NOVEL NEXT Chapter 415 Armistice Agreement
Chapter 416 Armistice Agreement
If Han and Prussia had not intervened in the affairs of the Southern Netherlands, Van der Noort's rebel army would have been quickly wiped out by the Austrian army.
By that time, the French army had lost its reason to stay in the Southern Netherlands. Unless he stays there with a shameful face and refuses to leave, in that case, he will immediately become enemies with Austria.
France is in great need of coal resources in Wallonia and has invested huge sums of money there, so it must not just leave.
While he was thinking about it, the carriage stopped, and the two servants leading the way bowed and gestured to the small villa not far away:
"My lord, that's where it is."
Joseph came to the villa under the protection of Kesode, and immediately saw an old man coming out with an anxious face, stroking his chest and saluting:
"I am glad that you can come in person, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
It was none other than the Austrian Minister of State, Count Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz.
Kaunitz let Joseph into the room, closed the door with his own hands, and immediately said urgently:
"Your Highness, Fao's alliance is facing a huge crisis."
Joseph knew that the old man was a famous "Jingfa", so he asked directly:
"You mean that Hanover and Prussia are about to withdraw their troops from the Southern Netherlands?"
Kaunitz nodded, but immediately shook his head: "The two countries will indeed give up supporting the Southern Netherlands rebels, but more importantly, His Majesty the Emperor has decided to sign an armistice agreement with Prussia later..."
Joseph's pupils shrank: "The armistice agreement? You mean the armistice in Silesia?"
"That's it." Kaunitz said, "Count Frentz did not know what means he used. He only spent 300,000 florins to make Karl II and William II withdraw from the Southern Netherlands.
"Then, he suggested to His Majesty the Emperor that the original purpose of the Silesian War was to hedge against Prussia's interference in the Southern Netherlands. Now that the Southern Netherlands rebellion is about to end, it will become necessary to continue the stalemate in Silesia. Meaningless."
Joseph frowned slightly. This Ferenc was quite capable. He had used the Brabant uprising to suggest Joseph II to recover Silesia, but at this time he used it as a reason to end the war.
He looked at the Austrian Minister of State:
"Then His Majesty the Emperor agrees?"
Kaunitz nodded: "To tell you the truth, Austria's financial situation is not optimistic. Fighting on two fronts in the Southern Netherlands and Silesia, military expenditures are very high.
“In fact, His Majesty Leopold II once even suggested that His Majesty the Emperor temporarily suspend reforms due to financial problems.
"In addition, there are rumors that the Hungarian nobles are plotting a rebellion in order to resist the war tax. This has also made His Majesty determined to stop the war as soon as possible."
Joseph's brows suddenly furrowed even more tightly - if the war in Silesia stops, then Prussia and Austria are likely to turn their attention to Poland in the east again, and then use Russia to pull the strings to start a copy of the partition of Poland.
The interests of Russia, Russia, and Russia are becoming more aligned, and eventually some kind of alliance will be formed - and history will return to its original trajectory.
Kaunitz seemed more anxious than him:
"If Silesia cannot be recaptured this time, Austria will probably lose it forever."
Kaunitz's core strategic proposition was to "join France to resist Prussia" and devoted his life to defeating Prussia and making Austria the master of Germany again. If Austria's all-out attack ended hastily like this, Prussia's prestige would definitely increase, which he would never accept.
Joseph knew he was right - historically, Austria's national power would continue to weaken since Joseph II, and indeed it would never be able to regain Silesia.
He nodded and said, "So, what suggestions do you have?"
Kaunitz looked pleading:
"If France can provide more support, such as more troops and some loans, I am confident that we can unite with the ministers who are tough on Prussia and persuade His Majesty to continue attacking Silesia."
Joseph narrowed his eyes when he heard this. Does this mean that he wants me to withdraw from the Southern Netherlands and continue to send people and money to help Austria fight Silesia?
Do you always think I look like someone who has been taken advantage of? Conquering Silesia would not contribute the slightest benefit to France.
Besides, with France’s current financial situation, where will the money come from to provide loans to Austria?
etc……
He suddenly remembered that Kaunitz had just mentioned the "minister who was tough on Prussia", so he looked at the old minister of state and said:
"Are there many supporters in Vienna for a war against Prussia?"
"Of course!" Kaunitz nodded vigorously, "People can never forget the shame of Silesia. Everyone is worried that His Majesty will negotiate peace with Prussia."
He said that he wanted to wash away the shame. In fact, the Austrian bourgeoisie could not let go of Silesia, a region with developed industry and strong consumption power.
Joseph nodded, a smile flashing in his eyes.
Political correctness is a powerful weapon at any time.
In Austria, recovering Silesia is the greatest political correctness. Although the upper echelons of Vienna were physically and mentally exhausted due to the stalemate war and financial constraints, and had thoughts of retreating, if they were given a huge stimulus, this political correctness would be activated immediately.
By that time, even the HRE Emperor could not go against the trend and negotiate peace with Prussia.
He said to Kaunitz: "Please rest assured that our country will continue to provide support for the war in Silesia. At the same time, I will never sit back and watch Austria bow to Prussia."
"Thank you! Austria will always remember your help!"
Joseph continued: "In addition, I hope you can do something for me."
"I am willing to serve you at any time."
"I need you to cooperate in some ways in Schönbrunn Palace..."
After leaving Kaunitz's villa, Joseph immediately went to the French Embassy in Austria and summoned the French ambassador to Austria, Baron Alphonse.
"Your Highness, it is indeed difficult to bypass the news review in Vienna." Alphonse frowned, "But I will try my best."
Joseph nodded and said: "The Intelligence Bureau will fully cooperate with you. In addition, if there are any difficult problems, you can ask Count Kaunitz for help.
"I hope to see the news in the newspaper within a week."
"Yes, Your Highness! "
The next morning, Joseph first told Talleyrand to visit those ministers who advocated a tough stance against Prussia, while he went to Madame Delvaux's residence according to the address left by his mother.
It was a small but rather unique manor, which showed that the French queen's wet nurse lived a pretty good life. In fact, the old lady was also somewhat famous in Vienna. If Leopold II's brother-in-law was not really to be trifled with, she would never have asked Queen Marie for help.
The people of the Delvaux family had long been alarmed by the luxurious scene outside the door and the large group of guards in white uniforms. Seven or eight servants immediately came out to greet them.
When they learned that the person coming was the French crown prince, a maid hurriedly turned around and ran back to the house, shouting:
"Miss, come here quickly! It's the French, French queen..."
An old man who looked like a butler scolded the servants to make way, and then lowered his head very nervously and invited Joseph into the manor.