Chapter 388: Queen Mary's Assurance and Comfort
Joseph surveyed the nobles whose faces still bore expressions of discontent, then declared loudly, "Yet their descendants know only how to recline on the glory they inherited, indulging in pleasure, achieving nothing, and even going against His Majesty the King's will, jeopardizing the future of France, all to squeeze a pittance of rent from impoverished peasants!"
In this era, enlightened absolutism was already a consensus among European nobility. The Enlightenment ideals also held profound influence. So, when he spoke of "jeopardizing the future of France," even if the nobles felt dissatisfaction, they subconsciously recognized its truth.
"If your ancestors knew of your words and deeds here today, they would surely be ashamed of you!"
Joseph gave the nobles no chance to retort, immediately continuing, "If I were you, I would follow in your ancestors' footsteps, fight valiantly on the battlefield like warriors for His Majesty the King and for France, to achieve deeds surpassing your forebears, and earn remarkable glory!
"Your eyes should be fixed upon the vast expanse of the European continent, your hearts concerned with the rise and fall of empires, fulfilling the duties France bestows upon you to conquer formidable enemies, thereby winning endless wealth and glory! Not secretly gloating over a mere few silver coins paid by peasants, or pouting like little girls because you lost that paltry sum!
"You should make your ancestors proud of your courage and cheer for your victories! Not use their names to prop up your empty and trivial lives!"
Joseph finished his speech in one breath, and the assembled nobles were struck dumb. The education they had received since childhood about aristocratic honor made their blood boil, yet simultaneously filled them with profound shame.
This was Joseph's strategy.
For these idle, income-less, yet troublesome nobles, the Prussians had long ago offered a solution: enroll all noble descendants who hadn't inherited land into the army as professional soldiers, and reward them based on military merit. These impoverished minor nobles, desperate to build a legacy, fought fiercely on the battlefield, forming the backbone of the Prussian army. This was the origin of the Junker nobles.
However, while these nobles were idle in their daily lives, they possessed a solid educational foundation. Skills like horsemanship, swordsmanship, and shooting, in particular, were mandatory lessons.
With strict training and reinforced discipline, their individual combat capabilities would surpass those of commoner soldiers.
Furthermore, the French royal family itself was the greatest noble house, so they couldn't simply abandon these Old Nobility members. At the very least, they were relatively loyal to the King and their interests were most deeply intertwined with the Crown, meaning they would never seek to overthrow the monarchy. If they could be integrated into industrial-era France, it would be extremely beneficial for the royal family.
Joseph also knew that mere impassioned speeches were far from enough. To make an entire class faithfully serve him, he would have to offer them corresponding benefits.
Observing the reaction from below the steps, he immediately struck while the iron was hot, saying, "You wish to acquire feudal lands according to tradition? That is entirely possible!
"As long as you, like your ancestors, establish merits with blood and steel, you shall receive glory and rewards.
"France's land may not be vast, but overseas, there are virtually endless territories. On the colonies your valiant fighting earns for France, there will certainly be lands of your own! Whether in area or in tax revenue, these will be hundreds, even thousands of times greater than the meager estates you previously inherited!
"Come, join the Royal Legion, and win your brilliant and glorious future!"
On the balcony, Queen Mary listened to her son's impassioned speech, watching as the eyes of the troublesome nobles gradually filled with fervent zeal. Amidst her shock, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
'My son didn't need me to shore him up after all,' she thought. He stood there like an unshakable tower, and all challenges and difficulties became insignificant before him.
She smiled contentedly, no longer paying attention to the thousands of nobles below. Turning back into the room, she comfortably picked up a piece of cheesecake and placed it in her mouth. With Joseph in charge, perhaps she could rest more and peacefully enjoy delicious desserts from now on.
...
Southwest corner of Versailles.
Flanked by four guards, Marquis Wellesley, the British Foreign Secretary, cast a gloomy glance at the doors of the Peace Hall before him.
He knew a formidable negotiation awaited him.
Originally, he had planned to incite unrest in France to leverage against the French. He hadn't expected to hear news of the riots being quelled before his ship even reached the Port of Le Havre.
But God, having closed one door, had opened a window for him.
He learned that the unrest had been quelled because the French government enacted a land Redemption Policy highly favorable to the peasants.
Confidently, he requested the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to postpone the talks, hoping for the situation to escalate, with angry French nobles challenging the King. France, in its internal turmoil, would inevitably concede to Britain.
However, the turn of events utterly astonished him.
The nobles at Versailles had suddenly lowered their flags and silenced their drums, and he even heard that a wave of nobles had joined the army here.
'These useless French nobles!' he cursed inwardly. 'If they were British, they'd have sparked a Glorious Revolution by now, forcing the King to beg for mercy...'
The doors of the Peace Hall opened, revealing the limping figure of Talleyrand.
Wellesley quickly stopped his musing, offering a feigned polite bow to the limping man. "It's a pleasure to see you, Archbishop Talleyrand."
The latter returned the greeting with a smile. "I am equally pleased to see you, Marquis Wellesley. I hope we can have an agreeable conversation today."
"Oh, it will be as you wish."
Wellesley gritted his teeth inwardly, following the limping man into the spacious hall. His eyes flickered to the massive oil painting above the fireplace titled "Louis XV Creates Peace," and he couldn't help but mutter to himself, 'Hypocritical Frenchmen!'
The British and French Foreign Secretaries exchanged another set of polite formalities, then sat on opposite sides of the long table, while seven or eight other diplomatic staff took seats below their respective principals.
After a few seconds of silence, Wellesley sighed lightly and was the first to speak. "I hear there have been serious disturbances in France recently. I hope you haven't been too greatly affected."
"Not at all, merely peasants taking a stroll through the city, quickly dispersed by the police," Talleyrand replied, looking at him with an unconcerned expression. "Oh, by the way, your country also seems to be experiencing some trouble in India. I trust you haven't been affected by that either."
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