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

Chapter 1647 Go to Africa!

However, most people could not hide their excitement. Although they had never set foot on that mysterious and unknown continent, the British government had painted a sufficiently enticing picture.

There is no doubt that the African continent is an untapped treasure, a giant waiting to be awakened by money, and in this time of economic hardship, it is a golden opportunity for those who hold great wealth.

After all, the British government promised a franchise, which meant they could have a monopoly and eliminate competition. As long as enough resources could be discovered, the profits would be unlimited.

"Gentlemen, go to Africa! There, endless riches await you!"

"It's a pity there's no wine, otherwise I really would like to have a drink with you all!"

The Rothschild and Baring families both appeared confident, which alleviated the anxiety of others.

Soon, a dinner jointly hosted by several financial giants and the British government began, with Prime Minister George Hamilton Gordon in attendance, who reiterated the call to go to Africa.

With the endorsement of some social celebrities, many people believed that this was not a reckless speculation, but a great and glorious pioneering journey.

Even those who were initially skeptical about the prospects of African franchise companies are gradually coming to believe that the risks are manageable and the profits are limitless.

Those who still do not have a positive outlook on African franchises are considered cowardly, weak, and irresponsible.

However, some economists still came forward to say that the British government was shifting risk and urged investors not to easily hand over their chips.

This sparked a long debate in British newspapers, and even some economists from continental Europe joined in.

However, the first round of stock for those franchise companies quickly sold out, and no one could argue with that result.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! The African wealth train has been snapped up by the Bahrain and Rothschild families! You'll have to wait for the next round to buy!"

"Exclusive news! Top conglomerate's insider buying guide – your last chance!"

Besides the overwhelming publicity in the newspapers, members of the Baring and Rothschild families would often inadvertently reveal some "insider information" in those top salons.

"We have found the gold."

"We have found diamonds."

"There is a silver vein in a certain river."

Such news appears frequently, and coupled with the continuous rise in stock prices, it gives many people the opportunity to get rich and become wealthy.

Some people even started selling insider information. After a long period of economic crisis, the British people had an unusually strong desire for wealth. In order to catch this fast train and achieve upward social mobility, many people decided to take a gamble.

If ordinary bankers can see these problems, how could century-old financial giants like the Barings and Rothschilds not see them? Do they really love Britain and fear its demise?
Of course not!
In fact, analysts within these financial giants had long concluded that the risks and rewards of developing Africa were unequal; otherwise, given their influence, they would have taken action even without the British government's proposal.

Why then do these financial giants still advocate for colonizing Africa?

While personal connections with Prime Minister George Hamilton Gordon certainly played a part, their greater strength lay in their mastery of the art of shifting risk.

In this respect, George Hamilton Gordon was a complete novice. The large bank was merely acting as an underwriter for stock issuance and bond issuance, with the vast majority of the risk transferred to others from the outset. However, simply avoiding risk wasn't enough for them to make a fortune, so getting involved themselves was inevitable. The previous frenzy was largely fueled by this group.

Since no one falls for the trap, how will they get out of it?
Franz did buy some, but he didn't dare to go too far. After all, if someone noticed, he might end up falling into their trap.

By the time those financial giants received the news, Franz had already cashed out at the peak and fled. However, because his investment wasn't large enough, the returns weren't significant either; at best, he managed to get a small windfall.

However, Franz's actions still angered the financial tycoons, since they were the ones who usually took advantage of others.

However, they didn't have any good solutions for Franz, since the enemy was in the open while they were in the dark, and they could only accept their fate.

But there was some money Franz couldn't earn, and that was the loans from those franchise companies.

Those franchised companies would never borrow money from the banks of the Austrian Empire, since it involved collateral.

Even if Britain continues to advocate for free trade, it will not allow its companies to mortgage their land to other countries.

Franz was powerless to do anything about it and could only watch as the financiers profited from both sides.

These financial giants certainly profited immensely and successfully avoided risks. However, the truth will eventually come out.
Africa was too early for the British at this time. They could not find the resources they wanted, and the land they cultivated was not even enough to bury their own compatriots. The rampant malaria quickly plunged most of the charter companies into a state of loss.

Within a few years, the company's major shareholders cashed out and ran away, leaving only despair behind.

The minority shareholders were unable to repay the company's loans, the company's assets were auctioned off, they lost everything, and even incurred debt as a result.

It was only then that people realized they had been deceived by the British government; it was all a lie, and sub-Saharan Africa had nothing but death and disease.

There is no doubt that the British government used them as cannon fodder, assigning them the most uncertain and dangerous tasks while keeping itself out of the fray.

This practice naturally aroused the dissatisfaction of the hopeful colonists, but by then they had no power left.

Those without power have no rights, and as a result, this group of people quickly transformed from "pioneers of the empire" and "forerunners of civilization" into "blind opportunists."
The British government seized the colonies, the financial giants made money, and the British became a laughing stock and debtors.

In fact, some British financial giants had already begun to contact the Austrian Empire. After all, they believed that the collateral of those chartered companies after their bankruptcy was of little value, and resources only had value when they were in circulation.

So they wanted to find someone to take over, or rather, to find a buyer.

Franz was all too familiar with this tactic, and the Austrian Empire was already doing well enough to manage its own small territory; he had no interest in stepping into any new pitfalls.

Even if Franz were to buy these lands now, the British government might not allow him to develop them with peace of mind. If something valuable were discovered, it would be uncertain who would ultimately own these lands.

Everything was back to square one: the Austrian Empire lacked sufficient overseas power, and even with increased investment, it might not be able to absorb everything.

There was some less good news for the Austrian Empire: the British Navy had produced a copy of the breech-loading cannon.

There was nothing that could be done about it. The British weren't stupid; a spy could spot the differences between the two countries' artillery with just a few glances.