Chapter 889: Marriage and the Layout of Northern Italy
Chapter 890: Marriage and the Layout of Northern Italy
However, Thérèse faced significant obstacles in her desire to marry Ludovico.
The primary issue was that Parma was simply too small.
The marriage of France's only princess to a Prince of Parma was seen as a blow to the prestige of the French ministers.
Indeed, in France, the marriages of princes and princesses were matters of state, requiring deliberation and approval from the most powerful ministers.
As expected, Ludovico soon spoke up in a nervous whisper. "Your Highness, but... I fear Her Majesty the Queen and the ministers will not be satisfied with me..."
Joseph draped an arm around his shoulder and nodded. "I assure you, they are quite satisfied with you, and with Parma as well.
"By the way, I hear the Pope has blessed the union between you and my sister. He has even decided to grant Ferrara as a wedding gift."
As a branch of the House of Bourbon, Parma was a key ally and the core of the influence Joseph was cultivating in Northern Italy.
At the mention of Ferrara as a wedding gift, Ludovico's eyes widened in shock.
To put it in perspective, the Duchy of Parma spanned less than five thousand square kilometers, while the province of Ferrara covered about thirty-five hundred.
Gaining Ferrara would increase Parma's territory by a staggering seventy percent!
Parma had previously sent troops to join the Mediterranean Security Organization's campaign against the Papal States, hoping to claim a piece of Ferrara for themselves.
They never expected the Crown Prince to hand over the entire province!
Ludovico's hands trembled with excitement. He stepped back and bowed deeply to Joseph. "You are far too generous. I... I don't know how to express my gratitude... Oh, on behalf of my father, I promise that half of Ferrara's tax revenue will be transferred to France in perpetuity."
Joseph helped him up with a smile. "Consider that half as my sister's dowry."
Ferrara's taxes were a mere drop in the bucket for France. Over time, such an arrangement might even breed resentment among the Parmese. It was better to grant the favor in full.
Leaning closer, he whispered into Ludovico's ear, "As long as Parma follows France's lead, you will eventually gain the portion of Mantua south of the Po River, and perhaps even the northern reaches of Modena."
The Prince of Parma was speechless.
The territories the Crown Prince mentioned would seamlessly link Parma and Ferrara. To the north, the Po River would serve as a natural defense, while to the south, the Apennine Mountains would provide an impenetrable barrier.
Furthermore, the vast majority of the land lay across the fertile Po Valley.
It was, quite literally, the perfect shape for a nation.
Suddenly, Ludovico recalled that the Crown Prince had mentioned northern Modena. But how could Modena ever be expected to cede territory to Parma?
"But Modena..." he blurted out instinctively.
Joseph raised a finger to his lips. "His Majesty Ercole III will agree."
If Parma was to serve as France's core in Northern Italy, it needed to be dependent on French support in certain matters.
Their territorial disputes with Modena were a perfect example.
Ludovico bowed once more, then, at Joseph's nod, excitedly rushed off to invite Thérèse for a dance.
Now, Princess Thérèse was more than just the girl who held his heart; she was the hope for Parma's future.
If Thérèse asked for the moon itself at this moment, he would surely find a way to pluck it from the sky for her.
One man's joy was another's sorrow.
The representatives from other Northern Italian states had been eavesdropping on Joseph. Upon hearing that Ferrara was being given entirely to Parma, they gnashed their teeth in envy at Ludovico. That loathsome fellow had managed to snatch away such a massive prize simply by seducing a French princess!
In particular, the diplomats from Modena and Milan, who both had their eyes on Ferrara, whispered urgently among themselves. They decided to make one last push before the matter was finalized.
After offering Joseph a toast, the Modenese Foreign Minister spoke up cautiously. "Your Highness, the conflict in Ferrara is nearing its end... and as you know, Ferrara and Modena share deep historical ties..."
In the sixteenth century, the Duchy of Modena had been in a personal union with the Duchy of Ferrara, known collectively as the Duchy of Ferrara and Modena.
Later, Pope Clement VIII had used a flimsy pretext to forcibly annex Ferrara into the Papal States.
In truth, the Papal States had committed many such acts over the centuries, which was why the various Italian states harbored such resentment toward the Holy See.
Stealing a glance at the Crown Prince's expression, the Modenese minister continued, "Therefore, we wonder if you might consider returning Ferrara—or at least the portion south of the Po River—to our nation..."
Joseph nodded. "Your request is perfectly reasonable."
The Modenese minister's heart leaped with joy, only to hear the Crown Prince continue.
"However, doing so would create friction between Modena, Parma, and Milan.
"Consider this: Modena hasn't ruled Ferrara for two hundred years. Why remain so fixated on it?"
The minister grew anxious. "But Your Highness..."
Joseph gestured for him to calm down. "You need to change your perspective.
"Modena and Ferrara are separated by the Reno River, making administration quite inconvenient.
"But if Modena were to receive Bologna instead, that issue would vanish.
"Furthermore, the territory from Modena to Bologna is protected by the Reno River to the north and the Apennine Mountains to the south, making it highly defensible."
His emotions surging like a rollercoaster, the Modenese minister exclaimed, "Are you saying you will grant Bologna to us?"
"I do have such an intention."
"But... the Papal States surely won't surrender it..."
"On the contrary, the Holy See has come to realize it must distance itself from secular affairs to focus on serving God." Joseph traced a casual sign of the cross. "The Pope has entrusted me with the redistribution of Bologna—and the provinces of Ancona and Spoleto as well."
"Is... is that true?!" The Modenese minister's eyes bugged out. He bowed again frantically. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness! Modena will graciously accept any arrangement you see fit!"
Joseph smiled. "As you know, I prefer to entrust these lands to reliable friends."
"Yes, Your Highness! Modena shall follow you forever!"
"Good. Now, I recall that His Majesty Ercole III has never remarried?"
"That is correct, Your Highness."
Joseph flashed a sly, fox-like grin. "In that case, I hope His Majesty might consider taking a bride from the House of Bourbon."
He remembered that after the death of Ercole III's wife, the Duke had remained unmarried, which eventually led to the extinction of the Modenese line.
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