Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1478 - 1384: The Division of Switzerland

Chapter 1478: Chapter 1384: The Division of Switzerland

After dinner, Joseph accompanied Alexandra to the Grand Trianon Palace.

There was the clanging sound around them, as dozens of craftsmen were busy with renovations under the glow of the gas street lamps.

“Look, an open-air studio will be built over there,” The Crown Princess enthusiastically pointed to a nearby high platform, “Sitting there, you can see the entire fountain and the woods beyond.

“This area will be converted into a music hall, though it won’t be large, the acoustics will definitely be excellent.”

Joseph continuously smiled and nodded, occasionally offering simple suggestions for adjustments.

Indeed, this area has now become the Crown Princess’s “private resting zone.”

Originally built by Louis XIV for Madam Mantenon, it later served as a guest reception area for the King. However, since Louis XVI often stayed in the Royal Workshop, this place almost became deserted and was then given to his daughter-in-law as a wedding gift.

Entering the palace with its pink exterior walls, Alexandra pushed open a spacious bedroom, turning her head to Joseph, “Your place has nearly turned into an office; perhaps you should rest here in the future, so you’re not disturbed late into the night.”

She had long complained about the ministers coming to report work at the Crown Prince’s Bedroom Palace often past ten at night.

Just as she finished speaking, Eman hurried over with a somewhat troubled bow, “Your Highness, may I disturb you for a moment?”

“Please speak.”

“Regarding your schedule for tomorrow, it might need some adjustments.” Eman unfolded his notebook, “Mr. Galatin, the Stadtholder of Geneva, has arrived at the Palace of Versailles and wishes for an audience with you.

“The three Members of Parliament from Solothurn State and the Speaker from Lucerne State have also arrived in Paris, but Count Saigul suggests placing them later in the queue.

“Additionally, Mr. Bailly mentioned that His Highness Ludovico wants to see you as well.

“And originally, your schedule for tomorrow was to visit Baron Lavoisier’s rubber laboratory…”

Alexandra sighed quietly beside, thinking that even if His Highness moved to the Grand Trianon Palace, it would likely become his new “office.”

Joseph did not expect the People of Swiss to be so efficient. After pondering for a moment, he instructed, “Let Ludovico wait. Arrange for the three Swiss states to have an audience together tomorrow.”

Geneva and Solothurn, among other states, had already expressed their desire to join France through diplomatic channels, and they were here to finalize the matter.

After the Bern Senator returned, celebrations began in full swing.

Other states quickly realized that Paris’s federation terms were quite generous, such as “keeping all state parliaments and allowing the Governor to continue managing through the parliament,” “the Ministry of Transportation setting up city steam railroads,” and “sending quasi-doctors from France for healthcare reform.”

The small council of Geneva quickly passed the decision to join France unanimously—their rights and status were almost unchanged, and they could also enjoy France’s prosperity. Why hesitate?

The most important thing was the attitude that France showed—graciously accepting these poor regions.

Solothurn and Lucerne followed suit soon after.

The next noon, Joseph hosted a grand banquet to entertain the People of Swiss.

With both sides actively advancing the matter, it progressed rapidly. Just two days later, the three parliaments formally submitted the “Union Application” to Paris, which was published in newspapers across Europe.

In this way, France passively acquired eastern territories nearly the size of Luxembourg without doing much.

While celebrations spread across Western Switzerland, several German-speaking states in the north were plunged into severe anxiety.

Switzerland, Basel City.

On the second floor of the banking guild, Baron Bjorn Ritter, the Austrian trade representative stationed in Switzerland, frowned at the protesting crowd passing below the window, and said to the diplomat beside him, “Mr. Stol, you must do something. I’ve heard that the trade guild is already leaning towards France. If these people continue causing trouble, the Basel parliament won’t hold out for long!”

Since Bern State became the Upper German Province, the fervor to “join France” has begun to spread across Switzerland.

However, Basel’s city aristocracy was pro-Austrian, and they had always avoided getting too close to France, let alone turning into French people.

Thus, the Basel parliament decisively announced the banning of any discussions on federalization with France.

But as a hub city sustaining on trade, Basel had increasingly come under French influence over the years—

Across the Rhine River, Baden and Wurttemberg are members of the French trade circle. Goods from Italy also can’t bypass France.

This made merchants and ordinary people very willing to join France to immediately enjoy tariff benefits within the French trade system.

As a result, citizens began protesting in the streets, and as the news of Geneva and other regions applying to join France spread, the protests intensified.

Diplomat Stol sighed, “To be honest, I submitted a report to Vienna last week. It’s said that His Majesty the Emperor is still hesitating.

“You know, meddling here could very likely anger France.”

From outside came the loud voice of a speech, “Every village in Bern has a ’Crown Prince’s irrigation machine.’ Those hills that couldn’t be cultivated have been turned into fertile fields, and before long, the harvest there will double!

“Yet our respected Members of Parliament selfishly isolate Basel from civilization and progress!”

Indeed, the water pumps “donated” by Joseph to Bern were called “Crown Prince’s irrigation machines” by the local farmers. Though not as numerous as one per village, such rumors always tended to exaggerate.

Equally talked about were the new steam railroads and even gas street lamps being built in Bern.

The surrounding crowd immediately burst into chants of “Join France,” using German.

Baron Ritter irritably closed the window and turned around, “Anger France? Ha, has the Empire grown so cowardly?”

Stol quickly waved his hand, “You see, it’s a necessary diplomatic strategy. The Empire is undergoing reforms and needs a stable international environment…”

Baron Ritter interrupted him, “Just make sure there’s no pretext for France to exploit.

“Provide some weapons and funds to the Basel parliament, and give them intelligence support. They can easily disperse the troublemakers.

“You know, if Switzerland is lost, the Empire’s influence will completely retreat from Western Europe!”

Stol’s expression also turned serious, “I’ll submit your suggestions to Count Kobutsel.”

Similar to Basel’s situation, Zurich, Schwyz, Uri, and other states also erupted in large-scale protests over whether to join France.

However, the eastern mountainous states appeared relatively calm—these places were almost destitute, far from France, and people there didn’t have much inclination towards France.