Chapter 266 Agent

Franz's aunt had amazing ambitions. Saxony becoming the largest cotton cloth processor in North Germany was far from enough for her.

Surpassing the Austrian Empire and becoming the textile industry hegemon in the German Customs Union was what she really wanted, so simply expanding production capacity could not satisfy her wishes.

Of course, the Queen of Saxony made this decision after careful consideration and detailed investigation. Relying on the special relationship with the Kingdom of Hanover, she can buy cheaper cotton raw materials, which is an advantage that other states in the German Confederation do not have.

Although Austria has Egypt as an import channel, after the end of the Turkish-Egyptian War, a large number of local cotton fields were ordered to change to grain, resulting in a significant reduction in its cotton production. Therefore, Austria had to turn its attention to Mexico and the United States.

Due to years of war and the fact that the former's planting income was far less than that of sugar and tobacco, its cotton production did not increase. As for the latter, it has always been following the lead of Britain, which is also an important reason why the French must find a stable cotton production area for themselves.

Franz's aunt did not think that the Austrian Empire's influence in North America could compete with France, so she did not choose to communicate with Madame Sophie when dealing with the market expansion led by the Austrian Empire.

Because she was confident that she would definitely be the final winner, she plunged into the competition for the clothing market.

But the 180-degree turn of the US policy afterwards was a blow to other countries in the German Customs Union.

All countries and individuals who tried to compete with Franz for the market suffered heavy losses, and Saxony was naturally not spared.

Everyone thought that the mastermind behind this action was Franz's parents, but the Queen of Saxony was Madame Sophie's twin sister, and the relationship was naturally extraordinary, so she never expected that she would be on the list of people who were pitted.

When Queen Maria Anna learned the truth, she was ready to leave for Vienna immediately, trying to play the "family card" to help herself recover the losses.

Mrs. Sophie felt that this was an opportunity to win over Saxony, an important northern ally of the Austrian Empire. Otherwise, she would most likely give the other party some money out of sympathy to send it away.

Some people may think that Mrs. Sophie is cold-blooded by nature, and even her twin sisters are calculated. But in fact, when it comes to complex national interests, we must not think rashly from the perspective of personal relationships, let alone judge simply by closeness and distance.

Schönbrunn Palace, Mrs. Sophie's bedroom.

Franz finally met Mrs. Sophie's twin sister. The two looked almost the same, but this aunt seemed to be ten years older than his mother. Her face was loose and wrinkled, just like those housewives who worked hard all day.

"Hello, Aunt Maria."

"Hello, Franz, I haven't seen you for a few years. You have grown so tall!"

"You are still so beautiful, Aunt Maria."

In fact, Franz did not lie. Women in this era age very quickly. Aunt Maria is already beautiful among women of this age.

"Alas, time is not forgiving. Unlike your mother, who doesn't have to worry about anything, although she married a husband who doesn't care about anything, she gave birth to a capable son. How happy!"

"Okay, Maria, let's talk business. If we go on, you will be confused by this little devil." Madame Sophie reminded.

"Well, Sophie, I'll get to the point. Franz, auntie lost six million florins this time, and you need to compensate for it."

"Isn't it three million?" Madame Sophie said with some surprise.

"I'm just trying to test whether your son is stupid or not?" Queen Maria Anna said with a hint of sarcasm (Archduke Franz Karl is a recognized fool).

"Franz, then do as your auntie said and give her six million. Let this person who has never laid eggs be envious." Madame Sophie naturally would not let her sisters go.

"Since you have laid so many eggs, why not give me one, and I will have Maximilian." Queen Maria Anna said half-jokingly.

However, this kind of thing is not uncommon among European royal families.

Mrs. Sophie actually hopes that at least each of her children will have a crown, so she is seriously considering this matter.

"Why?"

"Because the color of this egg is different!" Queen Maria Anna laughed.

Franz's family all have chestnut hair, only Maximilian has black hair, so people often talk about them behind their backs.

"You dare to say anything, you want to die!" Mrs. Sophie strangled Queen Maria Anna's neck, and the latter could only beg for mercy.

"Aunt Maria, how about this, my clothing factory places an order for 600,000 spindles of cotton cloth with Saxony every year."

Franz said it easily, but Queen Maria Anna's eyes widened, because the amount of cotton cloth processed in Saxony is only 600,000 spindles a year. And don't forget that it is the most developed country in the textile industry in North Germany. She said in disbelief.

"Is this true?"

"Of course it's false!" Mrs. Sophie was still brooding over her sister's previous words, and this was a good opportunity for revenge.

"You're so bad!"

"I'm kidding! Franz is always serious when he speaks, even though he often sounds like he's bragging."

Mrs. Sophie still had a good relationship with her twin sister. There were no outsiders in her bedroom, so she could talk more freely.

"But I have a condition. The price of Saxon cotton cloth must be consistent with that of the Austrian Empire."

Queen Maria Anna was not surprised by Franz's words. After all, it was almost impossible for such great luck to come without any additional conditions.

"Of course, there is no problem. The Saxon high-level officials, including my husband, have long lost the pioneering spirit. Now the liberal thoughts in the country are rampant, and the mobs are ready to revolt and overthrow the country with my husband.

But our police and soldiers are unemployed.

I am trying my best to win over those powerful people, but they only know how to fight for power and make the whole country a mess. The businessmen have long turned to foreign forces. Saxony is a country that is hopeless."

It can be seen that the queen is really tired of living. Franz glanced at Mrs. Sophie, who nodded, and the former withdrew from the room.

"Don't bow your head, the crown will fall; don't cry, the bitch will laugh. You are the Queen of Saxony, there is nothing to be afraid of, believe me, at least you have me as a solid ally to back you up."

Mrs. Sophie suddenly remembered what Franz said, and thought it was very interesting so she used it. But these words sounded completely different to Maria Anna, and instantly made her feel that her sister image was much taller.

"Sophie, you know, the Queen of Saxony does not have much power, I can only do something within my power. Unlike you"

"Dear Maria, I am just an archduchess, things are in the hands of people, if you lose confidence, then no one can save you. If your husband is not good, then hold the power firmly in your own hands"

As a barrier between Austria and Prussia, a too weak Saxony is not a good thing, because once it weakens, it will intensify the contradictions between the northern and southern giants.

At the same time, it will greatly enhance Prussia's influence in northern Germany, which is not what the Austrian Empire wants to see.

As for the seemingly powerful Hanover, it is actually heading towards extinction step by step. It is harder than climbing to the sky to rely on a group of middlemen to create obstacles for Prussia.

Under the influence of the German Customs Union, the countries that joined the union are experiencing a golden period of rapid development, and the decline of Hanover, a country that relies heavily on British goods, is a matter of time.

Saxony is an important chess piece used by the Austrian Empire to counter Prussia. If Austria directly suppresses Prussia, it is very likely to arouse the anger of Protestants in the entire North German region.

And Britain, France, and Russia will not sit idly by and watch it unify Germany, so proxy war is a good choice at this time.