Chapter 210 Clown
"Mr. Lenoir, I hope you can work harder on this trip to Vienna. First, build up the team there. In the future, our company will have a dual-core structure of Berlin and Vienna. The two sides will have different focuses, which will also be beneficial to the company itself." Ernst instructed Lenoir.
"Your Highness, don't worry. I have accumulated a lot of work experience over the years and will definitely develop the Hechingen Energy and Power Company in Austria." Lenoir assured.
Compared with managing the company, Lenoir was more interested in research, but after becoming a real 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, Berlin is left to you. Do you have confidence?" Ernst turned and said to the young Karl Friedrich Benz.
"Your Highness, I will definitely live up to your expectations." Benz said excitedly.
Anyone who suddenly takes over such a large company would be so excited, especially for a young man like Benz.
After learning from his senior Lenoir over the years, Benz has become capable of working on his own and is now in charge of 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 can tell that Ernst’s original intention of establishing this company was not limited to the field of internal combustion engines.
In fact, the steam engine is also an important research project for the company, because most machines on the market are still powered by steam.
This time Ernst split the company. Although Berlin is good and will be able to enjoy the dividends of German reunification in the future, it will be more conducive to gathering talents in Germany.
But we also have to be on guard. The Prussian government is one of the most efficient governments of the era, and nationalism is very strong, so it is very dangerous for the Berlin Energy Power Company to be only in Berlin.
For example, railways, an important strategic resource, were targeted by the Prussian military and government, and nationalization became a trend. Ernst did not think that the internal combustion engine was less attractive than railways.
Therefore, the name of Berlin Energy and Power Company has to be changed. Using East Africa as the name will definitely not work, so it is better to change it to Hexingen.
As we all know, the Hechingen Consortium spans Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and this is already a common sense concept in the minds of ordinary people.
After changing its name to Hechingen Energy & Power Company, it was only natural to open a branch in Vienna. Vienna is also at the world's top level in higher education, so there is no need to worry about talent issues.
The First Railway in East Africa will certainly still use steam locomotives for some time, and Ernst does not intend to invest too much in this regard.
If you don’t want to invest too much but want to ensure that you have a certain say in this field, the best way is to find a partner.
There is no better 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 its surname, the inherent deficiencies in the Hechingen region mean that its influence in Germany is not high. In particular, Ernst did not choose to join the Prussian army and government, and was naturally separated from the power center of Prussia.
East Africa’s first future partner 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 is not enthusiastic about and will be unable to expand its overseas colonies in the future.
If East Africa wants to develop, it must rely on a big power, and it would be best if this big power has very little ability to interfere in East Africa.
The new company had two headquarters, one in Berlin, led by Benz, focusing on the new car project.
Vienna, led by Lenoir and Rorschach, focused on research in the railway field, with diesel locomotives as a separate project and steam locomotives completed in cooperation with Austria.
Compared with other powerful countries in the world, Austria's railway development is quite standard. Due to the large number of nationalities in the country, the Austrian government attaches great importance to railway construction.
Therefore, the strength of many Austrian railway companies is not weak, but not too strong either. This is exactly the basis for the cooperation between Hechingen Energiewende and Austria.
After years of development, Hechingen Energy and Power Company has also developed many unique skills in the field of steam power, which complement Austria's advantages.
Placing the railway project in Austria has another advantage: it will facilitate imports from East Africa. The Suez Canal will be opened next month, and Austrian ships can reach East Africa directly by passing through the Suez Canal.
This also means the decline of the entire southwest route in Africa, the strategic position of Cape Town has dropped 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 who never leaves empty-handed. I heard that you were busy setting up an agricultural company in Austria some time ago, and I didn't see you come to the palace. But this time you ran to the palace because you needed a favor. Did you lead Ferdinand astray?" Franz said speechlessly.
"Your Majesty, you can't say that. Am I also promoting the economic development of Austria? Just look at the Agricultural Company and the Hechingen Energy and Power Company. Which one is not a well-known large enterprise? They have solved the employment problems of many people and also brought so much tax revenue to Austria. It is obviously a two-way journey!"
"Humph, you are just making up excuses. Last time, Ferdinand sent me a telegram asking me to send people to the Royal Naval College. I knew it was you who instigated it."
"Your Majesty, Archduke Ferdinand also wants to make a career. Now he is the commander-in-chief of the navy in East Africa. It is not shameful 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 is upright and conscientious." Ernst righteously whitewashed Maximilian I.
"Okay, I'm not kidding you anymore. This is the information of a railway company invested by the royal family. If your Hechingen Energy Power Company didn't have some achievements in Prussia, I wouldn't be at ease cooperating with a young man like you."
Ernst immediately smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. We in East Africa will never forget your kindness."
"By the way, when do you and Prince Constantine plan to establish the country? I heard that Prince Constantine has already gone to East Africa. Can you tell me more?" Franz asked curiously.
It was no secret that the Hechingen royal family had fled overseas, so Franz was even more curious about what the Hechingen royal family would do next. It was not easy to establish a kingdom.
"Of course, it depends on you, Your Majesty. You also hope that Princess Karina will become the queen in the future instead of the princess!" Ernst looked at Franz I pitifully.
Franz was so angry that he blew his beard: "You little bastard, are you kidding me? Get out of here!"
"Okay, I'll leave now. I wish you a happy life in the future!" After saying that, Ernst ran away.
"This boy is still so frivolous..." Franz said with a smile.
Although he said this, Franz was still very confident in Ernst. Having a "clown" in the serious court always made Franz feel novel and relaxed, as it is lonely at the top.
(End of this chapter)
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