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Chapter 285: A New Curtain Rises

It wasn't out of cowardice, but because the French navy was simply no match for the British.

Back then, to support American independence, the French fleet stubbornly tangled with the British in the Caribbean Sea, only to be utterly routed. This resulted in France losing control over vast swathes of the Caribbean. Ultimately, to protect the sugar-producing colony of Saint-Domingue, later known as Haiti, they had to trade North American territory, more than ten times its size, with the British.

Joseph wouldn't make that mistake again just to support Mysore.

Exerting force in India was meant to wear down the British, not to exhaust France itself.

France's most crucial task right now was industrial development. Initial investments had already been poured into numerous industries like Steel, coal, textiles, and steam engines, and at a time when massive investment was needed for industrial expansion, they couldn't afford to let war spending halt industrial progress.

Ultimately, France's finances were simply too strained. If they were as wealthy as the British, Joseph wouldn't mind going all-in on India.

Berthier suggested, "Your Highness, if we are only providing limited assistance, then what the Mysoreans need most is an excellent commander. Perhaps Major Lefebvre or Lieutenant Colonel Davout could be sent to India."

The Lieutenant Colonel Davout he referred to was André Davout, commander of the Moulins Legion.

Joseph pondered, then shook his head. These two were certainly competent commanders, and more than capable of sparring with Britain's Cornwallis. However, the Mysore War threatened to engulf half of India, and given the remote location, it was extremely perilous.

But who else could he send? Few of the Old Nobility officers were truly capable fighters, and he didn't know them well enough.

Suddenly, a name came to mind. He immediately looked at Berthier and asked, "What do you think about sending Marquis Lafayette to Mysore?"

Lafayette, a French officer, had secretly sailed to America in 1777 to join the War of Independence, becoming a Major General in the Continental Army. Even George Washington treated him with respect. In 1780, he played a crucial role in the Battle of Yorktown, helping the Americans ultimately defeat the British forces.

Upon his return to France, he was granted the rank of Brigadier General, but due to his Liberal leanings, he was disliked by the French military nobility and never given significant responsibilities. It wasn't until the outbreak of the Great Revolution that he was appointed commander of the National Guard, effectively making him France's highest military officer at the time, and enjoying unprecedented prestige. However, his thirst for power and his insistence on protecting the King's position eventually led to a fallout with the Jacobins, and he fled abroad.

Coincidentally, Lafayette had previously faced Cornwallis, now the Governor-General of India, in America. Cornwallis had never gained an advantage against him, which would give Lafayette a significant psychological edge when fighting the British.

Berthier and the other General Staff officers discussed in hushed tones for a moment, then turned to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, there's no doubt about Marquis Lafayette's command capabilities, but he may not be willing to risk an adventure in the Far East..."

He spoke tactfully. Lafayette had been reprimanded by the Crown for his unauthorized trip to America years ago, and had a strained relationship with the military, so he was unlikely to obey the General Staff Headquarters' orders.

Joseph, however, smiled faintly. "You can tell him that if he can help Mysore achieve victory, just as he did in America, he will be promoted to Assistant Minister of War or Governor of a province upon his return. I'm sure he will accept this assignment."

Joseph knew Lafayette was a man with immense ambition and a strong desire for power. He had fought in America for several years, yet upon his return to France, he received no substantial recognition beyond his Brigadier General rank.

So, if offered a chance to advance, he would certainly not refuse.

Moreover, what Joseph was offering him was essentially a blank check—while the Kingdom of Mysore possessed considerable strength in India, Britain was a formidable empire on its way to becoming one on which the sun never set. It would be difficult enough for Tipu Sultan of Mysore to contend with the British for a few more years, and victory was almost impossible.

Of course, if Lafayette truly unleashed his inner power and managed to defeat the British in the Far East, then appointing him Assistant Minister of War or something similar would be perfectly acceptable. After all, that would be akin to shattering Britain's most valuable asset!

Berthier quickly jotted down the Crown Prince's orders in his notebook, and nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I will do my best to persuade Marquis Lafayette."

Afterward, Joseph discussed the military deployment in Tunisia with the General Staff, and the meeting only concluded as dusk settled.

Returning to his bed-chamber, Joseph was so exhausted he couldn't even bother to undress, collapsing onto his bed and immediately falling asleep. Having traveled for eight or nine days, constantly jostled on the road back from Tunisia, he was finally able to get some proper rest.

Perna and Eman exchanged a glance at the sight. Perna stepped forward and carefully felt the Crown Prince's forehead and wrist, confirming he wasn't ill. Only then did she, along with a maid, gently position him properly on the bed, tuck him in, and quietly withdraw.

The candles were extinguished. In his deep sleep, Joseph dreamt. In the dream, the European continent had transformed into an boundless theater, and a colossal curtain, stretching to the horizon, slowly began to rise under the gaze of a deity...

Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Second floor of the provisional parliament building.

Marquis Wellesley, the British Foreign Secretary, surveyed the unpretentious building, and remarked to Kemperen, the President of the Dutch Parliament, standing beside him, "I still prefer the Count's Castle in The Hague; one could always feel a sense of grandeur and solemnity there."

The "Count's Castle" he spoke of was the former Dutch Parliament building. After the Patriot Party gained control of the Netherlands, they moved the parliament to Amsterdam. As they acted in haste, the new parliament building hadn't yet been completed, so they used this building as a temporary parliamentary office.

Kemperen frowned slightly. The British diplomat's words clearly implied that Amsterdam lacked "grandeur and solemnity." However, he quickly put on a smile. "The Hague is a thing of the past, Marquis, and we will soon have a new parliament building. You see, it's just two streets away, and it won't be any worse than the Count's Castle."

Marquis Wellesley chuckled indifferently, followed Kemperen into the reception room, and sat on the sofa. "Hmm, perhaps you and your parliament don't need to rush constructing a new parliament building in Amsterdam."

Kemperen immediately thought of William V, who had been stripped of his power. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"Oh, don't misunderstand," Marquis Wellesley said, waving a hand. "I'm merely suggesting that the Dutch Parliament might soon need to renegotiate the parliamentary location with the voters of the Southern Netherlands. You see, Brussels is actually a rather suitable place."

A peculiar glint appeared in Kemperen's eyes. "Marquis, I don't quite understand what you mean."

"With Brabant causing such a commotion, does the Dutch Parliament have no plans?"