Chapter 1018: Negotiations Between Prussia and Austria, Britain Pays the Bill
Baron Walter continued in a ringing voice, "And if we simply do our part in this matter, Mr. Fox will be most grateful to us."
The officials in attendance immediately began whispering among themselves. Walter's meaning was clear: if they could broker a peace treaty, the British would provide political rewards.
For the pro-British faction, which had been marginalized for some time, this was undoubtedly welcome news.
The group quickly fell into a discussion on the specifics of how to proceed, while Schulmeister watched from the side with an amiable smile.
The following afternoon.
In the study of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the reformists and the hardliners continued their heated debate.
Cobentzel brought out his new "trump card." "Mr. Fox has promised to provide a loan of 300,000 pounds sterling to compensate for our empire's losses in Silesia."
"Ha! That pittance isn't even enough to buy the silt at the bottom of the Oder River," one of the hardliners scoffed.
"Your Majesty, this loan is vital for stabilizing our finances. It is time to end this war..."
"I have read Archduke Charles's report. He stated that the fortress of Breslau cannot be breached for at least another five months..."
Just then, Cobentzel's assistant crept along the wall and whispered into his ear.
The Minister of State's brow furrowed instantly. He pulled Count Stadion aside and murmured, "Zimmermann and Suttner had an audience with His Majesty this morning."
Stadion's expression darkened. "What are they trying to do?"
"It seems they are advocating for the British proposal, suggesting that His Majesty accept British mediation."
Stadion declared flatly, "That will not do!"
His "will not do" was not directed at the British mediation itself, but rather at the fact that Zimmermann and his associates were jumping out to collude with the British.
Since most of these pro-British officials belonged to Thugut's political faction, any increase in their influence would inevitably strike a blow to his own faction.
It was even possible they might try to bring Thugut back or nominate a new political representative to challenge Cobentzel's faction for power.
They had to "crush" this movement the moment it surfaced.
Taking advantage of the brief interval when the Emperor went to use the restroom, the Cobentzel faction quickly agreed on a strategy.
When Franz II returned, Stadion immediately spoke up. "Your Majesty, our greatest concern is actually that the British will favor Prussia during the border negotiations."
"If we bypass Britain and negotiate directly with Potsdam, we can maximize the rights and interests we deserve!"
General Hohendorf curled his lip. "Hmph, unless the Prussians are willing to return Breslau and Oberley, there is no need to talk at all."
"We can certainly use that as a condition for our negotiations with the Prussians."
Reao immediately emphasized, "We cannot let the British participate."
Cobentzel chimed in right away. "Exactly. This is a matter between Austria and Prussia."
The two men instinctively looked at each other. This was the first time they had ever reached a consensus.
...
Upon learning of the decision made at Schönbrunn Palace, Fox immediately went to meet with Little Cobenzl.
"If there is no British involvement, you will not receive a single penny of that loan!" he threatened, flustered and exasperated.
The Austrian remained patient. "Your proposal has been accepted by His Majesty. We will complete the demarcation with the Prussians."
"This is the best outcome for all parties."
"However, if you withdraw the loan, the situation will undoubtedly fall back into chaos. You must understand, it took a great deal of effort to convince those hardliners."
Fox had no idea that it was actually the actions of Walter and the other pro-British officials that had pushed the Cobentzel cabinet to stand against him.
Seeing that arguing with Little Cobenzl was useless, he prepared to see Franz II directly. However, on the way, he received a message from an intelligence officer: the Ottomans attacking Wallachia had retreated several days ago, and the Argentau Legion would return to the Silesian theater within three weeks.
He realized things were turning sour. He returned to Little Cobenzl's residence and stated that Britain could forgo its role in the mediation, but Prussia and Austria had to begin demarcation negotiations immediately.
Naturally, the loan would still be provided to Vienna.
After receiving the Austrian's assurance, the British Foreign Secretary rushed to Potsdam without pause to work on King William III.
Without British participation, the Austrians would surely make an exorbitant demand. If the young King impulsively withdrew from the negotiations, all his efforts would be for naught.
After a round of threats and inducements from Fox, William III finally agreed—under the persuasion of Prince Heinrich—to return Liegnitz to Austria and cede the portions of Breslau and Oberley provinces west of the Oder River. The area of these lands was roughly equivalent to seventy percent of Breslau.
In reality, Prussia could currently only barely hold the Oder River line through the Breslau fortress; the western bank was already under the actual control of the Austrian army.
However, for this "major concession" he was making, William III hoped Britain would provide a subsidy as compensation or provide Prussia with the latest automatic textile technology to make up for the losses in the Silesian industrial zone.
More than ten days later, when the negotiators from both Austria and Prussia arrived in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, Fox finally received a reply from London. They agreed to provide Prussia with twelve new models of steam-powered automatic looms, along with the corresponding textile technology. Although Prussia's textile industry was small and posed no threat to Britain, the British would certainly lose a significant portion of the future Prussian textile market.
The process of the Prusso-Austrian negotiations was incredibly difficult.
Both sides felt they were getting a raw deal.
Austria wanted all of Breslau and Oberley, while Prussia only wanted to surrender Liegnitz.
What couldn't be won at the negotiating table had to be fought for with cannons.
Consequently, two more fierce battles of offense and defense occurred at Glogau. It wasn't until the spring of 1795, when the need for labor to return home for spring sowing became urgent, that a compromise was finally reached.
Austria gained the territories west of the Oder River, slightly expanding its holdings in Silesia.
Prussia kept the majority of Silesia—and gained the British automatic looms.
...
Elsewhere, Muhammad Ali returned to Albania with a vast amount of wealth and began using the money to recruit an army loyal to himself.
Shortly thereafter, under his personal command, the rebellion in Greece was suppressed in just one month.
He then left his trusted officers to manage the army in Albania while he returned to Constantinople to receive the Sultan's rewards.
As for his unauthorized excursion into Wallachia, his explanation was that he was pursuing fleeing Greek rebels.
Because he had caused no loss to the empire, and because the Janissaries believed his daring raid on the Austrians and subsequent safe return had enhanced their prestige, they shielded him. In the end, he was actually rewarded for his actions.
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