Chapter 37 Taking Kickbacks

The royalists in Chenla and the landowners and merchants who opposed the Vietnamese finally raised 350,000 taels of silver and prepared to purchase 6,000 rifles from Austria at a price of 300,000 taels.

Ambrosius and the two officers accompanying him were very satisfied with the price of 180,000 taels, because in Austria these flintlocks could only be disposed of for 15 florins (approximately 10.5 taels).

And most of the guns disposed of will go to Austria's enemies or rebels.

The diplomat Zacher had already drawn up the agreement, and Ambrosius pressed the seal happily.

However, Jin Pan, the official who read the contract, was shocked, because it clearly stated in the contract that Zhenla purchased 6,000 flintlock muskets from the Austrian military at a price of thirty taels each, totaling ten. Eighty thousand taels.

Guan Jinpan originally planned to tear up the agreement, but who knew it would be in five copies.

Guan Jinpan was struck by lightning and immediately asked if he could modify the unit price and total price in the contract.

Ambrosius did not react for a moment, but diplomat Zacher understood the key and spoke righteously.

"We in the Austrian Empire have a very strict censorship system. The emperor, the Ministry of Finance, and the Prime Minister's Office must keep this contract for review. If we write three hundred thousand taels on the contract, then we must hand over the same amount, otherwise we will would be considered corruption.”

"The principles of the law are nothing more than human feelings. Please be accommodating." Guan Jinpan said with a smile, "I am willing to give you twenty thousand taels of silver as a gift. But I heard that your salary is only a few hundred taels a year. It is really wronging you." ”

Ambrosius and Zacher looked at each other, but they both refused to accept it. After all, this crime was too big.

Guan Jinpan absolutely cannot accept this result. If the matter is revealed, Zhenla will no longer have a place for him.

If he gives up on this deal, he will ruin the future of this country and his family.

While Guan Jinpan was hesitating, Father Pacini interrupted.

"Lord Guan Jinpan, if you can let me enter the palace and become the princess's teacher. I can consider it and help you convince them."

Guan Jinpan could neither give up the transaction nor let himself be ruined, so he had to agree to Pacini's request.

Father Pacini immediately pulled Ambrosius and Zacher aside to discuss together.

Father Pacini revealed his plan, which was to take this opportunity to make him and Ambrosius the tutors of Princess Chenla.

As the tutor of the princesses, Father Pacini naturally followed the upper-class route of Catholic tradition and directly converted the king to Christianity. There is no more direct way of preaching than this.

For Ambrosius, nothing could make it easier to get close to the princesses than being their tutor.

As for this covenant, let the ministers in the Imperial Council worry about it.

After all, Ferdinand I was not Franz II and would not personally inquire into the details of these transactions. Ferdinand I also did not have this ability.

As for the 20,000 pieces of silver, they still need to be collected, but they must be reported and applied for as start-up funds for supply points.

The three of them all agreed with this plan, but they were just afraid of what might happen

At this time Father Pacini said that the Austrian Church was willing to take all risks for this.

At this time, the Austrian church was very wealthy. Not only did it have donations and private property from all walks of life, it even had the power to collect tithes from the congregation.

It's just that the Austrian church is now under state control, and these incomes must be taxed by the state, and the specific amount must be reported to the state.

After everyone made up their mind, they explained everything to Guan Jinpan.

Guan Jinpan was hesitant at first. After all, letting two Xiyi become teachers of the princesses would attract attention too easily.

But when I thought that if this matter was exposed, not only would the restoration of the country be hopeless, but also my reputation would be ruined, I gritted my teeth and became determined.

Isn't it just to place two people next to the princess? He still has a way.

Moreover, this member of the Austrian royal family has become the teacher of the princesses. If he enters the palace, isn't that equivalent to being a hostage in his own hands?

Yes, as long as you say this, everything will be solved.

Austria Vienna.

Count Tural, the Minister of War, opened Ambrosius's report in his office and was immediately ecstatic after reading it.

Because this order is so wonderful for the Austrian military.

The Austrian army could just gather these obsolete rifles and send them to Chenla to make a lot of money.

As for whether it was 180,000 taels or 300,000 taels, Count Tural didn't care. He just hoped to get rid of these guns as soon as possible, and the money in exchange could be used to continue to update equipment.

In order to complete the deal as quickly as possible and support the pioneers of the Austrian Empire's first overseas supply point, Count Tural decided to skip the cabinet and let the military take over the business directly.

Because at this time, Francis II died and Ferdinand I ascended the throne, causing the entire country to fall into chaos.

The conflict between Metternich and Count Korolaf intensified, and bureaucrats from both factions attacked each other and competed for power.

The newly appointed chief royal advisor, Carl von Sloot, relied on his status as Queen Anna's lover and wanted to be a regent. As a result, he was directly excluded from the core of power by Count Korolaf and Prince Metternich.

As for who should control the future and power of the Austrian Empire, the two sides refused to give in to each other.

In the end, only Francis II's will could be made public.

Franz II requested the establishment of a Regency Committee to replace the Imperial Council.

The Regency Council was composed of Count Korolav, Prince Metternich, Archduke Louis, and Archduke Franz Karl as special members.

The original intention of making this will public was to stabilize the court, but it aroused Count Korolav's greater dissatisfaction with Prince Metternich.

Because when this will was made, Count Korolav was not present, but Metternich was.

This made Count Korolav suspect that Metternich used a forged edict.

In fact, this was done intentionally by the old emperor. He did not want the two powerful factions in Austria to be close to each other. At the same time, he added two royal family members to the Regency Council as a double insurance.

The biggest purpose of doing this is to balance, not let any party's power grow, and not let them endanger the royal family.

Even if the two regents reached an agreement, there are still two royal family members who can play a check and balance role.

So, the most squabbling government in history was born.

This government can be said to have made no achievements, because they are just arguing endlessly every day.

No matter what Prince Metternich puts forward, Count Korolav will raise objections.

Vice versa.

As for Archduke Louis, he does not understand national politics at all, so he only looks at whether it is beneficial to the family, and of course he will remain silent most of the time.

Archduke Franz Karl is more interested in wine than politics.

In this way, the Regency Council is in name only, and the entire country cannot issue any decrees.

The country is stagnant, and Mrs. Sophie keenly captures this point. She tries to control her husband to achieve her own political ambitions.

However, Franz Karl always remembers the advice his father gave him.

"Don't express your opinion, don't speak. Don't agree, don't oppose."