Chapter 890 Marriage and the Pattern of Northern Italy
However, There is still a lot of resistance to marrying Ludovico.
Mainly because Parma is too small.
The only French princess who marry Prince Parma will make French ministers feel embarrassed.
Yes, in France, the marriage of the prince and the princess is all part of the national affairs and must be decided by the ministers who are in power.
Sure enough, Ludovico quickly whispered nervously again: "Your Highness, but I am worried that Your Majesty the Queen and those ministers will be dissatisfied with me..."
Joseph put his shoulder and nodded, "I promise, they are all very satisfied with you, and Parma too.
"By the way, I heard that the Pope also blessed you and my sister, and even decided to use Ferrara as a gift for your marriage."
As a branch of the Bourbon family, Parma is the "confidant" that Joseph focused on cultivating in Northern Italy and is also the core.
It just so happens that Therese is also interesting to Prince Palma, and the marriage will further strengthen the bond between Palma and France.
When Ludovico heard "Ferrara" and "wedding gift", he was shocked and widened his eyes.
You should know that the land area of the Principal of Parma is less than 5,000 square kilometers, while the area of Ferrara Province is about 3,500 square kilometers.
If Ferrara can be obtained, Palma's territory will be directly increased by 70%!
Parma had previously actively sent troops to participate in the military operations of the Mediterranean Security Organization against the Pope, hoping to get a part of Ferrara.
But unexpectedly, His Highness the Crown Prince actually gave Ferrara all to Parma!
Ludovico was so excited that his hands trembled, he quickly took a step back and bowed to Joseph: "You are so generous, I, I really don't know how to express my gratitude... Oh, on behalf of my father, I promise that Ferrara's taxes will always be transferred to France half."
Joseph helped him up and smiled and said, "That half of the tax will be regarded as my sister's dowry."
Ferrara's little taxes are a drop in the bucket for France. Over time, it will arouse the dissatisfaction of the Parma people. It is better to send favors to the end at once.
He leaned into Ludovico's ear and whispered: "As long as Parma follows France's pace, he will get Mantua's part south of the Po River, and even the northern part of Modena in the future."
Prince Palma was so shocked that he couldn't speak.
The two places that the French prince just mentioned will make Parma and Ferrara better connect into a whole, and to the north, it can resist the Po River and guard the Apennines to the south.
At the same time, most of the country is located on the rich Pohe Plain.
This is simply the most perfect land form!
Ludovico suddenly remembered that His Highness the Crown Prince seemed to mention "Northern Modena", but how could Modena give up its territory to Parma?
He subconsciously spoke, "Modna..."
Joseph made a silent gesture to him: "His Majesty Elkolai III will agree."
If Parma wants to be the "core" of France in Northern Italy, there must be some places that must rely on France.
For example, their territorial entanglement with Modena.
Ludovico bowed to Joseph again, and then, at the latter's instructions, went excitedly to invite Therese to dance.
Well, Princess Therese is not just his sweetheart, but also Palma's hope for the future.
If Teresz said he wanted the moon in the sky now, he would definitely pick it back for her without hesitation.
Some are happy and some are sad. People from other northern Italian countries kept pricking their ears around Joseph. Naturally, they heard all the words Ferrara gave Parma, and they immediately gritted their teeth at Ludovico in their hearts. This hateful guy actually seduced the French princess to steal such a large piece of land by "devoting himself"!
Especially for the diplomats of Modena and Milan, who were also determined to win, they immediately gathered together to discuss in a low voice, and decided to fight for it before the matter was completely finalized.
The two of them also toasted Joseph first, and then the Foreign Minister of Modena said carefully: "Your Highness, that, Ferrara's war is coming to an end... Ah, you know, Ferrara has a deep connection with Modena..."
In the 16th century, the Principality of Modena also unified the Principality of Ferrara, with its full name Ferrara-Modna.
Later, Pope Clermont VIII made an excuse to forcibly incorporate Ferrara into the Papal Kingdom.
In fact, the Pope has done a lot of similar things over the past few hundred years, which is why the Italian countries hate the Pope.
The Foreign Minister of Modena secretly glanced at the face of the French prince and continued, "So, can you return Ferrara, at least the part south of the Po River, to our country..."
Joseph nodded: "Your request is very reasonable."
The Foreign Minister of Modena was delighted and heard the French prince continue to say:
"But this will cause conflicts between Modena and Parma and Milan.
"Look, Modena hasn't ruled Ferrara for 200 years, so why do you still have to be obsessed with it?"
The Foreign Minister of Modena suddenly became anxious: "Your Highness, but..."
Joseph made a move to raise his hand and press down: "You need to change your mind.
“It is inconvenient to manage the situation between Modena and Ferrara by the River Reno.
“But if Modena gets Bologna, there will be no problem with that.
"And from Modena to Bologna, there is the Reina River in the north and the Apennines in the south, which is not easy to invade."
The mood of the Modena Foreign Minister was like a roller coaster, and he suddenly rose from the bottom of the valley to the top of the peak and said excitedly: "You mean, handing over Bologna to our country?"
"I do have plans for this."
"But, the Pope should not give up there..."
"No, the Holy See has been deeply aware that it should be taken out of the secular chores so that it can concentrate on serving God." Joseph drew a cross, "The Pope entrusted me to re-arrange the ownership of Bologna, oh, and provinces such as Ancona and Spoleto."
"This is true?!" The Foreign Minister of Modena widened his eyes, and then quickly bowed and saluted, "Thank you, the great Prince! Modena is willing to accept any arrangements from you!"
Joseph immediately smiled and said, "You know, I still want to try my best to entrust these lands to reliable friends."
"Yes, Your Highness, Modena will always follow you!"
"Well, I remember His Majesty Elkolai III never reopened the string?"
"That's true, Your Highness."
Joseph showed a little fox-like smile: "Then, I hope that Your Majesty can marry a Bourbon woman."
He remembered that after Elkolai III's wife died, he never got married, which eventually led to the extinction of the Principality of Modena.
(This chapter ends)