Chapter 644: The Resolute Emperor
Minister of State Thugut nodded.
"Your Majesty, the empire's trade revenue has indeed been steadily declining over the past two years."
Franz II inquired again:
"And the key to reversing the trade situation lies with France?"
Baron Thugut hesitated slightly, then nodded again:
"In a sense, yes, one could say that."
Baron Walter, standing nearby, angrily waved his intact hand and declared:
"The French have used unreasonable trade agreements to snatch our markets in South Germany and crushed many of our factories! As long as that treaty remains, our trade situation cannot possibly improve!"
Baron Thugut quickly interjected:
He himself had signed the Rhine-Seine River Treaty on behalf of Austria, so naturally, he couldn't now discredit his own actions.
Franz II looked at Count Rheinfels:
"Then how do you suggest we deal with the treaty's adverse effects?"
The Count had already considered this on his journey back to Vienna, and promptly replied:
"Your Majesty, currently, the South German States dare not offend France. Perhaps we could negotiate privately with France to secure independent tariff rates for our two nations, outside of the existing treaty."
His suggestion was to abandon the South German market and engage in a quid pro quo with France to protect Austria's domestic market.
Franz II then looked at Baron Thugut:
"Do you also agree with Count Rheinfels' suggestion?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, this would indeed temporarily stabilize our nation's trade revenue," the Minister of State affirmed. "Afterward, we could leverage our influence in the German territories to rally other nations to boycott French goods, ultimately aiming to renegotiate the treaty."
Franz II nodded:
"Very well, let's proceed with that."
The emperor and his ministers then discussed the intricacies of exchanging interests with France in detail, as twilight gradually deepened.
A court official arrived to inform His Majesty that dinner was ready. The ministers took their leave one by one, bowing, while Franz II, surrounded by his servants, made his way towards the banquet hall.
Suddenly, he heard familiar footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw his mother, Ludovika, hurrying to catch up.
"I thought you weren't joining me for dinner."
"It's true, we haven't dined together in a long time, and I happen to be free tonight." Ludovika came to his side, her expression turning serious as she whispered, "Actually, Franz, there's something I absolutely must speak to you about."
"Oh? What is it, Mother?"
"As Emperor, you need to be more resolute," Ludovika stated. "Those ministers, if they perceive you as weak, will constantly corner you."
Franz II nodded:
"Yes, you're right."
Ludovika's voice was like unyielding stone:
"As Emperor, you are a sharp sword! Anyone who dares to stand in your path will be ruthlessly cut down!
"Today, you were far too lenient with your Foreign Minister. Since he returned from Karlsruhe with failure and disgrace, he should have faced appropriate punishment.
"Similarly, the French dared to threaten you with their army, yet you chose to subserviently exchange benefits for their charity. This will only make the French even more arrogant and overbearing!" Franz II paused, then nodded again:
"You're right, I should indeed be more resolute."
Ludovika already harbored dissatisfaction with France, and over the past year or so, Baron Walter had incessantly slandered France in her ear, causing her to now hate the French to the bone.
"You must make those arrogant French know the might of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and how reckless their previous actions were! Then, immediately revise that cursed treaty!"
Franz II was particularly impressionable, and at only 23 years old, he lacked experience in governing a nation. After hearing his mother's words, a surge of heroic pride and determined aloofness welled up within him.
"Right! I cannot simply keep retreating. Austria's interests must be guaranteed." He straightened his back with force. "I am the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; I am a sharp blade!"
The next day.
Baron Thugut, Count Cobentzel, and other important Austrian ministers once again gathered before the Emperor.
From the outset, Franz II sternly reprimanded Count Rheinfels, stating that his incompetence had severely damaged Austria's interests, and penalized him by docking half a year's stipend.
Afterward, the Holy Roman Emperor looked at Thugut: "Regarding our stance on France, I believe we cannot be too soft. Yesterday's negotiation plan needs to be revised."
"But, Your Majesty..."
Just as the Minister of State was about to speak, Baron Walter leaned forward and loudly proclaimed:
"Your Majesty is wise and mighty! Only by making the French understand the consequences can we effectively protect our nation's interests!"
Franz II nodded, surveying his ministers:
"Then, what are your suggestions?"
Since Kaunitz's resignation, the pro-French faction in Viennese politics had waned. At this moment, the pro-British, pro-Prussian alliance, and even pro-Russian factions all had their eyes light up.
Chief Royal Advisor Kolinek and Baron Walter exchanged a glance, and Kolinek was the first to speak:
"Your Majesty, we can fully leverage our influence over the Italian States to warn the French that if they do not renegotiate the Rhine-Seine River Treaty, they will lose the Italian market."
Currently, the Italian region primarily comprised several states, including Sardinia, Genoa, Venice, Tuscany, and Sicily-Naples.
Venice was entirely under Austrian control. The Grand Duke of Tuscany was Franz II's brother. Sicily-Naples had numerous marriage alliances with the House of Habsburg.
It could be said that Austria held significant influence over more than half of the Apennine Peninsula.
Especially Venice, a crucial commercial hub, accounted for nearly a third of Italy's total trade alone.
For France, losing more than half of the Italian market for the sake of just one nation's market—Austria's—would certainly be an extremely poor bargain.
Franz II nodded in satisfaction:
"That's a good approach. Let's plan it out in detail."
Count Rheinfels, having just been reprimanded, now sought to salvage his standing in the Emperor's eyes as much as possible, and quickly added:
"Your Majesty, France's previous military exercises were indeed very effective. I believe we could conduct a joint exercise with Tuscany, which would deter France while also demonstrating our strength to the Italian States."
The assembled officials then offered their suggestions one after another, and an diplomatic plan targeting the trade agreement was quickly formulated.
Franz II once again entrusted Count Rheinfels with the mission to France, then declared the meeting concluded.
The officials departed, but Baron Thugut remained behind, presenting a financial report to His Imperial Majesty.
Indeed, Franz II was so unfamiliar with the nation's financial situation that Thugut found it difficult to explain verbally, and thus had no choice but to submit a written document.
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