Chapter 851: France's Counterattack
As Joseph alighted from his carriage, a throng of royalty and diplomats from the various Italian states surged forward with practiced eagerness. However, they maintained a respectful distance, lining both sides of the path and watching him with expectant gazes as he approached.
It was clear that they had learned through their respective channels that the French Crown Prince was likely to visit the Tuileries Palace today, and they had been waiting here since the early morning hours.
France had become the undisputed arbiter of Northern Italy, and this upcoming summit would likely determine the future prosperity or ruin of every state in the region.
If they could glean even a fragment of vital intelligence from the Crown Prince before the summit officially began—or perhaps just exchange a few words to familiarize him with their faces—it might yield unimaginable benefits for their nations.
However, just at that moment, a youth in his early teens stepped out from behind the stone pillars guarding the entrance to the palace, accompanied by several officials.
Joseph's gaze swept past the others and settled on the boy.
The youth was none other than the eldest son of Carlos IV—the Spanish heir apparent, Prince Ferdinand, who would one day be known as Ferdinand VII. Standing just behind him was the Spanish Chief Minister, Count Floridablanca.
"It is a profound honor to meet you here, esteemed Crown Prince," Ferdinand said, bowing low. His voice still held a youthful, boyish quality. "The tales of your glorious achievements have already echoed across the length and breadth of Spain. My father speaks of you daily, calling you his closest and most respected friend."
Joseph returned the gesture with a graceful smile.
"His Majesty has requested that I convey his heartiest congratulations on the magnificent victory France has secured," the Spanish Chief Minister said with a slight bow. "As you know, this war erupted quite suddenly. His Majesty ordered the mobilization of troops to reinforce our steadfast allies from the very beginning, but it was only recently that the assembly was completed.
"At this moment, the Marquis de la Romana is standing by at the port of Valencia with fifty thousand troops. They are ready to depart for Italy at a moment's notice to assist you in your campaign."
Joseph merely offered a thin, knowing smile in response.
It was obvious that internal opinions within Spain regarding involvement in the land war had been deeply divided. They had only dared to commit their forces now that France's victory appeared inevitable.
Had these fifty thousand reinforcements arrived when Napoleon was first traversing the Alps, they might have truly altered the course of the war.
But now, sending Spanish troops into Northern Italy would serve little purpose other than giving Spain a pretext to meddle in Italian politics.
Furthermore, Joseph knew all too well that the combat effectiveness of the Spanish Army was notoriously subpar; they were undoubtedly the weakest among the major European powers.
He turned his gaze toward Count Floridablanca and said, "I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's devoted support of France.
"However, I would suggest that the Marquis de la Romana's forces should instead concentrate at Cáceres.
"The British have suffered staggering losses in Germany. Even their Duke of York narrowly escaped capture by Lieutenant Colonel Saint-Hilaire. Right now is the perfect opportunity for your noble country to reclaim your ancestral lands in Portugal."
His voice carried a seductive edge: "With our two nations joined in such an endeavor, we might even see the recovery of Gibraltar."
Count Floridablanca's pupils constricted instantly.
He had heard the King mention a plan to "unite with France to reclaim the entire Iberian Peninsula," but in his estimation, such a feat was at least a decade away.
Yet here was the French Crown Prince, suddenly proposing a joint military strike against Portugal!
This was not a decision he could make on his own.
He nodded somewhat awkwardly. "It is indeed as you say; this is a rare opportunity. I shall report this matter to His Majesty as quickly as possible."
Joseph continued to bolster the minister's confidence. "As soon as the fighting along the Rhine concludes, I will dispatch troops to assist you."
In truth, Joseph had no intention of committing massive forces to the Portuguese theater. After defeating the Anti-French Coalition, France would need a period of rest and recovery. The primary weight of the invasion of Portugal would have to be carried by the Spanish army.
Once Portugal came under attack, Britain would be unable to stand idly by. Spain's national strength was significantly greater than Portugal's, and with even a small contingent of French support, the Portuguese would truly be driven off the peninsula if the British didn't intervene.
Portugal was the British Navy's most critical supply point and forward base in the Atlantic. Losing it would mean Britain losing nearly half its control over European waters.
Thus, once Spain declared war on Portugal, the Iberian Peninsula would become a "bleeding point" for the British.
The British would be forced to continuously pour troops and logistics into Portugal, preventing them from ever finding the peace needed to recuperate.
France would only need to increase its aid slightly whenever Spain seemed on the verge of buckling. Since France shared a border with Spain, the cost of deploying troops or supplies was far lower than the cost for the British.
If Spain actually managed to conquer Portugal, British influence in Europe would plummet. Simultaneously, without its supporting hinterland, Gibraltar would become a vulnerable enclave that Spain could reclaim at its leisure.
This was the outcome Joseph desired most.
Even if Spain failed to defeat Portugal, it was still a favorable situation for France.
France could conclude its wars and focus on internal development, while Britain remained bogged down in a constant war of attrition in Portugal.
While it was unrealistic to think this would completely bankrupt the British treasury, it would at least ensure they were too preoccupied to cause trouble for France.
Moreover, unifying the Iberian Peninsula and retaking Gibraltar had always been the ultimate goal of Spanish domestic policy. No one in Spain would dare voice an objection.
By the time Joseph and the Spanish Chief Minister entered the South Wing of the Tuileries Palace, they had finished discussing the rough framework of the march into Portugal—a plan the General Staff had actually finalized the previous year.
He looked toward the conference hall and gestured for Count Floridablanca and the Spanish Prince to take seats in the front row before continuing.
"By the way, I have another gift I intend to present to His Majesty, Carlos IV."
Both Spaniards immediately looked at him with renewed interest.
Joseph leaned in slightly. "I am aware that ecclesiastical issues have long troubled Spain, severely hindering your development. Since the reign of His Late Majesty, Charles III, there have been efforts toward church reform, yet the results have been meager."
Count Floridablanca nodded slowly in agreement.
While people often called France the "Filial Son of the Church," the Roman Curia actually held very little sway over French affairs anymore. Among the Great Powers of Europe, it was Spain that remained most deeply ensnared by the Papacy's influence.
Charles III had implemented reforms to weaken the Church's interference in Spanish politics, but the clergy still wielded immense power over the economy, land ownership, and the daily lives of the common people.
"The reason your nation's church is so difficult to move," Joseph said, "is because they have the backing of the Roman Curia.
"Therefore, if one wishes to thoroughly eradicate the abuses of the Church, one must tackle the root of the problem."
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