Franz Egon paused, his eyes flashing with a glimmer: "Talleyrand also mentioned that if things go well, the Holy See might promote me to Cardinal Archbishop."
The room quickly fell into a dispute.
But just half an hour later, Ferdinand, who advocated loyalty to the Archbishop of Cologne, was driven out, while one of Franz Egonâs confidants hurriedly returned to Paderborn before dawn.
...
In Talleyrandâs reception room.
Count Nassau, Frederick William, bowed to Talleyrand with a beaming smile: "Thank you, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince. In fact, Nassau has long wanted to join the âSeine-Rhine Trade Agreementâ. As for the matter of investing in the mining areas, I will have Adelheid take care of it as soon as I return."
Earlier, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs had promised to entrust Dusseldorf and the southern part of Westphalia to Nassauâs control.
The territory of this small country by the Rhine River expanded by 120% instantly!
Now, Nassau is almost as large as Mainz, and with an already impressive economy, it is bound to become a significant player in Northern Germany.
At the same time, the French also agreed to let Nassau retain tariffs on leather and metal processing, clearing the last bit of hesitation Nassau had about joining the French-led trade system.
If they can thus enter the French and even Italian markets, it could further enhance Nassauâs economy.
Of course, Frederick William will also support all of Talleyrandâs decisions in the subsequent votes and side with France in Northern German diplomatic affairs.
After he left, the Archbishop of Mainz eagerly entered Talleyrandâs room.
Frederick Karl von Elthal first passionately praised the Crown Prince of France and Talleyrand, then cautiously said, "Your Excellency Archbishop, regarding the ownership of Rothenberg..."
Rothenberg is a place that Mainz has always longed for, obtaining it would allow direct trade with Bavaria.
Talleyrand smiled and signaled him to drink some tea, then shook his head: "Rothenberg is more suited for Baden to manage."
Seeing Frederick Karlâs disappointed expression, he deliberately paused before speaking leisurely: "I hear you have a son named Lotar Franz, correct?"
Frederick Karl was taken aback, shot up, and waved his hands repeatedly: "You mustnât believe the rumors, Your Excellency Archbishop."
Though these high-status Archbishops certainly have illegitimate children, none dare to admit it publicly.
Talleyrand nodded calmly, gesturing for him to sit down: "No need to be nervous, weâre friends, thereâs nothing we canât discuss.
"You see, poor Lotar cannot even bear the Elthal surname. When the day comes youâre called by Jesus, he will most likely have to go far away, otherwise someone from the Schonborn or Wittelsbach family could very well seize whatever money you leave him."
Being an archdiocese, Mainzâs ruler, the Archbishop, is elected. The two families Talleyrand mentioned are strong contenders for the position of Archbishop of Mainz.
In fact, the Elthal family has only been elected Archbishop twice in several centuries, the last one over a hundred years ago.
Frederick Karl paused, "You mean?"
Talleyrand smiled like an old fox: "Donât you want the Elthal family to forever enjoy the power you now possess?"
"How could that be possible?"
"With our countryâs help, itâs not impossible," Talleyrand sipped his tea, "For example, first give your Lotar a title of Earl. Then you announce the secularization reforms in Mainz, establish a Congress, and have it elect Earl Lotar as the new ruler of Mainz."
Frederick Karlâs heart began to race. He had labored arduously to attain the position of Archbishop, of course he wanted to pass it down to his descendants.
Suppressing his excitement, he inquired: "Your Excellency Archbishop, but the Schonborn and Wittelsbach families will never agree. They have tremendous influence in Mainz."
Talleyrand nonchalantly replied, "Prussia, Hesse-Darmstadt, Nassau, Wurttemberg, Bavaria will all support Earl Lotar. Oh, and our country as well."
Frederick Karl sprang up again, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed to Talleyrand with an inappropriately grand gesture: "Iâm truly at a loss for how to express my gratitude!"
With the unanimous support of Prussia, France, and all of Mainzâs neighboring countries, who would dare not vote for his Lotar?
For example, the main financial backer behind the Schonborn family is Bavaria, and as long as they support him, they would securely hold a majority in Congress.
Talleyrand smiled and nodded: "This is all at the behest of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Oh, great Son of Divine Favor, may Jesus always protect him. I shall personally convey my gratitude to His Highness first thing tomorrow morning!"
Once Frederick Karl finished his effusive words of appreciation, Talleyrand added, "By the way, let us discuss Mainz joining the trade agreement.
"Also, the north of Aschaffenburg may soon experience some âinternal affairsâ of the Holy See, you just need to act as if you didnât see anything."
"Alright, I will follow all your instructions."
From the seventh day of the Stuttgart summit, the progress of affairs suddenly accelerated.
Proposals on the ownership of unclaimed lands were rapidly passed, bringing about drastic changes in the power dynamics of Northern Germanyâ
Baden, being the most staunch ally that invested everything on France, received the most generous rewards. All lands west of the Nekar River, as well as the northern Breisgau, Manheim, and Rothenburg were all allocated to Baden, expanding its territory to 260% of its original size.
Wurttemberg, although previously forced to join the Allied Forces, immediately switched allegiance to France after the England and Russia troops left, thereby gaining some rewards, mainly a small piece of land west of Ansbach, and as compensation for ceding part of the Nekar River land to Baden, it received territories in the west of Ulm.
Bavaria gained Nuremberg and Schlemburg, as well as eastern Ulm and Ansbach. Not only did it recover the land area lost in the previous Anti-French Alliance, but it also gained a little extra.
Hesse-Darmstadt was granted most of Frankfurt and some scattered lands in Westphalia.
Nassau acquired Dusseldorf and other regions.
Friedrich August Joseph Maria Anton Johann Nepomuk Aloys Xaver, nicknamed: "The Just" (der Gerechte), the first Saxon King, reigned from December 11, 1806 to May 5, 1827, served as Saxon Elector from 1763 to 1806, known as Friedrich August III. He also served as Duke of Warsaw from 1807 to 1813, known as Frederick Augustus I.