Chapter 416 Armistice Agreement
If Han and Prussia had not intervened in the affairs of the Southern Netherlands, Van der Noort's rebel army would have been quickly wiped out by the Austrian army.
By that time, the French army had lost its reason to stay in the Southern Netherlands. Unless he stays there with a shameful face and refuses to leave, in that case, he will immediately become enemies with Austria.
France is in great need of coal resources in Wallonia and has invested huge sums of money there, so it must not just leave.
While he was thinking about it, the carriage stopped, and the two servants leading the way bowed and gestured to the small villa not far away:
"My lord, that's where it is."
Joseph arrived in front of the villa under the protection of Kesode, and immediately saw an old man coming out with an anxious face, stroking his chest and saluting:
"I am very glad that you can come in person, your distinguished king. His Royal Highness."
It was none other than the Austrian Minister of State, Count Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz.
Kaunitz let Joseph into the room, closed the door with his own hands, and immediately said urgently:
"Your Highness, Fao's alliance is facing a huge crisis."
Joseph knew that the old man was a famous "Jingfa", so he asked directly:
"You mean that Hanover and Prussia are about to withdraw their troops from the Southern Netherlands?"
Kaunitz nodded, but immediately shook his head: "The two countries will indeed give up supporting the Southern Netherlands rebels, but more importantly, His Majesty the Emperor has decided to sign an armistice agreement with Prussia later..."
Joseph's pupils shrank: "The armistice agreement? You mean the armistice in Silesia?"
"That's it." Kaunitz said, "Count Frentz did not know what means he used. He only spent 300,000 florins to make Karl II and William II withdraw from the Southern Netherlands.
"Then, he suggested to His Majesty the Emperor that the original purpose of the Silesian War was to hedge against Prussia's interference in the Southern Netherlands. Now that the Southern Netherlands rebellion is about to end, it will become necessary to continue the stalemate in Silesia. Meaningless."
Joseph frowned slightly. This Ferenc was quite capable. He had used the Brabant uprising as a reason to suggest Joseph II to recover Silesia, but at this time he used it as a reason to end the war.
He looked at the Austrian Minister of State:
"Then His Majesty the Emperor agrees?"
Kaunitz nodded: "To tell you the truth, Austria's financial situation is not optimistic. Fighting on two fronts in the Southern Netherlands and Silesia, military expenditures are very high.
“In fact, His Majesty Leopold II once even suggested that His Majesty the Emperor temporarily suspend reforms due to financial problems.
"In addition, there are rumors that the Hungarian nobles are plotting a rebellion in order to resist the war tax. This has also made His Majesty determined to stop the war as soon as possible."
Joseph's brows suddenly furrowed even more tightly - if the war in Silesia stops, then Prussia and Austria are likely to turn their attention to Poland in the east again, and then use Russia to pull the strings to start a copy of the partition of Poland.
The interests of Russia, Russia, and Russia are becoming more aligned, and eventually some kind of alliance will be formed - and history will return to its original trajectory.
Kaunitz seemed more anxious than he was:
"If Silesia cannot be recaptured this time, Austria is likely to lose it forever."
Kaunitz's core strategic proposition was to "join France to resist Prussia" and devoted his life to defeating Prussia and making Austria the master of Germany again. If Austria's all-out attack ended hastily like this, Prussia's prestige would definitely increase, which he would never accept.
Joseph knew he was right - historically, Austria's national power would continue to weaken since Joseph II, and indeed it would never be able to regain Silesia.
He nodded and said, "So, what suggestions do you have?"
Kaunitz looked pleading: "If France can provide more support, such as more troops and some loans, I am confident that we can unite with the ministers who are tough on Prussia and persuade His Majesty to continue attacking Silesia. "
When Joseph heard this, he narrowed his eyes. Does this mean that I want to withdraw from the Southern Netherlands and continue to send people and money to help Austria fight Silesia?
Do you always think I look like someone who has been taken advantage of? Conquering Silesia would not contribute the slightest benefit to France. Besides, with France’s current financial situation, where will the money come from to provide loans to Austria?
etc……
He suddenly remembered that Kaunitz had just mentioned the "minister who was tough on Prussia", so he looked at the old minister of state and said:
"Are there many supporters in Vienna for a war against Prussia?"
"Of course!" Kaunitz nodded vigorously, "People can never forget the shame of Silesia. Everyone is worried that His Majesty will negotiate peace with Prussia."
He said that he wanted to wash away the shame. In fact, the Austrian bourgeoisie could not let go of Silesia, a region with developed industry and strong consumption power.
Joseph nodded, a smile flashing in his eyes.
Political correctness is a powerful weapon at any time.
In Austria, recovering Silesia is the greatest political correctness. Although the upper echelons of Vienna were physically and mentally exhausted due to the stalemate war and financial constraints, and had thoughts of retreating, if they were given a huge stimulus, this political correctness would be activated immediately.
By that time, even the HRE Emperor could not go against the trend and negotiate peace with Prussia.
He said to Kaunitz: "Please rest assured that our country will continue to provide support for the war in Silesia. At the same time, I will never sit back and watch Austria bow to Prussia."
"Thank you! Austria will always remember your help!"
Joseph continued: "Besides, I want you to do one thing for me."
"Ready to serve you."
"I need some cooperation from you at Schonbrunn Palace..."
After leaving the small villa in Kaunitz, Joseph immediately went to the French Embassy in Austria and summoned the Ambassador to Austria, Baron Alphonse.
"Your Highness, it is indeed difficult to bypass the press censorship in Vienna." Alphonse frowned, "But I will try my best."
Joseph nodded and said: "The Intelligence Bureau will fully cooperate with you. In addition, if you have difficult problems to deal with, you can go to Count Kaunitz for help.
"I hope to see those in the papers within a week."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Early the next morning, Joseph first ordered Talleyrand to visit the ministers who advocated toughness against Prussia, and he went to Mrs. Delvaux's residence according to the address left by his mother.
It was a small but unique manor, which showed that the wet nurse of the French Queen lived a pretty good life. In fact, the old lady was quite famous in Vienna. If it weren't for Leopold II's brother-in-law who couldn't be offended, she would never ask Queen Mary for help.
The people of the Delvaux family had long been alarmed by the luxurious pomp outside the door and the large group of guards in white uniforms. Seven or eight servants immediately came out to greet them.
After learning that the person who came was the French Crown Prince, one of the maids hurriedly turned around and ran back into the room, shouting:
"Miss, come here quickly! It's the French Queen..."
An old man who looked like a butler scolded the servants to get out of the way, then lowered his head nervously and invited Joseph into the manor.
(End of chapter)