Chapter 1280: 1185: Eastern European Strategy

Chapter 1280: Chapter 1185: Eastern European Strategy

“So… who is the Tsar now?” Alexandra looked at the envoy. “Alexander?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Count Molokov bowed his head.

Alexandra waved her hand dismissively, smiling, “Perhaps he should have done it earlier. Some of Father’s methods were indeed not very wise; let him go fish at the Moika River—it’s better than quarrelling with the ministers every day…”

“Your Highness,” Molokov interrupted her, gritting his teeth, “Emperor Paul, he has passed away.”

The girl’s smile froze, “What did you say?”

“Your father accidentally fell and was impaled by a candlestick in the chest… It happened half a month ago.”

“You’re not joking, are you?”

“This is the truth, Your Highness.”

Alexandra suddenly turned away, a low growl emerging from her throat, “That greedy and cold-blooded vulture! He couldn’t even wait for the time to sign the abdication edict, eagerly pouncing to tear at his flesh! Even hell cannot contain his sins!”

She was a very intelligent girl and naturally knew there was no “accidental fall”; it must have been her beloved brother who did the shameful deed.

She suppressed various emotions and asked, “Who did it? Zubov? Or some Duke whose hereditary rights were abolished?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Your Highness. I shall take my leave now.”

Joseph had just entered the gates of the Palace of Versailles when Camellia quickly approached him, whispering, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess is not in a good state.”

Joseph sighed, nodded, “I know.”

Ten minutes later, Alexandra threw herself into Joseph’s arms, sobbing quietly, “Though he was very fierce, I still loved him very much…

“That devil, that snake, why did he do this? I will never forgive him…”

Joseph gently stroked her silky hair, comforting her, “You can pray for him at the small altar in the Tuileries Palace.”

“If this is a nightmare, then let it end quickly…”

Not knowing how long she cried, the girl fell into a deep sleep in Joseph’s arms.

Joseph carefully lifted her and placed her on the bed, wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes before exhaling a long breath and turning towards his reception room.

Brian, Talleyrand, and others were already waiting there. Seeing the Crown Prince arrive, they hurriedly greeted him with a bow, “Your Highness, is the Crown Princess okay?”

“She is very affected.”

Joseph shook his head, gesturing for the ministers to take their seats, “Now, we need to discuss the situation in Eastern Europe.”

Talleyrand promptly stated, “Your Highness, England, Prussia, and Austria might start a war at any time. I believe the best strategy now is to try to bring Russia on board.”

Joseph shook his head slightly. He knew well that Alexander I is an ambitious tsar, adept at opportunism, and extremely self-willed.

Such a person has likely already made his decision by now.

“It would be best if he stands on our side.” Joseph looked at them calmly, “But we must also prepare in advance.”

Talleyrand followed, “If Russia wants to interfere in the European war situation, it must first break through Poland.”

Poland lies between Russia and Central Europe. Russian troops must cross Poland to reach Austria.

Duke of Broglie nodded, “We can increase the garrison at Gdansk Port while assisting the Poles with strengthening their military defenses.”

France holds shares in the Gdansk Port and has maintained a garrison of several hundred there.

All the ministers then looked at the Crown Prince.

Joseph, without hesitation, said, “Weapons and equipment can be sent to Poland, and this can be assisted by the Danes. However, the garrison in Gdansk must be withdrawn entirely.”

The people in the room looked at each other in disbelief.

Joseph anticipated their reaction and continued, “Do you think, if Russia allies with Prussia and Austria to attack Poland, the Polish Army can hold on for long?”

Duke of Broglie hesitated, “With adequate preparation, perhaps about two months.”

The others remained silent. After finishing the last patriotic war, Poland’s national strength had not recovered.

Additionally, the Russians would surely not give Poland another chance for a surprise attack. Moreover, if the Prussian-Austrian forces launched a full-out assault, Poland would have no choice but to defend all-out; otherwise, within a few days, Warsaw would fall—Prussian troops from Kalish could reach Warsaw in seven or eight days.

Joseph sighed, “Poland simply cannot withstand Russia, Prussia, and Austria. And having Poland hold out would make them feel they are helping France drain the enemy.”

Duke of Broglie, puzzled, asked, “Your Highness, are we to abandon Poland?”

Joseph shook his head, “No, they should voluntarily surrender before the attack begins…”

After he explained his arrangement, ignoring the indescribable expressions of several senior officials, he said to Talleyrand, “You must immediately go to the Ottoman Empire and try to persuade Selim III…”

Talleyrand hurriedly bowed, “Yes, Your Highness. Russia is currently reorganizing troops in Iasi; we can use this.”

Not long after, Talleyrand and others left with their orders, yet Joseph kept the Minister of Justice, Baron Breti, behind, “I know you’re an enlightened gentleman.

“And we must make the most thorough preparation in the country to cope with the worst situation. Therefore, I need your help in drafting some things…”

As Joseph kept detailing his plan, Baron Breti’s eyes grew wider, and seizing the moment when Joseph paused, he whispered, “Your Highness, do you really mean this?”

Joseph nodded, “This is bound to be done, only timing is the choice. You prepare in advance.”

He was not worried that Breti would leak the news, as he had absolute confidence in controlling the situation.

…

Transcaucasia.

North of Tbilisi City.

Good维奇 watched as unit after unit of Russian soldiers marched past him, tightly gripping the hilt of his sword.

Last time he came here, he had to bow before that God-forsaken Zubov fellow and deal with his blind command, eventually winning the battle but having most of the merits claimed by that guy.

And now, the Zubov family had all been exiled to the Ural Mountain, and he finally had a battlefield to fully exert himself.

At that moment, an attendant led a person in Georgian attire towards him, “General, he says he was sent by Askar.”

The “Georgian” quickly stepped forward to salute Good维奇, and then handed over a letter, “Dear General, this is from His Majesty the Shah for you. All the Shirvan people will assist your army.”

Good维奇 didn’t recognize the fire seal of Shirvan at all and handed it over to the aide.

Askar’s envoy continued, “General, His Majesty the Shah has rallied two thousand warriors and is ready to launch an attack on Tabriz. There are now only over a thousand Persians there.”