The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 468: Chapter 372: Plotting in the Darkness

On April 17, 1914, the Australasian Ecological Protection Law was officially enacted, symbolizing Arthur's determination to protect the ecological environment of Australasia.

Arthur even personally traveled to major cities to give speeches, calling on all Australasians to hunt a large number of wild animals like wild boars, wild rabbits, camels, kangaroos, etc., while protecting the Australasian pouch wolves.

Especially wild rabbits, their population in Australasia has exceeded hundreds of millions, not only is their number the highest among all wild animals, but their rate of reproduction is also extremely rapid.

To limit the population of wild rabbits in Australasia, Arthur promised that the first three individuals who hunt a thousand wild rabbits will receive the "Master Hunter" honor directly recognized by the Australasian Royal Family.

For every hundred wild rabbits hunted, rewards in the form of funds and supplies differing from the government and the royal family will be awarded.

In order to promote the enthusiasm of hunting wild rabbits among the Australasians, Arthur has ordered Butler Kent to establish several canned food factories as soon as possible, focusing on the production of Australasian wild animal meat canned food.

The countless wild animals in Australasia provide a large supply of meat for the factories producing canned wild meat.

After hunting wild animals, the public can also gain income from the canned food factories with the wild animals that they have hunted. This will not only create extra income for the family, but also relieve the pressure of Australasians through hunting.

Regarding hunting, the Australasian government has laid down strict rules. Not only is private hunting of pouch wolves strictly prohibited, but the act of killing pouch wolves will also be fined.

If the public encounters pouch wolves damaging their property, such as cattle and sheep, they can use hunting rifles to chase them away, but they should avoid causing serious injuries to the pouch wolves.

Of course, if faced with a situation where their lives are threatened, killing pouch wolves is not illegal and will not be punished.

Except for this, no citizen may harm pouch wolves actively, and active hunting of pouch wolves is a serious illegal act, where offenders will face imprisonment and, depending on the severity of the event, a large fine and imprisonment or even the death penalty.

For most Australasians, although this law seems rather strict, it basically does not affect commoners.

After all, most people, apart from some with ulterior motives, hold high respect for the government's laws.

As killing pouch wolves does not offer rewards but instead faces government punishment, commoners naturally won't do it.

The enactment of the Ecological Protection Law received very positive responses in Australasia.

Especially as Arthur promised that starting from June, all major cities will start buying wild animals hunted by the public, providing an additional income stream for those who enjoy hunting.

While the value of Australasian wild animals may not be very high, as Australasians generally don't have a habit of eating wild animals, and in addition, the number of easily-hunted wild animals are very large.

But being able to enjoy their hobby while making extra income is good news for most Australasians.

As for why it starts in June, it is due to the canned food factories urgently built by Butler Kent as per Arthur's orders, which are expected to be up and running by June.

The factory buildings located in the industrial area have all been completed, equipment will be purchased from Australasia and even from all over the world.

This resulted in the rapid completion of the canned food factories, at most merely a little less than three months is needed.

The Australasian government fully exemplified the principle of 'The leader says a word, subordinates run their legs off'. Since the enactment of the Ecological Protection Law, they have continuously sent officials and members of parliament to various major cities and towns in Australasia to call on the people to protect pouch wolves and actively hunt wild animals.

For this, Arthur even specially allowed certain weapon markets to reopen, but they could only sell hunting rifles and exclusive hunting rifle bullets.

While the Australasian government was hard at work to protect the ecological environment, Europe was brewing momentous changes.

As is well known, the inception of a war is often caused by accidental events, this is a historical rule of war.

When the European nations go to war, they mostly need an excuse to avoid causing upheaval domestically for action without reason.

Since ancient times, the sparks that have ignited wars in Europe were vast and varied; some were for power, some for territory, some for wealth, and some for beautiful women.

With the developments in Europe right now, both the Allied and Central Powers can confidently say that the war is inevitable and must occur.

The arms race between the two military blocs has long been exhausted, if they don't destroy the enemy via war, they themselves will be destroyed by the arms race.

The Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Francis Joseph I, is already 84 years old this year.

Many affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire had fallen into the hands of his nephew, Archduke Ferdinand.

However, Archduke Ferdinand's wife, Duchess Sophia, had previously been only a lady-in-waiting to Ferdinand's cousin. Ferdinand's marriage, therefore, received opposition from Francis and was met with cold indifference by the nobility of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Despite Ferdinand's insistence, he successfully married the woman he loved, and Sophia was also made Duchesse of Hohenberg.

Nevertheless, the children of Archduke Ferdinand would lose their right to the throne, which left Duchess Sophia unhappy and even unwilling to attend social events regularly held in Vienna.

The previous two Balkan wars had resulted in Serbia, an enemy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the Balkan region, gaining significant territorial expansion.

To counter Serbia's rise, a major legion exercise was due to take place in occupied Bosnia to demonstrate strength to Serbia and to stabilize the order of the Bosnia region.

Because of Emperor Francis the First's health issues, he especially ordered Archduke Ferdinand to go to Bosnia in his stead to inspect the upcoming military exercises.

As the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ferdinand was indeed the most suitable candidate to go to Bosnia for inspection, except for Emperor Francis the First.

To help his beloved wife relax, Archduke Ferdinand proposed to Duchess Sophia that they travel together, and she readily agreed.

According to their travel plans, they were set to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary immediately after their arrival in Bosnia.

On such an important day, the good news was that they could escape the tedious ceremonies in Vienna where they often suffered humiliation and enjoy a life of their own.

The travel arrangements of a nation's heir apparent were naturally of great importance. The itinerary of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife's inspection of Bosnia had been set by late April, so their actual departure for Bosnia had to wait until June.

Although the Austro-Hungarian side did not announce a detailed itinerary, the approximate date of the legion exercise was already widely known in the Bosnia region.

It is important to note that the majority of Bosnia's population were of the Serbian ethnic group and shared a border with Serbia.

Due to the hostility between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Serbian nationalist young military officers formed an organization called "Union or Death," known for its skull, crossed bones, bombs, daggers, and poison bottle emblem. The organization secretly trained elite killers to assassinate key military and political figures in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

As the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Ferdinand was a leading opponent of pro-Serbian ideals and was notorious for opposing Serbia in the Balkan region. Naturally, he was the primary assassination target of this organization.

The higher-ups in the Black Hand organization were led by Colonel Dimitriyevich, the Director of Intelligence for the Serbian Army General Staff.

Upon learning that Archduke Ferdinand would inspect the military exercises in Bosnia, they speculated that the Austro-Hungarian Empire might attack Serbia.

The only way to prevent this attack was to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand before Austro-Hungarian attacked, which would plunge Austria-Hungary into chaos.

After all, the old Emperor was already 84 years old. If confronted with the death of a second heir, it would be impossible for this multi-ethnic nation not to explode into chaos.

On May 3rd, 1914, inside a covert country cottage somewhere in Serbia.

"Number 7, are there any new assignments from upstairs?" A man, who seemed to be just an ordinary railway worker, was leisurely lying inside the cottage, asking the government official who just walked into the room.

"Number 412, you're asking at the right time. According to Number 6's order, the Austro-Hungarian empire will hold a military exercise in Bosnia in June. The top believes that the Austro-Hungarian Empire's military exercise might be against us.

Our only recourse right now is to assassinate the guy who's coming to inspect the exercise to prevent a possible attack by the Austro-Hungarian Empire." With a laugh, the man disguised as a government official stated the mission.

"Do you have the detailed information of the target?" Black Hand member number 412 — railway worker Siganovich — asked with a curious look on his face.

"To assassinate this guy, you do not need any information. He should be the person you are most familiar with, right?" Number 7 member, intelligence officer Don Kosicki, replied with a smile.

"You're saying the one who's coming to Bosnia is that guy Ferdinand?" Siganovich quickly stood up, somewhat excitedly.

Archduke Ferdinand was the Black Hand's primary assassination target. If the assassination of Ferdinand was successful, the killer would receive a high payout and an exceptional promotion within the Black Hand.

Therefore, every Black Hand assassin considers assassinating Ferdinand as their ultimate goal.

"If it's not a mistake, that guy's special train should arrive in Bosnia in mid-June. You still have one month's time, Number 412." Although Don Kosicki did not say much, his lack of disagreement also confirmed that the target of the assassination was Ferdinand this time.

"Rest assured, Number 7, I and my brothers can't wait. It's time to make those Austrians aware of our power." Siganovich nodded grimly and left the covert cottage.