Geneva, Switzerland.
"Is Ottoman Turkey so afraid of Britain?
Although it is a useless enclave, no matter how cheap it is, it will not be sold for only 20,000 pounds. It has indeed declined even more, and it is easily intimidated by the British and does not dare to raise the price."
Francisco, Duke of Braganza, really didn’t expect that the British helped him put pressure on the Ottoman Turks to purchase the land, and it turned out to be so smooth.
April 2, requesting help from the UK.
On April 6, which is today, Francisco received a telegram in response. Ottoman Turkey was willing to sell the Hasa region for 20,000 pounds and grant him date palm trading privileges.
It is really unimaginable that Ottoman Turkey, which once dominated Europe, is now so weak in the face of European powers.
As soon as the British put pressure on them, they sold land at low prices and transferred privileges. It was so straightforward.
Hearing her husband's emotion, Anna, an Austrian nobleman, felt the same way.
"It is indeed unimaginable that the Ottomans, who came to Vienna in 1683, have declined so quickly that they can no longer withstand even the slightest intimidation from the big powers."
Anna comes from the Liechtenstein family, which is a branch of the Austrian ruler Habsburg. The family is very close to the Austrian royal family.
Several Liechtenstein family ancestors, as Austrian nobles, fought with the Ottoman Turks. One of them was almost captured by the Ottomans, and another was seriously injured in the battle.
But things are unpredictable. Austria declined and became the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, its old rival Ottoman Turkey declined even more. Its territorial losses far exceeded Austria's, and the country became increasingly declining.
The Balkan Peninsula has become independent one after another. Now, except for the stable Thrace region and the capital Constantinople (Istanbul), the Ottoman territories in the Balkans are now shaky.
"The decline of Ottoman Turkey is so terrible. I think this country is not far from being destroyed. My generation in Austria may be able to see the destruction of this country."
When Anna said this, she was naturally distressed. She was happy to see this old rival decline so tragically.
This sick man in West Asia, through this diplomatic performance, made Anna clearly understand the Ottoman Turkey's fear of the great powers, and the Ottoman army's combat power was also very poor, even the Bulgarians could not defeat it. This country's subjugation is foreseeable.
It was so easy for Britain to deal with the Ottomans that Anna completely understood.
If the European powers, especially Britain, France, and Germany, unify their opinions and give up their support for the Ottomans, then Ottoman Turkey will perish sooner or later. The reason why it can exist now is because the European powers still support it.
One day, no one among the three major powers will support Ottoman Turkey. Russia will be able to defeat it in one battle. Even if Russia does not end, the Balkan countries will be able to destroy it.
"Anna, don't pay too much attention to this sick man in West Asia. There is nothing in this country that you can care about."
Ottoman Turkey, the sick man of West Asia, can no longer be on Francisco’s stage now. No need to pay more attention to it.
Francisco asked his wife: "Is Duke John II willing to let you run the principality of Liechtenstein, which is as big as a small village?"
John II, the Duke of Liechtenstein of this generation, was born on October 5, 1840. At the age of 18, he became a duke on November 12, 1858. He has now been a duke for fifty-one years.
Historically, John II, Grand Duke of Liechtenstein, reigned from November 12, 1858 to February 11, 1929. He reigned for 70 years, 2 months, and 30 days (days). John was introverted and never married. He was a European feudal prince.
He is the second longest reigning monarch among kings, second only to King Louis XIV of France. He is also the third longest reigning monarch in the world, second only to Louis XIV and King Rama IX of Thailand.
This record is quite terrifying. Archduke John II is far less powerful than the two above, but he is indeed the leader of a country.
Although Liechtenstein is only the size of a village, and the Dukes of the past generations have rarely visited this place, it is indeed a country, and it is a sovereign country, but this country is completely dependent on Austria.
The name Liechtenstein originated in the early 18th century. John Adam, the Grand Duke of Liechtenstein from Vienna, Austria, bought two fiefs: Schnelleberg Manor (1699) and Vaduz County (1713), and became the Holy Roman Empire.
One of the franchising members of the empire. On January 23, 1719, the then Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI merged Schneleberg Manor and Vaduz County to form an independent, small Grand Duchy, named Liechtenstein.
During the Napoleonic Wars from 1800 to 1815, Liechtenstein was invaded by the First French Empire and the Russian Empire; from 1805 to 1814, it was a member of the "Rhine League" controlled by Napoleon. In 1806, Liechtenstein became a sovereign country. In 1815, it joined the "German Confederation"
". In 1866, Liechtenstein declared independence and has remained neutral since then. In 1852, Liechtenstein signed a customs treaty with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1919, the relationship ended with the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"The land in a small village is just the most inconspicuous of our family's many industries. My eldest uncle has loved me since I was a child. I just sent a telegram and contracted it to me."
John II never married, but he still cared about his family members. As his brother's precious daughter, Anna was very dear to him.
Although this small village territory is the source of his title of Duke, among his many territories, it can only be described as inconspicuous. He has never been to this small mountain village a few times.
My precious niece, if you want to plant grapes, develop a winery, and make everyone rich together in this village with thousands of people, John II will naturally not refuse.
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"Uncle, he has doted on me since he was a child, and I respect him very much. He was very satisfied with the fine wine we gave him before, after tasting it.
After knowing that we were running a wine estate, he not only gave me the village territory to manage, but also used his connections to obtain me the right to operate a large area of land in Vorarlberg."
"Where is Vorarlberg? I seem to have heard of it, but I forgot where it is."
Faced with her husband's doubts, Anna gently tapped his forehead and said with a smile.
"Are you so forgetful? It's right next to Liechtenstein.
Vorarlberg is the smallest political unit in Austria. This place borders Bavaria and Lake Constance to the north, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Switzerland to the south, and Tirol to the east across the Arlberg Pass.
Neighbor.
Although this place is the smallest in Austria, it is more than ten times larger than Liechtenstein. The most important thing is that it is close to the famous Lake Constance.
The natural land conditions in the Lake Constance region are much better than those in the small mountain village of Liechtenstein. The grapes and wines here are also famous, but they are far less famous than the wines of France and Portugal.
If we develop it, we can easily create a high-end beer."
Anna's uncle, John II, undoubtedly loved her very much. He was very generous and did not hesitate to help his niece when he could.
"My uncle really dotes on me. When the inspection team led by Downing's Foreign Secretary Tony arrived in Austria-Hungary, he immediately used his connections to try his best to help."
"This Duke, I am quite afraid of him. I was taught a terrible lesson by him at first, but he is also really good to you."
Francisco still had some psychological shadow towards John II.
At first, Francisco was traveling and making friends in Vienna, and Anna fell in love with him at first sight, but he ignored her, which made Anna very sad.
John II, Anna's uncle, was very angry when he found out. He personally led people to block his door, gave him a severe lesson, and then began to coerce and lure him.
John II generously promised young Francisco that he would give him a large amount of wealth as long as he entered into a marriage contract with Anna.
Francisco, Duke John II also played a big role in running away from Europe.
This chapter has been completed!