Chapter 975: 883: Return to Southern Germany

Chapter 975: Chapter 883: Return to Southern Germany

Half an hour later, Lucivide, looking anxious, sent the French Foreign Minister out of the Royal Palace.

Once Talleyrand’s carriage disappeared from view, he patted his trembling legs and quickly headed towards King Karl Eugen’s bedroom.

Earlier, Talleyrand had informed him that due to the current gold run incident, France’s financial order suffered severe damage, with losses exceeding 67 million francs.

If the French Government hadn’t borrowed high-interest loans from the Italian States to fill the gap, France’s finances might have already collapsed.

France has identified that all of this was orchestrated by the British behind the scenes, and the reason the British could launch a financial war against France was that Wurttemberg and other countries provided them with a large amount of franc banknotes.

Lucivide had only seen in the newspapers that France managed to withstand the attack on its gold reserves, but he didn’t realize France’s losses were so great.

He didn’t doubt the loss figures provided by Talleyrand, after all, this incident was known throughout Europe, indicating how serious the situation was.

In fact, if he raised doubts, Talleyrand would generously invite him to verify at the Bank of France Reserve—the loss accounts had been meticulously prepared beforehand.

Before long, a group of Wurttemberg ministers gathered in the king’s bedroom, all with grave expressions, looking down.

Crown Prince Lucivide glanced at the king, who was weakened by illness, and cautiously continued: “Your Majesty, the French Government’s compensation demands are—

“First, immediately terminate the previous loan agreement. Our country must repay all 10 million francs in loans within a month and pay a penalty of 5 million francs.

“Second, compensate France 19 million francs for losses incurred during the gold run incident. This amount was calculated based on the proportion of loans provided by Southern Germany’s countries to the British.

“Third, our country must make up for the loss of credibility at the Bank of France Reserve. This includes a 5 million franc indemnity and a public apology.”

Upon hearing this, the ministers in the room all gasped.

The total compensation amounts to nearly 40 million francs, more than one and a half times Wurttemberg’s national annual revenue.

Even selling all they had wouldn’t cover it…

As for defaulting?

They didn’t even dare to think about it.

France’s army is less than a hundred kilometers away. If Wurttemberg doesn’t pay, Massena will bring his army to collect it themselves.

After some time, the Minister of the Interior spoke up: “Your Majesty, perhaps we should seek assistance from His Majesty the Emperor…”

Lucivide sighed: “Vienna has just conducted a general mobilization and is fully focused on defending Mantua, they have no time to consider us.”

The Minister of War, Marquis Helder, softly added: “I heard that not long ago, Bavaria sought assistance from the Emperor, but couldn’t get a response…”

Bavaria is considered Austria’s western gateway, far more important than the peripheral small nation like Wurttemberg.

Another difficult silence ensued.

Foreign Minister Zimmerman suddenly recalled something, somewhat unsure, he said: “Your Majesty, I heard the French Foreign Minister is quite fond of money. If we can satisfy him, perhaps we might get some advice from him.”

King Karl Eugen coughed and signaled to his brother: “Lucivide, go privately see Mr. Talleyrand, oh, take twenty thousand florins…”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The next morning.

In a delicate villa not far from Stuttgart Royal Palace, Talleyrand glanced at the box of gold coins, gestured for his servants to remove it, and looked at Lucivide with newfound warmth:

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, regarding the compensation matter, if you can satisfy our Crown Prince, it’s not impossible to negotiate.”

“Please tell me what I need to do, for Jesus’ sake.”

Talleyrand smiled and handed him a glass of wine:

“You know, we are currently at war with Austria. If your country can completely sever ties with the evil Austria, the Crown Prince would be very pleased.”

Lucivide cautiously asked: “What do you mean by sever ties?”

“For example, declare Wurttemberg’s secession from the Holy Roman Empire.”

Lucivide was immediately shocked, shaking his head repeatedly: “This, how could this be? Vienna wouldn’t let us get away with it…”

Talleyrand immediately showed displeasure: “If you’re not willing, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Lixiweide hurriedly begged and promised to increase the “consultation fee” by ten thousand florins, only then did Talleyrand reluctantly say:

“Alright, let me think about it some more. Hmm, at least you need to show an attitude of severing.

“For instance, expel the Holy Roman Empire Army.”

The so-called “Holy Roman Empire Army” were troops dispatched to various states under the Emperor’s name by Austria.

Although these troops were not large in number, they represented the Empire’s legitimacy over the states.

Currently, Wurttemberg has over 400 such Empire troops.

Lucivide struggled for a while, finally choosing between 40 million francs and expelling Empire troops.

As Austria was at war, he thought he could find an excuse, which might not necessarily anger Austria.

“Alright, I will suggest to His Majesty to have the Empire troops leave.” He looked at Talleyrand hopefully, “Then regarding the compensation?”

“Expelling Empire troops is far inferior to seceding from the Holy Roman Empire. You still need to do something else,” Talleyrand pondered, “Hmm, perhaps, you could initiate the revival of the ‘Seine-Rhine Trade System’.”

Since the outbreak of war between Fao and Austria, the Seine-Rhine River Agreement naturally couldn’t be carried out.

One of the reasons Austria initiated the war was to abolish this trade agreement.

Now that the front line along the Rhine River has mostly concluded, Joseph doesn’t want to abandon the enormous Southern German market.

Of course, Austria will certainly try to prevent France from returning, but their military defeat has weakened their influence in this area compared to before.

Moreover, with Southern Germany’s countries breaching loan agreements and delivering themselves into France’s hands, it provides France with an excellent opportunity.

As for these small countries, once they sign trade agreements with France, they might face Austrian trade sanctions. But that’s their own concern.

In fact, Joseph is certain that given Austria’s dependence on the Southern German market, they might pretend but still continue the necessary trade.

Of course, later, once Austria regains strength, it’s possible they might use military threats to force Southern Germany’s countries away from France.

But by that time, the countries likely already formed an economic bond with France, unwilling to heed Austria’s commands.

Then they will have only one choice.

That is to request France to send troops for their protection.

And France, in order to protect its commercial interests, will undoubtedly lend a helping hand.

It might even involve pulling the entire “Seine-Rhine Trade System” under its banner to resist Austria’s unreasonable infringement on free trade rights!

No matter the outcome of any war, at least the rift between Austria and the German states will persist.