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Chapter 1130: The Revitalization Plan

Joseph took the warm teacup from Camelia's hand and motioned for the Director of the Security Bureau to sit. He frowned slightly. "Why is the situation spiraling out of control so quickly?"

"It’s the 'Young Italy' organization, Your Highness," Lavillette reported. "They seem to have received massive funding and are suddenly inciting riots everywhere."

Joseph had heard reports from the Security Bureau before and knew this was an Italian nationalist group. However, under the suppression of the Northern Italian governments, they had only been operating in the shadows. Their sudden boldness was unexpected.

Lavillette continued, "There are signs that most of their funding originates from within Naples. However, I also suspect that some Northern Italian states are involved."

Joseph inhaled the aroma of the tea, pondered for a moment, and instructed, "Focus your investigation on Sardinia."

The Security Director was somewhat surprised, feeling as though the Crown Prince was making a snap judgment, but he immediately replied, "Yes, Your Highness. I will have the Turin branch exert every effort to gather clues."

Joseph wasn't just guessing, of course.

In history, the Sardinian royal family was the greatest catalyst for the Italian unification movement. The later Kingdom of Italy was essentially an upgraded version of Sardinia.

Looking at the current scale of the Northern Italian states, only Sardinia and Venice had the ambition to push for unification. For a small state to pursue unification was no different from dismantling itself and handing its pieces over to a major power.

Therefore, it was highly likely to be Sardinia.

Joseph had originally thought the wave of Italian nationalism would not erupt for at least another decade. He hadn't expected it to arrive so much earlier than in history.

Upon reflection, he realized that the unification of the Northern Italian market had created tighter economic and cultural ties between the nations, providing fertile ground for the rapid spread of nationalism.

However, this situation didn't trouble Joseph too much; in fact, to some extent, he felt a slight sense of relief.

It would have been far more troublesome if Italian nationalism had continued to spread silently in the shadows. Now that the leading forces had revealed themselves, he had a clear target to strike.

Indeed, for France, a backyard composed of a group of small states was far more beneficial than a large, unified nation.

Furthermore, a unified Italy would soon begin competing with France for control of the Mediterranean and North Africa. In the century and a half that followed, the likes of Bismarck and the man with the small mustache would repeatedly use Italy to strategically pin down France.

Thus, Joseph intended to keep Italy in its current fragmented state as much as possible.

Lavillette continued, "Your Highness, public order in Milan and Genoa shows signs of spiraling out of control. Do you think we need to send the army to help them maintain stability?"

Well aware of the dangers of counter-insurgency warfare, Joseph immediately raised a hand to cut him off. He then signaled to Eman. "Please have Count Mirabeau and Archbishop Talleyrand see me at once."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Before long, the two ministers entered one after the other.

Joseph first had Lavillette brief them on the situation in Northern Italy, then instructed, "The situation differs from what we anticipated, so I have decided to implement our plan ahead of schedule.

"Additionally, we must increase operations against 'Young Italy.' Colonel Lavillette will be in charge of this."

Mirabeau looked a bit troubled. "Your Highness, our preparations still require three or four months to complete. There are almost no factories ready for operation yet."

Talleyrand added, "Milan, Lucca, and Florence have yet to pass the decrees for guild and trade reforms either..."

Over two months ago, after Mirabeau raised the issue of low purchasing power in the Northern Italian market, Joseph had convened a summit of Common Market members to formulate a series of plans to promote economic development.

This was originally supposed to begin in six months, but Joseph now intended to use it to address the chaos in Northern Italy.

If the common people were given hope, the vast majority would no longer participate in the riots, and the overall situation would improve immediately.

As for the few determined troublemakers, Security Bureau agents—working with local police and military—could quickly deal with them. Provided the propaganda was handled well, their arrests would hardly spark any protests from the Italians.

Joseph nodded. "Consider the preparation work as part of the effort to increase Italian incomes.

"For instance, for the factories under construction, we can hire locals to transport timber and excavate stone. You can even hire twice as many people as needed.

"If the training schools aren't built yet, hold classes in the town squares.

"Even workshops supplying goods can sign contracts in advance and receive partial deposits to start trial production. However, make sure skilled craftsmen oversee this to avoid defective products and waste."

Mirabeau hurriedly noted, "Your Highness, this will significantly increase expenditures."

Joseph waved it off. "The various governments will bear the cost anyway; just increase their loan limits. Tell them that these expenditures are far smaller than the losses caused by the riots."

He then turned to Talleyrand. "Go to Milan, Lucca, and Florence personally. Demand that their governments sign the corresponding reform decrees within three days; otherwise, I will suspect they are condoning the rioters.

"Oh, you can take people from the Tax Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce with you to help them draft the legislation."

Reforming the guilds and taxes was something already settled at the last summit. The reason these countries were dragging their feet was likely due to internal vested interest groups causing friction.

Given France’s influence in Northern Italy, these people certainly wouldn't dare grumble once diplomatic pressure was applied.

Joseph finally turned back to Lavillette. "Regarding Young Italy, do not move against them for the time being. Focus primarily on our response in public opinion. Let Baron Schérer assist you; he is very skilled in this area.

"Wait until the protests have subsided, then arrest those in the organization who have injured people or incited violence. But be careful—you must have solid evidence."

Arresting these nationalist leaders was very tricky; if handled poorly, it might inadvertently bolster their reputations.

"Yes, Your Highness." The Security Director bowed. "I will ensure we find evidence first."

The following afternoon.

As a series of orders from the Palace of Versailles were transmitted across Northern Italy via the Chappe signal towers, a large number of French and Italian officials, as well as French Security Bureau intelligence personnel, immediately sprang into action.

The first to react was the Florentine royal family. Upon seeing the dispatch from Paris, Queen Caterina ignored the opposition of several ministers and immediately forced through her signature on the guild and tax reform decrees.