Chapter 924: To the Rhineland
Berthier asked with surprise, "How did you know, Your Highness?"
Joseph thought to himself, 'Because Franz II never had the habit of resisting to the end.' In history, whether facing Napoleon or the Russians, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire never had any psychological qualms about compromising.
Moreover, the Treaty of Campo Formio should be about ready to be signed.
However, he simply said with a calm expression, "Consider it an inference based on the international situation and the state of the battlefield."
The Chief of the General Staff's admiration for the Crown Prince had long since overflowed, and he didn't mind it spilling over once more. "Your wisdom always teaches me so much, Your Highness."
As Berthier rushed off to send orders to Napoleon, Archbishop Brienne entered with an anxious look. After a quick bow, he placed a report on Joseph's desk.
"Your Highness, we have received word from the provisional governments in the Rhineland. Numerous public protests have broken out recently, and several anti-government organizations have been discovered."
According to Joseph's plan for the Rhineland, two provisional governments had been established: the Lower Rhine Government to the north of the Palatinate, and the Palatinate Government to the south.
The primary duties of these two provisional governments were to maintain post-war stability in the Rhineland and to purge the previous bureaucratic systems at all levels.
At that time, the French government could even penalize some of the provisional officials to win over the hearts of the people.
Joseph flipped through the report briefly and nodded. "This is normal. The British, the Austrians, the Prussians, and even the Bavarians are likely working in the shadows to create turmoil in the Rhineland.
"Oh, and the local nobility. Our arrival has certainly impacted the interests of certain individuals."
Brienne spoke tentatively, "Your Highness, Count Morand, the Governor of the Lower Rhine, hopes to be allowed to deploy the garrison in Cologne into the city to suppress the unrest."
Joseph frowned and shook his head. "No, that is exactly what our enemies are hoping for."
He had allocated special funds to the provisional governments to stabilize bread prices in the Rhineland, so there was no foundation for a large-scale riot among the commoners.
Currently, the masterminds behind the scenes were likely only paying gang members to cause trouble. If the French army went in to suppress them, it would inevitably lead to serious bloodshed—the instigators would surely find a way to make sure many people died—which would then provoke the anger of the local populace and lead to more riots.
It could easily spiral into a cycle of suppression, riot, stronger suppression, and even larger riots.
France intended to transform the Rhineland into a core territory, not a colony to be exploited and abandoned.
Joseph thought for a moment and instructed, "First, deploy a group of police from our domestic force to the Rhineland. On the basis of stabilizing public order, begin pushing for police reform. Make sure to select German-speaking police from the northern provinces."
France had a significant German-speaking population in places like Metz, Lorraine, and Alsace.
"Of course, this is only a temporary emergency measure. To solve the problem in the Rhineland more thoroughly, we need to coordinate a large number of policies.
"For instance, raising the local economic level, eliminating the influence of the great nobility, reforming taxes..."
As he was speaking, Eman knocked gently on the door to remind him, "Your Highness, the ball is about to begin. You need to change your clothes."
Joseph rubbed his temples, stood up, and gestured to Brienne. "Let's continue our discussion at the ball."
The World Expo was approaching, and this ball was hosted by Queen Marie to build momentum for the event. Guests from many countries would be attending, so it could not be avoided.
Twenty minutes later.
Melodic dance music echoed through the magnificent Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. After Louis XVI and Queen Marie addressed the crowd, they began the opening dance in the center of the hall.
By this time, Paris was completely devoid of any wartime atmosphere; otherwise, the World Expo could never have been organized.
Joseph stood on the ceremonial platform on the east side of the hall. Looking out, his eyes were met with a sea of black-and-white maid outfits, causing him to glance at Camelia standing nearby.
Driven by her influence, modern-style maid outfits had become popular in Paris ahead of their time. French fashion designers had made some modifications to the basic style, such as adding corsets and a great deal of intricate lace, making them appear even more luxurious.
The nobles were well aware of the Crown Prince's habits and generally did not disturb him. Soon, Brienne, Police Bureau Director Besançon, and Fouché approached him.
"Forgive me for interrupting your enjoyment of this wonderful ball." Joseph picked up a glass of wine and gestured to the senior officials. "To our Rhineland."
Brienne and the others followed suit, raising their glasses. "To the Rhineland."
"To the World Expo."
Joseph took a sip from his glass and continued, "I believe Archbishop Brienne has already informed you of the situation in the Rhineland.
"Fundamentally, the Police Bureau and the Intelligence Bureau must collaborate to extinguish any riots before they can spark.
"Furthermore, the Intelligence Bureau will temporarily intervene in news management in the Rhineland, especially concerning the control of pamphlets. You have extensive experience dealing with situations in Paris that were far more complex than what we face there.
"I will have Mr. Denicot send people to assist you. Acquire the large local newspapers as much as possible and promote the narrative that the Rhineland has always been a part of France."
Fouché chimed in, "Your Highness, do you mean to use the same methods we used in Tunisia?"
"Precisely," Joseph nodded. "But with some modifications. For example, find some historical links through the Frankish Kingdom."
Brienne added from the side, "Indeed, the lands west of Cologne and Koblenz were once part of the Frankish Kingdom."
Joseph knew that the German national identity had not yet solidified. Before that happened, he needed to mix in as much 'sand' as possible.
National identity was often a matter of who could 'persuade' the public more effectively.
Having finished the general discussion on propaganda, Joseph instructed Fouché, "You and Mr. Denicot should draw up a detailed plan as soon as possible and submit it to me."
As the general manager of the Paris Business Journal, Denicot was not yet qualified to attend a ball in the Hall of Mirrors. Fouché would have to relay the message.
Joseph then looked back at Brienne. "To ensure stability in the Rhineland, the most important method is to ensure the region develops."
Brienne noted, "Your Highness, I'm afraid that will require a very large amount of capital investment."
Joseph smiled. "It will indeed require significant investment, but that is not a problem.
"Fortunately, the Rhineland has vast deposits of coal, iron, and salt. The investments will yield more than enough returns."
Indeed, the reason Germany had been able to overtake others during the Industrial Revolution was due to the abundant coal and iron resources on both banks of the Rhine River.
While they could not yet touch the Ruhr Area on the east bank of the Rhine, Cologne and the Palatinate were right there within the Rhineland.
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