Chapter 307 French Assistance (Asking for Monthly Pass)

Chapter 308 France’s Aid (please vote)

Leopold II was still angry: "Austria should also express its attitude towards this!"

Joseph II waved his hand tiredly and interrupted him: "General Wilmser just suffered a defeat in Rochefort. Now the German countries are watching our reaction, and we must give a strong counterattack to the Prussians. "

Leopold II's eyes immediately dropped.

He knew very well that due to his brother's reforms, the Austrian aristocracy was extremely dissatisfied and unwilling to contribute to the country. Countries such as Bohemia, Croatia, and Hungary also resisted the royal family because the reforms touched their interests [Note 1].

Under such a situation, Austria simply could not muster the strength to fight Prussia. But if the Southern Netherlands is allowed to become independent, the German states will inevitably think that Austria is too weak, and will fall into the arms of Prussia one after another.

This is an absolutely unacceptable situation!

Joseph II paused for a few seconds and continued: "Now we can only defeat Prussia by convincing France to provide support. Clementine is not engaged to the French crown prince, so let this matter pass. "

Leopold II also knew the stakes, and nodded reluctantly. Then he remembered something and looked at his brother and said: "Your Majesty, although we are married to France, according to the supplementary terms signed by Gravier and our country, France It does not assume any military obligations to our country.”

The Gravier he was talking about was the Count Vergennes, Louis XV's foreign minister, and the man who facilitated Queen Mary of Austria's marriage to Louis XVI. However, Count Vergennes, as a very experienced politician, used Austria's request from France to completely push away France's marriage obligations.

In fact, France and Austria, two centuries-old enemies, had hardly supported each other after they first got married for short-term interests.

"I know." Joseph II nodded, "So we must do our best to convince Antoinette that she is our sister after all.

"In addition, France seems to attach great importance to trade agreements with the South German countries. We can provide them with certain help in this regard in exchange for their military assistance."

According to Austria's original plan, France could not be allowed to "enter" the South German market too easily. They will add a lot of restrictions to the trade terms between France and Germany, and build high tariff barriers for Bavaria, Württemberg and other countries to ensure that they are the masters of this market.

However, the situation is stronger than the people. At present, Austria can only offer benefits in this regard in exchange for French military support.

Fortunately, the French are very tolerant of the high tariffs imposed by the German states and only require lower tariffs on a few categories of goods such as iron products and machinery, which is acceptable to Austria.

At the same time, Austria can also use this trade agreement to enter the French market.

And no matter how this trade agreement is signed, as long as the French send troops, it can at least ensure that Austria's reforms can continue.

This is what Joseph II values ​​most!

His reforms must not be interrupted, otherwise Austria will lose its status as Europe's first-class power sooner or later with its current situation.

…

In the spacious corridor of Schönbrunn Palace, Talleyrand followed the palace officials and walked quickly towards Leopold II's drawing room.

He was summoned by the latter and had just returned from the negotiation venue in Munich.

Talleyrand recalled Leopold II's letter and couldn't help but sigh. When he left Strasbourg last month, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince told him that Austria was very likely to be defeated in the Southern Netherlands. . As expected, Wilmser was defeated by the Duke of Brunswick.

According to the instructions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, senior Austrian officials—perhaps the emperor or the minister of state—will come to him after that to discuss asking France to send troops to assist Austria.

Then there was this summons from Leopold II, who was equivalent to the Austrian Crown Prince.

Talleyrand immediately puffed up his chest, and then he would have to implement the follow-up arrangements made by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

In the living room, after some simple greetings, Leopold II brought the topic to the war in the Southern Netherlands: "As I just said, General Wilmser withdrew his main force into Luxembourg. Near the dense forest, thus retaining most of the troops.

"That said, we still maintain significant military pressure on the rebels."

Talleyrand knew that the Austrian army's casualties were not too heavy, but the so-called "maintaining pressure" was a diplomatic rhetoric - Blücher's 20,000 troops and tens of thousands of Dutch rebels were blocked in the west of Luxembourg. Worried about an ambush in the Black Forest, they had already driven the Austrian army into Bavaria.

Of course, France's logistical supplies are also an important guarantee for Wilmser's continued persistence, otherwise the Austrian army will have to grab potatoes from Luxembourg farmers to satisfy their hunger.

He just looked at Leopold II with a smile, but did not answer.

The latter could only continue with some embarrassment: "His Majesty the Emperor has decided to mobilize 80,000 troops to Luxembourg to make William II understand what a stupid decision it is to interfere in the affairs of the Southern Netherlands.

"Of course, the Prussians will probably also increase their troops. At the same time, the Dutch also provided a lot of aid to the rebels.

"Although His Majesty the Emperor's army is confident of defeating any enemy, the war is likely to drag on for a long time. You know, this is very uneconomical financially."

He glanced at Talleyrand: "If Austria's close French ally can provide some military support at this time, it will greatly accelerate the Prussians' defeat."

After he finished speaking, he looked at the French Foreign Minister: "His Majesty the Emperor also ordered that Austria will try its best to consider France's opinions in the negotiations of the 'Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement'."

The Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement is a new name agreed upon by negotiators from various countries a few days ago. The Seine represents France, and the Rhine just passes through the southern German countries. At the same time, this name can reflect France's idea of ​​using inland shipping for trade.

Leopold II continued: "I hope you can convey the Emperor's opinion to His Majesty the King of France as soon as possible. I look forward to further close cooperation between the two countries."

Talleyrand nodded, recalled the instructions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and smiled: "Your Majesty, in fact, after learning about the war situation in the Southern Netherlands, His Majesty the King has authorized me to sign an agreement with you on military assistance at any time."

Leopold II was overjoyed when he heard this, thinking that his sister was still concerned about her mother's family. Before he even opened his mouth, she had already prepared to reinforce Austria.