria? Just tell me which one of the Agricultural Company and Hechingen Energy Power Company is not a well-known large enterprise and has solved the employment of many people. question, but also to Austria Profits bring so much tax revenue, is this obviously a two-way street?”
“Huh, that’s ridiculous. Ferdinand sent a telegram last time and asked me to send people to the Royal Naval Academy. I knew it as soon as I saw it! It was you who instigated it.”
"Your Majesty, Archduke Ferdinand also wants to do something great. Now he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy in East Africa. It is not a shame to learn from a naval power like Austria. It is definitely out of public interest and not instigated by me. This can only prove that Archduke Ferdinand was an upright man and fulfilled his duties." Ernst vindicated Maximilian I.
“Okay, I won’t joke with you anymore. This is information about a railway company invested by the royal family. If your Hechingen Energy Power Company hadn’t really made some achievements in Prussia, I wouldn’t be able to talk to you at ease. This young boy cooperates."
Ernst immediately smiled and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, we in East Africa will never forget your kindness."
"By the way, you and Constant. When does Prince Ding plan to establish a country? I heard that Prince Constantine has already gone to East Africa, can you tell me?" Franz asked curiously.
It is no secret that the Hechingen royal family has left overseas, so Franz is even more curious about the next step for the Hechingen royal family. It is not easy to establish a kingdom.
"Of course, it depends on you, Your Majesty. You also hope that Princess Karina will become a queen in the future, not a princess!" Ernst looked at Franz I pitifully.
Franz blew his beard angrily: "You brat, you are joking with me, get out of here!"
"Okay, I'll get out now, I wish you a happy life in the future!" said After that, Ernst ran away in a flash.
“This kid is still so crooked…” Franz said with a smile.
Having said this, Franz is still very relieved about Ernst. An extra "clown" in the serious court will always make Franz feel novel and relaxed, and he will not feel cold at high places.
(End of this chapter)