Chapter 594 Special Trade Plan

Chapter 595 Special Trade Plan

Fortunately, Joseph had made some arrangements in Poland before.

For example, he told Prince Poniatowski about the important matters to pay attention to in the future, provided some materials to Poland through the United States, and promoted the awakening of Polish nationalism.

However, he also knew that Poland in this era was very weak. After all, it had implemented the "one-vote veto system" for a century and a half.

France cannot directly interfere in Poland's affairs at present, which will seriously offend Russia and Prussia, and it will completely help Britain to form an anti-French alliance.

Then the only way is to exert Poland's own strength as much as possible. As long as Poland can hold on a little longer, it will help France win important development time.

It should be half a year to a year before Prussia and Russia are ready for war. We must make full use of this time to help Poland prepare for defense...

Five days later.

As soon as Joseph returned to Paris, he went straight to the Palace of Versailles and invited Briand, Talleyrand, Bailly, Fouché and other relevant ministers to his reception room.

Soon, everyone arrived. He first asked Fouche to introduce the situation in Prussia and Austria. On his way back to Paris, Prussia and Austria had officially concluded an armistice agreement.

"... At present, both sides have begun to evacuate Silesia, and Britain and Russia are jointly supervising the withdrawal of both sides. Baron Thugut has initially controlled the political situation in Vienna..."

After Fouche finished speaking, Brian immediately said: "In this case, we have to make some adjustments to Austria's foreign policy."

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him and directly stated the conclusion: "The current focus is how to help Poland resist the attacks of Russia and Prussia. Oh, maybe Austria."

Bai was a little surprised and said: "Your Highness, are you talking about Prussia? But Prussia and Poland are in an alliance."

"Please believe me, Prussia is the one who wants to invade Poland the most, more eager than Russia." Joseph said, "As long as Russia takes action, they will immediately tear up the treaty..."

In the next few hours, Joseph described his plan to help Poland resist aggression, and everyone made detailed adjustments in detail.

Then Talleyrand put away his notebook and said to Joseph: "Your Highness, I will leave for Warsaw tomorrow."

Joseph shook his head and said: "We need to minimize the traces of the French government in this matter. So you can't come forward."

He looked at the people in front of him: "Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

Bai thought: "Your Highness, I think Bishop Ésiès can go to Poland. Oh, that is Emmanuel Abe Sieyès. He is meticulous and has unique insights into political operations."

When Joseph heard this name, he nodded slightly.

Sieyès, one of the three giants of the Thermidorian Party. His political skills are not as simple as "having insights", he is definitely a master.

In history, he has survived all the major revolutionary factions and planned the Brumaire coup of Napoleon. Some people even suspect that he was the behind-the-scenes operator of the overthrow of Robespierre's regime.

The political situation in France is stable in this era, so there is no room for him to play a role, so he is still only the archdeacon of Chartres.

Letting him help Stanislaw II control the political situation in Poland is also a good use of his talents.

Moreover, he has a church background, and the Catholic Church can find a reason to transfer him to Poland, which will basically not attract the attention of other countries.

Joseph turned to Emman and said: "Please send someone to Chartres and let Sieyès..."

Bailly hurriedly said: "Your Highness, Archbishop Sieyès is now in the Palace of Versailles."

This is not surprising. French nobles and senior clergy like to stay in Paris when they have nothing to do.

Emman asked about Sieyès's residence and immediately went to find him.

Soon, a man who was less than fifty years old, with a thin face and not much priestly air, knocked on the door and bowed to Joseph: "It is an honor to be summoned by you, Your Highness. I am Emmanuel Ebert Sieyès, and I am at your service at any time."

When Joseph finished telling him about the mission to Poland, it was already dusk.

The next morning, Sieyès took the aid money for Poland and set off for Warsaw.

Joseph also felt more at ease. After having lunch with his mother, he talked about his smuggling license plan with Brian, Bailly, Fouché and others.

The Minister of Trade, Bailly, was obviously the most excited person. He said with his eyes shining: "Your Highness, I think your idea is very feasible. In fact, the British and Portuguese colonies are full of complaints about their trade policies. If there are cheap goods arriving, there must be many locals rushing to help us sell them.

"There will even be some very influential people among them. "

You know, both Britain and Portugal regard colonies as their "blood bags". The local raw material prices can be pushed down as low as possible, and their own industrial products can be sold at will. No matter how high the price is, the people in the colonies have to buy them with a pinch of their noses, because other cheap goods are not allowed to be shipped in.

This has led to the inability of the colonial industry to develop at all. It can only exist as a raw material production area, and life has naturally been at a low level.

Brian seemed very cautious: "Your Highness, but doing so is almost equivalent to declaring war on Britain and Portugal."

Joseph said indifferently: "We try to do it as covertly as possible. As for declaring war, you don't have to worry, I will naturally have a way to deal with it. "

Seeing the Crown Prince's very determined look, Brian stopped insisting and continued: "Your Highness, if you must do this, I suggest that the smuggling business be concentrated in Tripoli.

"This way, even if the British discover these businesses, we can use the excuse that they are too far away to manage effectively. And the volume of trade there is already very large."

Bai nodded in agreement and added: "If you start from the Mediterranean and go to North America, you must pass through the Strait of Gibraltar. It is very convenient for the British to inspect smuggling ships there. You know, it is only a few dozen nautical miles wide and there is no way to slip through."

"What's your suggestion?"

"We can use the Port of Ostend in the Southern Netherlands as another smuggling port. Although it is an area ruled by Austria, the residents there basically speak French."

Bai smiled a little proudly: "I have been there, and the locals hardly paid attention to the officials sent from Vienna. Instead, they listened more to the Walloon District Business Committee."

The Walloon Business Council is now completely controlled by France.

“If there is a business that can make a lot of profits, I believe the local people will be willing to comply with our management.

"And more than 30 kilometers away from Ostend is the Port of Zeebrugge. If Ostend is inspected too hard by the British fleet, the smuggling ship can immediately transfer to the Port of Zeebrugge for loading."