Chapter 1353: 1258: Diplomatic Maneuvering

Chapter 1353: Chapter 1258: Diplomatic Maneuvering

During lunch, Baron Stein and the other Prussian ministers had basically reached a consensus.

“At least, this will give us the strength to fight when facing Austria,” said Foreign Minister Herzberg.

“It’s just that Silesia might not be defendable…” Marquis Hardenberg was more pessimistic.

“It’s still better than being subjugated by Vienna…”

Prince Henry interrupted them: “What we need to discuss now is how to secure the best terms for a truce.”

Baron Stein sighed and said in a low voice, “Shouldn’t we report to His Majesty first?”

Prince Henry shook his head slightly: “His Majesty is still running a high fever and probably doesn’t have the energy to deal with this. Let’s let him make the final decision once the specific terms are determined.”

At two in the afternoon, Count Montijo returned to the Hall of Mirrors with his assistant.

After the customary courtesy, Baron Stein immediately said, “Your Excellency, regarding the truce, our country generally agrees.

“It’s just… about the indemnity payment, you know, our country’s financial situation is terrible, and indeed, we can’t come up with ten million taels…”

Ten million taels is 37 million francs. Not to mention Prussia, which has been running a deficit for years and just lost a battle, even in the most glorious years of Frederick the Great, there wasn’t this much money in the treasury.

Count Montijo waved his hand: “It can be paid over ten years, with interest calculated according to the Bank of France’s base rate.”

The Prime Minister of Prussia braced himself and said, “If we could reduce the indemnity to three million taels…”

The French envoy said coldly: “The losses your country has caused us are far more than ten million taels.

“In fact, the General Staff initially estimated the figure to be twenty-seven million taels. His Highness the Crown Prince only reduced it to ten million considering your financial situation.

“If you have any objections, I can have General Ogero talk to you instead.”

Baron Stein bowed his head helplessly. One of the key reasons Prussia accepted surrender was to keep the French Army out of Berlin. If they let Ogero come, how could he not bring his troops?

Prince Henry coughed lightly, breaking the awkward silence: “I would like to discuss the matter of the garrison in Magdeburg and the limitation on our army size.”

According to the surrender terms proposed by Count Montijo, France was to garrison in Prussia’s western stronghold, Magdeburg, while limiting the Prussian Army to no more than 50,000 troops.

The French envoy almost immediately rejected his request without thinking.

Herzberg shouted loudly from the side: “Your conditions are too harsh; we need to negotiate seriously…”

“With all due respect, you have no choice,” Count Montijo said, getting up and walking toward the door, “Perhaps you still need to discuss it.

“But I must remind you all, General Ogero is not a patient man, and it took me significant effort to persuade him to wait in Potsdam for now.”

The Prussian ministers all had ashen faces.

Baron Stein said with his head down: “It seems we’ll have to report to His Majesty.”

Prince Henry’s hands trembled: “Accepting these terms will destroy Prussia!”

“But what choice do we have?”

“Perhaps, there might be another way,” a young voice interjected.

The Prussian ministers turned around in surprise to see the assistant to the French envoy still in the hall.

“Were you eavesdropping?” Herzberg scolded with a stern face.

Prince Henry raised his hand to interrupt him and then addressed the overly young Frenchman: “Did you just say there might be another truce proposal?”

The young man nodded: “In fact, not just a truce.

“We could be bolder, for instance, by joining forces to create a better future.”

Prince Henry looked at him in surprise: “I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

The young man said earnestly: “You see, your country doesn’t need to always follow in the footsteps of the British. I know Britain has provided you with some financial support, but our country can provide you with the same, if not more.

“At the same time, your country will eliminate a strong enemy, allowing you to focus more on Silesia. If I’m not mistaken, Legnica is still occupied by the Austrians.”

Foreign Minister Herzberg immediately shook his head: “France poses a great threat to us along the Rhine.”

The young Frenchman smiled: “Our country can promise not to seek any land on the East Bank of the Rhine. Then the biggest problem between our two countries disappears.”

Prince Henry realized something and quickly asked, “Could you tell me your true identity?”

“Of course,” the young man straightened his posture, exuding nobility, and said loudly, “Gentlemen, I am Louis Charles Dieudonné de France, Duke of Normandy.

“I am here representing my brother to discuss cooperation matters with your country.”

“A French Prince?”

Only then did Prince Henry notice the red heels on the young man’s shoes before him—a privilege of the Bourbon Royal Family’s attire.

The guard beside him then revealed a gold-encrusted ivory piece with the Iris Emblem.

Charles smiled: “This is my ‘King’s Secret Letter.’ Do you also need to see my passport?”

The Prussian ministers and Prince Henry exchanged a glance, quickly bowing with a hand over their chest: “Your Highness Charles.”

Prince Henry leaned sideways to invite Charles to sit, then eagerly asked, “You mentioned cooperation just now?”

“Yes, cooperation.” Charles, who had been learning diplomatic skills from Talleyrand since his last visit to Warsaw, behaved very appropriately, “My brother even hopes France and Prussia can form some sort of alliance.”

Prince Henry’s eyes were full of shock: “Please elaborate.”

“For instance, our country can ensure to provide you with unlimited high-yield beet seeds, along with the necessary fertilizers and planting technology. The price will be consistent with those in our country.

“We can also sign a trade agreement, allowing your products to be sold in France.

“After the necessary trade negotiations, your country might even gain access to the Iberian-Apennine Common Market.”

Prince Henry felt a bit unreal; they were just pleading for France to lower the war indemnity, and suddenly they were talking about trade negotiations?

But if they could truly enter the French and even Italian markets with low tariffs, it would be a dream come true for Prussia.

Charles continued: “Your country’s financial situation is poor, but exporting beet sugar could completely resolve this. At current sugar prices, increasing your beet planting area by another 60% could result in a financial surplus.

“In this regard, our country will provide loan support to help you expand your planting area.”

Joseph knew well that for a militaristic country like Prussia, suppression was useless, as it could even arouse their spirit of resistance, leading the entire nation to unite and strive.

For dealing with such countries, the economic control methods of certain major powers in later eras are the most effective.