Novels online

Chapter 738: Complicated Battlefield

Joseph wasn't being overly benevolent; he simply didn't want Spain to suddenly collapse financially mid-war.

Whether France had to "nurse" them with funds or simply watch them withdraw from the conflict, both options would be incredibly frustrating.

Joseph roughly assessed Spain's current situation and quickly identified a crucial point of leverage.

That point was the Church.

The Spanish Church owned vast amounts of property, levied high taxes on the populace, and wielded immense influence over national politics, making it undeniably Spain's primary affliction.

He handed his hunting rifle to Eman to reload, then turned to Carlos IV. "Your Majesty," he said, "have you ever considered using this war as an opportunity for Church reform?"

Carlos IV paused, then nodded. "If it can be done, then of course, that would be for the best."

Joseph motioned for the surrounding attendants to move further away, then continued, "First, you will need an absolutely loyal army. I mean a force that answers only to you personally. The current Spanish army has far too many vested interests intertwined with the Church."

"But how would I go about that?"

"You could use the war as a pretext to establish a new Royal Guard. Select officers who have no ties to the Church to lead it, and recruit all the soldiers from your American colonies, even Creoles. As for training, I can have the General Staff Headquarters send personnel to assist you."

Carlos IV looked bewildered. "This... how large would this guard need to be, and where would the funds come from?"

Joseph rubbed his forehead, patiently explaining, "Around eight thousand men should suffice. As for funding, you merely need to bring the smuggling activities from the American silver mines under your personal control; that will be enough to support these soldiers."

The American silver mines were Spain's economic lifeblood, but centuries after the empire's founding, various factions had extended their grasp into the mines.

Now, rampant smuggling and illegal mining accounted for nearly a third of Spain's total silver production!

Carlos IV blinked in confusion. "And how would I control these smuggling activities you mentioned?"

Joseph let out a breath. "You are the King. You only need to send a trustworthy Special Envoy to America, announcing that the Empire will severely crack down on smuggling. Then, have him discreetly spread word that he has connections to help smugglers avoid investigation, but for a thirty percent cut of their profits as a fee.

"The smugglers themselves will then come to 'pledge allegiance' to you."

Carlos IV's eyes lit up. "Yes, that truly is an excellent plan!"

Joseph continued, "Then you simply have the smugglers who 'pledge allegiance' to you report those who haven't, send in anti-smuggling teams to clear them out, and you'll acquire yet another stream of income."

The King of Spain excitedly urged his horse closer, wrapping an arm around Joseph's shoulders. "Joseph, you are absolutely the most brilliant person I have ever met!"

Of course, while Joseph's method would certainly procure a sum of money in the short term, in the long run, it would cause smuggling in the American silver mines to spiral out of control—with official smuggling licenses, those holding them would surely expand their operations like madmen.

However, considering that independence movements would sweep through America in two or three decades at most, and by then these silver mines would no longer belong to Spain, taking a few extra bites before they 'breathed their last' was actually not a loss.

Moreover, if this money could help Carlos IV deal with the Church, it would be an even greater boon for Spain.

Joseph offered Carlos IV another reassurance. "I, on my part, will also begin working to weaken the Holy See's influence. You should allow the Count of Aranda to proceed with the reforms freely."

From a distance came the sound of barking dogs and the shouts of attendants, as a dark silhouette emerged from the bushes ahead.

Carlos IV thrust his hunting rifle into Joseph's hands, pointing at the quarry. "Look there!" he exclaimed. "It's all yours!"

That same afternoon, Joseph and Carlos IV formally signed the "Franco-Spanish Alliance Treaty" in the latter's hunting lodge.

The treaty stipulated that both nations would open their borders to each other; when one party declared war on another country, the other would follow suit; and they would form a joint Franco-Spanish fleet to jointly maintain order in the Mediterranean Sea, among other provisions.

Signing this treaty with France would perhaps become the most crucial decision Carlos IV ever made in his life.

Joseph did not linger long in Madrid. The next day, he departed, laden with numerous gifts from Carlos IV, returning by carriage to France.

No sooner had he left the Royal Palace of Madrid than he received the latest intelligence dispatches from Paris.

Joseph opened the stack of documents. The first item he saw was that several British cavalry regiments, numbering over ten thousand men in total, had arrived by ship in The Hague, Netherlands, their subsequent movements unknown.

Next, fifty thousand Prussian troops had advanced through the Geldern region, approaching Liège on France's northwest flank. The General Staff Headquarters assessed their objective to be either Liège or the Luxembourg area.

Following that were two Austrian armies, advancing from the southwest and northwest directions, respectively.

The former, thirty-five thousand strong, was likely aiming to link up with the Prussian forces. The latter, forty thousand men, would probably advance through Switzerland to attack Strasbourg or Salins on France's eastern flank.

What concerned Joseph most, however, was the southward movement of the Dutch navy. These warships were undoubtedly heading to rendezvous with the British Navy. The main strength of the British Mediterranean Fleet, however, remained at an unknown location.

He had Eman spread out a map and briefly outlined the Anti-French Coalition's military deployment, sighing involuntarily.

Heavy forces loomed menacingly on France's northwest, northern, and eastern flanks.

The British fleet would most likely launch an attack on France from the Mediterranean coast to the south.

Of course, the British fleet could also sail to Tunisia, dispatching marines to land and conduct raids.

Aside from its western coastal areas and the southern region bordering Spain, France was practically besieged on all sides.

Joseph couldn't help but shake his head slightly. If the enemy breached any of these locations, it would inflict an extremely heavy blow upon France.

However, if he dispersed his troops for defense, it would be precisely the situation the Anti-French Coalition desired most.

Because the French forces were numerically inferior, the more they were spread out, the easier it would be for the enemy to find weak points and tear open breaches.

This situation was far more complicated than the First Anti-French Coalition in history.

Joseph stared intently at the map, falling into deep contemplation.

That very afternoon, the same day Joseph departed for Spain, Queen Marie was weeping forlornly in her tea room.

"Joseph once risked everything to go to the Silesian front and fight for Austria, and my nephew repays him in such a manner..."

She wiped away her tears, her voice choked. "This shameful betrayal... they've actually sided with the British, what a disgrace..."

Louis XVI sat beside her, somewhat at a loss, unsure how to comfort her. He merely murmured repeatedly, "My dear, leave everything to Joseph. Our son will surely handle it..."

Yes, he had been listening from outside the room during the cabinet meetings these past few days—such a major event as a national war naturally concerned him greatly as King.

Yet he feared the ministers would ask him, 'How should France respond?' and he wouldn't know how to answer. So, in the end, he yielded to his reclusive nature and chose not to appear.