Chapter 970: A Lively Northern Italy
Robert continued to flip through the pages. The next two articles were 'We Die for the King's Wars, But Has the King Ever Cared for Us?' and 'Even If the King Defeats the Spanish, My Five Acres of Land Won't Increase.'
He didn't read them closely.
But from the titles alone, it was clear they were all scathing critiques of the King of Portugal.
What was most potent about these articles was that even if read aloud in front of the King of Portugal, he would have no grounds to refute them, for there wasn't a single false statement within.
Indeed, even Joseph, who was accustomed to the "public intellectual articles" of later eras, couldn't help but marvel at Scheler's skill.
He had initially intended to teach Scheler how to write "public intellectual articles," but to his surprise, the man was practically a "natural-born public intellectual saint" — everything he wrote effortlessly contained eighty percent facts interwoven with twenty percent personal bias.
After receiving the assignment, Scheler completed four masterpieces in just five days.
In the end, aside from Denico's help in tweaking the titles, the content remained virtually untouched.
Robert took a deep breath, and bowed to Joseph, saying, "Your Royal Highness, I will ensure these articles spread throughout Portugal."
"Your Royal Highness, you sent for me?"
Joseph gestured for him to sit, then briefly explained the situation in Klagenfurt.
Lefebvre was a genuine graduate of the Paris Police Academy, and had previously participated alongside Joseph in numerous campaigns, from the Southern Netherlands to the Rhine River front. Joseph held him in absolute trust.
Hearing this, Lefebvre immediately frowned, and asked solemnly, "Your Royal Highness, what do you need me to do?"
"Which legion is currently closest to Klagenfurt?"
Lefebvre also held a position in the General Staff Headquarters, and replied without hesitation, "The garrison at Mantua Fortress, the Lyon Third Infantry Regiment."
Joseph mused for a moment, then shook his head. "No, that won't do. The forces in Mantua might also be involved."
"Then it would be the Ravenna garrison, Your Royal Highness. However, there aren't many soldiers there, only one battalion from the Royal Third Infantry Division."
Joseph, however, smiled. "That's enough."
Not only was it unlikely for a fight to break out, but even if the Corsican Legion in Udine dared to defy orders, they wouldn't necessarily stand a chance against a single battalion from a directly commanded legion.
"You are to proceed to Ravenna at once, and then..."
Once Joseph had finished giving his instructions, Lefebvre immediately stood to attention and declared, "Yes, Your Royal Highness! I guarantee those ill-intentioned individuals won't cause any trouble."
He was about to turn and leave, when he suddenly remembered something, and stopped, saying, "Your Royal Highness, I recall General Napoleon left two days ago to attend the restoration ceremony at Mantua Fortress. Perhaps he could assist in this operation?"
Joseph immediately frowned.
At such a critical juncture, Napoleon happening to be near Venice was certainly something to be wary of.
He commanded, "You must not reveal this matter to anyone."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness!"
Joseph pondered for a moment, still feeling it wasn't secure enough. He then personally wrote an order, affixed his private seal, sealed it, and handed it to Eman. "Count Eman, take thirty guards and accompany Colonel Lefebvre."
...
August 18, 1794.
As two French princesses married into the Apennine Peninsula, the whole of Northern Italy became exceptionally lively.
On the very same day, Prince of Hohenlohe commanded seventy thousand Prussian troops from Silesia, launching a fierce assault on the Austrian defenses at Liegnitz.
The Duchy of Parma.
Princess Thérèse's wedding procession, stretching as far as the eye could see, slowly entered the square outside the royal palace. Immediately, music filled the air, interspersed with the booming of cannon salutes.
Duke Ferdinand I of Parma and his Queen arrived together before the most lavish carriage in the center of the procession. Their demeanor showed no trace of a parent-in-law's haughtiness, but rather a profound respect.
As Princess Thérèse, splendidly attired, descended from the carriage, the surrounding nobles of Parma immediately widened their eyes.
She was breathtaking. Her beauty and figure were simply flawless!
This was a princess of France, a lily from the Palace of Versailles.
However, the nobles were more intently observing her attire, her hat, the jewelry she wore, and even the clothing of her servants, making sure to commit every detail to memory.
It was predictable that from this very evening, the whole of Parma would be swept up in a "French trend."
Everyone would imitate the Princess Consort and purchase French goods in large quantities.
After Thérèse curtsied to the King and Queen, Ferdinand I and his Queen responded with beaming smiles, speaking in French.
Prince Ludovico then eagerly stepped forward, exchanging bows and embraces with his fiancée, and conversing happily in French.
The surrounding nobles, who hadn't understood much due to their unfamiliarity with French, immediately grew self-conscious, as if caught doing something illicit. They then secretly vowed to themselves that they would hire a French tutor and diligently catch up once they returned home.
With the arrival of the French Princess Consort, French was sure to become the lingua franca of the region.
Hundreds of nobles cheered the names of the Prince and Princess Consort, as they escorted them into the royal palace...
The Duchy of Modena.
The Duke's wedding had concluded three days prior, but the entire palace was still filled with a celebratory atmosphere.
In the grand hall, Madame Adelaide sat poised in the center, while Ercole III was slightly turned to the side, almost like an adornment.
However, the latter's eyes were full of adoration as he gazed at his new wife, completely unconcerned with his posture or anything else.
The Duke of d'Este, Minister of State, first glanced at Ercole III, then cautiously addressed the Queen. "Your Majesty, even though the effects of 'Stone Fertilizer' are astonishing, it will be difficult to persuade farmers to purchase it. You see, it costs quite a sum..."
Madame Adelaide replied softly, "More than half of Modena's income comes from grain and corn. We must increase investment in agriculture to achieve development."
"France has significantly increased fertilizer production this year, otherwise, other nations wouldn't be able to acquire it at all."
"Here's what we'll do. The government will first purchase 'Stone Fertilizer' on credit, and then supply it to farmers on loan. Once their harvests increase, they will willingly purchase it next year."
"But this will require a substantial investment..." The Duke of d'Este glanced at Ercole III again, seeing that the latter remained completely silent, he could only nod and say, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will discuss it with the banks as soon as possible."
Madame Adelaide nodded. "We can also partner with French agricultural consulting firms. They can significantly boost our yields."
"Furthermore, our wood carvings are quite popular in France. You should consider establishing a wood carving trade company."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Duke of d'Este no longer had any psychological barriers regarding Her Majesty the Queen's involvement in state affairs.
Of course, this wasn't solely because Ercole III doted on his wife. Madame Adelaide had brought the entire Bologna region as her dowry.
Additionally, she possessed several million francs in cash. Modena's entire purchasing power had swelled because of her.
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