War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

"This is truly a miraculous invention. Compared with this work of art, the gun lighter and Professor Bellena's invention are simply ridiculously crude."

"Well, I'm also proud of having such an outstanding student."

This was an era before the modern lighter was invented, and there were only two less common types of lighters.

One is a gun-type lighter. As the name suggests, it uses the same principle as a pistol. Not only is it very complicated to use, but it also has a battlefield smell, including gunpowder and gunpowder smoke.

The other was invented by the German chemist Beileiner, which uses the principle that hydrogen will ignite when it encounters platinum cotton.

A small glass cylinder is filled with an appropriate amount of dilute sulfuric acid. An inner tube is installed in the cylinder. Zinc sheets are placed in the inner tube. The glass cylinder is equipped with a top cover. There are nozzles, platinum cotton and switches on the top cover. The zinc sheets in the inner tube are The contact of sulfuric acid produces hydrogen gas.

The pressure generated by a certain amount of hydrogen discharges the sulfuric acid in the inner tube into the glass cylinder. When the switch is turned on, the hydrogen in the inner tube rushes to the platinum wool and catches fire; the pressure in the inner tube and the glass cylinder rebalances, and the sulfuric acid enters the inner tube again. , reacts with zinc flakes to produce hydrogen.

The most important thing is that this lighter is about the same size as a modern electric kettle, and it may explode at any time due to bumps and open flames.

However, Europeans at that time still had a strong interest in this kind of thing, so they went further and further down the wrong path.

Franz certainly did not have this kind of trouble, but for safety reasons, he did not use gasoline but kerosene.

Franz didn’t want the biggest scapegoat in Austria’s history to leave early, otherwise the huge scapegoat in 1848 would probably be difficult to divide.

In order to enhance the style and taste, Franz specially mixed whale oil and kerosene so that the smell of kerosene would not be too strong.

As for the design style, Franz followed the more successful zippo lighter design concept in later generations. The all-metal shell even had a double-headed eagle logo engraved on it by a famous sculptor in Vienna.

Speaking of men, they are really strange creatures. The sculptor did not ask for the reward from Franz, but asked for a lighter.

After the design of Franz lighter was sent to the Academy of Sciences, a group of smokers worked overtime and completed it in one day.

Sure enough, love is the source of motivation. Let a group of smokers develop lighters. We really found the right person.

Viscount Stratford admired after hearing Metternich's words.

"I didn't expect you to be a great inventor!"

"No, it was my student who invented this, not me. I can only give him some political guidance." Metternich said modestly.

"To be able to create such a great invention and receive your guidance, it seems that your students are extraordinary." Viscount Stratford could only say something nice. After all, the other party had a tough attitude. If the matter fell apart, , the loss was the British Empire.

(Britain was not an empire at this time, but the British Empire sounded much more imposing than the United Kingdom.)

"It is indeed extraordinary. He is a member of the Austrian Empire's royal family. Mr. Canning, why are you traveling to our country on behalf of your country? You might as well tell us."

Although Metternich was very patient, he really didn't like the other party's poor flattery, so he simply went on the right track.

(Mainly because I’m afraid you’ll call me stupid.)

Metternich got straight to the point, but Viscount Stratford was a little uncomfortable and continued to talk to himself.

"Dear Your Excellency, our two countries share many common interests. Looking at the whole of Europe, we are the only two countries who are willing to send troops to uphold justice and maintain order."

Metternich nodded, and it seemed that the other party was somewhat sincere. Russia wants to send troops, but Britain does not agree.

Metternich hoped that France would send troops to take the British retreat, but unfortunately their king was a softie.

As for Prussia, nothing could be done but vote and protest.

"I believe that as long as our two countries join forces, we will be able to protect the interests of both parties to the maximum extent. France, Russia, and Prussia will definitely oppose your country's sudden dispatch of troops to Serbia and Bosnia. I think your country will definitely need us. British support,” said Viscount Stratford.

"You are right, but I think the French will not give up their position easily, and will definitely oppose your country's excessive punishment on Egypt. Moreover, the British are so aggressive this time that they will not hesitate to lose their troops. It is not just To preserve the integrity of the Ottoman Empire."

Metternich deliberately emphasized the two key words of France and the loss of troops and generals. He believed that the British had suffered such heavy losses this time and would not be reconciled to it and would definitely have to make up for it elsewhere.

Viscount Stratford cursed in his heart, "Damn old fox, you really won't give in. Helmut, this idiot, really deserves to be hanged."

Helmut's fiasco did bring disastrous consequences to British diplomacy. It has been a long time since European countries lost to a non-Western civilization.

The Tories (opposition party, Conservative Party) seized this point and frantically attacked the incumbent Whig Party, which also expanded the impact of this naval battle.

At the same time, some unscrupulous media also got involved. Under their hype, Helmut's failure was almost comparable to Napoleon's Battle of Waterloo.

But in fact, Helmut's fleet can only be regarded as a branch of the North Sea Fleet, and it is still far away from the carotid artery.

It's just that most politicians are not military strategists. They only know the impact of this fiasco, which has plunged the entire Whig Party into crisis.

So much so that the always gentle Viscount Melbourne threatened to put Helmut on trial and hang him on the gallows.

It's just that the highest punishment for a defeated general in the British Navy is early retirement.

As for the French people’s problem, it’s not a big problem, but it’s not a small problem. France's attitude is an unavoidable issue in this Near East crisis.

After all, without France's support for Egypt, Muhammad Ali would not have dared to attack the Ottoman Empire rashly.

It's just that France betrayed his allies at the most critical moment, which confused Viscount Stratford.

Now Viscount Stratford is only sure of one thing. He wants Austria to owe Britain a favor before stating its own conditions. This strategy seems to be unworkable.

"Your Excellency, I think our two countries have the same position and interests in this Near East crisis. The further expansion of French power in the Near East is not conducive to the peace of the Near East."

Metternich had no interest in such empty talk, and personally, he hoped that France would continue to fight the British to the death in the Near East. In this way, the day when Austria will completely integrate Italy is just around the corner.

".In view of the above reasons, our country hopes that your country can assume the responsibility of a major power in the Near East, host this meeting, and jointly discuss sanctions against the shameful invader Egypt and its behind-the-scenes master France."

Metternich just smiled and did not answer. He was indeed waiting for the other party to ask Austria to host the meeting, but the invader? It was obviously Osman who made the first move.