Novels online

Chapter 1263: Staking a Claim

William III had already received eight injections of this medicine. With these additional five, the cost for this single medication alone amounted to 2.6 million Thalers, or over 7 million Francs!

In addition, he received several daily injections of "energy fluid" and "electrolytes," each costing between 5,000 and 10,000 Thalers. In reality, these were just Glucose and Physiological Saline.

Joseph was determined to fleece this fat sheep, hoping to recoup all the penicillin research expenses.

Compared to this, Dr. Carrière's exorbitant 5,000-Thaler fee for the surgery and consultation was almost negligible.

While William III's heart ached at the cost, these medicines were genuinely life-saving. So, no matter how much money it took, he accepted it. After all, he already owed the French a great deal, so a little more wouldn't make much difference.

A French "maid" skillfully picked up a glass syringe as thick as a baby's arm. She curtsied to William III, who promptly extended his arm to cooperate.

The nurse accurately inserted the needle into the king's vein, then gently pushed the plunger of the syringe—at that time, intravenous injections were entirely manual, and she had to maintain this continuous push for over an hour.

As the medicine steadily flowed into William III's body, he felt a noticeable improvement in his spirits after only ten minutes. He couldn't help but marvel, 'A 200,000 Thaler medicine is truly something else.'

Indeed, intravenous glucose would quickly restore his stamina.

"It's an antibiotic, Your Majesty."

"Oh, right, Type I antibiotic. Can it treat other ailments besides gun wounds?"

"Many," the doctor replied. "Such as fevers, pneumonia, diphtheria, scarlet fever, oh, and syphilis."

William III's eyes widened, and after a long moment, he exclaimed, "France's pharmaceutical technology truly surpasses all other nations! No wonder your army is so formidable."

In his view, if France possessed medicine that could easily cure gun wounds, then all their officers would be virtually "immortal," and how could their combat power not be strong?

Before Dr. Carrière could speak, his assistant, Viskan, interjected, "Your Majesty, Type I antibiotic actually offers very little help to the army. As you know, it's far too expensive. However, we do possess many advanced military technologies that can significantly enhance an army's strength."

Carrière didn't scold him, as his assistant's true identity was that of a diplomat sent by the Crown Prince to "educate" the Prussian King.

William III immediately pressed on with keen interest, "Could you elaborate?"

"Of course," Viskan replied. "Do you know why our nation's cannons have such high accuracy?"

"Typically, that stems from the gunners' high level of training."

Viskan nodded. "Yes, France has the most excellent gunners, but they also require assistance from hot air balloons. These help them correct their aiming deviations.

"I know your army is also equipped with hot air balloons, but their effectiveness isn't quite as significant."

William III asked, puzzled, "Why is that?"

"Because our hot air balloons can ascend in just half an hour, thanks to a series of the latest auxiliary equipment."

William III was instantly astonished.

He had witnessed his own hot air balloon unit's drills, and it took a full two and a half hours for them to get one airborne. This forced them to operate far from the front lines, otherwise they were vulnerable to cavalry harassment, which severely compromised observation effectiveness.

Moreover, by the time his own hot air balloons slowly rose, the most intense artillery exchanges of the early battle would likely have already concluded.

Viskan glanced at his expression and continued, "Furthermore, you might be wondering why the Coalition Forces, despite their numerical superiority, have been consistently unable to breach the Baden defenses?

"That's because our nation can continuously transport massive amounts of logistical supplies to the front lines by train. This allows our cannons to fire over 500 shells every day."

William III had heard that France had developed a steam engine-driven vehicle, but due to the war, detailed news hadn't reached Prussia yet.

Viskan helpfully explained, "Each train can transport 3,000 soldiers, or 100 tons of cargo—that's 230,000 pounds—from Paris to Strasbourg in a single day..."

By this point, William III's face was etched with nothing but shock.

Yet Viskan continued to "hammer" his soul. "You must have heard that our army is largely equipped with Rifles."

"Yes, but those things are too slow to load, making them unsuitable for line infantry."

"We've solved that problem. The new Rifles have the exact same rate of fire as a Percussion Cap Musket, while their accuracy is several times greater. Our nation can produce tens of thousands of these new rifles every month...

"And Bulletproof Inserts, which are completely different from the shoddy ones made by the British...

"Oh, I almost forgot the mobile Chappe Signal Vehicle. It allows our officers to transmit orders up to 3 kilometers away within minutes..."

Viskan spoke voluminously, a smile playing on his lips.

But William III had already transitioned from initial shock to numb resignation.

He suddenly realized, 'My decision to declare war on France alongside Britain was utterly farcical.'

'The outcome of the war had been predetermined from the very beginning; the French army simply couldn't be defeated...'

He then felt a pang of relief, 'Fortunately, I am now allied with France. When the surrender ceremony takes place, I'll have a good laugh at the pitiful Austrians.'

Immediately, a wave of sadness washed over him for having such a thought.

It wasn't until the nurse began to withdraw the needle, and the sharp sting brought him back to reality.

Just then, the anxious voice of Prince Heinrich came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, I have a very important matter that I need to report to you immediately."

William III looked at Dr. Carrière. "Thank you for your efforts."

"It is my duty, Your Majesty." The latter bowed, then instructed his assistant to help Prince Heinrich put on a white coat, a mask, and thoroughly disinfect him with Phenol before allowing him into the room.

This entire sterilization procedure cost 300 Thalers.

Prince Heinrich glanced at the king, whose complexion had improved significantly, and felt a slight relief. He bowed with his hand over his chest. "Your Majesty, we just received news from Kassel: the Joint Staff Department is ordering the Duke of Brunswick's army to Nuremberg."

William III sighed softly and nodded. "Good, I understand."

Prince Heinrich paused, thinking the king hadn't understood, and quickly raised his voice, "Your Majesty, 40,000 soldiers of the Rhine Front Army are going to fight the Austrians."

"That is excellent," William III said. "Please inform the Duke of Brunswick to exert his utmost effort to defeat the enemy."

He was now convinced that the only future lay in closely following France, and this small army was the only asset he could offer.

Prince Heinrich immediately grew anxious. "Your Majesty, but..."

William III raised a hand, cutting him off, and said calmly, "Do you know how long it takes for a French hot air balloon to go from marching to airborne?"