Holy Roman Empire

On July 11, 1849, Franz proposed at the enlarged meeting of the Austrian government: "Establishment of the Austrian core industrial system".

Immediately afterwards, the Austrian government started field research work, which industries are listed as the core development focus, which can not be decided by Franz.

Even if the reason is sufficient, it is necessary to collect enough data and analyze it to ensure that nothing is wrong before it can be determined.

The actual results are very impressive. There is enough evidence to show that in this era, we must focus on the development of the military industry, so the focus is on naval military industry.

The Army ’s hundreds of thousands of rifles add up to the price of one or two battleships.Artillery is more expensive, but it is not so high. In this era, the Army ’s largest military expenditures were personnel salaries and training costs, not weapons and equipment.

The focus of military-industrial enterprises is on R & D and production capacity. Production capacity does not need to be considered. The domestic market is so large, the international arms market is smaller, and blindly increasing production capacity is to die.

It doesn't cost much for research and development. How much does it cost to invest in several artillery and rifles?Is one million rupiah enough every year?

If it is not enough, ten million dong will definitely not be spent.

In this era, is the sum of R & D expenditures of all European countries investing in army weapons and equipment, 10 million rupiah, a big question mark?

Franz estimates that it is not. Most of the military industrial enterprises in Europe are private enterprises. They are all for profit. The investment in research and development costs is too large, and the cost cannot be collected.

As long as profits are good, don't expect capitalists to make technological innovations.

Technological innovation in this era is not a good word. With a failure rate of more than 99%, capitalists are cautious when investing.

This is why there is a saying that war promotes the development of weapons. Only in the period of war can everyone be willing to invest in the research and development of new weapons and equipment.

In contrast, the navy is the golden beast, but unfortunately the navy of the Austrian Empire seems to be too small, and it can probably rank as six or seven in the world.

If you focus on developing the navy, it is estimated that it will not be long before it can rush to the third place in the world, behind the British and French.

Then they won't be able to rush up. These two are not the same as those behind them. They are much stronger in terms of accumulated technical strength and overall national strength.

Considering the terrible naval arms race, Franz counseled in a flash.The Austrian navy can only spin around in the Mediterranean and get a large fleet out. What's the use?

Both Britain and France were colonial empires before they were engaged in large navies. All of the current naval powers are colonial nations.Even if Austria is now preparing to participate in colonial activities, there is no need to immediately explode the navy?

Franz is not ready to rob India with the British. Why should he play an arms race with them?

The final research report shows that it is enough to attach importance to the development of the military industry. The government allocates millions of research and development expenses every year to ensure the world's advanced level.

The level of basic industry is here, not that the more the government attaches importance and the greater the investment, the greater the final gain.

Looking at the report, Franz could only scold the unscrupulous gang of unscrupulous experts and professors in his heart for tampering with history.

Think about it. In addition to a new rifle, what new weapons did Prussia invest in the Pu'o War and the Franco-Prussian War?

Is the military industry developed by the power of the country, the final result is a breech rifle?

Isn't this nonsense?Are the leaders of the Prussian government all fools?

Others dare not say that Franz dare to guarantee hundreds of thousands of shields, Austria can now get even machine guns.

In other words, the plate of the military industry is still small. As long as the government allocates a small amount of energy, it can maintain the world's advanced level.

That's right, the Austrian military industry in this era is still at the world's advanced level, and it is not behind any other country.

Franz is not prepared to develop across the ages. He is not ready to research and develop high-tech products such as aircraft and tanks.

In fact, it was developed, but not produced.

It is still reluctant to make tanks. The big deal is the legendary steam tank. Although it is a bit magical, it is theoretically feasible; but has anyone heard of a steam plane?

Just hit your face, anyway, Franz's face is thick.Fortunately, the Austrian government is pragmatic, otherwise, when the national policy is determined, it can only be broken and swallowed into the stomach.

On September 11, 1849, the Austrian government became independent of the department responsible for railway construction and established the Ministry of Railways. The railway officially became Austria's core industry for the next two decades.

On September 13th, the Austrian government confirmed the core position of the manufacturing industry and the agricultural products processing industry.

At this point, the troika that pushed the Austrian Empire forward was all in place.The question now is how to develop these industries.

"Your Majesty, this is the draft of the Ministry of Railways on the rapid construction of the national railway network. Please look over." The new Minister of Railway Baron Stein said

After that, he submitted a document to Franz.The document is not very thick, only a dozen thin pages.

Franz took over the file and flipped it through. The content was not much, but it was expected.There are tables and text descriptions, and all the content is made by hand. It may be too hurried to make the system, and some lines are still curved.

After spending more than ten minutes, Franz scanned it roughly, and said blankly: "Jenny, get a map of Austria."

This is a plan for the national railway network. There are many cities involved in the middle. Franz does not have such a good memory and can clearly remember every place.

Looking at the map, Franz found that once the plan was implemented, all major cities in Austria were connected in series, and some railways also extended to the border areas. Obviously, the Ministry of Railways also considered military needs.

"There is no problem with the plan. Is the problem technically achievable? Railways in many areas have to pass through the mountains, which will bring a very severe test to the railway construction." Franz said after thinking about it

"Your Majesty, this is just a draft. In fact, before construction, we must also send engineers to carry out on-site inspections. We can not guarantee that we can implement it without obtaining these data.

We are ready to detour once certain road sections are restricted by geographical conditions and cannot be repaired.Now it is just what we want to achieve, to extend the railway to major cities across the country."Stein explained

Franz nodded, strictly speaking, Stein is not a qualified manager, he should be an engineer.

However, the main job of the Austrian Ministry of Railways now is to repair roads, and the railway management is carried out by the affiliated railway companies, and is also subject to supervision by the Ministry of Transport.

If it is not to reflect the government's emphasis on railways, there may not be such a high level of the Ministry of Railways, but a railway construction company.

Since it is a simple road construction, Franz naturally does not mind appointing an experienced engineer to preside over the work, at least do not have to worry about the skyrocketing railway construction plan.

Stein has been involved in the design and construction of many railways in Austria, and is one of the most famous railway engineers in Austria in this era.

Originally the chief railway engineer requested by the Austrian Austrian government, he has now become a minister of railways.

The title has changed, and the rights have increased, but the content of the work has not changed.He is still in charge of repairing the railway and has to participate in design and construction.

The railway designers in this era were very bitter. They had to personally participate in the field exploration of important areas, but did not sit in the office to blow the benefits of air conditioning.

Franz doesn't worry about whether the plan of the railway network can be completed, but when it will be completed, that's a question.

The 19th century is not the 21st century. The railway network of more than 38,000 kilometers, even the main roads, has more than 12,000 kilometers.

It is not so easy to build so many kilometers of railway.At present, Austria is operating only 1,359 kilometers of railways and 896 kilometers of railways under construction.

"How long will it take to complete this plan?" Franz asked with concern.

"At least two decades, if you have sufficient financial resources, this time can be greatly shortened."

Stein did not say anything. Railway construction is not another industry. As long as you are willing to spend money, you can still start construction on multiple lines, and the construction speed can naturally be doubled.

Franz didn't say anything without half a ring. This answer is equivalent to no answer. If the railway is more than 38,000 kilometers long, it will not necessarily be enough for twenty years.

If the construction is carried out in sub-sections and divided into 30 small projects, then each project will only be more than 1,000 kilometers. If it continues to be divided, it may be completed in a few years.

If you really think so, it must be a layman.First of all, this requires a lot of capital investment, and secondly, a large number of railway workers.

In addition to ensuring these two basic requirements, it is also necessary to consider the adequacy of technical personnel, transportation, raw material supply, geographical conditions and other factors.

"Then I will give you 20 years. In terms of funds, I can guarantee that the government will have a financial allocation of not less than 20 million rupiah every year. The government will also introduce relevant laws to allow private capital to participate in railway construction.

I hope to see this railway network all over the country within 20 years, can you do it?"Franz asked carefully

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I promise to complete the task in advance!" Stein said excitedly

As long as there is money, railway construction is not a problem.

Need to know that there is a group of workers in the hands of the Austrian government?This group of unlucky eggs who participated in the rebellion were destined to be sacrificed from the beginning.

Franz did not believe that with these 200,000 lives, he could not build a 38,000-kilometer railway.If it is not enough, continue to provoke war, bully the Ottoman Empire, the labor is not rolling in yet?

The industrialization of any country is full of blood, either internally or externally. Where does success come without sacrifice?