Chapitre 137: Chapter 24, Railway Network

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On July 11, 1849, Franz proposed the "establishment of an Austrian core industry system" at an expanded meeting of the Austrian Government.

Following that, the Austrian Government initiated field research to decide which industries to prioritize for development—a decision Franz couldn't simply make on a whim.

Even with ample justification, it was essential to gather sufficient data and perform analysis to ensure an infallibly precise decision.

The reality proved to be a slap in the face: there was ample evidence that the focus of the era's industrial development should be on the military industry, particularly naval armaments.

For the cost of tens of thousands of army rifles, one could buy just one or two battleships. Cannons were pricier, but not by much. At that time, the army's biggest expenses were not on weapons and equipment but on salaries and training costs.