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

Chapter 1540 Alaska Development Plan

In fact, many of the colonies of the Austrian Empire were considered bad lands in the eyes of Europeans. These were areas despised by Britain, France, Portugal and the Netherlands. They were garbage that had been looked down upon by generations of colonists for hundreds of years.

That is why the Austrian Empire was able to bring them into its sphere of influence at a very small cost, and that is why those countries were willing to sell their trading posts, which they had painstakingly managed for hundreds of years, at very low prices.

The real reason was not that Franz was sincere, nor that the price offered by Austria was high, but that they really could not make any money and had to pay a considerable amount of maintenance costs every year.

But these rotten things came back to life soon after the Austrian Empire took over, but no one thought it was a coincidence. Some people said that Franz used witchcraft, but Alexander didn't believe in such things.

"Russia has its own arsenal. His Majesty the Tsar must want Russian soldiers' weapons to come from its own arsenal."

Franz's answer was impeccable, Alexander nodded and said.

"That makes sense. I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

Franz said, shaking Alexander's hand.

"Cheers to our partnership."

The waiter beside him quickly brought the drinks.
After sending Alexander away, Franz began to seriously plan how to develop Alaska.

In fact, Franz had made a similar plan a long time ago. After all, Russia's sale of Alaska was really stupid, and many people had considered what they would do if they bought Alaska.

Although Franz felt that the economic value of buying Alaska was far less than the strategic value of keeping it in Russia, he had made a contingency plan.

Alaska's Kenai Peninsula is a place where cold-resistant crops can be grown. This is not just Franz's fantasy, but something that the Russians have experimented with in history.

In 1820, Emperor Nicholas I ordered the construction of Ninichik Farm with the aim of turning the Kenai Peninsula into the granary of Alaska.

Nicholas I once declared that he wanted to build it into the largest rural area in North America, capable of providing food for 100,000 people.

However, this wish was ultimately unfulfilled, and in 1840 Nicholas I had to close the Ninichik Farm.

Because no one was willing to farm in Alaska, several agricultural scientists who proposed this plan fled St. Petersburg with their families overnight.

As for the biggest obstacle at the time, greenhouses were not a problem for the Austrian Empire at that time.

With the addition of newly invented modern agricultural machinery, it is not difficult to set up a farm on the Kenai Peninsula.

However, it was basically a fantasy to expect to make a profit from this farm. Franz was simply losing money to gain publicity. But when dealing with people like Nicholas I, this kind of operation was a must.

Franz even changed the name of the farm to Nikolayevsk, which was a courtesy. After all, Nicholas I had given Franz's eldest son the middle name Augustus.

If anyone from any other country in the world dared to do this, he would be scolded to death. But Nicholas I did this and it would fit people's stereotype.
Just like in "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", if Duan Zhengchun dared to admit that Xu Zhu was his illegitimate son, then even if Abbot Xuanci shouted at the top of his lungs, it would be useless.
When talking about agriculture, we must mention animal husbandry, and animal husbandry in Alaska in later generations was also one of its pillar industries.

The lower Yukon River can be used to develop reindeer farming, while the Aleutian Islands can be used for sheep farming.

There are cases that can be directly referenced in later generations. Franz only needs to select the species, and the rest will be much easier.

Then there is the fishery. The main reason why the Russians and French are unable to develop the Alaskan fishery is not because the fishery itself is not good or because fishing is difficult, but because of the lack of a market.

However, this was not a problem at all for the Austrian Empire, which owned the California colony. Once the market problem was solved, there would naturally be great potential for the fishing industry.

Moreover, with the development of the times, the problems that were unsolvable in the past are no longer a big deal. For example, if there is a surplus of fish, you can just set up a canning factory to solve it.
As for the mineral resources, let the Russians develop them themselves. After all, all countries in the world attach great importance to mineral resources at this time. In addition, mining in this icy and snowy land is not an easy task, even for those open-pit mines.

Russia, St. Petersburg.

Nicholas I was very happy when he received Franz's letter. He felt that his vision was correct. He said that Alaska could develop agriculture.

Nicholas I also liked the name Nikolaevsk.

As for the so-called dividends in Franz's letter, Nicholas I didn't care that much. Franz also sent the footprints and 100-day photos of Nicholas I's grandson Karl Augustus.

"See? What a strong little fellow! He is half Romanov. He will definitely become an excellent monarch in the future."

As an orthodox monarch, Nicholas I naturally attached great importance to bloodline. He also hoped that the Romanov family could marry into more royal families, but there were not many royal families that he could look up to.

Obviously the Habsburgs were one of them.
Alexandra Feodorovna, standing by, understood her husband, but she was also happy for her daughter. After all, it was good enough for her daughter to get married as she was an old maid.

When Olga became pregnant, both Russia and Austria were delighted. Only Nicholas I's wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, was worried about her daughter. She was afraid that if her daughter had a difficult delivery, it would be an unprecedented disaster.

Alexandra Feodorovna cried.

"That's great! What a good kid! Our daughter has suffered so much."

Nicholas I rolled his eyes at his wife; they were clearly not on the same page.

However, after reading the letter, Nicholas I's face became gloomy again.

Alexandra Feodorovna immediately noticed this change in her husband.

"What's wrong? Honey, what's wrong with you?"

Nicholas I said unhappily.

"It's you who spoiled Alexander! Look at what your son did! And look at what other people's children did!"

Alexandra Feodorovna read it again carefully and discovered that Alexander really intended to go to Alaska.

"Oh my god, how can this kid be so stupid? You can't let him go to Alaska! It's icy and snowy."

But before Alexandra Feodorovna could finish her words, Nicholas I spoke angrily.

"It's a good opportunity for him to calm down. Don't cause trouble for no reason!"

In fact, Franz's intention of reporting to Nicholas I was not to trick Alexander.

In his eyes, it was impossible for the Tsar to let the crown prince suffer in Alaska, but Alexander was too stubborn and liked to stir up trouble, so he might really run to Alaska secretly.

Moreover, the treaties signed by Franz and Alexander were simply worthless pieces of paper before they were approved by Nicholas I.

If Franz really took these things seriously, he would be laughed at, and Nicholas I would more likely interpret them further and even think that Franz and Alexander were conspiring.

But Franz still lacked one thing, which was where did Alexander's stubbornness come from?