Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Ambrose's Letter

Austria's frantic railway construction, however, brought about a major problem: the country's pig iron production was severely insufficient.

Consequently, a multitude of steel companies emerged like mushrooms after a rain.

This, in turn, caused the demand for coal to increase rapidly, and from this point on, Austria's industrialization began to accelerate.

Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

Thalia skipped into Franz's room, waving a letter in her hand.

"Archduke Franz, the Archduke from the countryside, has sent a letter!"

Seeing Thalia's smug expression, Franz couldn't help but feel curious.

"Why are you so happy?"

Thalia did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Do you want me to read it to you?"

Franz sighed.

"Are you worried that if you teach me, you'll be out of a job later? Don't worry, that won't happen. I'll read the letter myself; it's a good chance to practice my literacy."

As soon as Franz opened the letter, he was stunned. What on earth was this?

By now, Franz had learned German and French, and in his previous life, he knew some English, but what lay before him... was completely incomprehensible.

"Can't read it, can you, little genius? It's Spanish!" Thalia said with a laugh.

Franz was speechless. Why would an Austrian write a letter in Spanish?

He had no choice but to say, "Then you should read it."

At this moment, Thalia began to play hard to get.

"Is this the attitude of someone asking for a favor? Have you forgotten noble etiquette?"

"Respected Miss Thalia, may I request that you read a letter to me?" Franz stood up and bowed, pronouncing every word clearly.

"Then I shall reluctantly agree to your request."

Thalia took the letter and began to read.

*Dear nephew, Franz,*

*As you mentioned, my application to serve as a military observer in Cambodia has caused quite a stir within the military.*

*The high command engaged in heated discussions, but ultimately accepted my application.*

*General Thural told me he would do his utmost to find suitable candidates for me. However, in the end, he only found two warriors who understood the Khmer language and were willing to accompany me to Cambodia.*

*At the same time, Prince Metternich also approached me. He hopes I can serve as an Austrian envoy to establish diplomatic relations with Cambodia and collect as much intelligence about the country as possible. He has also granted me certain authorities so that I may protect myself in critical moments.*

*He will dispatch a professional diplomat to accompany me, a proposal I have gladly accepted; I will not miss any opportunity to expand my small team. Normally, a military observer should have twenty attendants. My team currently consists of two officers and one diplomat. In the end, I could only find seventeen outlaws—ah, no, adventurers—to accompany me, barely making up the twenty.*

*Most of them are Spanish and Portuguese; these people travel constantly between Europe and Asia and possess some knowledge of the situation in Cambodia. They do not speak German, but fortunately, we speak Spanish and Portuguese. In comparison, the clergy are much more practical.*

*Archbishop Lauscher personally received me and shared the Gospel of the Lord with me. (Ten thousand words omitted here).*

*Archbishop Lauscher hopes that I can bring civilization and the Gospel to Cambodia, so three missionaries have joined my expedition. The Church has provided 20,000 florins in funding for this long journey, along with 1,000 newly printed Bibles.*

*Afterward, through Church connections, we contacted a French merchant ship, and the captain is willing to take us there. Currently, France is the only European nation capable of trading with Vietnam and Cambodia.*

*We have now reached the Cape of Good Hope. We unfortunately encountered a storm on the way, and two crew members perished. Since their bodies could not be found, the priest could only pray to the sea, hoping to guide their souls to heaven.*

*By the time you receive this letter, we should have arrived in Cambodia.*

*May God protect us so that we may fulfill the heavy responsibilities placed upon us by the State and the Church. Pray for me, that I may find the Princess and save her.*

*— Ambrosius.*

Franz thought about the problems Ambrosius might encounter. In his previous letter to Ambrosius, he had already informed him of the unspoken rules of Eastern officialdom and certain precautions.

For example, do not stare directly into people's eyes.

In Europe, not looking at someone while speaking might be considered disrespectful. But in some parts of Southeast Asia, making eye contact is considered impolite. Of course, if you stare at a woman, that is a different story entirely—they will think you are interested in them.

After much thought, there was only one thing left to remind Ambrosius of: do not act too hastily. Furthermore, compared to the inefficient Austrian bureaucracy, sending letters directly to Schönbrunn Palace would be far more efficient.

Thalia asked curiously, "I asked a well-traveled general, and he said the Kingdom of Vietnam is one of the strongest powers in Asia, with an area as large as France. Archduke Ambrosius only has twenty people and wants to save a princess. Can he really do it?"

"The dragon is as big as a mountain and lives in a fortified castle. Does the knight recoil?" Franz countered.

"But those are just fairy tales."

"Are fairy tales all lies?" Franz played the rogue; after all, one is allowed to do so when young.

Thalia was indeed caught in a dilemma, unsure of how to explain.

She could only say, "Have you finished your homework? Slacking off again. Go, go now!"

"You were the one who offered to read to me..."

"Talking back! I'll get you!"

Thalia gave up on reasoning. Seeing no one around, she dropped the letter and rushed over to ruffle Franz's hair.

Franz knew that to help Ambrosius, he would need to leverage the power of the Church.

After all, Emperor Minh Mạng of Vietnam had forbidden Western missionaries from proselytizing in Vietnam, which had offended the French. France had once helped the Vietnamese, providing weapons and funds during the founding wars of Vietnam, and had even dispatched a team of officers to help train Vietnamese soldiers. The French assessment of Vietnam was that they "cast aside French benevolence and made enemies of the civilized European world."

Although Vietnam strictly prohibited proselytizing, the Church had never given up its mission there. Emperor Minh Mạng ordered the arrest of Western missionaries who preached privately and persecuted local Christians. In the near future, the French would invade Vietnam under the pretext of protecting these persecuted Christians.

The French Church had once called upon European Catholics to spread the Gospel in Southeast Asia. However, these people were not fools; since the Vietnamese government prohibited preaching, they simply went to places where the government's reach was limited—such as the countryside, or Cambodia.

Among them, of course, were missionaries from Austria and Italy.

As the leader of the religious community in the Austrian Empire, Lauscher certainly had ways to contact these people. And the value of these missionaries, who understood the local conditions, far exceeded the value of sending an army to Cambodia.