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Chapter 929: The Tides of History

Joseph smiled. "I haven't seen Count Kaunitz in quite some time. Tell me, how has he been lately?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Count Mercy hesitated for a moment. "Yes, he... he is doing reasonably well."

In truth, Kaunitz was currently like a flickering candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment.

"That is good to hear." Joseph did not press the matter and nodded. "If you speak with him privately, please tell him not to worry. This war will be over soon."

A look of joy flashed across Mercy's face as he followed up, "Then, regarding the armistice agreement...?"

Joseph's expression was mild. "Oh, Archbishop Talleyrand hasn't submitted a formal proposal yet. After all, Napoleon's legions show no sign of withdrawing just yet."

Mercy's expression instantly stiffened. "But..."

Joseph waved a hand with a smile. "I will do my best to persuade the Cabinet to draft relatively lenient terms for the ceasefire."

Before Mercy could say another word, Joseph stood up. "Let's leave it at that. Give my regards to Count Kaunitz."

"No, Your Highness, please wait!" Count Mercy panicked, wiping the sweat from his palms as he spoke candidly. "The truth is, Count Cobentzel has now taken over as Minister of State.

"It was the political alliance formed by Count Kaunitz that pushed him into the position.

"As you know, Count Kaunitz has always been very friendly toward France."

Joseph stopped in his tracks. "And?"

Mercy lowered his head. "I will be the one to relay your armistice conditions to the new Imperial government."

"And?"

"And I will recommend that His Majesty the Emperor signs them."

Joseph finally sat back down. "So, this isn't just a private chat after all?"

"Yes... yes, Your Highness."

Joseph nodded. This meant he didn't have to listen to Mercy drone on about Queen Mary’s personal friendships.

His voice was calm. "First, Austria will recognize our sovereignty over Wallonia and acknowledge the newly established Flemish Republic.

"Second, Austria will renounce all rights in Northern Italy, recognizing the Milan Republic and the Medici family's rule over Tuscany.

"Third, the Holy Roman Empire will recognize French rule over all regions on the left bank of the Rhine River.

"Fourth, Venice will be placed under our administration. All your country's officials must be withdrawn from Venetian territory."

As Joseph spoke, Mercy began to sweat profusely. Summoning his courage, he spoke up. "Your Highness, perhaps Venice should serve as a buffer zone for Northern Italy, managed jointly by our two nations..."

Venice was one of Austria’s two primary sources of wealth in Italy. Lombardy was already under French control, so that was non-negotiable. However, parts of western Venice were still under Austrian rule, and he had to fight for them.

Joseph raised a hand to cut him off and continued, "Fifth, Austria pledges not to form an alliance with Britain in any form.

"Sixth, Austria will pay France thirty million florins in reparations for losses incurred during the war.

"I have finished. These are the fundamental conditions. The specific details will be discussed between Archbishop Talleyrand and your country’s special envoy."

Count Mercy took a deep breath. "Your Highness, these conditions... they truly exceed what the Empire can accept. Could you..."

He wanted to bring up Queen Mary, but Joseph had blocked that path early on. After struggling for a few seconds, he finally said, "At the very least, regarding Venice and the war reparations, could we...?"

Joseph looked at him with a smile. "I have no desire to haggle like a merchant in a marketplace. What you just heard is my bottom line.

"If you feel your government cannot accept them, I can have General Napoleon renegotiate with you in Vienna."

Mercy turned pale. "Your Highness, surely you understand the severity of the riots currently plaguing our country. If we lose Venice and pay those reparations, the Empire will be unable to suppress those insurgents."

Joseph shrugged. "I find that regrettable."

In desperation, Mercy played his trump card, his voice heavy with gravity. "Your Highness, you may not realize the full gravity of these riots.

"They were masterminded by those wicked Liberals. Their goal is to subvert the Austrian throne—and indeed every royal house in Europe! Look at these..."

He pulled two small pamphlets from his pocket—he had been searched by the Palace Guard before entering, so they were certainly not dangerous objects—and handed them over with both hands.

Joseph took the pamphlets and flipped through them casually.

The top one was titled The Meaning of Liberty and Human Rights, which was remarkably similar to the historical Declaration of the Rights of Man, though written in a more accessible style.

The one beneath it was titled On the Awakening of Citizens. This one was somewhat like Father Sais's What is the Third Estate?, mainly exposing the class oppression in Austrian society and calling for the common people to resist.

Mercy continued, "These represent their extremely dangerous and malicious ideologies.

"Your Highness, if Austria cannot control these Liberals, they will spread rapidly across all of Europe and will inevitably affect France as well.

"You must at least leave our country with some military funds to purge these dangerous individuals!"

Joseph’s expression didn't flicker with the slightest hint of panic. Instead, he lightly tapped the pamphlets and shook his head.

"I don't find this dangerous at all. Nor am I worried they will affect France."

He knew perfectly well that Enlightenment thought had already irreversibly influenced Europe. Concepts like human rights, liberty, and equality were bound to be accepted by all.

Especially with the Industrial Revolution rapidly increasing productivity, traditional feudal autocracy simply could not adapt to social development and would eventually be replaced.

Either a royal family would take the initiative to embrace this tide, or they would be swallowed by the torrent of history.

Historically, these ideas erupted in France and swept across the world.

Now, while the soil for a French revolution had vanished, they were flourishing in Austria instead.

What was meant to come would eventually arrive.

Joseph did not fear these things.

As someone from the future, he actually welcomed the ideals of human rights and freedom. Moreover, he had a mature plan to guide and soothe these movements, integrating them into France without causing catastrophic destruction.

Mercy’s eyes widened in shock, and his voice rose. "Your Highness, perhaps you don't understand! These Liberals intend to incite the rabble to devour you and all the nobility like hungry beasts!"

Joseph laughed, looking like a university professor watching a primary school student showing off his knowledge.

"Why do you think the common people riot?"

"Pardon?"

Joseph felt the question was too broad and provided options. "Is it because a King rules the nation? Or is it because they want a parliament?"

"That..." Mercy stammered. "Who knows what those Liberals are thinking?"

Joseph gave the answer directly. "No. They only riot because their lives are miserable, or because they have been treated with gross injustice."