Chapter 595 Special Trade Plan
Fortunately, Joseph had made some arrangements in Poland before.
For example, he told Prince Poniatowski about major matters to pay attention to in the future, provided some aid to Poland through the United States, and promoted the awakening of Polish nationalism.
However, he also knew very well that Poland in this era was very weak. After all, it had implemented the "one-vote veto system" for a century and a half.
France cannot directly interfere in Polish affairs at present. It would seriously offend Russia and Prussia, and it would completely help Britain build an anti-French alliance.
Then the only way is to use Poland’s own strength as much as possible. As long as Poland can last longer, it will help France win important development time.
It should be half a year to a year before Prussia and Russia are ready for war. This time must be fully utilized to prepare Poland for defense...
Five days later.
As soon as Joseph returned to Paris, he went straight to the Palace of Versailles and summoned Brian, Talleyrand, Bailly, Fouche and other relevant ministers to his drawing room.
Not long after, everyone arrived, and he first asked Fouche to introduce the situation on the Prussian and Austrian sides - on his way back to Paris, Prussia and Austria had officially concluded an armistice agreement.
"...At present, both sides have begun to withdraw from Silesia. Britain and Russia are jointly supervising the withdrawal of both sides. Baron Turgut has initially taken control of the political situation in Vienna..."
After Fouche finished speaking, Brian immediately Said: "In this case, we will make some adjustments to Austria's foreign policy."
Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him, and directly concluded: "The current focus is how to help Poland Resist the attacks of Russia and Prussia. Oh, and maybe Austria."
Bayi said in surprise: "Your Highness, you mean Prussia? But Prussia and Poland are in an alliance."
"Please believe me, Prussia wants to invade Poland the most, more eagerly than Russia." Joseph said, "As long as Russia takes action, they will immediately tear up the alliance..."
In the next few hours, Joseph described his plan to help Poland resist the invasion, and everyone made detailed adjustments.
Then Talleyrand put away his notebook and said to Joseph: "Your Highness, then I will leave for Warsaw tomorrow."
Joseph shook his head and said: "France must try to downplay this matter. There are traces of the government. So you can't come forward."
He looked at the people in front of him: "Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"
Bayi thought: "Your Highness, I think. Bishop Sieyes can go to Poland. Oh, that’s Emmanuel Abe Sieyes, he is meticulous and has unique insights into political operations.”
When Joseph heard the name, he couldn't help but nodded slightly.
Sieyes, one of the three giants of the Thermidor Party. This person's political skills are not as simple as "having insights", he is definitely a master.
Historically, he has survived all the major factions in power and downfall, and he single-handedly planned the Wuyue Coup to take over the emperor. Some people even suspect that he was the man behind the overthrow of Robespierre's regime.
The political situation in France is stable in this life, but there is no room for him to play, so so far he is only the deputy bishop of Chartres.
Allowing him to help Stanislaw II control the political situation in Poland was a good use of his talents.
And he also has a church background. He can be transferred to Poland by the Catholic Church without attracting the attention of other countries.
Joseph turned to Eman and said: "Please send someone to Chartres to ask Sieyès..." Baiy hurriedly said: "Your Highness, Archbishop Sieyès is in the Palace of Versailles now."
This is not surprising. French nobles and high priests like to stay in Paris when they have nothing to do.
Eman asked Sieyès where he lived and immediately went to find someone.
Not long after, a man who was less than fifty years old, with a thin face and not much aura of a priest knocked on the door and bowed to Joseph: "It is an honor to be summoned by you, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Your Majesty Emmanuel Er. Ebe Sieyès is at your service at any time.”
It was already dusk by the time Joseph finished giving him instructions on going to Poland.
Early the next morning, Sieyès set off for Warsaw with the aid money for Poland.
Joseph also felt a lot more at ease. After having lunch with his mother, he talked about his smuggling licensing plan with Brian, Bailly, Fouche and others.
Trade Minister Bai Yi was obviously the most excited person. He almost said with gleaming eyes: "Your Highness, I think your idea is very feasible. In fact, the British and Portuguese colonies are full of concerns about their trade policies. Complain, if there is a bargain, there will definitely be many locals rushing to help us sell it.
“There will even be some very influential people among them. ”
You must know that both Britain and Portugal regard the colonies as their "big blood bags". The prices of local raw materials can be reduced as low as possible, and their own industrial products can be sold casually, no matter how low they are. No matter how high the price is, people in the colony have to hold their noses to buy it, because other cheap goods are not allowed to be shipped in.
This leads to the fact that the industry in the colony cannot develop at all and can only exist as a source of raw materials. Naturally, it has always been at a low level.
But Brian seemed very cautious: "Your Highness, doing this is almost equivalent to declaring war on Britain and Portugal. "
Joseph said indifferently: "We try to be as hidden as possible. As for declaring war, you don't have to worry, I will naturally have a way to deal with it. ”
Seeing the Crown Prince's very determined look, Brian stopped insisting and continued: "Your Highness, if you must do this, I suggest that the smuggling business be concentrated in Tripoli.
"In this way, even if the British find out For these businesses, we can also use the excuse that "they are located far away and cannot be managed effectively". And the volume of trade there is already very large. "
Bayi nodded in agreement, and added: "Just starting from the Mediterranean, if you go to North America, you must pass through the Strait of Gibraltar. It was very convenient for the British to inspect smuggling ships there, you know, it was only a few dozen nautical miles wide and there was no way you could slip through. ”
“What is your suggestion? "
"We can use the port of Ostend in the Southern Netherlands as another smuggling concentration port. Although it is an area ruled by Austria, the residents are basically French-speaking. "
Bai smiled a little proudly: "I have been there, and the locals hardly paid attention to the officials sent from Vienna. Instead, they listened more to the Walloon District Business Committee. "
The Walloon District Business Council is now completely controlled by France.
"If there is a business that can make a lot of profits, I believe that the local people will definitely be willing to comply with our management.
“And more than 30 kilometers away from Ostend is the Port of Zeebrugge. If Ostend is inspected too hard by the British fleet, the smuggling ship can immediately transfer to the Port of Zeebrugge for loading Goods.”
(End of this chapter)