Chapter 313 The real goal (please vote)
Joseph nodded and continued to ask: "What about Saxony?"
"When I left Vienna, I set out for Dresden." Talleyrand said, "I must have been in contact with General Morris now."
General Morris was the commander of the Saxon Army.
Joseph motioned for him to sit down on the chair: "Are all the people using it reliable?"
"Please rest assured, he was selected by the Intelligence Bureau and I secretly brought him to Saxony through diplomatic channels. He is an authentic Bavarian who can't even speak French."
"You did a good job." Joseph smiled, "Oh, by the way, when you bought the assistant to the Austrian Interior Minister, the Baden negotiator and others this time, you maximized the efficiency of the funds, which is very good. So, "Just keep half of the income from the 'sale' of information in the Southern Netherlands and Saxony as a bonus for you and your subordinates."
Joseph spoke calmly, but Talleyrand's heart tightened when he heard this.
When he went to Germany to pay bribes this time, because of the difficulty, he barely made any money. Just now, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said "maximizing the efficiency of funding", which is obviously what he was referring to.
In other words, His Highness is likely to know exactly whether he is lining his own pockets.
Before that, I went to the United States, Russia and other places to earn bribes myself...
Catherine II has been committed to winning over Prussia and Austria to carve up Poland, so she definitely does not want the two countries to fight.
Joseph thought for a long time, then looked at Talleyrand and said: "It seems that you have to go to Petersburg again. After you see the Tsar, you will say this..."
Then he remembered the proceeds from this "sale of information" and couldn't hide the smile on his face.
Talleyrand was startled. Does His Highness mean that he should accept bribes from abroad in the future? As long as he hands over the money he receives, he can get a proportional share of the bonus?
He glanced at Joseph secretly and saw that the latter had a very serious expression. He was immediately overjoyed. From now on, he no longer had to worry about getting money.
Joseph nodded slightly and said to himself that Leopold II had indeed rich political experience and almost immediately considered the Russian issue.
He swallowed hard, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He was struggling in his mind on how to admit his mistake to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but he heard Joseph say: "Bribery is often involved in the diplomatic field. You only need to report it when you come back. Can you get help from foreign governments?" You have put in the effort to get the money, and you can keep part of it as a bonus. Of course, you must not interfere with your work just to make money.”
In accordance with the instructions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, he first sent people to the Southern Netherlands and sold the news that "the main force of the Austrian army in Luxembourg has withdrawn to Vienna" to the Duke of Brunswick in Prussia for 16,000 florins. . Later, his people sold the news to Saxony that "Austria was gathering an army to attack Silesia" and received 20,000 florins.
After explaining it carefully, Joseph added: "I will also try to cooperate with you, and you have to adapt accordingly based on the news you heard."
But how can I convince her to stand by and watch?
This totaled 90,000 livres. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave him half as a bonus with a wave of his hand. How could he not be overjoyed!
Sure enough, being loyal to His Highness is the most correct decision I have ever made in my life!
Talleyrand struggled to pull his consciousness out of the ocean of the river, expressed his loyalty to Joseph, and then continued to talk about business: "Your Highness, when I left Vienna, Leopold The Emperor once summoned me and said that he hoped France could exert influence on Russia to ensure that they would not interfere in the war in Silesia. "
"Yes, Your Highness, I will not let you down!"
After Talleyrand left, the Duke of Broglie, the Minister of War, and Berthier came to the Crown Prince's study again.
The two presented the drafted troop dispatch plan to Joseph. The chief of general staff explained: "Your Highness, according to your instructions, a 35,000-strong army will be sent to Austria." The core consists of the Lorraine Army and the Champagne Army. , the Rhine Army was formed, and some northern soldiers who could speak German were selected. "
The Duke of Broglie seemed a little nervous, although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had previously said that he would decide to go to the Austrian troops in exchange for his support for sending troops. However, the ones he picked out were basically legions that were related to him, and he was afraid that His Highness would have objections.
However, Joseph nodded and smiled: "Very good, these troops are very suitable."
He originally wanted to throw the old army to Austria. If he can win a few battles, he will use this as an excuse to ask for benefits from Vienna. If he loses, it will be beneficial and harmless to kill a group of hereditary military nobles - these capable talents in the old army have already applied for transfer. The Guards Corps is gone, and those left behind are either die-hards or losers.
The Duke of Broglie felt relieved when he heard this and motioned to Berthier to continue.
The latter hurriedly said: "Your Highness, according to the latest news sent back from Vienna, the Austrian army will complete its deployment in about three weeks and officially launch the attack."
The mobilization of an army of nearly 100,000 people is an extremely cumbersome matter. It is not like in the game, where you can just click and leave with the mouse.
In reality, before attacking a certain area, you must first make a strategic layout and calculate the enemy's traffic arteries, logistical supply lines, and advancing and retreating routes. Then rationally move the army to the position that can threaten these points the fastest, while also paying attention to concealment.
During the process of military mobilization, logistical supplies must also follow, and domestic personnel and material recruitment must also keep up.
Until these are all in place, the main force can begin to attack.
Therefore, Austria can make these preparations in one and a half months, which is relatively fast.
Joseph asked the question he was most concerned about: "What's the situation over there with the Guards?"
"Your Highness, the military station north of Verdun has been constructed and the supplies will be replenished within a week." said the Chief of General Staff. "In order to facilitate supplies, a wooden track has even been built from Lorraine to Verdun. It just takes more than three months to complete.
"Currently, the 1st and 2nd Guards Corps, as well as the Mulan Corps, totaling nearly 20,000 people, have been assembled and are ready to fight at any time."
A smile flashed in Joseph's eyes.
He didn't care about the Silesian War at all.
The direction of Southern Netherlands is his focus!
France's currently most powerful Guards Corps is all deployed here. Just waiting for Silesia to get crazy, the Prussian Army in the Southern Netherlands gave the Wilmser Army stationed in Luxembourg a huge surprise.
By then, Joseph II would not be able to mobilize any available troops, so he would have to resort to France, which was closest to the Southern Netherlands.
For this reason, Joseph also specially "reminded" the Duke of Brunswick to let him notice the empty strength of the Austrian army in Luxembourg.
(End of chapter)