Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Chapter 738: Chapter 646 The Gates of Italy Slowly Open Chapter 738: Chapter 646 The Gates of Italy Slowly Open Count Rheinphels, guessing what the official might have mentioned to Bailly, raised his head proudly, “I believe the nations of Italy will definitely support our proposal.”

The initial meeting concluded in a tense atmosphere, with neither party achieving any results, merely exchanging stern looks.

Of course, such critical negotiations could not be concluded in one go, sometimes stretching for a month or two was quite normal.

Bailly left the Peace Hall without attending the banquet hosted for the Austrian diplomats and immediately rushed to report the situation to the Crown Prince.

Second floor of the Tuileries Palace.

Joseph furrowed his brows as Bailly relayed the demands of the Austrians.

Franz II indeed justified his historical reputation as the man who personally brought down the Holy Roman Empire. The coronation ceremony hadn’t even been fully conducted before he rushed into these complexities.

That was an international treaty signed not two years ago! Previously, Leopold II had only dared to involve England as a roundabout way of “saving the country,” but Franz rushed here demanding a re-signing.

How audacious!

If this were during the reign of Louis XIV, they might have declared war over this issue.

Bailly continued, “Your Highness, the Austrians also stated if their terms are not accepted, they will unite with the nations of Italy to impose punitive tariffs on our country. Moreover, I just received news that a 30,000-strong Austrian Army has arrived in Tuscany, preparing for military exercises.”

Joseph almost laughed, thinking to himself that the Austrians had quickly learned from their own military drills.

He suddenly thought of something and looked at Bailly, “Are you saying they intend to instigate the Italian states to impose trade restrictions on us?”

“Your Highness, Austria has significant influence over Venice and Tuscany, and through marital ties with Parma and the Two Sicilies, they might truly convince them to act against our country…”

Joseph nodded with a smile, “This might not necessarily be bad news.”

Italy had been a fiercely contested region between France and Austria for hundreds of years and was considered France’s highly coveted “back garden.” Napoleon had gained massive economic benefits there, supporting nearly half of his military expenses.

Joseph had been struggling to find a reason to intervene in Italy, as its political landscape had stabilized over the recent decades, and now, someone had handed him an opportunity.

Franz II had his endearing aspects, indeed.

Of course, the Italian market was also indispensable.

Joseph pondered briefly then spoke to Eman, “Please ask General Bertier to see me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He also instructed Bailly, “Mr. Bailly, try to delay the Austrian Foreign Minister as much as possible, at least around half a month. We need to establish a presence on the Apennine Peninsula.”

“Leave it to me, Your Highness.”

After giving detailed instructions to Bailly, who then took his leave, Fouche hurried over.

After exchanging greetings, the head of the intelligence agency produced a report, “Your Highness, Russia has been making unusual moves lately.”

Joseph unfolded the report, which started with the statement, “The Russian Army’s Royal Guard, 14th Infantry Regiment, has moved east of Minsk.”

Fouche continued, “According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, over 20,000 Russian soldiers have congregated in the Ula area. Additionally, close to 14,000 troops are near Kyiv.

“At the same time, the Russians began constructing warehouses in these areas, with significant quantities of food, ammunition, and other supplies being transported there.”

Joseph’s gaze sharpened instantly.

With over three years of military education and firsthand war experience, he was thoroughly familiar with the wartime strategies of the era.

If one were to suggest that the mere movement of troops might be a change of guard or a military exercise, the massive convergence of logistical supplies definitely was a precursor to launching a war.

And on the Minsk-Kyiv front, the target could only be Poland.

He had done everything possible. Although the Russian Army started assembling half a year later than historically noted, the inevitable still happened.

According to Poland’s national strength, Russia would need to mobilize at least 100,000 troops to possibly win the war.

Thus, the gathering of the Russian forces had just begun, and it was essential for Poland to fully utilize this final time to prepare.

He looked toward Fouche and said, “If Russia intends to invade Poland, how long do you think they need to complete their war preparations?”

“It depends on how large of a scale the Female Tsar wishes to wage,” Fouche replied. “If it’s just for seizing Minsk and its surrounding areas, they’d probably need 3 to 4 months. If it’s a full-scale invasion, then it would require at least half a year.”

Joseph nodded and then asked, “How is the war preparation going in Warsaw?”

“Currently, Poland’s standing army consists of 67,000 soldiers, plus over 10,000 local troops. The logistics are comparatively well-managed, with weapons and ammunition enough for 9 months, and even more plentiful food supplies.”

Joseph exhaled sharply, “We still need to speed things up.”

He was well aware that Poland was facing a pincer attack from Russia and Prussia. Prussia would deploy over 50,000 troops, and Poland, despite having the defensive advantage, would not be able to withstand them without 100,000 soldiers.

While they were discussing, General Bertier and Eman knocked and entered.

He bowed and said, “Your Highness, did you send for me?”

Joseph gestured to the chair, “Please sit. Let’s first discuss the military exercise in Italy, and then we might need to call a staff meeting to discuss Poland’s war strategy.”

“Poland?” Bertier looked puzzled. “Have the Russians become restless?”

Fouche interjected, “It is said that Potemkin was busy with the logistics in Minsk even on his deathbed.”

Bertier nodded, then turned to Joseph, “Your Highness, about the exercise you mentioned?”

“Do you know that Austria is conducting large-scale military exercises in Tuscany?”

“Yes, Your Highness, I just received the message.”

Joseph said, “We need to counter Austria’s threats in the Italian region.”

“Then we should conduct a larger-scale exercise in Sardinia or Modena.”

Joseph suddenly remembered the previous military operations in Silesia and shook his head, “We don’t need to mobilize so many troops, just give the Austrian Army a little ‘surprise’.”

“Hmm, we need to send Count Saigul to Modena as soon as possible.”

…

One week later.

Central Italy.

Modena Duchy.

Duke Ercole III of Modena looked somewhat nervously at the French envoy, shaking his head, “Count Saigul, I have heard about your country’s trade disputes with Austria.

“However, just the day before yesterday, Venice and Tuscany already announced their support for Emperor Franz II’s proposal, and Parma and Two Sicilies also indicated they would seriously consider it.

“Conducting a military exercise now might be a bit too late…”