Chapter 1061: 969: Bustling Northern Italy

Chapter 1061: Chapter 969: Bustling Northern Italy

Robel continued to browse through the pages, the next two articles were “We Die for the King’s War, But Does the King Care About Us?” and “Even if the King Wins Against the Spaniards, My Family’s Thirty Acres Won’t Increase.”

He did not look any further.

But from these titles alone, it was clear they were significant critiques of the King of Portugal.

Moreover, the most powerful aspect of these articles was that even if they were read in front of the King of Portugal, he could not refute them, because there wasn’t a single false statement in them.

Hmm, even Joseph, who was used to reading “public knowledge articles” from later generations, was greatly impressed by Scheeler’s skill.

Initially, he had thought of teaching Scheeler how to write “public knowledge articles,” but unexpectedly, the latter was simply a “born master”—anything he wrote casually was filled with eighty percent fact, mixed with twenty percent personal commentary.

After receiving the assignment, Scheeler completed four major articles in just five days.

In the end, apart from Denico helping him tweak the titles, the content remained virtually unchanged.

Robel took a deep breath and bowed to Joseph, saying, “Your Highness, I will ensure these articles spread throughout all of Portugal.”

After the head of the Security Bureau left, Lefever arrived in the Crown Prince’s study, saluting with his hand on his chest, “Your Highness, you were looking for me?”

Joseph signaled for him to sit, and then briefly explained the situation in Klagenfurt.

Lefever, a genuine “Paris Police Academy” graduate who had participated with Joseph in several campaigns from the Southern Netherlands to the Rhine River line, received Joseph’s absolute trust.

Upon hearing this, Lefever immediately frowned and solemnly asked, “Your Highness, what do you need me to do?”

“Where is the nearest legion to Klagenfurt currently located?”

Lefever, also having a position at the General Staff, immediately replied without hesitation, “The garrison at the Mantua Fortress, the Lyon Third Infantry Regiment.”

Joseph pondered slightly and shook his head, “No, it’s possible that the troops from Mantua may also be involved.”

“Then it would be the Ravenna garrison, Your Highness. However, there aren’t many soldiers there, only one battalion of the Royal Third Infantry Division.”

Joseph smiled, “That’s enough.”

Not to mention that conflict should not arise, even if the Corsican Legion from Udine dared to defy orders, they might not win against a direct battalion.

“You head to Ravenna immediately, and then…”

Once Joseph finished instructing, Lefever immediately stood up and saluted, “Yes, Your Highness! I guarantee those unruly folks won’t cause any trouble.”

He was about to turn and leave but suddenly remembered something and halted, “Your Highness, I remember General Napoleon left two days ago to attend the repair ceremony at the Mantua Fortress. Perhaps he could assist in the operation?”

Joseph immediately frowned.

At such a special timing, Napoleon happened to head near Venice, which couldn’t be ignored.

He instructed, “You must not tell anyone about this matter.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Joseph thought for a moment, still feeling it wasn’t secure enough, so he personally wrote an order, stamped it with his private seal, sealed it, and handed it to Eman, “Count Eman, take 30 trusted aides and accompany Colonel Lefever.”

…

August 18, 1794.

As two French princesses married into the Apennine Peninsula, the entire Northern Italy became bustling.

And on the same day, Prince Hornlow commanded 70,000 Prussian troops in Silesia, launching a fierce assault on the Austrian line of defense at Legnica.

Palma Duchy.

Princess Therese’s enormous bridal procession slowly entered the square outside the Royal Palace, immediately accompanied by a thunderous symphony and occasional salvos of celebratory cannons.

The Duke of Parma, Ferdinand I, and the Queen both came to the most luxurious carriage in the center, behaving with no airs of in-laws, appearing rather respectful instead.

When Princess Therese, dressed in full regalia, stepped down from the carriage, the Parma nobles around immediately widened their eyes.

So beautiful. Her appearance, her demeanor, simply impeccable!

This was a French princess, a lily from the Palace of Versailles.

However, more of the nobles focused on examining her attire, hat, jewelry, and even her attendants’ clothing, keeping it all in mind.

It was foreseeable that starting tonight, the whole of Palma would be swept up in “French fashion.”

Everyone would emulate the Princess and purchase substantial amounts of French goods.

After Therese greeted the King and Queen, Ferdinand I and his wife responded with smiles in French.

Next, Prince Ludovico eagerly came forward, exchanging bows, embracing, and conversing joyously in French with his fiancée.

The surrounding nobles, not fluent in French and unable to quite grasp the conversation, immediately felt awkward, as if they had done something terribly embarrassing, secretly vowing to hire a French tutor for intense study upon returning home.

With the arrival of the French princess, French would surely become the lingua franca here.

Hundreds of nobles together shouted the names of the Prince and the Princess, escorting them into the Royal Palace…

Modena Duchy.

Though the Duke’s wedding had ended three days ago, the entire Royal Palace still brimmed with a festive atmosphere.

In the conference hall, Lady Adelaide sat centrally, while Ercole III slightly leaned his body, appearing as a supportive figure.

However, the latter’s eyes brimmed with affection for his new bride, indifferent to his posture.

State Minister Duke Dest first glanced at Ercole III, then cautiously addressed the Queen, “Your Majesty, though the effect of ‘phosphate rock’ is remarkable, it’s hard to persuade the farmers to purchase it, you know, it costs quite a bit…”

Lady Adelaide softly stated, “More than half of Modena’s revenue relies on grains and corn, we must invest more in agriculture to achieve growth.

“France increased fertilizer production this year; otherwise other countries can hardly acquire any.

“Let’s have the government purchase the ‘phosphate rock’ through loans initially, and then lend it to the farmers. Once their harvest increases, they’ll willingly buy it next year.”

“But this requires a significant investment…” Duke Dest glanced at Ercole III again, seeing the latter remain silent, could only nod, “Yes, Your Majesty, I will promptly discuss it with the banks.”

Lady Adelaide nodded, “We can also collaborate with the French Agricultural Advisory Company; they can help us improve our yields substantially.

“Additionally, our wood carvings are very popular in France, better to plan for establishing a wood carving trade company.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Duke Dest already had no psychological barriers with Queen Adelaide managing state affairs.

Of course, this wasn’t solely due to Ercole III’s “indulgence”; Lady Adelaide brought the entire Bologna region as a dowry to Modena.

Besides that, she carried several million francs in cash with her, significantly enhancing Modena’s purchasing power.