Chapter 627: A Request from Charles
Cobentzel and Count Rheinfels exchanged another glance, both seeing a flicker of intent in the other's eyes.
To be frank, the Rhine-Seine Treaty had not brought Austria anything it desired.
When the agreement was first signed, everyone in Austria believed it would be an opportunity to introduce their products into France and simultaneously capture the South Germany market.
France, for its part, had allowed Austria to set considerably high protective tariffs on its own competitive industries.
Who would have thought that France's industrial development speed would be utterly astonishing? In terms of production scale, quality, and cost, it hadn't taken long for France to completely surpass Austria, let alone the other German States in the south.
Even Austria's traditionally strong industries, such as iron smelting and glass manufacturing, were beginning to buckle under French competition.
In the steel industry, France had heavily invested in the Wallonia region of the Southern Netherlands, building numerous ironworks. Their smelting technology was incredibly advanced, and every day, vast quantities of high-quality iron products were transported from there to the Rhine River, then shipped downstream to various parts of South Germany. From quality to price, they completely crushed Austrian products.
As for glass products, while Austria was still the largest exporter, its production process required importing chemical raw materials like soda ash and colorants from France. France's soda ash was priced at only two-thirds that of other countries, and its astonishing output had already monopolized the European continental market. This meant that more than a quarter of the profits from Austrian glass went to France.
Simultaneously, the French, leveraging their cheap soda ash, drastically lowered their own glass production costs. Although their craftsmanship was still behind, limiting them to mid-to-low-end products, it had already severely impacted Austria's glass industry.
What's more, when the agreement was signed, France's chemical industry hadn't yet developed, so the German States in the south only imposed a 15% tariff on its products. This led to French soda ash, soap, and similar items sweeping through South Germany overnight, bankrupting the related industries in those countries.
In addition, the French were particularly adept at sales. For products of comparable quality and price, they would add some flair, package them beautifully, and display them in elegantly decorated department stores, resulting in sales several times higher than Austrian products.
Though Cobentzel was reluctant to admit it, the German States in the south had effectively become dumping grounds for French products.
Therefore, if they could, as the British suggested, unite all the German States in the south and renegotiate the Rhine-Seine Treaty, it would be exactly what Austria yearned for.
However, there was still a risk of provoking France.
Cobentzel first dismissed Grenville, then immediately reported the matter to Leopold II.
On his sickbed, the Holy Roman Emperor looked wearily at his Minister of State, asking between coughs:
"Baron Thugut, cough, cough, what are your, cough, thoughts?"
The latter pondered for a moment, then bowed slightly, saying, "Your Majesty, this is a good opportunity to change our nation's trade situation.
"However, the British are clearly trying to use this to damage our relationship with France. And France could indeed become angry over it."
Leopold II leaned back on his pillow, sighing:
"So, cough, cough, should we disregard, cough, cough, the British suggestion?"
"No, Your Majesty," Baron Thugut replied. "We should exploit the British's intentions and let them bear the pressure."
"Please, cough, continue."
"I believe we can invite Britain to join the Rhine-Seine Treaty, and then let the British propose the demand to renegotiate the tariff rates.
"At the same time, we can have Salzburg suggest that during the renegotiation, the execution of the agreement be temporarily suspended. All signatory nations would then vote on whether to do so. I believe that apart from France, and perhaps Baden, all other countries would agree to the suspension.
"In this way, even if France is displeased, they won't direct their anger at our nation."
Leopold II suffered another bout of violent coughing, then nodded:
"Your method, cough, is very feasible, cough, cough. Please, cough, speak with the British. If they, cough, cough, are unwilling to join, cough, you can offer them, cough, some incentives. For instance, cough, improving relations with Prussia."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
To Leopold II's surprise, the very next day, when Baron Thugut proposed to Grenville that Britain join the Rhine-Seine Treaty, the British agreed almost without hesitation. They even offered to bring Saxony, Thuringia, and even Prussia into the trade agreement.
That afternoon, Lord Grenville left Vienna, hurrying to Württemberg to discuss the trade agreement.
Inside the carriage, he pondered as he dictated a report to the British Parliament to his assistant, who transcribed it.
Kevin Ronide looked at the draft report, then said with some hesitation:
"My Lord, this matter could draw our nation into risk, and Parliament is likely to reject it..."
"No, the Prime Minister will certainly demand that the members of Parliament agree," Grenville said with a faint smile. "Our confrontation with France is destined, so it's not truly a risk.
"The Austrians want to use us to resist France, but they forget that this will also strengthen the ties between our nations. At the same time, the German States in the south will owe us a favor."
He leaned forward, whispering, "And if necessary, we can threaten them by withdrawing from the Rhine-Seine Treaty negotiations."
...
Paris.
The Palace of Versailles.
Joseph checked the list of gifts transcribed by the clerk one by one, then handed it to Eman. "Please send someone to give this list to the Gemini Company and have them complete the procurement within three days, then ship it to Russia with the utmost speed."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joseph rubbed his forehead tiredly. He had just taken a sip of black tea when his younger brother, Charles, shook off his tutor's hand and ran in with long strides.
The little boy bowed to Joseph, then clasped his hands in front of his chest, his face flushed, and declared loudly, "Big brother, please propose to Grand Duchess Alexandra!"
"Pfft—" Joseph nearly spat a mouthful of tea onto Eman. Only then did he notice traces of tears on Charles's face. He took a handkerchief from the tutor, knelt down to wipe away the boy's tears, and smiled faintly:
"Why do you suddenly want me to propose to her?"
"I..." Charles hesitated for a moment, then finally puffed out his chest and declared, "Because I want to play with her, and I want to beat her with a sword!"
Joseph chuckled. "But what does that have to do with proposing?"
"Because she's going back to Petersburg!"
Joseph nodded. "She's returning for Prince Potemkin's funeral, isn't she?"
"But I don't want her to leave!" Charles's eyes welled up with fresh tears in his agitation. "If she could marry into the Bourbon family, she could stay in Paris forever!"
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