Chapter 821 Comprehensive Counterattack

Chapter 822: Comprehensive Counterattack

For parliamentary countries such as Genoa and Lucca, freedom of the press is the cornerstone of their political structure. But in monarchical countries, the press cannot be left alone.

Those politicians and orators, in cooperation with big capital, can turn kingdoms and principalities into constitutional monarchies or even monarchies in a few years.

Well, perhaps only France now dares to say that it is not afraid of capitalists and politicians making trouble.

Joseph looked at Talleyrand with approval:

"You are right. So we should give priority to "developing" those countries that are easy to publicize, such as Genoa, to create a "role model effect."

"For example, Genoa has developed better than its neighboring countries, and the people of other countries will definitely take the initiative to accept Genoa's ideas - that is, the ideas we "planned" for them in advance.

"Genoa will soon become the news center and source of ideas in northern Italy, and eventually the monarchs will have to accept these.

"At present, there are several aspects of propaganda focus.

"First, let the Italian people have a yearning and admiration for France. We must make every effort to promote France's strength, fashion, elegance, and happiness, and establish in the Italian people the view that 'everything in France is right' and 'the French are the best'.

"Second, promote that small countries should not covet high-end technology, but should seriously do a good job in existing industries. This is easy to prove. For example, small countries have limited capabilities and cannot compete with big countries in developing technology. Giving up can instead use the money to improve people's lives.

"Third, promote Italy's hatred of Austria and incite the claim for the land occupied by the Papal States. The specifics can be handed over to Mr. De Nico. He has several editors who are very good at this.

"Well, first of all, we have to establish several newspapers, theaters, and some non-governmental organizations in Genoa and Lucca."

Talleyrand immediately followed:

"You mean NGOs?"

He had read the "guide" that Joseph wrote to Fouché and knew what these organizations did.

Joseph nodded:

"Oh, there is another very important place, that is school.

"Provide special allowances to teachers in schools so that they can add some special content to their lectures. Provide schools with our printed teaching materials for free. Or just build new schools.

"Every knowledgeable person can influence hundreds of people around him."

He thought for a moment and added: "For countries like Parma and Sardinia, we can only use subtle influence for the time being.

"I will ask Mr. Beaumarchais to write some new plays that meet the propaganda requirements and organize a troupe to tour the northern Italian countries."

Ségur drew inferences from one example and reminded:

"Your Highness, there are also novels and songs, which have the same effect."

"That's right. In the future, we will write a batch of new plays, novels and songs at least every six months and put them in Italy."

After Joseph finished speaking, he looked at the two people in front of him and smiled:

"Do you think that after implementing these strategies, we still need to occupy the Italian countries?"

Talleyrand and Ségur had only one thought in their minds at this time-how did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince come up with these wonderful methods?

He is simply a political genius!

Although this operation will cost some money, it is almost negligible compared with the large amount of civil servants' salaries and military expenses that would be spent on direct occupation.

Even if newspapers and theaters are well run, they can make money.

And what France wants, raw materials, markets, and even military sources, will not be reduced at all.

Ségur bowed with a sincere heart and said:

"Your Highness, as you said, military occupation is the least effective means."

Talleyrand looked at the notebook in his hand and continued:

"After we go back, we will immediately work with Archbishop Brian to formulate a specific implementation plan according to your wishes."

In fact, Joseph had another very important plan that he didn't tell the two of them, which was the political infiltration of Genoa.

As long as he could control this most important port in northern Italy, it would be equivalent to controlling the maritime trade in northern Italy. In addition, France controlled the land trade here, and the "closed management" of the "back garden" would be more perfect.

However, this matter should be handed over to the Intelligence Bureau.

As if sensing Joseph's thoughts, Fouché came to his office shortly after Talleyrand and Ségur left.

"Your Highness," the intelligence chief saluted, and then placed a list in front of Joseph, "General Tyne sent a message yesterday that the Flemish Parliament has been established, and this is the list of the first parliamentarians.

"General Tyne said that as long as you defeat the Duke of York's army, the Flemish region will immediately convene a parliament, declare independence, and expel all foreign troops.

"Of course, the Leopoldsburg area will be left for us to continue northward."

Leopoldsburg is in the province of Lonn, east of Antwerp. From here to the north is Tilburg, the transportation hub of the province of Breda in the Netherlands.

Joseph did not look at the list, but nodded and asked:

"How is Schecker's army prepared?"

No mistake, one song, one post, one content, one look!

According to his plan, the French army will go deep into the southern Netherlands in the name of "pursuing the remnants of the Duke of York". After defeating the Dutch army - in fact, the Netherlands has no decent army at present, and Davidovich's 10,000 Dutch main forces are still surrounded in Gant - Schecker will lead the Flemish National Army to occupy these places, and then the French army will "retire after success" and recognize the Flemish Republic.

Although the Flemish army has little combat effectiveness, it is more than enough to deal with the Dutch citizens.

Moreover, the Flemish and the Dutch are close relatives, with the same language and habits. Their ancestors can also find the basis for ruling the Dutch provinces such as Zeeland and Breda, so there will not be too much obstacles to controlling here.

Fouche said: "Your Highness, Schecker has left Leuven, and the Flemish army in Antwerp will also accept his command, with a total of 7,000 troops.

"But he seems to be worried about encountering the British army, so he has been staying south of Diest. "

Dist is only about ten kilometers away from Leuven. In other words, Sihek has hardly moved.

Joseph was not surprised, after all, he was chosen because he was a waste.

Joseph exhaled and said to Fouché:

"The Intelligence Bureau should also be prepared to contact Tain. I estimate that a counterattack will be launched against the Anglo-Prussian-Austrian coalition in the next few days."

According to the news sent from Italy yesterday, Napoleon's troops have arrived in Mantua.

As long as he launches the attack, the Rhine Front will also attack the Duke of Brunswick at the same time.

By then, the Duke of York will inevitably panic, and Joseph will take this opportunity to counterattack, making him neither leave nor stay.