Chapter 500: 413 Retreat (Requesting Monthly Ticket)

Chapter 500: Chapter 413 Retreat (Requesting Monthly Ticket)

William II’s brows furrowed even tighter.

The English were right—Prussia, although having survived last year’s drought by largely planting potatoes, was still heavily struck by the agricultural shortfall, impacting the national economy.

Then Prussia quickly became entangled in the Brabant uprising, as well as the Silesian War, and funds were draining from the national treasury like a flood.

If the fight continued under the current circumstances, the state’s finances might collapse by March of next year.

Indeed, ending the war in the Southern Netherlands would alleviate the financial pressure.

Lord Grenville continued,

“Moreover, moving General Blucher to Silesia could change the balance of forces there.”

Seeing the King of Prussia nod subconsciously, he immediately threw out another lure,

“To ease your concerns, the Bank of England will offer you a loan of 700,000 British Pounds to help you achieve victory in the Silesian War.”

He knew that the Prussians were worried that England might collude with Austria and betray Prussian interests, so he had to show support for their war efforts in Silesia.

The eyes of William II lit up immediately—700,000 British Pounds was 7 million florin! That amount of money could fund his army until October of next year. By then, after the autumn harvest, financial matters could continue.

But he still hesitated,

“However, doing so would also allow Austria to take back the Southern Netherlands.”

Grenville said, “It would also cause them to lose France. You may be aware that the Austrians have always been very wary of France gaining a foothold in the Southern Netherlands. The end of the rebellion there would mean the French lose their value to them.

“Of course, we will also exert some influence in Vienna to sow division between France and Austria.”

Upon hearing this, William II finally nodded and fell into deep thought.

…

Austria, Vienna.

In a villa on the western side of Schonbrunn Palace, Earl Franz hurriedly sent the servants out and carefully closed the door, then anxiously turned to the middle-aged military officer standing by:

“Is what you said really reliable?”

He knew that the officer nominally belonged to the garrison troops stationed in Vienna but was actually a person from the British Ambassador to Austria.

The officer immediately nodded, “Yes, my lord, this has been jointly agreed upon by Lord Grenville and His Majesty King William II.”

Franz’s face changed; it meant that England and Prussia had given up the rebels in the Southern Netherlands just like that.

Pondering, he asked, “Then, why did his lordship specifically send you to tell me this?”

“You know, the Hanoverian forces cannot leave until the French Army has evacuated from the Southern Netherlands,” the officer said, “This is to ensure that Brussels does not fall into French hands.”

“Yes, you are correct,” Franz said excitedly, rubbing his hands. If he were to “offer advice” in Schonbrunn Palace and the Emperor then retook the Southern Netherlands, his future would certainly be bright.

He immediately thought of another problem,

“But surely Kaunitz and his group will speak against my proposal to His Majesty.”

Kaunitz was a representative of the pro-French faction in Austria, always supporting stronger Franco-Austrian cooperation, naturally disagreeing with the French withdrawal from the Southern Netherlands.

The officer smiled,

“Marshal Lacy and General Wilmze will stand by your side, and at the same time, we will provide some trouble for Kaunitz.”

Lacy held considerable sway in Austrian politics and was the Commander in Chief on the Silesian battlefield. His opinion could at least weigh as much as that of State Minister Kaunitz.

And Wilmze’s influence was no less significant. With the endorsement of both individuals, Franz’s confidence surged dramatically.

The British insider continued:

“The most important thing is, this may potentially end the war in Silesia.”

After he explained this to Franz, the latter immediately nodded with excitement:

“Please convey to Lord Grenville that I will certainly persuade His Majesty to make the French people scram.”

…

Paris.

Palace of Versailles, Petit Trianon Palace.

Queen Mary looked at the trembling handwriting on the letter in her hand, and her eyes instantly moistened.

“Madame Delvaux, in my memory, you were always so cheerful and healthy, yet how could you…” she choked up a bit, took a deep breath, placed the letter aside, and made the sign of the cross over her chest, “May God bless you.”

Madame Delvaux was her former wet nurse and one of the people closest to her before her marriage. And in that letter, the old lady informed her that her health was not at all well; the doctors said she could be called by the Lord at any time.

The old lady said she originally didn’t want to trouble Her Majesty the Queen with such trivial matters of her own, but she couldn’t rest easy without ensuring the well-being of her only granddaughter, hence she had to write this letter.

After thinking it over, Queen Mary turned and instructed her maid:

“Debreninac, would you please bring the Crown Prince here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Joseph happened to be in the office of the Foreign Minister at the Palace of Versailles at the time, discussing something with Talleyrand.

“According to the intelligence bureau and the messages from our ambassador in Austria, it is very likely that Vienna has already decided to have us withdraw from the Southern Netherlands.”

Talleyrand, with a furrowed brow, pondered:

“Given Austria’s military strength in the low countries, it’s been a tremendous struggle to cope with Blucher’s corps. Once we leave, the Brabant Rebels will immediately take over the entirety of the Southern Netherlands and declare independence.”

Joseph nodded:

“Something is very abnormal, perhaps I should accompany you to Vienna.”

Just yesterday afternoon, the Palace of Versailles received a note from Austria, inviting French diplomats to Vienna for discussions. As the matter was sudden, Talleyrand immediately went to the Tuileries Palace to report to the Crown Prince.

While they were discussing, the Queen’s maid knocked and entered, curtsying to Joseph:

“Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence.”

“Oh? Is something the matter with mother?” Joseph stood up, signaled to Talleyrand to wait, and accompanied Countess Debreninac to the Petit Trianon Palace.

“It seems related to a letter from Madame Delvaux,” the maid said sideways, “The Queen became somewhat melancholic after reading the letter.”

Joseph nodded. It seemed that Madame Delvaux had a very special relationship with his mother, given that she could write letters directly to her.

In this era, not everyone could exercise the privilege of sending private letters to the Royal Family. After all, even Catherine II’s illegitimate daughter had to pass her letters through Potemkin’s old subordinates to reach the Tsar.

Soon, Joseph entered Queen Mary’s bedroom, bowed gracefully, and before he could speak, he noticed his mother’s tears had already fallen.

He quickly stepped forward to take the Queen’s hand, expressing his concern:

“Mother, what’s the matter?”

“Dear, I hope you can go to Vienna on my behalf,” Queen Mary struggled to stop sniffling, looked up at him, and said, “Madame Delvaux was my wet nurse, she has been caring for me since I was little. And now, she has encountered some trouble.”