Chapter 195 Fouché's Strategy

Chapter 196 Fouche’s strategy

The intelligence team of the Police Intelligence Department is responsible for collecting and processing intelligence, and formulating action plans based on it, which are then handed over to the action team for execution.

This very professional and detailed division of labor model had never appeared in the intelligence agencies of various countries in the 18th century.

Three hours later, the intelligence team came up with two plans. After listening to their stories, Fouche quickly selected the second plan and ordered it to be implemented immediately.

The members of the Police Intelligence Operations Team immediately took action.

Several people rushed to Paris to make preparations. Thanks to the fast rail transportation, they returned to Versailles before dark.

At 7 o'clock in the evening, three members of the action team dressed as musicians took several "tools" from their hands and went straight to Mrs. Garland's concert hall on the second floor of the West Hall. They all had really authentic documents, so there were no obstacles along the way.

In the marble courtyard, brilliant fireworks soared into the sky and music sounded.

In the crowd, Mrs. Garland, whose face was full of pride, bowed slightly. Queen Mary smiled and put the feathered headdress symbolizing the championship on Mrs. Garland's bun.

Just half an hour ago, she unsurprisingly won the singing and dancing competition with an excerpt from "The Magic Flute" newly composed by her junior brother Mozart.

The surrounding nobles and commoners suddenly cheered like a mountain and a tsunami, and kept shouting her name. More than half of them bought Mrs. Garland to win the championship. They were making a lot of money at this time, how could they not be happy?

At the same time, three "musicians" pried open the door of Mrs. Garland's concert hall, ducked into the house, closed the door, and hurried to the spacious balcony.

They first carefully observed the situation downstairs. It was already dark at this time, and most people gathered in the marble courtyard. No one paid attention here at all. The three of them immediately worked together to remove three of the thick wooden fences on the balcony, and then took out wooden fences with the same appearance from the instrument bag they carried and replaced them...

Tonight, as Mrs. Garland's singing and dancing champion, she will sing at the King's birthday ball, so her musical salon is suspended for the day.

The spacious and luxurious Hall of Mirrors was brightly lit, and Louis XVI's birthday party officially began!

Royal families and dignitaries from various countries gathered together, looking respectfully at the French king and his wife who were performing the opening dance in the center of the hall.

After the song ended, Louis XVI nodded to the guests with a red face, and then quickly fled back to the platform on the second floor of the hall, looking exhausted.

The chamberlain gave another lengthy birthday message. Next, Mrs. Garland sang a classical song "King Louis" dedicated to Louis XVI:

"King Louis, please recruit some generals.

"The princes and riders are all here.

"King Louis, your command is loud and clear.

"Who will follow me to conquer distant lands?

"Pious people, take responsibility..."

In the audience, Joseph silently glanced at the financial bill that Eman had just received from the inner court.

Sure enough, as he expected, the singing and dancing competition lost thousands of livres in the betting due to Mrs. Garland's "bug." Fortunately, there was an upset in the swordsmanship competition. The second captain of the King's Guard, Baron Vermorel, defeated the two favorites in a row and won the championship, earning more than 100,000 in betting money.

Coupled with the income of hundreds of thousands from the "welfare lottery", the cost of this birthday celebration of 260,000 livres was finally covered.

As the dance progressed, people continued to perform music and dance, and even Godoy played a song with several palace musicians.

Fortunately, the people in the Palace of Versailles have gradually come to know that the Crown Prince does not like dancing, and it is rumored that the "Crown Princess" appointed by the Queen fiercely protects Joseph, so no one bothers him. .

Joseph found tonight's diplomatic target among the crowd. He was a man in his forties who looked quite smart and capable - the Speaker of the Dutch Provincial Federation and the core leader of the Patriot Party, Joan De Lake van der Campelen.

Of course, he still has another identity today, that is, he is the special envoy of Dutch Consul William V. This was not appointed by William V, but because the Provincial Council was worried that the consul would compromise with the French, it appointed him as a special envoy to celebrate the French King's birthday.

The Dutch speaker was very polite to the French Crown Prince. After all, France has always been the financial backer behind the Dutch Patriot Party, and without the help of the "French Volunteers" at the end of last year, the Prussian army might have invaded Rotterdam.

However, due to the disastrous defeat of the Netherlands in the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War five years ago, the Netherlands had no choice but to sign an alliance treaty with Britain. Although the Patriot Party is relatively repulsive to Britain, it does not dare to disobey Britain and get too close to France.

"Ah! You are so graceful and radiant today, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Campbell saluted respectfully and presented a rainbow fart at the same time.

Joseph picked up two glasses of wine from the valet's tray, handed one of them to him, smiled and gestured towards the unoccupied corner:

"I have always wanted to meet you, distinguished Speaker. Do you mind chatting with me for a few words?"

"Of course, Your Highness, it is an honor."

Arriving at a more secluded place, Joseph first raised his glass and said:

"Your Excellency, Speaker, first of all I would like to congratulate our two countries on the results achieved in the fight against Barbary piracy."

Campelon nodded in agreement:

“I wish the Mediterranean waterways will become smoother.”

In fact, the Netherlands was just forced by France to put together a small frigate and provided some funds.

After a few more pleasantries, Joseph asked:

"The current operating conditions of the two most important companies in your country, the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company, do not seem to be optimistic, right?"

Campelon frowned and nodded:

"Your Highness, this is indeed the case. Wars have occurred frequently in recent years, and the financial resources of the Dutch provinces have greatly declined, and the demand for overseas goods has also decreased. The two trading companies often suffer losses as a result."

"Then may I ask, does your parliament have any plans to improve the company's situation?"

Campelon said with a bitter face:

"Your Highness, this may not be easy... After all, the trade volume is there."

Joseph said bluntly:

"The most fundamental reason is that the British have monopolized a large number of trade routes and have continuously attacked your colonies."

"This... is indeed a factor in this regard."

Joseph sighed exaggeratedly:

"What a grand occasion it was when the Sea Coachman traveled across the world's oceans!"

"..."Campelon could only bow his head and remain silent.

Joseph looked at his expression and smiled:

"Mr. Speaker, maybe we can join forces."

"Join forces?" Campbellen immediately thought of something and shook his head, "Your Highness, unfortunately, the Netherlands may not have the power to fight against Britain."

He dared not tie the Netherlands to either Britain or France - God is my witness, he can't afford to offend either of these two great powers!

"No, you may have misunderstood. I mean the trade alliance, pure trade."

"Are you talking about the two trading companies?"

Joseph nodded and smiled:

"That's right. In fact, the French East India Company is also facing difficulties now. I suggest that we can merge the three trading companies of the two countries and expand the scope of business, and perhaps we can regain our glory."

Joseph knew the great potential of the Dutch in developing the navy. In the first three Anglo-Dutch wars, the Dutch fleet fought well and caused great trouble to Britain.

However, at present, due to the weakening of national strength and the collapse of enterprising spirit, the Netherlands has lost its ambition to dominate the ocean.

In fact, the Dutch are very talented in business. If they can seize the opportunity to develop, perhaps they can really restore the glory of the former coachman of the sea.

Most importantly, even if the Dutch really become the hegemon of the sea, the interests that will suffer the most will definitely be Britain. As for France, in the worst case, it can use the army to threaten the Netherlands, which is close at hand, so that it dare not harm France's maritime interests too much.

Archbishop Richelieu, the first French politician at the time, once said that if France wants to achieve hegemony, it must support a strong Netherlands to deal with Britain.

Unfortunately, Louis XIV was eager for quick success and did not listen to him. He invaded the Netherlands for a little profit, causing one of Britain's strongest opponents to gradually decline.

And Joseph is now trying to help the Netherlands get up again, or even send him off.

For example, using the half-dead French East India Company as bait, binding the interests of France and the Netherlands, helping the Netherlands expand its trade scope and restore its national strength.

As a country that relies on the sea, the Netherlands must build a strong fleet if it has some power.

And because of its competitiveness in ocean trade, the Dutch fleet is a natural enemy of the British navy.

Campbell's eyes seemed to have a gleam of light, but then he frowned and said:

"Your Highness, forgive me for being blunt, given the trade situation between France and the Netherlands, even if they join forces, the profits will be very limited. After all, the most profitable overseas colonies are occupied by Britain, and the rest are in the hands of Spain."

Joseph smiled slightly:

"You can rest assured about this. France will take out the trade concessions of some colonies with rich resources and invest in new trading companies."

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have not been discovered by European countries yet. The former is a super-huge wool producing area-in this era when the textile industry is king, wool is almost a strategic resource; while the latter has a large amount of minerals and can also bring huge profits.

Apart from anything else, these two places alone are enough to support the "Indian Company" of France and the Netherlands.

Even now that Britain has just landed on the east coast of Australia, the Netherlands and France can develop simultaneously in northern Australia.

In addition to the Dutch trade in Fuso, as well as Guyana and other places, as long as they are properly managed, they will bring huge profits to both countries.

Of course, these interests will also face the covetousness of the British. However, by then, it will become a way for the Dutch to make money. The Netherlands must fight with Britain.

Campbellon was surprised:

"What colonies do you mean?"

After the Seven Years' War, France's overseas colonies were already few and far between, and they could still be used for investment?

"I will tell you this after the establishment of the joint trade company between the two countries." Joseph said, "But I guarantee that the output of these places is absolutely abundant, even exceeding the current income of the Netherlands in the Far East.

"And I must remind you that if the Patriot Party cannot provide the Dutch people with the life they want, people are likely to miss their governors again."

Seeing that Campbellon was still hesitating, he threw out a huge bait:

"If our two countries have a huge trade cooperation, then we can promise to sign a non-aggression treaty with the Netherlands. "

Campelon's eyes were completely lit up.

You know, Britain on the sea and France on the land have always been the two biggest threats to the Netherlands.

France's invasion of the Netherlands during the Louis XIV era has always been a nightmare for the Netherlands, and this is also an important factor in the Netherlands' unwillingness to completely turn to France.

And if France can promise to guarantee the security of the Netherlands, it will be a huge strategic benefit to the Netherlands.

He finally nodded vigorously:

"I will convey your good intentions to the Provincial Parliament and the two companies, and try my best to make this happen."

After all, the East and West India Companies are independently operated joint-stock companies, and the Dutch Parliament has no control over them and can only make suggestions.

Joseph smiled and nodded, and looked at the crowd at the ball:

"Perhaps, our cooperation can also count Austria as a part. You know how lucrative their Ostend Company was back then, but it was disbanded under the coercion of the British. They should also want to rebuild their own East India Company."

The Ostend Company he mentioned is Austria's overseas trade company in the Southern Netherlands. Although it only existed for 10 years, it was the only time Austria realized its overseas trade dream.

The most important thing is that everyone is a victim of Britain.

Campbellon was stunned by this bold idea for two seconds, and then he said:

"Your Highness, according to the agreement between Britain and Austria, the Ostend Company cannot be re-established."

Joseph shrugged and smiled:

"Where is the Ostend Company? The Archduke of Austria took out some money, invested in the Franco-Dutch Joint Trade Company, and granted it some franchise rights. Doesn't this violate the agreement?"

Campbellon immediately laughed. The French crown prince's thinking is so flexible. A trading company with joint shares of the Netherlands, France, and Austria will surely have great potential in the future!

Joseph was a little regretful because Archduke Joseph II of Austria, his uncle, would not attend the birthday celebration due to health reasons. And the envoy he sent was just a courtesy and had no real power. Otherwise, not only the joint trade company, Joseph also wanted to talk to his uncle about Silesia and even the unification of Germany.

The celebration lasted all night. After the auction for disaster relief, the sky gradually brightened and the revelers gradually dispersed...

According to the original plan, all the birthday gifts given to Louis XVI from home and abroad were auctioned at the auction, and all the proceeds were used for disaster relief.

At the auction site, many nobles also donated jewelry or expensive clothes for auction.

In the end, a huge sum of more than 2 million livres was auctioned, and in front of all Parisians, it was announced how much food the money would buy and where it would be shipped.