Chapter 1428: An Unprecedented Factory
Joseph continued:
"What about the preparations in Basel?"
Berthier immediately replied:
"Your Highness, all aid from Württemberg was delivered to Basel three months ago. Currently, the Basel Council has used these supplies to train over 800 militiamen and build defenses on the northern side of the Jura Mountains."
After expelling the "Committee of Seven," Frenno and other "Stuttgart faction" members of parliament — whose central demand was for Basel to join the Stuttgart Trade Agreement — allied with the Basel Chamber of Commerce and several major noble families. They reconvened the parliament, legislated to secede from the Swiss Confederation, and formed militias for self-defense.
"As for Augsburg," the Chief of Staff's tone was clearly discontented, "although they've mustered mercenaries according to the plan, they still haven't managed to send suitable officers."
Joseph let out a soft hum.
"Inform the Augsburg Council that if they hesitate, they can simply withdraw."
It was natural for Augsburg, a vassal state of Austria for centuries, to be wary of its suzerain.
The Security Bureau chief quickly added:
"Your Highness, as a contingency, we've found a retired Captain named Clément Pléger in Montpellier. He served under General Masséna, participated in several campaigns in Switzerland, and is quite capable. Had he not been injured and retired, he would likely be a Major by now."
Joseph frowned.
"His pension should be enough for his retirement."
Lavalette explained:
"That's true, Your Highness. He bought a vineyard in his hometown. He simply doesn't like too mundane a life and wants to achieve something he can boast about to his children."
Joseph's expression finally softened. Withholding soldiers' pensions had always been something he detested most — it was tantamount to embezzling the lives of his Bourbon family.
He then instructed Berthier:
"Also, prepare contingency plans in advance to prevent a rapid collapse of the Basel forces."
"Yes, Your Highness. In fact, a Württemberg 'Pioneer Corps' has already begun moving towards the southern border."
"Very good. The propaganda efforts must also keep pace..."
It wasn't until dusk that the dignitaries of the Senate finally concluded their "farewell" and disembarked, returning to Versailles.
Since no railways had been built in the provinces west of Paris, the Crown Prince's entourage could only proceed "leisurely" by carriage.
After traveling for seven or eight days, they had only just passed Cherbourg — still nearly a third of the way to Brest.
Queen Marie, having just heard her son spoil the ending of the latest Puss in Boots story, looked out the window with some weariness:
"What a wonderful story, dear, I truly don't know how you come up with such entertaining tales... To be honest, I haven't slept well these past few days."
Joseph promptly asked with concern:
"Why? Was the journey too bumpy?"
"Not at all," Queen Marie waved a hand. "It's mainly that I'm used to the constant clatter from the Royal Workshop. Now that it's suddenly so quiet, I feel a little uneasy."
The Petit Trianon was a full kilometer away from the Royal Workshop, and sounds from there were rarely heard, unless the forge hammers were in use.
Joseph knew her initial excitement for the trip had worn off, and she was beginning to miss her father.
It was understandable; she had married into Versailles before she was fifteen and had scarcely left her father's side since, developing a deep psychological dependence on him.
Just then, Eman's light tapping on the carriage body could be heard from beside them.
Joseph opened the window to see Eman, riding a white Gallic Horse, bowing towards them.
"Your Highness, we've just received word from Brest. Strong winds have been blowing across the Brittany Sea since yesterday and are expected to last for at least another week. Marquis Hector and Monsieur Vauclair both recommend postponing the maiden voyage ceremony of the Décision until early next month."
"Then let's follow their recommendation." Joseph nodded. One was the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, and the other the director of the Brest Shipyard; their professional judgment was beyond question.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joseph closed the window, then turned to see his mother's troubled face, and began to consider how to distract her.
He suddenly remembered a report he'd read a few days ago about the successful expansion of the Saint-Malo cannery, and smiled at his mother:
"You see, Brest is temporarily out of the question now. However, if you truly miss those clanking mechanical sounds, we could take this opportunity to visit a place. I can assure you, it's far more 'lively' than the Royal Workshop."
Upon hearing the word 'lively,' Queen Marie couldn't help but first think of a ball, and she pushed herself away from the armrest, asking:
"Where exactly are you talking about?"
"The Saint-Malo Coastal Cannery."
"A cannery?" The interest in Queen Marie's eyes instantly vanished. "A place that just produces canned goods?"
Though she had never eaten canned food in Versailles, she had seen it a few times.
Joseph smiled faintly:
"Trust me, it's certainly no ordinary factory."
As he spoke, he opened the carriage window once more and signaled to Eman, who was riding alongside:
"Please instruct everyone to turn towards Saint-Malo."
The following day at noon.
As the procession turned from the King's Highway into the hills south of Saint-Malo harbor, Queen Marie indeed heard the clanging of metal.
But at that moment, her attention was entirely elsewhere; her eyes widened in shock as she gazed at the massive complex of buildings below the hills —
Grey and black factory buildings sprawled somewhat haphazardly by the harbor, but they were definitely not the Royal Workshop. They were larger than the entire Palace of Versailles!
Numerous funnels stood on the east and west sides of the factory, spewing thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
From another, more distant factory, steam railcars — or perhaps trains, it was too far to tell clearly — periodically sped into view, puffing white smoke. Soon, cranes began unloading boxes from their carriages.
Beside the northern docks, several "coal mountains" were piled up, taller than all the factory buildings; these were presumably the fuel required for these factories.
Countless workers moved to and fro between the factory buildings, making the place resemble a giant ant colony, bustling yet remarkably orderly.
The cannery staff had only received word of the Crown Prince's impending arrival that very morning, and in their haste, they hadn't had much time to prepare. Now, seeing the motorcade appear, General Manager Delattre immediately signaled for music to begin, then led over a hundred factory personnel and local officials to greet them.
Queen Marie, dressed in a guard's uniform, stood beside Joseph and asked quietly:
"Such an enormous factory complex is just for making canned goods?"
Joseph nodded:
"Yes, Mother. This factory can process all the cod caught along the entire Armor coast into canned food!"
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