Chapter 301: Dad's Here, So It Must Be Something Big!
Versailles Palace, Second Floor.
Sunlight streamed through the large arched windows, casting a soft golden light on the group accompanying the Prince as they walked down the spacious corridor.
"So, Austria was defeated?" Joseph frowned slightly, glancing at Amon, who was holding the freshly delivered report.
"Yes, Your Highness," Amon replied, glancing at the document in his hands. "General Würmser lost over 5,000 soldiers and was nearly surrounded by the Prussian army. He only managed to hold off the Prussian pursuit after retreating all the way to Luxembourg."
Joseph shook his head privately. In history, Würmser wasn't supposed to lose until the end of the year, and now it was still not even June.
He then looked back at Amon and asked, "You mentioned earlier that the Dutch also supported the Southern Netherlands?"
"Yes, Your Highness. The Dutch Provincial Council funded the Prussian-Netherland army and provided weapons to the rebels."
"No wonder," Joseph sighed. It seemed the Dutch were much more involved than they had been historically, which might explain Austria's swift retreat. It was clear that his own actions had already significantly impacted the course of history—if William V, the "laid-back" leader, were still in charge of the Netherlands, they likely wouldn't have supported the Brabant rebels so heavily.
Of course, it was also possible that the British had intervened more aggressively behind the scenes, leading to this series of events.
Amon continued, "Your Highness, according to a report from the intelligence bureau two days ago, the Dutch may declare sovereignty over the Southern Netherlands. It seems Vander Noot is also quite willing to accept this."
Vander Noot was one of the leaders of the Brabant Revolution.
Joseph asked, "And what about the conservatives in the Southern Netherlands? That guy named… something Wong?"
"Do you mean Hendrik van der Noot, Your Highness?"
"Yes, that's him."
"He hasn't made any public statements about this."
Joseph nodded and instructed, "Please have Director Fouché come to see me. We need to contact Van der Noot as soon as possible."
Rubbing his temples, he added, "It looks like we'll have to prioritize dealing with the Southern Netherlands. Oh, could you read out my upcoming schedule?"
"Of course, Your Highness. Your current schedule is as follows: You are scheduled to depart for Saint-Étienne at noon today to inspect the Royal Armory there.
"Then, you will head south to Lyon to promote the automatic loom, where Mr. Bailly will brief you on the newly established insurance company.
"After that, you will stop in Troyes to personally oversee the military combat assessment and give a speech to the First Guard Corps…
"Next, you will inspect the logistical preparations in Verdun…
"If things go smoothly in Bavaria, you will travel to Munich to sign a trade agreement with Austria and other countries on behalf of His Majesty the King. If the trade negotiations are delayed, you will go to Saxony first…"
Joseph, feeling fatigued, waved his hand. "Please move up the military combat assessment and the inspection of the Verdun logistics center. The other matters will have to wait."
Joseph knew that after their defeat in the Southern Netherlands, Austria wouldn't just give up.
In history, Austria even halted its reforms, mobilizing nearly 200,000 troops to wage a war against Prussia that nearly brought both countries to the brink of destruction. It took them two and a half years to forcibly crush the Brabant Revolution.
He intended to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand the war as much as possible, driving a wedge between Prussia and Austria to prevent them from joining forces against France.
If the groundwork he had laid in Poland also bore fruit, causing Russia, Prussia, and Austria to either delay or completely abandon their plans to partition Poland, then the shared interests between Prussia and Austria could be eliminated.
As a result, future wars in continental Europe would likely revolve around Austria and Prussia competing for dominance over Germany.
This would relieve France of the burden of facing a troublesome anti-French coalition, giving it more strategic flexibility. As major powers on the continent, both Austria and Prussia would seek France's favor, allowing France to profit greatly from the situation.
With Würmser's quick defeat in the Southern Netherlands, Joseph knew he had to put domestic matters on hold and focus on military preparations.
After all, to capitalize on the Prussia-Austria war, he needed a strong army that could influence the outcome.
The stronger his forces, the more valuable his alliances would become. So every livre invested in military preparation today could yield ten or even a hundred in the future!
"Your Highness, we need to pick up the pace a little. His Majesty might be getting impatient," said a court official walking ahead, noticing that the Prince had stopped to speak with his attendants. He quickly turned back to remind him.
"Oh, right." Joseph hurriedly quickened his pace to catch up with the official and then casually asked, "By the way, what does Her Majesty the Queen want to see me about?"
The official skillfully avoided the question, saying, "Your Highness, I'm not sure. But Her Majesty the Queen looked very serious, as if it were something important. Oh, and His Majesty the King is there too."
"What? Father's there too?" Joseph realized then that something serious must be happening. Otherwise, it wouldn't be enough to rouse King Louis XVI from his usual passive state.
When he arrived at the Petit Trianon, he indeed found his parents sitting by the window, listening to music, clearly waiting for him.
He quickly stepped forward and bowed.
Queen Marie Antoinette's stern expression softened when she saw her beloved son. She waved him over, saying, "Dear, come sit with us!"
Joseph sat down next to his mother and heard her say, "Your uncle just sent a special envoy."
Joseph blinked. "Uncle? Which uncle?"
"The Grand Duke of Tuscany," Louis XVI reminded him from the side.
Queen Marie pushed a tray of pudding and macarons toward her son. "The envoy informed your father and me about His Majesty the Emperor's health. Just as you mentioned a few days ago, it seems the situation is quite serious."
She was, of course, referring to Emperor Joseph II.
"The envoy also specifically mentioned your cousin," the Queen added, staring intently into Joseph's eyes. "Dear, you're not young anymore. It's time you decided on a marriage partner. I was already married to your father at your age. What do you think of Clementine? Your father and I both like her. Perhaps we could propose the match to your uncle…"
Joseph nearly choked on his own saliva and quickly stood up, waving his hands in embarrassment. "This… this might… actually, concerning the causes of genetic diseases, close relatives… maybe we should reconsider…"
Queen Marie couldn't help but frown slightly, seeing through her son's reluctance. "Joseph, do you have any objections to Clementine? Or is there someone else you've set your heart on?"
(End of chapter)
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