Chapter 407: Queen Mary and the 'Crown Princess'
In the small theater of the Petit Trianon, Joseph unbuttoned his cumbersome costume and pointed to the actors rehearsing their lines on stage, speaking to Talleyrand by his side:
"Pardon me, could you speak up? It's too noisy in here, I can't hear you clearly."
"Oh, certainly, Your Highness." The Foreign Minister quickly raised his voice. "The British have two main demands."
"First, our nation is to cease all support for Mysore, including recalling Marquis Lafayette."
"Second, our nation is to issue a public statement clarifying that Britain is in no way connected to the revolutionary acts emanating from the Southern Netherlands."
"As expected," Joseph nodded. "And what have we gained?"
Talleyrand looked excited, pulling out his notes and reading aloud:
"Firstly, Britain must not provide support to any North African states, including Morocco, and must publicly condemn the aggressive actions of Algiers, Morocco, and Tripoli against Tunisia."
"Secondly, Britain will recognize Tunisia, Tripoli, and Annaba in Algiers as within France's sphere of influence."
Talleyrand lifted his chin, a hint of pride in his expression:
"I exchanged some Southern Netherlands spies, and the British quickly agreed."
"You've done exceptionally well," Joseph praised with a nod. Annaba province was the only gateway from Algiers into Tunisia—if one didn't count the route through the southern desert—and controlling it would significantly enhance the security of western Tunisia.
Furthermore, departing from Tunisia, it served as a crucial bridgehead into Algiers. The Janissaries of Algiers had provoked France twice, and that debt certainly couldn't be overlooked.
Moreover, the area wasn't small, almost comparable to France's Montpellier province, and it boasted a good harbor. While somewhat redundant with the Port of Bizerte, it was better than nothing; it would further reduce the cost of transporting grain from Algiers to France.
"It was my duty," Talleyrand affirmed with a slight bow, then continued to read his 'achievements.' "Thirdly, Carnatic will maintain permanent neutrality, and Britain will not seek an alliance with it."
Given Britain's power, an Indian princely state's so-called alliance with them was tantamount to acknowledging Britain as its overlord. This clause meant that Britain would have a power vacuum in southeastern India, leaving an opportunity for France to re-establish a foothold on the Indian Peninsula in the future. France's sole outpost in India, Pondicherry, was adjacent to Carnatic.
"Fourthly, Britain will use its influence to prevent Russia from intervening in the Silesian conflict."
Joseph had requested this clause, and Wellesley had agreed almost without a second thought. Russia was currently at war with Sweden and had no intention of intervening in Silesia.
However, Joseph knew that Catherine II had never ceased to covet Poland.
To defeat Poland with the least cost, she would need to entice Prussia and Austria to move against Poland simultaneously, which would first require mediating their ongoing war.
The Russians' usual method of mediation was, "You two stop fighting, or I'll send in my troops."
Talleyrand closed his notebook:
"Fifth, and finally, Britain will disclose the whereabouts of Oscar Paoli to us, but he must not die on British soil."
This item was also Joseph's request. Oscar Paoli, the supreme leader of Corsican restorationism, absolutely had to be dealt with as soon as possible.
Not only did Emperor Napoleon always view him as a spiritual mentor, making him the biggest obstacle to truly winning Napoleon's loyalty to France, but eliminating him was also an urgent matter for the stability of the Corsican region. The restorationists, under his command, constantly vied for power in the Corsican assembly, slandered the French government everywhere, and incited Corsicans to resist national policies, preventing Corsica from developing normally.
Historically, it was only after Emperor Napoleon used strong measures to resolve the Corsican restorationists that the island gradually prospered. However, that was after Napoleon became First Consul and governed France—'position determines perspective,' as they say. Joseph couldn't give him the high office of First Consul now, so he could only deal with Paoli.
However, the British demand was a bit troublesome: "Paoli must not be killed on British soil."
This was understandable. Unlike the female swindler in the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, whom the British government had unhesitatingly handed over to the French, the British had to consider the implications for a figure of Paoli's immense political influence. If he were to die in Britain, who would dare to establish a government-in-exile there in the future? Disclosing his whereabouts was already a very significant concession from the British.
Joseph narrowed his eyes. 'Perhaps, for a political figure like this, social annihilation is a more devastating end than physical death...'
While he was still contemplating this, the court theatrical troupe's manager cautiously approached him and bowed:
"Your esteemed Crown Prince, your Anne has arrived."
Seeing Joseph pause, the manager quickly explained:
"Oh, that is to say, the heroine in your play."
Joseph gave an awkward laugh. He had forgotten that he had renamed the female lead in "Battle Through the Heavens" to Anne Schur Xiaul.
"I understand, I'll be right there."
"Very good, Your Highness."
Talleyrand swiftly discussed a few more details about the treaty with the Crown Prince, then took his leave.
Joseph, meanwhile, walked to the side of the theater stage, where he saw the troupe manager part the crowd and lead a small child, not even reaching Joseph's chest, before him. The manager spoke respectfully:
"Your Highness, this is Alexandra Pavlovna, who will be playing Anne..."
Joseph looked at the childlike, chubby face and the gentle, soft large eyes before him, nodding with a polite smile:
"Hello, we meet again."
Alexandra immediately picked up her skirt and curtsied to him. "It's a pleasure to see you, esteemed Crown Prince."
"I am equally pleased to see you, Grand Duchess."
A shy smile flickered at the corners of Alexandra's lips. She took a step closer and whispered:
"Your Highness, your amusement park is simply the greatest invention in the world!"
"I'm glad you enjoy it," Joseph politely replied, then looked suspiciously at the troupe manager. "Are you saying the Grand Duchess will be playing Anne?"
"Ah, yes, Your Highness." The latter said, steeling himself. "Grand Duchess Alexandra is the most suitable candidate for this role."
He groaned internally. 'This role was clearly arranged personally by Her Majesty the Queen, but she ordered me not to tell anyone, so I have to shoulder it myself.'
Well, this was Queen Mary's ingenious idea, conceived for her son's love life: to have all the nobles of Versailles witness firsthand the Crown Prince and Alexandra portraying lovers on stage!
In this rather indirect way, she hoped to gradually lead the nobles to accept the fact that they would have a Russian Crown Princess. Queen Mary thought herself a little genius for coming up with such an idea.
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