Chapter 1669 - 1575: Dangerous Game

Chapter 1669: Chapter 1575: Dangerous Game

Lavallette hastened to add, "Your Highness, this riot is different from the ones before."

Joseph looked up at him, "Oh? Please elaborate."

"Generally speaking, it’s more organized, mobilized thoroughly, and logistics have significantly improved compared to before. Captain Savien’s report suggests that this riot could inflict massive damage on the Holy See."

Savien is the head of intelligence work for the Security Bureau in Rome.

Joseph nodded again, "We can promote this moderately; you will be responsible for the specific matters. Oh, also, investigate the murder of Muzareli."

Lavallette did not immediately accept the order but instead stepped forward, lowering his head, "Your Highness, the Romans have obtained over 1,500 guns, most of which are caplock guns. There are even at least four field cannons secretly transported into the city.

"And Captain Savien mentioned that these weapons likely originated from Ravenna..."

Joseph frowned, "Are there officers privately selling weapons?"

"This..." Lavallette did not answer but brought up another matter, "I inquired with Ravenna officials, and they claimed His Highness Charles went on a trip over a month ago, and no one knows his whereabouts.

"Furthermore, the Free Rome Party, which organizes the Roman riot, recently received funding of tens of thousands of francs, reportedly from a young gentleman named Charlie.

"Mr. Charlie also served as the military advisor to the Free Rome Party. Oh, he is certainly not a Roman, and no relationships in Rome could be traced to him. He only speaks French all along..."

The serenity in Joseph’s eyes vanished instantly as he sprang to his feet, "Are you suggesting Charles is involved in the Roman riot?"

"There is suspicion at present, Your Highness," said Lavallette, "My people find it difficult to penetrate the core circle of the Free Rome Party.

"But if that person is indeed His Highness Charles, he is likely not merely ’involved.’ Calling it a ’plan’ should be more accurate."

Joseph’s sharp gaze pierced the face of the Director of the Security Bureau, "I do not care what method you use; you must immediately locate Charles. If he is really in Rome, escort him away at once!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Joseph rubbed his forehead with apprehension, "He actually went to participate in a riot? That’s too dangerous... Perhaps he should never have been allowed to leave Paris in the first place. By the way, have the Foreign Ministry prepare a note, requesting the Papal States ensure Charles’s safety in case of emergency."

After his emotions had calmed somewhat, he thought carefully for a moment and instructed, "Do not let Charles return to Paris directly. Instead, let him go to Milan first to attend some large diplomatic events and make frequent public appearances."

In this era, a revolution aimed at overthrowing the Monarch is an absolute taboo for all countries in Europe. Whoever dares openly support revolution becomes the enemy of all Europe.

Previously, France’s contact with Vienna’s National Assembly had to go through several hands, just to leave no traces.

Being a member of the French Royal Family, if Charles publicly associated with the Roman uprising, it would spell a diplomatic disaster for France.

England could even seize this opportunity to stir up a wave of anti-French sentiment.

Fortunately, communication in this era is extremely slow, and a time gap of days or even more than ten days can easily allow for "playing tricks."

As long as Charles makes public appearances in Milan, they can claim he arrived in Milan a week before, clearing him of connections to the Roman riot.

Lavallette cautiously asked again, "Your Highness, should we retrieve the weapons, including the batch shipped from Ravenna?"

Joseph sighed, "Since the Romans made such thorough preparations, we also need not undermine them.

"Order your people to reclaim all the caplock guns and exchange them for flintlock guns. I recall Genoa still houses weapons left by the Austrians; use those. Also, destroy our standardized artillery mounts, and send two 12-pound cannons to them if necessary."

Charles indeed lacks experience; he obtained caplock guns from the French garrison equipped at Ravenna and directly brought them to Rome, disregarding the impact of these weapons.

Considering that the Vatican Guard on the opposite uses flintlock guns, leaving it unchecked would allow the Rebel Army’s firepower to completely suppress the Vatican Guard; other countries would surely detect traces of France involved.

As for cannons, Rome is not far from Chiavetta Vecchia Port, theoretically able to dismantle cannon from the armed merchant ships docked, which addresses the problem if mounts for field artillery are missing.

Truthfully, as long as Charles’s involvement is not implicated, Joseph is very much pleased with the Roman rebellion.

Among the "Three Catholic Sons," Austria is overwhelmed with its affairs, Spain would undoubtedly stand by France, chose not to take action.

This means once the Pope is driven into a tight spot, France remains the only one able to rescue him.

At that juncture, whether the Holy See must round or square, Paris alone will decide?

Joseph promptly summoned Saigul and Bertier, who had just left, back.

He first had Lavallette brief them on the situation in Rome, then instructed, "The Foreign Ministry must send personnel ahead to coordinate positions with various Italian countries, refraining from unilaterally intervening in Rome’s affairs, especially Modena, Florence, and other Catholic countries.

"Dispatch two Dragoon Regiments from Montpellier to board transport ships waiting outside Chiavetta Vecchia Port. Assign two steam frigates from the Toulon Fleet for escort..."

...

Vienna.

The dawn, still bearing the fatigue of its dimness, found city streets already packed with people.

A cloth shop’s window had been shattered, glass shards scattered all across, several bolts of fabric tossed in the doorway’s mud, bearing the marks of jumbled footprints.

A baker pushing a cart got cornered at the alley’s mouth, the strap securing the basket on the cart suddenly loosened, and the black bread inside instantly rolled out. He and his wife hurriedly bent over to pick them up, but the crowd rushing behind swarmed like locusts and swept the bread off the ground.

Two women clutching infants missed the last bit of bread crumbs, and had no choice but to trudge forward amidst the babies’ heart-rending cries; those surrounding them scarcely cast them a second glance.

Because the entire city was drown in cries at that moment.

An entire paragraph from the Declaration of Human Rights once whitewashed on the wall had been covered with a notice, declaring the Emperor would execute anyone who had supported the National Assembly — even those merely witnessing a beheading of Nobles without openly voicing opposition were counted.

News that the Bohemian army was only tens of kilometers away from the city’s outskirts had spread throughout the city; anyone still able to move now frantically surged towards the city’s west.

Rumors circulated that the provinces on the west side of the Alps remained under Congress’s control, with the mountain’s defensive line holding firm.

The National Assembly issued an order last week, stating anyone heading to Innsbruck and other places could receive ten acres of arable land, with continuous cultivation for ten years earning them ownership of the land.

Some Swiss and Cologne caravans even reached agreements with the Congress to sell food along the way, adhering to the Assembly’s prescribed bread price caps.