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

Chapter 1552: Taking the Lead (Part )

Olga, dressed in her best clothes, appeared at the bow, surrounded by a group of maids, also dressed in their best clothes.

Olga waved her arms. Because of her father, she didn't have a bad impression of Britain, and she really liked this feeling of being superior.

However, the British on both sides of the strait had already huddled together at this time. It was the first time they had seen such a shocking scene.

Seeing the beautiful women in gorgeous clothes on the boat waving, they also waved their arms unconsciously. Even those who had booed the loudest before had taken off their hats and put them on their chests to greet the people on the boat.

Following the gangway down came two rows of upright guards of honor, wearing the traditional white uniforms of the Austrian Empire and marching in step.
The next huge elevator that descended from the ship was a silver-cast chariot inlaid with countless colorful gems.

But what is even more eye-catching are the four golden horses in front. These horses are tall, strong and quiet, and their long manes make people think a lot.

There is no doubt that Olga's appearance attracted a lot of attention for the Austrian Empire. However, due to the fact that the queen, the horse and the gorgeous carriage were too eye-catching, not many people paid attention to what exhibits the Austrian Empire brought.

Although this is big news and can increase the popularity of the International Industrial Exposition, British top officials are not happy at all.

Whitehall, London.

John Russell looked very bad.

"This time the Austrians are definitely on a 10,000-ton ship. What do you think your Admiralty is doing? Didn't you promise that the 'Hindustan' and the 'Victory' would be the last to appear?"

The Duke of Northumberland said calmly.

"The Austrian ships have no stories, but our ships are full of stories, they carry the honor of the British Empire."

John Russell suddenly felt a splitting headache, and he finally began to understand the American president who died of stomach pain.

"Damn those old nobles! They are such useless fellows!"

However, John Russell could only curse in his heart and asked in a friendly manner on the surface.

"We can't let the Austrians steal the show. Do you have any remedy for this?"

The Duke of Northumberland spoke calmly.

"Mr. Prime Minister, the Austrian ship is nothing special. Our Great Eastern is 211 meters long, 36 meters wide, displaces tons, has three propulsion systems: two side paddle wheels, a stern propeller, and six masts.

The sail area alone is 6,500 square yards.”

John Russell was greatly encouraged after hearing this. The parameters of the Great Eastern were far superior to those of the Carl Augustus. As long as it was launched, it would definitely be able to win back the game. No, it would shock the world!
Compared with the Great Eastern, the 2,000-ton Hindustan and 3,000-ton Victory were really nothing.

"Duke of Northumberland, please forgive my rashness, but when do you plan to have the Great Eastern appear? Before the end? To block the Austrians' path? The real finale!"

The Duke of Northumberland remained calm and composed.

"Don't be impatient, Prime Minister. Wait a little longer. Wait a little longer."

John Russell also realized that he was too impatient and that such a big move must be used just right.

"But there has to be a time, right?"

John Russell couldn't help but ask.

The Duke of Northumberland answered calmly.

"In another five years, it will be launched in 1856." The air in Whitehall dropped to freezing point in an instant, and John Russell sat back in his chair dejectedly, at a loss.

In fact, at this time the British had already mastered the technology to build giant ships and had even put it into practice.

It’s just that the British were too ambitious. Although the BBC listed it as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Industrial World”, the parameters of the Great Eastern had far exceeded those of that era.
Even though the Austrian Empire possessed technology that was completely ahead of its time and had conducted a large number of experiments, it was ultimately able to produce only a 10,000-ton ship, while the British "Great Eastern" was almost twice the size of the "Carle Augustus".

But what really makes the British most angry is that the "Carl Augustus" is a yacht, and a royal yacht with a pure negative return.

In other words, it was a face-saving project, but the Austrian Empire always attached great importance to face-saving projects, so the luxury of the "Carl Augustus" far exceeded the imagination of the British at that time.

This practice is completely contrary to the British theory. After all, in their view, people will not do things that are not in their own interest.

Therefore, Britain's large ships are either warships or cargo ships, for which they do not hesitate to use the most advanced technology and the best craftsmen.

However, the Austrians' actions slapped the British in the face, and they could only curse them with disdain.

"Freak!"

In addition, the Austrian Empire only had experience in building large warships, so the "Karl Augustus" was also designed as a warship. As long as it was equipped with weapons, it would be the largest warship in the world at that time.

In fact, John Russell did not give up, and the Duke of Northumberland and the Royal Navy were not as indifferent as they seemed.

The British are proud of their status as the world's number one naval power, and when faced with the Austrians' direct attack, the British must seek revenge.

As a result, an even crazier shipbuilding plan came into being, but they overlooked one problem, which was the impact of the economic crisis.

The Great Eastern project had been proposed long ago but had been shelved, largely due to a lack of funds.

Forcing certain plans before the time is right will inevitably lead to a price.
Compared with the British government, the British royal family seems much more calm.

Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, along with their entire family, met Queen Olga and left the public occasion. Queen Olga immediately began to talk to Victoria in her half-baked Russian English.

"I saw it. That greenhouse is really beautiful."

Victoria was a little confused, but she said it anyway.

"Thank you for the compliment. Which greenhouse do you mean?"

"Crystal Palace."

Even if Prince Albert had recovered well, his face looked a little dark at this moment.

Victoria was somewhat skeptical.

"You said the Crystal Palace is a glass greenhouse? You are so talented! I don't know what those people are so surprised about. Isn't it just a bigger glass greenhouse?
Don’t they even have a glass greenhouse at home?”

"No, we have them in St. Petersburg. It's just that it's very troublesome to clean the snow and ice off the roof in winter."

Olga also complained.

Prince Albert was very upset. He had forgotten their backgrounds. In their eyes, it was strange that their home did not have a glass greenhouse and a garden.

However, Prince Albert did not expect his wife to confront the queen of another country. After all, most royal families have blood ties, which is the core force to maintain European legitimacy.

Although the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, the British royal family itself is not opposed to orthodoxy, and does not want to make enemies with the Habsburg family.