Chapter 1384: The Division of Switzerland
After dinner, Joseph accompanied the Crown Princess to the Grand Trianon Palace.
The air was filled with the clinking and clanking sounds of dozens of artisans busy with renovations and construction under the glow of the Gas Streetlights.
"Look, an open-air studio will be built over there," the Crown Princess said excitedly, pointing to a high platform nearby. "Sitting there, one can see the entire fountain and the woods beyond.
"This area will be converted into a concert hall. Though not large, the acoustics are sure to be excellent."
Joseph smiled and nodded repeatedly, occasionally offering simple suggestions for adjustments.
Indeed, this was now the Crown Princess's "private retreat."
Originally built by Louis XIV for Madame de Maintenon, it had since been used by kings to entertain guests. However, Louis XVI's prolonged stay in the Royal Workshop had left it almost derelict, so he simply presented it to his daughter-in-law as a wedding gift.
Stepping into the palace with its pink facade, the Crown Princess pushed open the door to the spacious bedroom, turning to Joseph. "Your place has practically become an office. Why not rest here from now on, so no one disturbs you in the middle of the night?"
She had long complained about ministers often arriving past ten at night to report on work in the Crown Prince's chambers.
"Please, speak."
"Regarding your schedule for tomorrow, it may require some adjustments," Eman said, opening his notebook. "Monsieur Gallatin, the Stadtholder of Geneva, has arrived at Versailles and hopes to be granted an audience with you.
"Three council members from Solothurn Canton, as well as the Speaker of Lucerne Canton, have also arrived in Paris, though Count Segur suggests scheduling them later.
"At the same time, Monsieur Bailly also mentioned that Prince Ludovico wishes to see you.
"And your original schedule for tomorrow was to inspect Baron Lavoisier's rubber laboratory..."
The Crown Princess sighed inwardly beside them. It seemed that even if His Highness moved into the Grand Trianon Palace, it would likely become his new "office."
Joseph was surprised by the Swiss people's efficiency. After a moment's thought, he instructed, "Have Ludovico wait. Arrange for the three Swiss cantons to have an audience together tomorrow."
Geneva, Solothurn, and other cantons had previously expressed their desire to join France through diplomatic channels, and this visit was to finalize the matter.
Ever since the Bern council members returned, celebrations had begun in earnest.
Other cantons quickly learned that the Personal Union conditions offered by Paris were quite generous, such as "all cantonal councils retained, with Governors continuing to manage through the councils," "the Ministry of Transport developing urban Steam Railcars," and "sending medical practitioners from France to implement healthcare reforms."
Geneva's Small Council quickly passed the resolution to join France unanimously—the council members' rights and status remained virtually unchanged, and they would enjoy French prosperity. Why hesitate?
Most importantly, it was the attitude France displayed—generously accepting these poorer regions.
Solothurn and Lucerne Cantons soon followed suit.
The following day at noon, Joseph hosted a grand banquet to entertain the Swiss representatives.
With mutual enthusiasm, things progressed very quickly. Just two days later, the councils of the three cantons duly submitted their "Personal Union Application" to Paris, publishing the news in newspapers across Europe.
Thus, thanks to its powerful soft power, France gained eastern territories nearly the size of Luxembourg with almost no effort.
While the western regions of Switzerland were celebrating excitedly, several German-speaking cantons in the north were plunged into deep anxiety.
Switzerland, Basel City.
On the second floor of the Financial Guild, Baron Bjorn Reuter, the Austrian trade representative in Switzerland, frowned as he watched the protesting crowds pass below the window. He turned to the diplomat beside him and said, "Monsieur Stohl, you must do something. I hear the Trade Guild has already begun to lean towards France. If these people are allowed to continue their protests, the Basel Council will eventually give in!"
Since Bern Canton became the Upper German Province, a "join France" trend had swept across Switzerland.
However, most of Basel's urban aristocracy was pro-Austria—they had always avoided getting too close to France, much less becoming French citizens.
Therefore, the Basel Council decisively announced a ban on discussing anything related to a Personal Union with France.
But Basel, a city that thrived on trade transit, had increasingly fallen under French influence in recent years—
Baden and Württemberg across the Rhine River were members of France's trade circle. Goods transported from Italy also couldn't bypass France.
This made merchants and ordinary citizens very eager to join France, as they could immediately enjoy the Tariff benefits of the French trade system.
Consequently, citizens quickly began protesting in the streets, and as news of Geneva and other areas applying to join France spread, the protests grew even more intense.
The diplomat Stohl sighed. "To be honest, I submitted a report to Vienna last week. I hear His Imperial Majesty is still hesitating.
"You know, meddling here could very well provoke France."
Outside the window, a loud speech rang out, "Every village in Bern has installed a 'Crown Prince's Water Pump'! Previously uncultivable hillsides have been transformed into fertile fields. It won't be long before the harvests there double!
"Yet our esteemed council members are selfishly isolating Basel from civilization and progress!"
'The Crown Prince's Water Pumps' were the Water Pumps Joseph "donated" to Bern, named by the local farmers. The number certainly wasn't one per village, but rumors always exaggerated at will.
Equally popular were the talks of Bern building new Steam Railcars and even Gas Streetlights.
The surrounding crowds immediately erupted in shouts of "Join France," in German.
Baron Reuter irritably closed the window, turning around. "Provoke France? Ha, has the Empire become so timid?"
Stohl quickly waved his hand. "You see, this is a necessary diplomatic strategy. The Empire is undergoing reforms and currently needs a stable international environment..."
Baron Reuter interrupted him. "Just make sure France has no pretext.
"Provide some weapons and funds to the Basel Council, along with intelligence support, and they can easily disperse the troublemakers.
"You know, if we lose Switzerland, the Empire's influence will completely withdraw from Western Europe!"
Stohl's expression also grew grim. "I will submit your recommendations to Count Cobentzel."
Similar to Basel's situation, Zurich, Schwyz, Uri, and other cantons also experienced large-scale protests over whether to join France.
However, the cantons in the eastern mountainous regions remained relatively calm—these areas were almost destitute and quite far from France, so the people had few strong opinions about France.
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