Chapter 904: The Strategic Buffer on the East Bank of the Rhine
Theodor, the Elector of Bavaria, and his assembled ministers watched the French special envoy with palpable tension.
They all knew that a single word from this man could determine whether Bavaria continued to exist or was wiped from the map.
State Minister Bomenthal stepped forward, bowing deeply to Count Segur with a hand over his chest. He spoke with visible effort.
"There is no doubt that the powerful French army has defeated us. His Highness is willing to... accept any conditions in exchange for the withdrawal of your troops."
Segur returned the gesture with a polite smile, shaking his head. "No, Bavaria has not failed. This was merely a failure for Austria."
"Had Franz II not forced you to send your troops to Ingolstadt, thereby threatening Lieutenant Colonel Moreau's logistics, he would have been very reluctant to clash with General Dörnberg."
"If I recall correctly, it was also Austria that insisted on dragging Bavaria into this wicked war against France."
"That decision cost you over ten thousand troops in Luxembourg. Even now, many Bavarian soldiers remain in our prisoner-of-war camps."
"And yet, what grievance truly exists between our two nations?"
"Not only is there no enmity, but our nations share a vast amount of trade every year. We were even both members of the Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement."
"Your fine salt, linen, and ceramics are highly prized in Paris. Why, I have a white porcelain pen holder from Munich sitting on my very desk."
The Bavarian monarch and his ministers looked at each other in dismay. This didn't sound like a man here to dictate terms of surrender; it sounded like a friendly diplomatic visit.
Bomenthal asked cautiously, "Then, what do you believe our country must do to secure a peace treaty?"
"A peace treaty? Oh, yes." Segur nodded. "However, perhaps our two nations can go a step further."
"What do you mean?"
"For instance, signing a Franco-Bavarian Mutual Defense Treaty." Segur raised his right hand. "Bavaria could even directly join the Mediterranean Security Organization."
Joseph had arranged things this way because he knew that while Bavaria was a South German state, it had never been truly aligned with Austria's heart.
Austria's primary ambition to restore the glory of the Holy Roman Empire involved annexing Bavaria to bolster its own power.
Just sixteen years ago, during the War of the Bavarian Succession, Austria had sent troops to occupy nearly half of northern Bavaria.
In the end, it was only because Prussia feared Austria becoming too powerful that they allied with Saxony to intervene, forcing Empress Maria Theresa to withdraw her troops.
Even so, Austria had managed to seize the Inn River region from Bavaria. While not a massive territory, it consisted entirely of fertile, prime farmland.
This was exactly why the Elector of Bavaria had long contemplated trading his lands for the Southern Netherlands to reconstruct a Burgundian Empire—it was a way to get far away from a neighbor as dangerous as Austria.
Because of these factors, in history, after Napoleon defeated Austria, Bavaria had been willing to defy convention and ally with a revolutionary government just to stand against Austria.
Now, with the Anti-French Coalition on the verge of collapse and Austria retreating before the French onslaught, Joseph judged that there was a high probability Bavaria would choose to lean toward France.
Of course, General Ney's legion stationed just outside Munich would also help them make the "correct" decision.
Theodor was instantly overjoyed.
He had already prepared himself to cede Memmingen and pay several million florins in war reparations. He never expected the French to offer such lenient terms.
Before his State Minister could even speak, he nodded eagerly.
"Of course! You are absolutely right. France and Bavaria have always been the best of friends. We should certainly sign a mutual defense treaty to respond to the provocations of certain other countries."
Segur added, "And there is the Rhine Trade Alliance Agreement. I believe all member states are looking forward to Bavaria's participation."
"Yes, our country is also eager to join this trade alliance."
Bomenthal confirmed once more, his voice low, "Count Segur, regarding the French army outside the city..."
"Since there will be a mutual defense treaty, the French army will only be there to protect Bavaria," Segur replied. "Furthermore, the soldiers captured previously will be returned to you in due course."
Joseph wasn't worried about Bavaria betraying him.
First, after the lesson Moreau had just taught them, Bavaria certainly wouldn't have the courage.
Second, France intended to continue weakening Austria in the future, eventually finding a way to force them to return the Inn River region to Bavaria. Even parts of Innsbruck in southwestern Austria might be partitioned to Bavaria. When that time came, Bavaria would be so enamored with the benefits that they would follow France's lead without hesitation.
Theodor and his ministers felt a great weight lift from their shoulders, offering Segur another round of profuse thanks.
Under normal circumstances, the ransom for the officers among those prisoners alone would have cost over a million florins.
A week later.
Segur, representing France, signed the draft of the Franco-Bavarian Mutual Defense Treaty with Bavaria.
The treaty stipulated that if either party were invaded by another country, the other must provide military reinforcements.
Simultaneously, both parties automatically granted each other military transit rights through their respective territories.
Finally, France was permitted to station troops in Passau, Bavaria.
With this, France gained a massive strategic buffer zone on the east bank of the Rhine.
Due to Bavaria's substantial size, it meant Austria could no longer launch a direct offensive against the French Rhineland.
At the same time, whether it was Prussia or Austria trying to unify Germany, they would now have to cross the hurdle of Bavaria first. France could use Bavaria as a foothold to intervene in German affairs at any moment.
More interestingly, Theodor had no heirs. According to the agreements signed after the War of the Bavarian Succession, his successor would be Maximilian Joseph.
And that very man was currently serving as an officer in Strasbourg, France.
It was easy to imagine that once he ascended the throne, Bavaria would become even more pro-French.
That evening, a grand banquet was held at the Munich Palace to celebrate the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty.
After the second course was served, Segur raised his glass to Theodor.
"Your Highness, the coal mines in Iphofen have never been effectively developed. Perhaps the French Industrial Development Fund could invest there to build a large-scale modern mine."
Theodor looked hesitant. "Ah, that sounds excellent, but... the ownership of the mines is split among several noble families. It would be quite complicated..."
Segur knew the man was worried about France swallowing his coal mines, so he smiled reassuringly. "The Industrial Development Fund could take only a forty-five percent stake, with the remaining shares distributed among those families."
"However, the Development Fund must be responsible for the management. As you know, our country has very extensive experience in mine operations."
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