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Chapter 368: The Treasure Trove of Coal

Charles II was unaware that Joseph had implemented a rotation system to keep the Guards Corps' stamina and morale high. Two regiments were stationed in each of two important towns south of Brussels, with 1,000 men held in reserve in the central area for vigilance. Including the Hussars sent out for reconnaissance, only half of the total force was on active duty, while the other half underwent daily training north of Namur.

Every six weeks, the two halves would rotate.

Furthermore, Joseph had conscripted 5,000 locals in Wallonia, forming a "Walloon Guard" to assist in the Brussels campaign. In the French-speaking regions of the Southern Netherlands, anyone willing to serve the French Crown Prince was plentiful, especially with a bit of military pay.

In other words, under the current stalemate, 7,000 Guards Corps soldiers, supplemented by 5,000 temporarily recruited irregulars, were sufficient to contend with the opposing force of around 40,000 disheartened men.

Charles II, recalling the humiliation of his previous capture, furiously ordered the officers before him to return, reorganize their troops, and launch another attack on the French forces three days later.

After the Hanoverian generals left, silent in fear, Charles II gradually calmed down. He had experienced firsthand the formidable combat strength of the French forces south of Brussels; he had been defeated back then without even a direct confrontation.

The battles of the past month had also proven that victory in this campaign would be difficult to achieve with his meager forces and the Southern Netherlands "peasants" who couldn't even form proper companies.

He sighed deeply, sat down behind his desk, and picked up a pen to write an urgent letter to his brother-in-law, King George III of England.

Originally, he had intervened in the Southern Netherlands at George III's request, but now it had become his own war.

After sealing the letter in an envelope, he felt it wasn't secure enough. He picked up his pen again and wrote another letter, this time to British Prime Minister Pitt. The core content of both letters was largely identical: a plea for Britain to send reinforcements to Brussels.

While Charles II fretted over the war, Joseph was reviewing the recently submitted recruitment exam results for the Southern Netherlands Military Materiel Preparatory Committee.

Indeed, Emperor Joseph II agreed without hesitation to France's request to procure logistical supplies in the southern Southern Netherlands, instructing Austrian officials there to cooperate fully.

In his reply, the Holy Roman Emperor highly commended the French forces for their decisive role in suppressing the Southern Netherlands rebellion and combating invading powers like Prussia and Hanover. At the end of the letter, the Emperor mentioned offering Luxembourg as thanks for France's intervention.

Following this, Joseph ordered the establishment of the Military Materiel Preparatory Committee, which effectively took over Wallonia's tax collection, finances, and commercial trade. With control over all financial authority, the Committee virtually held sway over Wallonia's administrative management—any local official who failed to comply could forget about their next month's salary.

The Committee's high-ranking officials were all seconded from France, while the mid- and lower-level civil servants were Walloon locals.

Joseph, drawing on his previous experience with the "civil servant recruitment exams" in Tunisia, organized similar examinations in Wallonia. Officially, it was proclaimed as a means to "select capable individuals to rapidly procure urgently needed supplies for the front," but in reality, it served to win over Wallonia's elite class.

As he expected, Wallonia's nobility and capitalist class flocked to participate in the examinations, completing them with remarkable efficiency in less than three weeks.

Joseph looked at the names of the 103 selected candidates and the positions recommended for them by the Committee's chairman, Faurès, formerly the assistant Municipal Commissioner of Rethel, France. He subtly shook his head.

Faurès' heart tightened at the sight. He quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Royal Highness, are these positions unsuitable?"

Joseph gestured with the document in his hand. "Can 103 people ensure the supply of materials to the front? If our logistics falter, we could lose the war at any moment!"

Faurès paused. "What do you mean?"

"At least 300 positions for material procurement would be more reliable."

Chairman Faurès looked bewildered, but since the Crown Prince was willing to pay the salaries, he naturally had no objections. "Ah, yes, Your Royal Highness, I will begin adjusting immediately."

Joseph wasn't simply throwing money away. The individuals hired through these exams would form the core of his future bureaucratic system to govern Wallonia, and 300 were far from enough.

He then turned to Viscount Flotte, who stood nearby—the "Francophile" who had previously personally delivered intelligence and oats to the Guards Corps. "Additionally, regarding 30 other positions, please consult with the other 'coordinators' and recommend some talented individuals to me."

Viscount Flotte currently served as the Committee's coordinator in Mons, essentially equivalent to a deputy mayor. As a representative of Wallonia's aristocratic power, the individuals he put forward would undoubtedly be influential figures within the region.

This effectively created a community of interest between France and the local Walloon populace. In the future, even if Austria were reluctant to relinquish control over Wallonia, these individuals would be the first to object.

"Thank you for your trust!" Viscount Flotte exclaimed, bowing deeply and pressing a hand to his chest. "I will do everything in my power to select the most outstanding talents for you!"

"I'll leave it to you, then." Joseph nodded with a smile, adding, "Oh, regarding the establishment of the Walloon Coal Conglomerate, I'll also need you to cooperate closely with Chairman Faurès."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness."

The Walloon Coal Conglomerate was a company funded by the French Savings Bank, established to acquire or gain controlling stakes in Wallonia's coal mines. Due to the war, coal prices had plummeted dramatically in recent months, making it the perfect time to invest.

However, unlike the smaller Luxembourg, the French Savings Bank lacked the means to purchase all the coal mines. Therefore, Joseph brought in investors from both France and Wallonia to participate in the company.

Naturally, decision-making power had to remain with the French Savings Bank. As the largest investor and with the backing of the Military Materiel Preparatory Committee, the French Savings Bank was effortlessly elected as the "sole veto director."

Before long, Wallonia's immense coal reserves, comparable to Germany's Ruhr Area, would become a powerful pillar supporting France's Industrial Revolution.

And once the Coal Conglomerate began continuously receiving orders from France, the profiting Walloon investors, distributors, and workers would develop an even stronger reliance on France.

...

Marquis Wellesley, the British Foreign Secretary, did not head directly to Paris as the Prime Minister had requested to negotiate Indian interests with France. Instead, he boarded a ship, planning to travel through the port of Amsterdam and brave the conflict to reach Brussels.

He knew well that his bargaining chips were far from sufficient to negotiate India with the French, so he hoped to find some leverage on the Southern Netherlands front.

However, as soon as he disembarked, he received news of Charles II's plea for British assistance.