Chapter 1260: The Vanishing Germany
A few Prussian high-ranking ministers immediately began whispering among themselves. "I believe this is entirely worth considering."
"The biggest problem is that it will provoke British retaliation..."
"Yes, they'll blockade the Baltic Sea, but that won't significantly impact us."
"Clearly, the increased revenue from sugar trade far outweighs the meager aid the British provide..."
"Perhaps this is a good opportunity to suppress Austria with French help. As long as the French don't cross the Rhine River, we can slowly integrate North Germany—something the British can't offer us."
The ministers suddenly realized, 'Siding with France opens up the world.'
Teaming up with France would bring earth-shattering changes across their economy, markets, and geopolitics, far exceeding any benefits gained from being Britain's pawn.
Yet, they completely failed to realize that while extensive sugar beet cultivation could bring immense economic benefits to Prussia, it would also mean handing over their economic lifeline to France.
Firstly, France controlled the sugar beet seeds and fertilizer. Joseph would undoubtedly sign supply agreements to alleviate Prussian suspicions, but in the event of a national catastrophe, such agreements would be nothing more than toilet paper.
Secondly, the pricing power for the European sugar market was firmly in French hands. Whether Prussia received a carrot or a stick depended entirely on the fluctuations of sugar prices on the Paris Futures Exchange.
Finally, as the Prussian treasury grew reliant on sugar beet cultivation, they would inevitably continue to expand their planting area.
Meanwhile, Joseph would continuously funnel cheap grain from North Africa into Prussia. The result would be that Prussian wheat farmers would lose money year after year, while their sugar beet-growing neighbors would reap massive profits. Who would bother planting wheat then?
Conveniently, most of Prussia's land was highly suitable for growing sugar beets.
Once Prussia's staple crop cultivation area shrank to the point where it could no longer meet the populace's food demands, it would completely lose its ability to wage war.
Simultaneously, Prussia, with its mere 8 million inhabitants, could live quite comfortably solely by exporting sugar – a third of the annual British sugar market could sustain them. The belligerent Junker aristocracy would transform into cultivation experts and sugar refining technicians.
If they were to clash with Austria or other nations again, they would have no choice but to seek aid from France, further increasing their dependence.
As for Prince Heinrich and the others' cherished dream of "integrating North Germany," it was, in reality, nothing more than a mirage.
Joseph had indeed promised not to seek territory east of the Rhine River, but this didn't mean France wouldn't extend its influence there.
First, there would be cultural infiltration. French plays, music, high-tech products, and similar goods would be massively imported into North Germany, fueling public discourse and promoting the French way of life until it gradually became a societal trend—an area where France already excelled.
Meanwhile, the "primitive and outdated" Prussian culture would inevitably be scorned.
'You Prussians still want to form a Personal Union with the North German states? Where did these bumpkins come from? Just look at your rustic appearance; who would want to unite with you?'
'What, Prussia wants to completely adopt the noble French culture too? Then why bother with a German Federation? Everyone's learning from France, so where would any sense of German National Identity come from?'
Beyond cultural infiltration, the next step would be to transplant the methods previously employed in Northern Italy.
While establishing shared identity among people from different regions was incredibly difficult, fostering animosity was remarkably easy.
'Cologne will always be a land directly administered by God,' 'You poor wretches, stop trying to cozy up to Hesse,' 'Aside from Thuringia, none of you deserve to be called warriors'—such sentiments would be sown.
In just a few years, it would be a blessing if these small states didn't go to war; France might even have to expend effort to mediate their disputes.
'German Nation? What German Nation?'
'We are Hessians, Thuringians, Würzburgers. You Prussians shouldn't try to claim kinship with us.'
At this point, unless Prussia resorted to military conquest, it was destined to fail in establishing a unified German Empire as it had historically.
And as long as Prussia couldn't acquire the coal and iron-rich Ruhr Area—currently the territory of Cologne, Nassau, and Hesse—it would be virtually impossible for them to catch up with the pace of the Industrial Revolution.
Combined with the immense profits from sugar beet cultivation, Prussia would likely remain an agricultural nation indefinitely.
'A Prussia without advanced industry, still dreaming of unifying North Germany through military force?'
At that time, France wouldn't even need to send troops; merely providing some advanced weaponry to the North German states might enable them to push back into Prussian territory.
Joseph's core objective, then, was to seize this opportunity to thoroughly neutralize the future threat posed by a potentially powerful northern neighbor—Germany—to France.
That same evening.
In an estate on the northern outskirts of Berlin, Prince Heinrich and a host of ministers stood before William III's sickbed, reporting on the terms proposed by the French:
"...The French Prince also promised to invest in building at least seven sugar refineries in our nation. All future sugar beet harvests will be processed into sugar domestically."
"Furthermore, they will restrict France's own sugar beet cultivation to ensure our market share..."
"At the same time, our nation will also receive the most advanced automatic looms, steamships, and even the most cutting-edge trains from France..."
Half-reclining on his bed, William III let out a faint grunt.
The front of his right thigh was a festering mess, with several leeches clinging to the wound, sucking at the pus and blood. The doctor had just taken his temperature: 39.3 degrees Celsius.
Had he not been young and robust, he might have succumbed much sooner.
Under these circumstances, Prince Heinrich was utterly unsure if the King had even comprehended the report.
Queen Louise, seated beside him, glanced at her husband's pale face before turning to Prince Heinrich. "What conditions did they propose?"
He let out a breath and murmured, "Reparations... 8 million Thalers."
Queen Louise shook her head in despair. "That's far too much; we absolutely cannot accept it."
Prince Heinrich quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, if the sugar beet cultivation plan proceeds smoothly, we can repay this sum in just 13 years, without impacting our treasury."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. If the French control the cultivation scale, we can expand our sugar beet planting area by at least twofold within three years."
The Prussian Queen nodded. "I trust you, Your Highness. Is there anything else?"
"Some trade requirements, such as opening our markets, our sugar needing to be sold on the Paris futures market, and mutual recognition of patents..."
As he spoke, he gestured with a glance to Baron vom Stein, who stood nearby.
The latter had no choice but to brace himself and continue, "Our nation must relinquish several enclaves, including Ansbach, Bielefeld, and Emden."
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