NOVEL NEXT Chapter 413: Withdrawal (asking for monthly votes)
Chapter 414: Withdrawal (asking for monthly votes)
William II's brows furrowed even more.
The British were right - although Prussia survived last year's drought due to the large-scale planting of potatoes, the poor harvest still dealt a heavy blow to the national economy.
Then Prussia was soon involved in the Brabant Uprising and the Silesian War, and the treasury lost funds rapidly like a flood.
If the current situation continues, the national finances may collapse by March next year.
And ending the war in the Southern Netherlands can indeed alleviate financial pressure.
Lord Grenville continued:
"In addition, transferring General Blücher to Silesia can also change the balance of forces there."
Seeing the Prussian king nod subconsciously, he immediately threw out another bait:
"In order to dispel your concerns, the Bank of England will provide you with a loan of 700,000 pounds to help you win the Silesian War."
He knew that the Prussians were worried that Britain and Austria would collude and sell out Prussia's interests, so he had to show his support for the latter's war in Silesia.
William II's eyes suddenly lit up - 700,000 pounds is 7 million florins! This money is enough for his army to fight until October next year. By then, the autumn harvest has already begun, and the finances can continue.
But he was still quite hesitant:
"But this will also allow Austria to regain the Southern Netherlands."
Grenville said: "It will also make them lose France. You may know that the Austrians have always been wary of France's interference in the Southern Netherlands. The end of the rebellion there means that the French have lost their value to them.
"Of course, we will also exert some influence in Vienna to divide France and Austria."
After hearing this, William II finally nodded and fell into deep thought.
...
Austria, Vienna.
In a villa on the west side of Schönbrunn Palace, Count Frunz hurriedly drove all the servants out, carefully closed the door, and then looked nervously at the middle-aged officer standing beside him:
"Is what you said really reliable?"
He knew that this officer was ostensibly affiliated with the garrison stationed in Vienna, but in fact he was the British ambassador to Austria.
The officer nodded immediately: "Yes, Count, this is a joint agreement between Lord Grenville and His Majesty William II. "
Frenz's face changed, which meant that Britain and Prussia had just given up on the insurgents in the Southern Netherlands.
He pondered and asked, "Then why did His Excellency ask you to tell me this?"
"You know, the Hanoverian Army can only leave after the French army withdraws from the Southern Netherlands." The officer said, "This is to ensure that Brussels will not fall into the hands of the French."
"Yes, you are right." Franz rubbed his hands excitedly. If the Emperor took back the Southern Netherlands after his "advice" at Schönbrunn Palace, he would be able to rise to prominence in the future.
He immediately thought of another question:
"But Kaunitz and his group will definitely advise His Majesty against my proposal. "
Kaunitz is a representative of the pro-French faction in Austria. He has always supported the strengthening of cooperation between France and Austria, and naturally would not agree to let the French withdraw from the Southern Netherlands.
The officer smiled:
"Marshal Lacy and General Wurmser will stand on your side, and we will cause some trouble for Kaunitz."
Lacy has considerable power in Austrian politics, and is also the commander-in-chief of the Silesia battlefield. His opinions are at least as important as those of Secretary of State Kaunitz.
And Wurmser's influence is also not small. With the endorsement of the two of them, Ferenczi's confidence suddenly increased.
The British insider continued:
"The most important thing is that this may end the war in Silesia."
After he told Ferenczi, the latter immediately nodded excitedly:
"Please tell Lord Grenville that I will definitely persuade His Majesty to let the French get out. "
…
Paris.
Versailles, Petit Trianon.
Queen Marie looked at the trembling handwriting on the letter in her hand, and her eyes instantly became moist.
"Madame Delvaux, you are so cheerful and healthy in my memory, but how come..." She choked a little, took a deep breath, put the letter aside, and made a cross on her chest, "May God bless you."
Madame Delvaux was her wet nurse and one of the closest people to her before she got married. In that letter, the old lady told her that her health was not very good, and the doctor said that she might be called by God at any time.
The old lady said that she didn't want to disturb Her Majesty the Queen because of these little things, but her only granddaughter made her really worried, so she had to write this letter.
Queen Marie thought for a while, turned around and told the maid:
"De Berninac, please invite the Crown Prince. "
"Yes, Your Majesty. "
Joseph happened to be in the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Palace of Versailles at this time, discussing something with Talleyrand.
"According to the news sent by the Intelligence Bureau and the Ambassador to Austria, Vienna has probably decided to evacuate us from the Southern Netherlands."
Talleyrand frowned and pondered:
"With the strength of Austrian troops in the Low Countries, it is already very difficult to deal with Blücher's Corps. Once we leave, the Brabant rebels will immediately occupy the entire Southern Netherlands and declare independence. "
Joseph nodded:
"This is too unusual. Maybe I have to go to Vienna with you."
Just yesterday afternoon, the Palace of Versailles received a note from Austria, inviting French diplomats to Vienna for a meeting. As it happened suddenly, Talleyrand immediately rushed to the Tuileries Palace to report the matter to the Crown Prince.
While the two were discussing, the Queen's maid knocked on the door and bowed to Joseph:
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen invites you to her."
"Oh? Is there anything for your mother?" Joseph stood up, motioned Talleyrand to wait, and went to the Petit Trianon Palace with Countess de Berninac.
"It seems to be related to the letter from Madame Delvaux." The maid tilted her head and said, "After reading the letter, His Majesty became a little depressed."
Joseph nodded. Madame Delvaux was able to write directly to her mother, and it seemed that she had a very unusual relationship with her mother.
In this era, not everyone has the right to send private letters to the royal family. You know, even if Catherine II's illegitimate daughter wanted to write a letter to her, it had to be forwarded by Potemkin's old subordinates before it could be delivered to the Tsar.
Soon, Joseph walked into Queen Mary's bedroom, bowed, and before he could speak, he saw his mother's tears falling.
He hurried forward and took the queen's hand, and asked with concern:
"Mother, what's wrong with you?"
"Dear, I hope you can go to Vienna for me." Queen Mary tried to stop sniffling, looked up at him and said, "Madame Delvaux is my wet nurse, who has been taking care of me since I was a child. And now she is in trouble."