Chapter 12 Who Is the Strongest

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Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace.

The rubber seeds had already been sent directly to the royal greenhouse, awaiting cultivation into seedlings before being transported to Cambodia, where Ambrose and the Church representatives would promote their planting.

Rubber trees have a long growth cycle, requiring eight years before tapping can begin, and it takes another five years to reach peak latex production.

Franz looked at the check and wheat seeds before him and thought Talya had gone a bit too far.

“What’s this one hundred thousand florins about? Wasn’t there a signed contract? You’re acting like a bandit—no sense of contract spirit at all, typical Westerner.”

Talya shrugged nonchalantly.

“The contract is void now; do you still need to honor it?”

“The contract?”

“He tore it up himself. That’s not my problem.”

“That’s impossible!”

Talya made a stopping gesture, then pulled a small pouch from her skirt pocket.

“This is a gift for you; you’ll find it useful someday.” After a moment, she added, “Though I hope you never have to use it.”

“But Costa tore up the contract himself; how could that be?” Franz pressed.

Talya pointed to the pouch on the table.

“The powder inside makes people weak and obedient. Costa tampered with my tea...”

Franz looked at Talya curiously.

“Are you alright?”

“Of course I am. He’s reaping what he sowed.” Talya said proudly.

“Alright, it seems he’s received his just punishment.”

Glancing at the check on the table, Franz thought, since it was already issued, he might as well spend it.

“Talya, you did well. Do you want a reward?”

Talya looked at Franz in surprise. What was this kid thinking? Trying to control me? But wait... Talya suddenly remembered that she was, in fact, Franz’s subordinate now.

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“A reward?!” Talya rolled her eyes.

“Let me put it another way—do you have any dreams?”

“Dreams? I want to study like a man, become an official, and then be admired...” Talya seemed to recall some foolish things she had done.

At this time, Austria was a stronghold of conservative forces in Europe. Women had only just gained the right to education; universities were closed to them, let alone government positions.

“How about this: I’ll help you establish a women’s academy and make you its principal. That way, you’ll be an official and admired at the same time.” Franz suggested.

“Being a principal makes you admired?” Talya asked.

“Who’s the boss in a zoo?” Franz countered.

“The tiger... the lion?... the elephant?” Talya had no definite answer.

“The director!”

Talya suddenly understood and thought Franz made a good point.

Only then did she realize—a women’s academy? This would be unprecedented, as Vienna had no school exclusively for girls.

It wasn’t until 1835 that Emperor Ferdinand I approved a decree allowing women to attend school.

At that time, Austria lacked compulsory education; attending public schools or hiring tutors meant high fees.

Church schools or private institutions founded by nobility imposed strict admission criteria.

Austria’s alarmingly high illiteracy rate was proof enough.

During the reigns of Empress Maria Theresa and Joseph II, free compulsory education was implemented, only to be entirely revoked during Leopold II’s time.

After the Napoleonic Wars, Franz II briefly reinstated it but, due to financial deficits, schools were left to fend for themselves.

With over 70% illiteracy, only Russia to the east rivaled Austria in this regard.

“Franz, are you serious? Establishing a women’s academy requires the Emperor’s approval.” Talya pretended to check Franz’s forehead.

“Is that a problem? I’m Franz.” Franz wasn’t boasting. Though he dared not meddle in state affairs, as long as it didn’t concern national matters, no one would object if he decided to build an amusement park in the Vienna Central Cemetery tomorrow.

“Oh, so I can be the principal?”

“Of course. I have two estates north of the city that can be converted into a school. They face the Danube River and back onto the Kahlenberg hills—perfect for a school. The buildings are already there, and since I won’t be living there, they’re yours.”

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Talya had once glimpsed those beautiful royal estates from afar. Overjoyed, she hugged Franz tightly, squeezing the frail, helpless boy until he struggled for breath.

Suddenly, she let go and pondered another issue. There were only a handful of eccentric women like her in Austria. Three predecessors had been burned at the stake, and she herself had nearly been hanged in front of the Chancellor’s residence, from that very chestnut tree.

“How am I going to recruit students? How many girls in Austria have even finished secondary school, let alone want to attend university?”

Women graduating from Austrian universities faced a major dilemma: no suitable jobs awaited them. Their options were to marry and raise children or become governesses in noble households.

Thus, education for women in the Austrian Empire usually stopped at basic literacy.

“That’s simple. If Austria lacks candidates, recruit from abroad. You don’t have to teach the same courses as regular universities. You can tailor the curriculum to your needs.”

“For example: etiquette, household management, arithmetic, languages, literature, theology for the basics; alongside elective courses in economics, law, society, psychology, natural sciences, engineering, mechanics for advanced studies.”

“You can start from elementary and extend to middle school, high school, and university levels. Vienna’s women’s academy is still a blank slate.”

Talya was speechless.

“Where am I supposed to find so many female teachers?”

“The ladies-in-waiting at the Vienna court—those who have retired or are too old to serve in the palace anymore.”

“You just want to replace them with young and pretty ones, huh!”

In truth, Franz wanted to promote universal compulsory education, but given the current circumstances, such a plan was impossible.

Even if the Emperor approved, the Regency Council’s Count Kolowrat and Prince Metternich would veto it. Austria’s finances simply could not support it.

The French, leveraging their influence, reduced loans to the Austrian Empire’s banks and deliberately halted railway construction contracted to French businessmen.

Friedrich List, exploiting connections made during his time in Austria, bribed officials to obstruct railway projects.

Hungary enacted new laws refusing to sell pig iron, sand, and timber to Austria. Although Hungary was not the main railway supplier, other suppliers raised prices upon seeing the law.

This caused panic among Austrian investors in railways, leading to massive stock sell-offs and capital outflows, resulting in widespread construction halts.

Meanwhile, Count Kolowrat and Prince Metternich argued incessantly over whether to favor southern or northern policies.