The Path to Mediterranean Supremacy

In the year 1881, within the confines of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Ferdinand—formerly Li Mu—contemplated the reliefs and paintings adorning the walls. Uncharacteristically, he felt a sense of disorder, often comparing the present cathedral with its state a century later.

Merely three months ago, the real Ferdinand succumbed to unconsciousness within St. Stephen's Cathedral, paving the way for Li Mu's takeover.

Ferdinand, born on February 26, 1861, held the full name Ferdinand Maximilian Karl Leopold Maria and belonged to the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry family. His father, Prince August of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and mother, Princess Clémentine of Orléans, bestowed upon him noble lineage. Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico and Princess Charlotte of Belgium served as his godparents.

Connected to European royalty, Ferdinand was the grandnephew of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians. His mother, Princess Clémentine, was the daughter of King Louis-Philippe of France, and his father, Prince Auguste of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, had familial ties with King Fernando II of Portugal, Prince Albert, Empress Charlotte of Belgium, King Leopold II of Belgium, and Queen Victoria of England.

Li Mu, now occupying Ferdinand's persona, viewed this traverse as advantageous, boasting a prestigious background. Furthermore, if unforeseen incidents were avoided, Ferdinand was destined to become the future Tsar of Bulgaria.

Currently a minor officer in the Austro-Hungarian local garrison, Ferdinand's daily responsibilities as an aristocrat involved routine reporting. This apparent laxity hinted at the decay within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, providing Ferdinand with an opportunity to maneuver.

Having spent three months familiarizing himself with his situation, Ferdinand observed the considerable wealth of the Koháry family, particularly their extensive estates in Slovakia—Čabraď and Sitno. Despite their current prosperity, Ferdinand foresaw a substantial reduction in these estates after the Great War, with the Soviet Union eventually claiming them post-World War II.

Contemplating his future, Ferdinand sought ways to secure wealth and prosperity. Rejecting plans involving arms trade or drug dealings, he stumbled upon the concept of a department store. Recognizing the success of supermarkets over traditional department stores, Ferdinand envisioned capitalizing on this trend in Vienna.

A thorough market survey, spanning over a month, led Ferdinand to conclude that Vienna's financial system at the time was conducive to supermarket success. His strategic assessment of the market accounted for the limited variety of goods and absence of home delivery.

Embracing his expertise, Ferdinand, having witnessed the future concept of a supermarket, envisioned creating a thriving business. Princess Clémentine, his mother, intervened, questioning his recent absence from aristocratic events and failure to report to the city guards.

In response, Ferdinand, ever tactful, reminded his mother of proper etiquette and addressed her concerns with wit and humor, hinting at the unconventional path he was charting.