Chapter 644: His Majesty the Tough Emperor (asking for monthly votes)
Baron Turgut, the Minister of State, nodded and said:
“Your Majesty, the empire’s trade revenue has indeed been declining in the past two years.”
Francz II asked again:
“And the key to reversing the trade situation lies in France?”
Baron Turgut hesitated for a moment and nodded again:
“In a sense, you can say that.”
Baron Walter on the side waved his good hand, He said angrily:
“The French used unreasonable trade agreements to steal our market in South Germany and squeezed out many of our factories. As long as the treaty remains, our trade situation will It’s impossible to get better!”
Baron Turgut interrupted him quickly:
"Actually, when the treaty was signed, the terms were favorable to us."
The "Rhine-Seine Treaty" was signed by him on behalf of Austria, so naturally he could not slap himself in the face at this time.
Francz II looked at Count Rheinfels:
"So how do you think we should deal with the adverse effects of the treaty?"
The latter returned to Vienna I had already thought about it on the way and said hurriedly:
"Your Majesty, currently none of the South German countries dare to offend France. We may be able to negotiate privately with France and strive to reach independent tariff quotas for the two countries outside of the treaty."
What he means is to give up South Germany. market, and blended interests with France to preserve Austria's own market.
Franz II looked at Baron Turgut again:
“Do you also agree with Count Rheinfels’s opinion?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. "This can indeed temporarily stabilize our country's trade income," the Minister of State said, "We can then use our influence in the German region to call on other countries to boycott French goods and ultimately achieve the goal of re-signing the treaty."
Franz II nodded and said:
"Okay, let's do it."
The monarch and his ministers discussed the details of the exchange of interests with France in detail, and the sky was getting dark. Come down.
Palace officials came to remind His Majesty the Emperor that the dinner was ready. The ministers bowed and said goodbye, and Francis II walked towards the banquet hall surrounded by his servants.
Suddenly he heard familiar footsteps coming from behind him. He turned around and saw his mother Ludovica chasing after her quickly.
"I thought you didn't want to dine with me."
"We haven't had a meal together for a long time, and I happen to be free tonight." Ludovica came to his side, but his face became serious. , whispered, "Actually, Franz, I have something to say to you."
"Oh? What can you do, mother?"
" As an emperor, you have to be tougher," Ludovica said. "Those ministers, if they think you are weak, will keep pushing you into a corner."
Franz II nodded:
"Well, you are right."
Ludovica's voice was like a dry stone:
"As the emperor, you are a sharp sword, no one dares to stand in your way They will all be cut off mercilessly in front of you!
“You have been too indulgent towards the Foreign Minister today. Since he returned from Karlsruhe with failure and disgrace, he must be punished accordingly.
"Similarly, the French dared to threaten you with their troops. But you chose to humbly exchange benefits for their charity. This will only make the French more arrogant!" Franz II was stunned. Stunned, he nodded again:
"Indeed, I should be tougher."
Ludovica was already dissatisfied with France, and Baron Walter has been slandering France in her ears for more than a year, causing her to I hate France with all my heart.
“You want the arrogant French to know how powerful the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire is and how careless their previous behavior was. Then, immediately revise that damn treaty!”
Franz II had a particularly soft ear. He was only 23 years old and lacked experience in governing the country. After hearing his mother's words, a heroic and arrogant air suddenly surged in his chest.
"Yes! I can't just retreat, Austria's interests must be guaranteed." He straightened his back, "I am the Emperor of Shinra, and I am a sharp blade!"
The next day.
Baron Turgut, Count Kobczl and other Austrian ministers once again gathered in front of the emperor.
Francz II severely reprimanded Count Rheinfels as soon as he came up, saying that his incompetence had seriously damaged the interests of Austria, and fined him half a year's annuity.
Then Emperor Shinra looked at Turgut again: "As for the attitude towards France, I think it should not be too weak. Yesterday's negotiation plan needs to be revised."
"But, Your Majesty..."
Just as the Minister of State was about to say something, Baron Walter lowered his height and said:
"Your Majesty is wise and powerful! Only by letting the French know how powerful can you effectively safeguard our country's interests!"
Fran Ci II nodded and looked around at the ministers:
"So, do you have any suggestions?"
Since Kaunitz resigned, the pro-French faction in Vienna's political circles has declined, and the pro-British and pro-British factions have declined. The LCP and even the pro-Russian faction were all stunned at this time.
The chief royal advisor Kollinek and Baron Walter looked at each other and said first:
"Your Majesty, we can completely use our influence on the Italian countries to warn the French that if they do not re-sign the "Rhine-Senna" River Treaty, they will lose the Italian market.”
At present, the Italian region mainly includes Sardinia, Genoa, Venice, Tuscany, Sicily-Naples and other countries.
Among them, Venice is completely under Austrian control. The Grand Duke of Tuscany was the younger brother of Francis II. There were numerous marriages between Sicily and Naples and the Habsburgs.
It can be said that Austria has a significant influence on most of the Apennine Peninsula.
Especially in Venice, a commercial center, one family accounts for nearly one-third of Italy's trade volume.
For France, it is definitely not cost-effective to lose most of the Italian market for the Austrian market.
Franz II nodded with satisfaction:
“This is a good idea, let’s plan it in detail.”
Earl of Rheinfels was reprimanded just now , At this time, he wanted to restore his position in the emperor's mind as much as possible, and hurriedly added:
"Your Majesty, France's previous military exercises were indeed very effective. I think we can hold a joint exercise with Tuscany to frighten France and also show strength to Italian countries."
Everyone Immediately, you and I offered suggestions one by one, and a diplomatic plan for a trade agreement was quickly formulated.
Franz II once again handed over the mission to France to Count Rheinfels and announced the end of the meeting.
The officials left, but Baron Turgut stayed and handed a financial report to His Majesty the Emperor.
In fact, Francis II did not know much about the country's financial situation. Turgut could not explain it clearly to him by just talking, so he had to submit written documents.
(End of this chapter)