The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1453: Vision of Venice
Venice, the residence of high officials.

Harbormaster Federico De Luca finally had some free time. He sat down at his seat and wiped his sweat with a towel without caring about his image.

"Federico! Look at what you look like? Wearing a vest and a towel, you look like a dock laborer!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the conference room burst into laughter.

"No, I can't compare to you, Mr. Manor, the director of the Commerce Bureau. Drinking tea and chatting is like work. There are more than a thousand ships in the port every day, and I have to review them one by one."

Portmaster Federico De Luca nudged the police chief next to him with his elbow and said.

"Do you know why I don't hire a female secretary?"

"Because you like men?"

"Get lost! The weekly report list of these ships alone weighs nearly two tons. If you really find a little girl here, she will become an old lady in a few days!"

The crowd burst into laughter again.

But this kind of laughter was not mocking, but carried a sense of pride.

At this time, there were thousands of ships coming and going in the Port of Venice every day. Although this number was not as high as that of London, the annual throughput of a single port was far greater than that of London.

After all, the Austrian Empire had few ports, and almost all of its offshore bulk cargo had to pass through Venice.

For example, in the 3th century, the number of ships traveling to and from the Port of Liverpool each year was less than % of that of the Port of London, but the annual cargo throughput was comparable.

Because Liverpool was the largest cotton distribution center in the UK at that time, cotton alone accounted for 80% of London's cargo throughput.

At this time, the trade volume of the Port of Venice has increased by more than thirty times compared to twelve years ago, which makes the Venetians see the shadow of their glorious past again.

"Cough cough."

At this time, Baron Rossi, the highest administrative officer of Venice, coughed twice and then said.

"Okay, stop laughing. Let's get down to business."

Everyone immediately stopped laughing and looked at the senior official.

"Venetiana has always enjoyed the Empire's tax reduction policy and the support of national strategies. Therefore, Venetia is the richest province in the entire Austrian Empire, so we can throw the food we don't like into the trash can or throw it into the sea to feed the fish."

Everyone laughed again, and Baron Rossi changed the subject.

"Now there is a section of the Empire that is demanding a uniform tax system across the country."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the officials and wealthy businessmen present showed expressions of horror.

"The progressive tax system of the empire is terrible! Why should the more you earn, the higher the tax you pay?"

"The Empire is killing the donkey after it has served its purpose!"

"Which idiot suggested this?"

"Where are our people? We must stop this from happening!"

Everyone present was talking one after another and all fell into a rage.

Someone finally spoke.

"Mr. Mazzini is right. We Italians are the best people in the world."

As soon as he said this, everyone around him shrank their necks and looked at him in horror. Some people were ready to get up and leave. The rebellion two years ago was still shocking. Countless wealthy merchants and famous families fell collectively, and the entire Venetia region was reshuffled. Many people came to power at that time. At that time, the Italian coalition army was said to have a million people and had the momentum to sweep everything.

With the support of Britain and France, everyone thought that Italy's independence was just around the corner. But as everyone knows, the kings who participated in the rebellion were forced to abdicate, and even Pope Pius IX exiled himself to atone for his sins.

If even the big shots are like this, let alone the little shrimps like us.

The companions around him wanted to cover the young man's mouth, but he pushed them away.

"Gentlemen, think about it. How much the Austrians have taken from us! If it weren't for the Austrians' tyranny, we would have surpassed Britain long ago!

Even so, some people are still grateful to the Austrian Empire. Venice today is won by us Venetians with hard work and wisdom!
In the future, as long as the Suez Canal is opened, Venice will once again become the center of world trade. Are you still willing to continue to be Austria's running dog?

Now the mission of revitalizing Italy falls on our shoulders!

After we become independent, we can also impose tariffs on the Austrian Empire. By then, it will be just a matter of time before Venice surpasses Paris and London."

In this person's description, Italian independence is full of prospects and money for Venice. Some people are tempted, some are hesitant, and some are indifferent.

Harbormaster Federico De Luca was the first to rise.

"Don't count me in. For the sake of your dead father, I can pretend that you are young and ignorant today. But I want to tell you that people in Venice will definitely not live better after independence. By then, everyone will die."

The young man who made the initiative, named Marco Bianchi, said with disdain.

"Mr. Federico De Luca, the port master, you are exaggerating! The Austrian Empire leased the port of Genoa, and we also have Trieste on the other side of the river.

But they are completely unable to shake the status of Venice, which is enough to prove that Venice is great and irreplaceable! Venetians are superior to Austrians and Genoese, and they are at the top of the world's nations! "

The harbormaster, Federico De Luca, simply sneered and walked away.

In fact, Marco Bianchi’s understanding was not entirely wrong. Venice did have an unshakable position in the Austrian Empire at that time. After all, the Austrian Empire had limited ports, Trieste was a military port, and Genoa was rented.

But if the so-called irreplaceability is true, then there would be no Twilight in Venice in history.

In the end, Franz received a letter, which was a joint letter from many gentry and celebrities in northern Italy.

"I beg your wise king, the provinces of northern Italy have suffered from bad harvests and famine. Now the people are starving and dying on the roads. If you impose heavy taxes again, I am afraid that the people will be in great danger, and even the grass will have difficulty surviving!"

The translation means roughly:
"Your Majesty, the harvest in northern Italy is poor and many people are starving. If you continue to increase taxes, I'm afraid those people will have trouble surviving."

Olga said with tears in her eyes after reading it.

"Franz, look at those Italians. They are so pitiful. Why don't you implement tax reform later? Your people are starving to death."

Franz just glanced at Olga and said.

"Who gave you any benefit? Tell the truth."

Olga opened her eyes wide and made an innocent expression, but the tears that she had managed to squeeze out stopped.

"Franz, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Stop pretending. Others are using you as a tool and you are still covering for them. Tell me who she is? I will make her and her family pay."

Franz's imposing manner was so overwhelming that Olga unconsciously retreated to the wall and her breathing became rapid.

Franz continued upon seeing this.

"If you really think you are doing this for those who are suffering, you are totally wrong. I am collecting taxes from those who owe the country, not from those poor people."