I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 311 Historic Trade Agreement
As for the combat plan, Marshal Lacy and other military leaders had already discussed it, and they came up with it right now.

Austria recruited 8 troops from across the country - due to the impact of Joseph II's reforms, this was already the limit of its strength - led by Marshal Lacy, and secretly marched to Silesia.

At the same time, only 5000 troops were left in the Luxembourg direction to keep an eye on the Brabant rebels. The main force was brought back to Austria by General Wilmser. After a brief rest, it was also invested in Silesia.

On the Bavaria side, they tried to persuade Karl Otter to send 10,000 to 20,000 troops. The bargaining chip was naturally the exchange of territory in the Southern Netherlands.

France needs to send more than 5 troops.

If coupled with the possible military support provided by the South German states, the Austrian coalition can probably gather 15 to 17 troops in the direction of Silesia.

At present, Prussia can recruit no more than 12 troops. Saxony is almost bound to participate in the war, with a strength of about 3.

In other words, in terms of total strength, the Austrian coalition has certain advantages.

Moreover, whether it is the Austrian army or the French army, their combat effectiveness will not be weaker than that of Prussia, but far stronger than that of Saxony.

As long as France ensures that Poland does not send troops to support Prussia as agreed, the Austrian coalition's chances of victory will be very high.

Austrian Foreign Minister Baron Turgut shook his head and interrupted him: "You always get entangled in these trivial issues.

Although Russia is still at war with Sweden, with Russia's strong military power, just by randomly dividing a few legions, it can have a huge impact on the war situation.

It was not until dusk fell that the royal meeting at Schonbrunn Palace came to an end temporarily.

“This will cost all of our countries nearly half a year of trade gains.

Munich Palace.

So how to ensure that Russia stays out?
Leopold II rubbed the corner of his eyebrows, and suddenly remembered the huge common interests of France and Russia in dealing with the Ottomans and Mediterranean trade recently, and thought to himself: "It seems that my dear sister still needs to step forward on my behalf. But, what should I use in return..."

“If this delay continues, I’m afraid we won’t be able to reach a trade agreement by the end of the year.

Bavaria.

"I think you just have to grasp the overall direction. You shouldn't delay all of us just because of your family."

After the meeting, Leopold II seemed worried. He knew that there was another extremely important factor to consider in the Battle of Silesia, and that was Russia's attitude.

Of course, the person presiding over the meeting had already been replaced by Leopold II. After His Majesty the Emperor decided to send troops to Silesia, he changed rooms to rest.

"As for the tariff on wood products, I still hope it can be raised higher." Count Württemberg's Winzengrod looked at Bai Yi, "It should be at least 45%..."

Russia and Prussia have highly consistent interests in Poland. If Prussia's war situation is unfavorable, Catherine II is very likely to send troops to intervene.

Seine-Rhine trade agreement negotiations.

If France could send more troops, it could even crush Prussia.

Count Winzengerode looked at him with some confusion. Since last week, Austrian representatives have been urging for an agreement.

As a big country that has a huge influence on South Germany, Austria's attitude is absolutely impossible for the small South German countries to ignore.

Representatives of Baden also shouted: "Baron Turgut is right, we are also waiting for the agreement to be implemented." When the businessmen in Baden heard the news of the trade negotiations, they all piled goods at the dock and waited. Shipped to France and Austria for sale.

"If we delay here for too long, they may go crazy."

The representative of Augsburg nodded in agreement: "I think the current terms are completely acceptable. And the draft also says that detailed terms will be re-negotiated every three years.

“There are many things that we will have to study carefully at that time.”

Not surprisingly, the two of them were also the "results" of Talleyrand's bribery, and the cost was very small. Each of them was only given 3 livres, and they were completely "won".

Of course, the terms of the agreement do not seem to be disadvantageous to Baden and Augsburg, so they are happy to take the money - it just makes the signing faster, and there is almost no risk to themselves.

As for Bavaria, they got the most favorable terms of the agreement, and Archduke Otto Doll was still dreaming of "moving" to the Southern Netherlands, so he still listened to Austria's opinions.

As a result, the negotiation scene formed a situation where France, Austria, and Baghdad, two small countries, firmly pushed forward the signing of the agreement, while Württemberg and Hesse were somewhat hesitant.

However, after Hesse was secretly threatened by Austria to expel him and ask other countries to sign an agreement in advance, Hesse quickly compromised - South Germany plus France and Austria have such a big market, if they miss it, it is very likely that It will suffer a big loss in trade, which will lead to the rapid fall of national strength.

Small countries just want to get more benefits, but they never want to become "outsiders".

Under the strong mediation of Austria, the countries have reached a preliminary agreement after only half a month of trade negotiations. Count Winzengrod finally relented after he was unable to survive alone and obtained France's promise to import at least 80 picograms of coal at market prices every year.

A pico is a standard-sized basket, and one pico of coal weighs about 20 kilograms. 80 picograms is 1600 million kilograms. This was only a negligible number in later generations, but in the 18th century when coal was mainly used for heating, this was basically close to the total output of all coal mines in Württemberg.

For Württemberg, this is definitely a big deal.

On July 1789, 7, the "Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement", which had a huge impact on the European trade pattern, was officially signed. The contracting countries include France, Austria, Bavaria, Salzburg, Württemberg, Augsburg, Hesse- Darmstadt, Baden.

Signed together with the agreement, there are also supplementary provisions of the agreement - shipping vessels from the signatory countries in the Seine and Rhine river basins can directly enter other countries. Although landing is not allowed and locals must be hired to unload the goods, it is a huge convenience for free trade.

……

Paris.

Palace of Versailles.

Queen Mary put down the war participation plan jointly submitted by Archbishop Briand and the Minister of War, Duke Broy, and looked at them with some surprise: "Are you sure that France should participate in the war in the German region? Is this really in the interest of France?"

The two cabinet ministers nodded in unison.

Of course, this was the order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so they complied with the request and wrote the documents and submitted them to Her Majesty the Queen.

Queen Mary asked cautiously: "So, is France ready to join the war?"

Brian and Duke Broy were not very clear about the specific situation, but they still nodded firmly: "Yes, Your Majesty. The battlefield is far away from France, and the interests are large enough. We only need to send some troops to Silesia. Even No need to worry about winning or losing.”

Only Talleyrand, who stood aside and knew the inside story best, shrank his head and muttered in his heart, you are still here worrying about whether you are ready... His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already finalized everything with the Austrians, and now The Austrian army may have completed its assembly.

(End of this chapter)