Chapter 949: 857 Expanding the Backyard

Chapter 949: Chapter 857 Expanding the Backyard

The surrounding area fell silent instantly, with only the distant barking of hunting dogs echoing through the hunting ground.

The high-ranking officials of various countries widened their eyes, looking at the Crown Prince of France, filled with shock and confusion, along with a trace of anticipation.

Seeking revenge on the Church?

This is no joking matter!

Though the Church today is far less powerful than it was centuries ago and lacks the ability to command the European Continent, if one were to act against the Pope State, many Catholic nations in Europe might use this as an excuse to send troops to the Apennine Peninsula!

Upon thinking of this, everyone couldn’t help but glance askew at the Count of Florida Blanca.

After all, Spain is currently one of the Church’s biggest dependants.

Joseph also timely turned to the Chief Minister of Spain, saying solemnly, “Count of Florida Blanca, what do you say?”

The latter did not appear surprised.

The Crown Prince of France had already unified opinions on this matter with him, and Charles IV had approved the plan to dismantle the Pope State, with only one requirement: Spain must not be involved in the matter.

Of course, this was also the consensus of the secular faction within Spain. Over the past decades, many reform attempts by the secular faction had yielded little success due to obstruction from the Church.

Moreover, if the Church’s power could be weakened, secular ministers would gain even greater authority.

At this moment within Spain, Campos had already begun to deploy measures to constrain the Church’s power. As soon as the Vatican faced issues, he would dare to initiate a “coup” against the Church!

Count of Florida Blanca crossed himself and turned his head elsewhere: “The authenticity of Constantine’s land donation is indeed questionable, and some ‘adjustments’ to the Pope State might be necessary.”

What he referred to as “Constantine’s land donation” was the fictional document created after Pepin the Short conquered a large piece of Italy and donated it to the Church, claiming that the Roman Emperor Constantine had gifted central Italy to the Church in the fourth century to legitimize these lands.

During the era when the Church was at its peak, although the various Italian States knew this was false, they could only endure it.

Currently, Spain leading the questioning of “Constantine’s land donation” indicated a very clear stand.

The eyes of the high-ranking officials of various Italian States began to shine.

The Vatican has three major pillars: France, Spain, and Austria. Now France is calling to deal with the Pope State, Spain at least tacitly agrees, and Austria is about to be driven out of the Apennine Peninsula.

This genuinely presents an opportunity to acquire vast territories!

The Prince of Parma tightly gripped the reins and loudly declared, “Your Highness, you are very correct, the ‘impious’ behavior of the Pope State should indeed be corrected!”

Yet, the Modena Foreign Minister knew things weren’t that simple, and cautiously looked towards Joseph, saying, “Your Highness, we are obliged to punish Austria’s accomplices, but if troops are sent against the Pope State, Naples is very likely to interfere…”

Naples is the southern Italian nation known as the “Two Sicilies,” also the largest country on the Apennine Peninsula.

Historically, Naples sought to unify Italy and had multiple wars with Northern Italy, countries like Milan.

What lies between them and Northern Italy is the Pope State.

If the Pope State were attacked, Naples certainly wouldn’t just stand by.

The Genoa Governor added, “Besides, Tuscany’s military strength is not weak…”

Joseph had long anticipated this scenario.

Among these small nations, only Sardinia had some fighting power; their combined forces from six countries would struggle against the Pope State and Tuscany.

Even if they could take it, they wouldn’t be able to hold it.

He immediately waved his hand:

“This is the purpose of the Mediterranean Security Organization’s existence. I suggest the organization activate the protection clause to avoid threats from Austria’s accomplices to Modena and Parma!”

“At the same time, France promises that all land occupied by the Pope State will be returned to the various Italian countries.”

The high-ranking officials of the Italian States immediately became excited upon hearing this, exchanging glances.

They knew that military actions against the Pope State and Tuscany would be led by France, meaning most benefits would go to France. They’d be lucky to get some spoils.

But now, the Crown Prince was saying France wouldn’t participate in dividing Italy’s gains.

Thus, the entire Pope State and Tuscany would be divided among their six Italian States, with France and Spain supporting them!

This was something they couldn’t even dream of before.

Knowing that together, Tuscany and the Pope State nearly matched the combined area of their six countries.

The Modena Foreign Minister no longer hesitated, bowing to Joseph: “Your Highness, Modena will dispatch 5,000 Royal Guards to execute the Security Organization’s resolution.”

The other countries quickly pledged to send troops as well, each with a more resolute stance—having the backing of the French Army meant following suit was just gaining easy wins, and anyone who wasn’t enthusiastic would be foolish indeed.

In that moment, the representatives from each country deeply sighed within, realizing that joining the Mediterranean Security Organization was an incredibly correct decision.

Of course, Joseph’s actions weren’t to be the good guy.

Central Italy was quite distant from France, with no foundation for governance, so it was better to divide it among the “younger brothers” to enhance the cohesion of the Security Organization.

Moreover, once the Pope State and Tuscany were subdued, France would dictate how the lands were distributed.

This is the time to see which “younger brothers” were more obedient.

The closer they followed France, the more land they would receive.

This could greatly strengthen France’s control over its “backyard.”

It might even leave some ambiguous areas, so if any “younger brother” had other intentions in the future, these unclear territories could be used as leverage to knock down the “traitors.”

Furthermore, facing the attacks from the Security Organization’s Allied Forces, the Vatican could only bow to France, thereby enabling the plan to bring the Vatican back to Avignon to be activated.

Controlling the Vatican could significantly enhance France’s dominance in Europe and its ability to influence public opinion.

Moreover, this was also a strong weapon for Joseph to initiate domestic religious reforms.

Despite the French Church and the Vatican having little relation, when you truly attempt to affect the Church’s interests, they immediately connect.

The Church still held great influence in France and occupied immense wealth, rashly reforming might lead to social turmoil.

However, with the Vatican card, Joseph would immediately have more tactics at his disposal.

As for Tuscany, it was entirely to weaken Austria while expanding its “backyard.”

Actually, according to Joseph’s plan, Tuscany could remain.

Of course, its area would be much smaller, and the King could no longer be from the Habsburg Family.