Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1389 - 1295: Tearing Open Austria’s Wounds
Chapter 1389: Chapter 1295: Tearing Open Austria’s Wounds
The Crown Prince of France’s speech on “Peace and Post-War Reflection” lasted more than 40 minutes before it concluded, and solemn music once again echoed across the square.
At Joseph’s request, all formal steps were canceled, and the representatives of France and Austria sat directly on either side of the long table prepared in advance, each picking up a copy of the drafted Mödling Treaty.
Dozens of officials from Germany and the Italian States sat on the outside, witnessing the signing ceremony.
The content of the treaty was nothing to speak of. Ludwig von Kobitzel, after showcasing the Full Power Certificate granted by the Emperor of Sanctum, looked with complex emotions at the Crown Prince of France seated above, sighed lightly, and signed his name on the treaty.
Talleyrand signed his portion and exchanged texts with the Austrian representative, and the entire ceasefire agreement signing ceremony ended. The whole process took less than 15 minutes.
As Duke Leopold announced the end of the ceremony, reporters immediately gathered around to inquire about treaty-related questions. However, most of them were still digesting the soul-stirring thoughts and insights from the Crown Prince of France’s speech, silently deciding that tomorrow’s newspaper front page must feature this speech!
There was none of the usual post-victory boasting, not even the French diplomats who came to Mödling paid much attention to the reporters, and the entire French delegation left under Joseph’s lead.
In the white carriage, only Charles still looked back at the small town behind him with lingering thoughts.
Joseph had already begun discussing subsequent diplomatic issues with Talleyrand.
“Yes, Your Highness, Hungary is absolutely the most important target,” said the Foreign Minister, nodding. “In fact, Baron Linsel just returned from Budapest, but due to extensive concessions Franz II previously made to the Hungarian Congress, along with Count Gyergy’s conservative stance, it is currently very difficult for us to incite strong opposition to the Habsburg family among Hungarian nobles.”
Joseph stroked the teacup in his hand and asked, “Is there any force worth cultivating?”
Talleyrand was extremely familiar with the situation in Hungary and immediately responded without hesitation, “Within Hungary, there are the Betren family and the Kalmankoy family. They had previously proposed during Leopold II’s time that the Habsburg family had no right to rule Hungary, but after the rights of the Hungarian Congress increased, they are no longer vocal.
“Furthermore, there is the ’Exiled Kuruts’ organization in the Ottoman’s Tekirdag Province. They are followers of the former Duke of Transylvania, Lakosy. Although Lakosy has been dead for over 60 years, this organization still sporadically returns to Hungary to distribute pamphlets or hold secret speeches.”
Joseph thought for a moment and instructed, “Let’s choose the latter. Have the Ottomans provide them with an annual fund, and you get someone to send them some printing presses.”
Large nobles like the Betren family are difficult to satisfy, whereas overseas resistance forces like the ’Exiled Kuruts’ can achieve much with just tens of thousands of francs.
Though they cannot cause Vienna any trouble militarily, their potential to incite Hungarian dissatisfaction with the Habsburg family is very promising.
“Yes, Your Highness,” busy Talleyrand noted in his notebook.
“But this is not enough…” Joseph mused. “We must find interest gaps between Hungary and Austria. By the way, what industries are important in Hungary?”
Talleyrand said, “Fur, grain, salt, wine, and silver mines, Your Highness.”
Joseph frowned, “Only fur has some market…”
France currently has North African grain, Rhineland salt mines, and Polish silver mines, all at extremely low costs, making it impractical to source from Hungary.
At this moment, Charles suddenly chimed in, “Brother, I recall Hungary grows a lot of peppers. I even had some during lunch yesterday, and it’s quite expensive in Paris.”
Talleyrand smiled, “Your Highness, as far as I know, Hungary’s annual pepper export does not exceed 200 tons.”
Joseph nodded slightly. Pepper is a civilian culinary miracle; just a little can turn any vegetable into a delicacy.
It can be used to increase French citizens’ satisfaction with food and as a tool to create a rift between Austria and Hungary.
He said to Talleyrand, “As long as there are interests, their export volume will quickly increase. You need to arrange trade routes that bypass Vienna’s oversight to import large quantities of peppers and fur from Hungary. I will have Mr. Bailly assist you.
“Also, find some renowned Hungarian chefs to bring back. I want to promote peppers at the Palace of Versailles.”
Hungary is Austria’s most unstable “bomb,” and the best strategy to quickly weaken Austria is to facilitate Hungary’s detachment from Austria.
Even if full detachment cannot be achieved, each Hungarian rebellion for independence can cause Austria severe internal injuries.
And this must begin by providing Hungary with a channel of interest outside of Austria. When Austria begins to affect their interests, the principle of “cutting off someone’s financial path is like killing their parents” will start to take effect.
Though the pepper and fur trade might only be worth a few million francs annually, as long as a dozen influential nobles are harmed, extraordinary destructive power can erupt.
When the convoy reached the outskirts of Vienna, Joseph asked about Russia’s situation.
“Currently, Saint Petersburg has not shown any intention to surrender,” Talleyrand said. “According to the information I’ve received, the Kutuzov Corps has returned to Kyiv and has supplemented its forces there.”
Joseph was not surprised, as with the character of the Russians, having them admit defeat was akin to taking their life.
Moreover, the Russian Army previously lost significant forces in the Switzerland and Baden battlefields. If Alexander I were to now announce a ceasefire, Russian nobles would likely start planning a coup.
“Take half of Austria’s first war indemnity and aid the Poles; they have long wanted to reclaim the eastern territories.”
Joseph asked again, “Any response from Constantinople yet?”
“No, Your Highness,” Talleyrand said with a smile. “However, I believe, with the signing of the Mödling Treaty, Salem III will make a decision.”
From the outset of Russia deploying troops, Joseph had someone contact the Ottomans to try and have them apply strategic pressure on Russia. However, possibly due to the overwhelming presence of the Anti-French Alliance at that time, Salem III was too intimidated to agree.
Joseph nodded, “You should go to Constantinople again. Bring them a ship full of cannons; a lot was seized on the battlefield this time.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
On the other side, the day after Metternich returned to Vienna, his assistant finally obtained a copy of the Dresden Treaty from the Vienna Foreign Minister’s records room by noon.
