Chapter 379

In the City of Milan, Tereos was a rising textile tycoon. The Austrian War of 1848 had directly reshuffled the capitalists in the Lombardy area. Tereos had used this gap to stand out.

His goals were different now that he had money. Tereos's ancestors were also nobles, but they had declined during his grandfather's generation.

At this time, Tereos was considering if he should get a title to restore the glory of his ancestors.

It was not easy to get a title in Austria. Of course, as a rich Divine Shield player, he had more advantages than a civilian player.

The colonial system created opportunities for them. As long as they were willing to spend money and recruit a large number of mercenaries to open colonies on the African continent in exchange for merit, they could get a title sooner or later.

This was not the easiest path, but it was the most suitable one for Tereos. It was easier to get a title by joining the army and going to the battlefield, but this had never been the choice of capitalists.

The nobles had a higher social status, but in the business world, they had no special advantages. Many of their privileges had been reduced.

Tereos had always been weighing the pros and cons. Getting merit through overseas colonization also depended on luck. The input and output were often not proportional.

In fact, the nobles had an advantage in this aspect. They had cultivated military command ability from a young age. Some nobles even had retainers and private armies left behind by their ancestors. The colonial teams they formed were naturally more powerful.

A colonial team that could fight would not lose money. Even if they did not find any resources, they could rob along the way and cooperate with labor export companies to help the African tribes migrate. That was also profitable.

As long as the colonial team did not lose money, they could operate for a long time. Over time, merit would naturally accumulate.

This was something the capitalists could not compare to. Their advantage was that they had money. With money came people. In recent years, retired officers and soldiers were in high demand. Most capitalists recruited them to form colonial teams, and their combat power was not too bad.

Unfortunately, not everyone was willing to go to the African continent. As the number of colonial teams increased, there were not enough retired officers and soldiers willing to go to the colonies, and the cost of salaries increased day by day.

As latecomers, they had to lower the recruitment standards, and the combat power of the colonial team was inevitably reduced.

Without a strong combat power, it did not mean that it was impossible to colonize the African continent. No matter how weak their combat power was, it was not a big problem to deal with some indigenous tribes. It was just that the number of casualties was a little high.

If they were unlucky, just the pension alone could make them vomit blood after a battle. The standard of pension offered by the Austrian colonial team was basically 500 to 1800 OD. They could not afford it at all.

Stephen's appearance made Tereos's eyes light up. Everyone was laughing at Stephen for recruiting Italian mercenaries who had no fighting power, but Tereos saw the other side — cheap.

As a qualified capitalist, Treos had the advantage of never forgetting to cut costs.

The price of recruiting an ordinary German mercenary was enough to recruit two Italian mercenaries; the price of an elite mercenary was enough to recruit five Italian mercenaries.

Apart from the low salary, the compensation could be reduced to less than 300 OD. If they were recruited from of of Italy of of of Italy, the compensation could could could be reduced.

As long as they were careful and not greedy for achievements, the Italian mercenaries with slightly lower combat strength could also wipe out the native tribes. Of. of a of Italy of. of. of of Of Itance. on, he, of. of

Donating some money to preserve the traditional culture of Italy was fine, but it was impossible for him to go to the battlefield himself.

He wouldn't even fund the revolutionary party. Teof was very shrewd. He would never do a deal that he could not take back.

Although they were all nationalists, their political ideologies were often different, especially in the face of interests. Interests often determined ideologies.

As a tycoon in the textile industry, on the surface, Tereos could eliminate many competitors by leaving Austria and even monopolize the Italian market.

But in reality, the raw materials could kill him after he left Austria.

Importing from overseas was easy, but if he really relied on imports, once the international cotton market was in turmoil, he would be killed immediately.

England was able to dominate in the cotton industry not only because of its strong textile industry, but also because of the powerful Royal Navy backing it and the vast market of colonies, which could protect its own interests.

Independent Italy would not be able to protect his interests. Tereos was only dissatisfied with the policy of the Government of Vienna. He wanted to abolish the present policy of national integration and labor protection.

This was completely different from a rebellion. There were many people who were dissatisfied with the national policy. After all, no policy could satisfy everyone.

If they rebelled because they were dissatisfied with a government policy, wouldn't the world be in chaos? No matter who it was, it was impossible to satisfy everyone, right?

Thinking of the large number of mercenaries in the hands of Stephen and the others, Tereos's expression changed. He immediately shouted, "Martin, prepare the car immediately. I'm going to the city hall."

Regardless of whether the revolution succeeded or not, as long as the war started, it would be difficult to do business. If they were unlucky, it was not impossible for them to go bankrupt because of the chaos.

As the winner of the last shuffle, Tereos did not want to do it again. He was a capitalist, but he was also an industrialist. He was not the kind of businessman who bought low and sold high. If the war started in his factories, he could not avoid it.

…

In the Western Hungarian province of Pécs, several members of the Hungarian independence organization were anxiously sending letters everywhere according to the contact list.

For the sake of safety, everyone was using their own means. Some were hidden in the soles of their shoes, some were sewn into their clothes, and the quick-witted simply changed to digital codes, using the Bible as a carrier.

If there was a traitor, all of this was futile. Compared to the Austrian Regions of Italy, the Hungarian region was more thoroughly purged. Those who could escape the disaster were all smart people.

Tragedy befell Dominic, who was delivering the letter. He happened to bump into his master and was asked to stay.

After reading the letter, Brooks cursed Mr. Stephen's family in his heart. In the early years, the two were like-minded friends who worked together for Hungary's independence.

However, times were different now. Brooks, who was already in his middle years, was no longer a simple idealist.

He was lucky enough to escape the disaster back then. He happened to fall ill and did not have time to participate in the rebellion.

After he recovered from his illness, the rebellion had already started. Brooks, who had revolutionary tendencies, was placed under house arrest by his father who was still loyal to the emperor.

Thanks to his father's voluntary participation in the suppression of the rebellion, he was cleared of suspicion.

Time was the best weapon. In the blink of an eye, his father passed away. Brooks, who had lost his restraints, once again mixed with the surviving nationalists.

At this time, everyone was no longer shouting slogans for independence every day. Instead, they were against the Government of Vienna's division of ethnic groups and the unification of languages.

Violent resistance was impossible. Those who were stubborn had already met God during the independence movement. Brooks was not stupid. He was very clear about the consequences of going against the government.

Because of his relationship as a personal friend, Brooks still maintained secret contact with some members of the Hungarian independence group. However, Stephen was not one of them.

It couldn't be helped. Stephen was a political prisoner in exile. There were many members of the Hungarian independence group and they had caused a lot of trouble. Most of the members were not actually wanted.

Brooks was a smart man. Anyway, these people were exiled overseas and not wanted. Even if his contact with them was exposed, he could pretend that he did not know.

The more friends, the easier it was. Just like this time, when the Hungarian independence group wanted to cause trouble, a friend hinted to him to stay away.

After reading the letter, Brooks was very suspicious that someone wanted to mess with him. There was too much content in the letter. There was even a time for the uprising.

Under normal circumstances, people like him who did not join the Hungarian independence group would not be trusted. Were they not afraid that he would report them?

Brooks asked tentatively, "Mr. Dominic, why the uprising on February 15th? We are not prepared at all."

Dominic did not think too much about it. He was one of them, so there was no need to keep it a secret.

"Sir Brooks, a new wave of revolution has arrived in Europe. This time, we will join forces with other revolutionary groups and start the uprising together in January and February.

We delayed the uprising to February 15 because we didn't make enough preparations. But don't worry, the first uprising against Austria was in the Regions of Italy.

So far, we have recruited thousands of mercenaries. With the cooperation of the local revolutionary groups, the uprising will definitely succeed! "

After hearing Dominic's words, half of Brooks' doubts were dispelled. It seemed that he really was a member of the Hungarian independence group. His sacred expression was the same as when he was young.

Brooks continued to ask, "What did my old friends say?"

Since they had hinted to him to stay away, under normal circumstances, these friends had no reason to drag him down again. This letter was obviously not simple.

Dominic thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Paul said to say hello to you if I see you. Also, he asked you to keep the ham and wait for him to come over to eat it.

Mr. Solmyr, how is the old place? He misses the Great Revolution very much. Unfortunately, he failed last time. He won't this time. "

Dominic did not think much of these half-understood words. He only treated it as an old friend catching up.

However, it was different in Brooks' ears. "Ham" was the code for retreat back then. There was no doubt that this was telling him to run.

The "Great Revolution" was not a good memory for them. They saw their comrades fall one after another and countless like-minded friends were liquidated.

After understanding the situation, cold sweat broke out on Brooks' forehead.

Others did not know that the Hungarian independence group had received funding from the Americans, but Brooks knew it very well. Their friends had complained a lot about the Americans telling them what to do.

Thinking of the current American Civil War, Brooks instantly understood many things.

He definitely could not participate in this uprising. He could either pack his things and run away immediately and return when the matter was over, or he could immediately report it and get himself out of trouble.

Dominic asked in confusion, "Sir Brooks, what's wrong?"

Looking at Dominic's innocent face, Brooks could not bear to see him. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm fine. The situation in the Hungarian region is very complicated. Dominic, finish your mission as soon as possible and leave. Take a boat to Russia to lie low. "

Dominic was shocked and asked in surprise, "Why?"

Brooks shook his head and said, "The police in the Pécs region have a sharp nose. The contact list is with you. If something happens, the organization's business here will be finished."

Dominic said with a firm expression, "Don't worry, Mr. Brooks. I don't have the list with me. Even if something happens, the enemy will not get anything. "

Brooks did not continue to persuade him. Although he did not know the purpose of the Hungarian independence group this time, he knew very well that the people they sent were abandoned.

Brooks was only trying to persuade Dominic because he was worried that if he was arrested, Dominic would confess about his connection with the Hungarian independence group.

However, after thinking about it carefully, Brooks thought that even if Dominic escaped, these things could not be kept a secret.

Under normal circumstances, this kind of contact between friends was not a big deal and could not convict him. However, it was different when there was a major change. If he did not handle it well, he might even lose his title.

There were only two options left for Brooks. He could either run away and go into exile overseas or report to the government. Then, everything in the past could be written off.

After hesitating for a while, Brooks decided to be a traitor for once. After all, the matter this time was too strange and full of mystery.

"Dominic, I'm not doubting your loyalty. This is just the vigilance we should have. We can't make unnecessary sacrifices.

If you're willing to help, you can help me deliver a few letters. It's a critical moment now. It's not suitable for me to meet them. I can't rest assured if my men deliver the letters. "

There was no doubt that Brooks was ready to kill with a borrowed knife.

There were always a few enemies in the world, and Brooks was no exception. He would take the opportunity to involve them and kick a few stumbling blocks away. He did not feel any pressure.

…