Chapter 911: 819: The Times Have Changed

Chapter 911: Chapter 819: The Times Have Changed

Joseph was not in a hurry to be pleased.

Because the Two Sicilies might only be posturing, just to ask for a price from Austria. Their specific diplomatic direction cannot be determined until we observe their actual actions in the future.

However, even if it’s just verbal goodwill towards France, it is beneficial to enhance France’s influence on the Italian Peninsula, which could definitely be encouraged.

Talleyrand continued: “Your Highness, upon my departure from Italy, Parma has officially protested diplomatically to Austria, demanding an explanation and compensation for the Argentoratum Legion’s unauthorized entry into Parma territory.”

Joseph nearly burst into laughter.

The Duke of Parma is quite adept at handling things. In the past, when troops from major powers came and went from his place, he didn’t dare utter a word, but now, having just leaned towards France, he immediately pulls this stunt to nauseate Austria.

Indeed, it seems Parma can also be encouraged a little.

After Talleyrand finished reporting on his visit to Italy, Joseph smiled and nodded, saying: “With your exceptional diplomatic wisdom, you have excellently completed the diplomatic mission and consolidated national interests. It’s truly admirable.

“Oh, by the way, I have reviewed your expense report, and there are no issues. Upon returning to Paris, you can settle directly with the tax director.”

Talleyrand’s eyes immediately flashed with delight.

The so-called “expense report” is essentially the record of profitable gains he amassed in Italy this time.

Due to the triumphant advance of the French Army, the Italian states did their utmost to ingratiate themselves with this diplomatic envoy, with bribes increasingly offered.

On this trip back, he collected over a million in cash alone, along with numerous artworks, real estate, and the like.

According to the Crown Prince’s previous promise, he was able to obtain a total “commission” of 330,000 francs, which is the post-tax figure.

“This is all part of my duty, Your Highness. It is my honor to serve you and France.”

Talleyrand bowed and saluted, then signaled to the Assistant Foreign Minister, Count Saigul, at his side.

The latter immediately took out a document and respectfully placed it before Joseph.

Talleyrand, with an expression of pride, said: “Your Highness, this is the Italian diplomatic plan jointly formulated by Archbishop Brienne, Duke of Broglie, and myself. Please have a look.”

“Oh? Diplomatic plan?”

Joseph, intrigued, opened it, and the first page revealed a map of Italy, with many areas marked in white.

Talleyrand explained beside him: “Your Highness, although our country has acquired a large territory in the Lombardy Region, these places are not connected by roads to our country, making governance extremely troublesome.

“Luckily, Genoa is still under our control now, and we can easily replace the Congress members. By next year, they could declare Genoa to be part of our country.

“Then have Sardinia abandon Pavia, so we can form a reliable border in Northern Italy.

“Of course, we might need to compensate Sardinia. Our idea is…”

Joseph then understood why the map of Italy had conspicuous white areas; it turned out these ministers had already counted these places as French territory.

Seeing that Parma, Pavia, and even a large part of the Pope State were painted white, he could not help but laugh and interrupted Talleyrand: “Please, hold on. Why would you think we should expand in Northern Italy?”

Talleyrand was momentarily stunned and responded as if it were obvious: “Your Highness, expanding territories is the quickest and most direct way to enhance national strength. We certainly need Italy.”

Joseph nodded: “Okay, let’s imagine that our country occupies most of Northern Italy. Then what happens?”

Talleyrand was stunned again: “Happen? Ah, population increase, tax revenue enhancement, and more troop sources and ports…”

Joseph smiled and said: “You are wrong. We will harvest never-ending riots and the hatred of Italians.”

He left one point unsaid; that it would ultimately help Italians achieve unification.

Talleyrand, not taking offense, said: “Your Highness, there might be dissatisfaction in the short term, but simply stationing some troops can quickly resolve this.”

Joseph secretly sighed, thinking himself, historically, it was your and Napoleon’s expansion strategy that ultimately exhausted France’s national power, yet now you still adhere to it.

The times have changed.

Under the influence of the Enlightenment across Europe, national consciousness is awakening universally, with Italy making particularly fast progress. Italians can no longer completely integrate into France.

He looked at Talleyrand and said: “Do you believe, between the cost of maintaining stability in those places and the gains obtained, which is higher?”

“Certainly the gains, Your Highness.” Talleyrand finished, then added: “Oh, maybe in the first few years, there’ll be a need to station troops, and costs will be higher, but after quelling the riots, the returns will quickly increase.”

Joseph said: “What if, years later, the British or Austrians send spies to incite riots?”

Talleyrand, with confidence, said: “We can definitely suppress the riots. The combat capability of the Italian army is exceedingly weak, let alone the mob.”

Joseph shook his head: “You are wrong again. Endless riots are far more difficult to deal with than an army.”

Future Americans easily defeated Afghanistan’s slipper army, but in the next 20 years, spent 2.3 trillion US dollars and ultimately retreated in dismay.

Seeing Talleyrand’s expression of disbelief, he continued: “A riot instigated with 1 franc at least requires 10,000 francs to quell.

“Perhaps you could ask a few nobles in Turin or Parma to see if they are willing to be ruled by foreign powers.”

Talleyrand fell silent.

No need to ask, just looking at Milan will tell you; Austria has ruled there for nearly a century, yet Italians have uprisings almost every year, even without anyone inciting them.

Joseph earnestly said: “Even if we can control Northern Italy for ten or twenty years, what then? There will inevitably be an independence war, dragging France into the mire of war.

“Perhaps we should adjust our strategic thinking.

“The future world will no longer belong to the old colonial era.”

Talleyrand instinctively asked: “Then the future is?”

“The era of economic colonialism.”

“Economic…colonialism?”

Joseph nodded: “The future will be determined by industrial strength.

“And for industrial production, the most essential elements are raw materials and markets.

“If the raw materials and markets of a region can belong to France, why do we need to occupy the land there?”

Talleyrand’s eyes flashed with shock, thinking more and more that what the Crown Prince said made sense.

Administration and stationing troops both cost a lot of money, not to mention the bottomless pit of military funds when riots occur.

Suddenly, he felt something was off: “Your Highness, but how can we ensure access to raw materials and markets there without occupation?”