The Volvo Department Store and Supermarket was open for ten hours a day, but with preparation work, employees actually worked twelve-hour shifts daily.
No one objected, and no one asked Ferdinand for overtime pay.Firstly, Ferdinand's salary was slightly above market rate, which satisfied everyone.
Secondly, at that time, factories in Vienna generally operated on twelve-hour shifts, with some even working sixteen hours.
Thirdly, working at the supermarket was easier than working in a factory; one was a comfortable department store and supermarket, while the other was a stuffy factory with constant potential dangers.
Anyway, to people at the time, working at a department store was a very respectable job.
Ferdinand subtly changed the concept; on the surface, it looked similar to a department store, just with a few more tasks.
After all, supermarkets were a new concept, and people didn't know what they were for.
To make it easier, Ferdinand added the words "department store," making it more acceptable.
Many people chose to apply because of the "department store" name, and Ferdinand quickly filled all positions, which was a happy accident.
Three days flew by, and Butler Karl's efficiency was impressive; he had thoroughly investigated the flour mills near Vienna.
"Your Highness, there are thirteen flour mills of varying sizes in Vienna, but only two large ones are profitable.Seven are breaking even, and the other four are already operating at a loss.The competition is extremely fierce!" Butler Karl reported dutifully.
Butler Karl disagreed with Ferdinand's plan to establish a flour mill.In his view, the flour processing market was already saturated, competition was too intense, and it would be difficult to make money by entering it now.
After hearing Karl's report, Ferdinand also hesitated.After all, a small city like Vienna had thirteen flour mills; how many would there be in the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire?
After a moment of silence, Ferdinand decided to stick to his plan.He still had an advantage: he could produce and sell his own products, which would significantly lower his costs.
At worst, he could develop related by-products later.
Was he afraid of competition?
"Hmm, I understand.Thank you for your hard work, Karl!" Ferdinand affirmed the old butler's efforts.
"It is my honor to serve Your Highness!" Karl said happily.
"Karl, how much do you think it would cost me to acquire a flour mill?" Ferdinand asked cautiously.In 1881, establishing a factory was not so simple.
Building workshops, ordering machinery, training workers, and various other tasks meant that being able to start production within a year was considered good.
Acquiring a factory, however, was much simpler; it could start production with little effort.As long as the price wasn't too high, Ferdinand was inclined to acquire one.
Butler Karl was silent for a moment, seemingly appraising the factory, then said, "Your Highness, if it's a bankrupt small factory, it might only cost a few thousand pounds.
The two currently profitable flour mills, however, would likely cost seventy to eighty thousand pounds!"
Ferdinand was surprised; the difference was too great!He then thought that a factory operating at a loss surely had various problems, such as outdated equipment, poor management, or being too small to be competitive.
In such a situation, it would be good if someone was willing to take over; he couldn't be picky"Hmm, then first, make contact with the owners of those factories to see if any intend to sell, and then I'll decide after an assessment!" Ferdinand said.
"Very well, Your Highness, as you wish!" Butler Karl said.
Seeing that Ferdinand had no intention of detaining him, he turned and left.
After dismissing the old butler, Ferdinand stayed home and read the newspaper.
Today, he had an important banquet that he had to attend personally: the birthday of his uncle, the tragic emperor—Franz Joseph I.
Franz Joseph I (August 18, 1830 – November 21, 1916) is known for establishing the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In 1879, he allied with the German Empire led by Prussia, forming the Central Powers.
In 1914, he issued an ultimatum to Serbia, drawing Austria and Germany into World War I.In 1916, he died of pneumonia in Vienna at the age of 86.
Recalling the old emperor's life, Ferdinand was filled with emotion; a living historical figure was right before his eyes!
"A great diplomat!" This was the world's assessment of him.
Perhaps God had skewed his talents; compared to his sharp diplomatic skills, other aspects could be described as mediocre.
He used diplomatic means to establish the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
However, this decaying empire was constantly plagued by problems; endless ethnic issues always troubled him, hindering the empire's progress, and ultimately leading to its collapse.
Unfortunately, Franz Joseph I's actions in this regard were indeed subpar, revealing his indecisiveness.
Although he took many measures to alleviate ethnic conflicts, they had little effect.
His later years were even more tragic.
His brother was executed by firing squad in Mexico, his wife was assassinated in Geneva by an Italian anarchist, his son committed suicide at a young age, and his chosen heir was assassinated by the Serbian Black Hand.
The retaliatory war he launched caused tens of millions to perish in a sea of blood, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, for which he had fought his entire life, was teetering on the brink.
"Ferdinand, it's time to go.
You're not going to cause any more trouble, are you?" Princess Clémentine asked, somewhat worriedly.
Lately, she had clearly felt that Ferdinand had changed, becoming even more peculiar, fond of tinkering with all sorts of odd things, which worried her greatly.
"How could you think that, my dear mother!
You must believe me!" Ferdinand quickly walked over and said.
It was clear he found Princess Clémentine a handful.
The original Ferdinand was indeed somewhat eccentric in his actions, differing from most nobles, with few friends, and a fondness for dabbling in various strange things.
Princess Clémentine didn't suspect that he had been swapped.
Seeing Ferdinand approach, she directly motioned for him to get into the carriage.
Vienna—Schönbrunn Palace, its history dates back to the Middle Ages.
The old emperor Franz Joseph I was born in Schönbrunn Palace, and it was also Franz Joseph I's favorite and longest-resided home.
Now, this magnificent palace was bustling with activity and lively chatter.
With the establishment of the "Three Emperors' Alliance," the political and diplomatic climate of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was at its most relaxed.
Nobles and ministers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, envoys from various countries, and great nobles from other parts of Europe all sent representatives.
The prestige of the Habsburg family was fully evident at this moment.
The banquet was not as Ferdinand had imagined; there wasn't so much formality.
The old emperor accepted everyone's congratulations, and then it began directly.
Ferdinand was not the protagonist; besides getting acquainted with a group of important figures, the legendary melodramatic plot did not occur.
Oh, the good-looking Ferdinand also met several noblewomen, and if he wished, there was potential for further development.