Chapter 416: Armistice Agreement
Had Hanover and Prussia not intervened in the affairs of the Southern Netherlands, the Netherlandish Rebels under Van der Noot would have quickly been crushed by the Austrian army.
At that point, the French army would lose any justification for remaining in the Southern Netherlands. To shamelessly linger there would immediately sour relations with Austria.
Yet France desperately needed the coal resources of Wallonia and had already invested enormous sums there; they absolutely could not simply withdraw.
Just as he was deep in thought, the carriage drew to a halt. Two servants, acting as guides, bowed and gestured toward a small villa nearby.
“Your Excellency, it is there.”
Joseph, escorted by Clauzel, approached the villa. He immediately saw an elderly man, his face etched with anxiety, emerge to greet him, bowing with a hand over his chest.
“I am delighted you could come in person, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
It was none other than the Austrian State Chancellor, Count Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz.
Kaunitz ushered Joseph inside, personally closing the door before urgently stating,
Joseph knew the old man was a renowned Francophile, so he cut straight to the point.
“Are you referring to Hanover and Prussia's impending withdrawal from the Southern Netherlands?”
Kaunitz nodded, then immediately shook his head. “Those two nations are indeed abandoning their support for the Netherlandish Rebels, but more importantly, His Imperial Majesty has decided to sign an armistice agreement with Prussia shortly after...”
Joseph's pupils constricted. “An armistice agreement? Do you mean a ceasefire in Silesia?”
“Precisely,” Kaunitz affirmed. “Count Frentz, by means unknown, managed to convince Charles II and William II to withdraw from the Southern Netherlands for just 300,000 florins.
“Afterward, he advised His Imperial Majesty that the original purpose of the Silesian War was to offset Prussian interference in the Southern Netherlands. Now that the Netherlandish rebellion is nearing its end, continuing a stalemate in Silesia has become meaningless.”
Joseph frowned slightly. This Frentz certainly had some talent. He himself had originally used the Brabant uprising as a pretext to suggest that Joseph II reclaim Silesia, and now Frentz was using it as justification to end the war.
He looked at the Austrian State Chancellor.
“So His Imperial Majesty agreed?”
Kaunitz nodded. “To be frank, Austria's financial situation is not optimistic. Fighting on two fronts, in the Southern Netherlands and Silesia, has led to extremely high military expenditures.
“In fact, His Majesty Leopold II had once suggested that His Imperial Majesty temporarily halt reforms due to financial constraints.
“Furthermore, rumors suggest that the Hungarian nobility, in opposition to war taxes, are conspiring to launch a rebellion. This has also prompted His Majesty to resolve to end the war as quickly as possible.”
Joseph's brow furrowed even deeper. If the conflict in Silesia ceased, Prussia and Austria would likely turn their attention eastward toward Poland, with Russia acting as an intermediary to initiate another partition of Poland.
The interests of Russia, Prussia, and Austria were increasingly converging, potentially forming an alliance — and history would revert to its original course.
Kaunitz appeared even more agitated than Joseph.
“If we fail to reclaim Silesia this time, Austria may lose it forever.”
Kaunitz's core strategic principle was "Alliance with France against Prussia." He had dedicated his life to defeating Prussia and restoring Austria as the master of Germany. If Austria's full-strength offensive were to end so hastily, it would undoubtedly boost Prussia's prestige, a prospect he absolutely could not accept.
Joseph knew he was right — historically, after Joseph II, Austria's national power would steadily decline, and it would indeed never manage to reclaim Silesia.
He nodded. “So, what do you suggest?”
Kaunitz's expression turned pleading.
“If France could provide more support — more troops, for instance, and some loans — I am confident I can rally the hardline ministers against Prussia and persuade His Majesty to continue the offensive in Silesia.”
Joseph narrowed his eyes at this. 'This implies I should withdraw from the Southern Netherlands, then continue to provide manpower and funds to help Austria fight in Silesia?'
‘Do I look like a patsy, old man? Conquering Silesia offers absolutely no benefit to France.’
‘Besides, with France's current financial situation, where would I get the money to loan Austria?’
‘Wait a moment...’
He suddenly remembered Kaunitz's earlier mention of 'hardline ministers against Prussia,' and turned to the old State Chancellor.
“Are there many in Vienna who support continuing the war against Prussia?”
“Of course!” Kaunitz nodded emphatically. “People can never forget the disgrace of Silesia. Everyone fears His Majesty will make peace with Prussia.”
He spoke of erasing a disgrace, but in reality, it was Austria's bourgeoisie who could not bear to part with Silesia, an industrially developed region with powerful consumer potential.
Joseph nodded, a faint smile glinting in his eyes.
At any time, political correctness is a remarkably potent weapon.
And in Austria, reclaiming Silesia was the ultimate political imperative. Although the protracted war and tight finances had physically and mentally exhausted Vienna's upper echelons, leading to thoughts of withdrawal, a significant catalyst would instantly re-ignite this political fervor.
By then, even the Holy Roman Emperor would be unable to go against the tide and make peace with Prussia.
He told Kaunitz, “Rest assured, my nation will continue to provide support for the Silesian campaign. Furthermore, I will absolutely not stand by and watch Austria bow to Prussia.”
“Thank you! Austria will forever remember your assistance!”
Joseph continued, “Moreover, I need you to do something for me.”
“Always at your service, Your Highness.”
“I need your cooperation regarding a certain matter at Schönbrunn Palace...”
After leaving Kaunitz’s small villa, Joseph immediately made his way to the French Embassy in Austria and summoned Baron Alphonse, the Ambassador to Austria.
“Your Highness, circumventing Vienna's news censorship will indeed be challenging,” Alphonse said, his brow furrowed. “However, I will certainly do my best to try.”
Joseph nodded. “The Intelligence Bureau will provide you with its full cooperation. Furthermore, if you encounter any intractable problems, you can seek assistance from Count Kaunitz.
“I expect to see those stories published within a week.”
“Understood, Your Highness!”
The next morning, Joseph first instructed Talleyrand to visit the ministers advocating a hardline stance against Prussia. He then proceeded to the residence of Madame Delvaux, using the address his mother had provided.
It was a manor that wasn't large, but quite distinctive, indicating that the former wet nurse of the Queen of France lived quite comfortably. In fact, the old lady held some reputation in Vienna; she certainly wouldn't have sought Queen Marie's help if Leopold II's brother-in-law hadn't been someone truly impossible to offend.
The people of the Delvaux household had long been startled by the lavish display outside their gates, as well as the large contingent of guards in white uniforms. Seven or eight servants immediately came out to greet them.
Upon learning that the French Crown Prince had arrived, a maid hastily turned and ran back inside, shouting,
“Miss, come quickly! It’s the French, the French Crown Pri—”
An elderly man who appeared to be the butler admonished the servants to clear the path, then, his head bowed in extreme nervousness, invited Joseph into the manor.
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