I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 353: The Ambition of Catherine II (asking for monthly ticket)

If we do not want the interests of Austria and Prussia to converge, we must first prevent the partition of Poland from happening.

So for Joseph, he can only suffer in Sweden for the time being.

If King Gustav III of Sweden knew his thoughts, he would probably give him a thumbs up and say, "You are amazing, you are noble!"

Of course, Joseph did not intend to condone Russia's wanton expansion. On the contrary, he was very wary of Russia's endless desire for territory.

The title of "European Gendarmerie" is no joke. Once the huge Russia finds the feeling of war, its troops will sweep across the heart of the European continent. Historically, just 1814 years later in , the Russian army marched into Paris with Tsar Alexander I.

Joseph pushed Russia to the Swedish front because he knew that Sweden could withstand the Russian attack. Even if they failed to defeat the Russian army in the Battle of Svensksund, they would surely win a big comeback later.

There is no other reason, it’s just because Britain is standing behind Sweden.

Britain was also concerned about Russia's expansion. They had always adhered to the continental balance policy and would not allow a powerful country to emerge on the European continent that overwhelmed other forces. Therefore, Sweden was the bridgehead used by the British to block Russia's westward advance.

As for Poland, the British didn't care that much. After all, even if Russia could annex Poland, the whole of Germany, including Austria and Prussia, would stand in its way, making it difficult for it to continue to reach westward.

Once Sweden falls, Russia will be able to roam freely throughout the Baltic Sea, and Britain will most likely be forced to face the Russian army head-on.

Historically, Russia won a series of victories in the early stages of the war with Sweden, after which Britain began to intervene forcefully and joined forces with Prussia to put pressure on Russia's ally Denmark.

Denmark quickly withdrew from the war after gaining some benefits. Sweden was able to concentrate all its efforts on dealing with Russia, and eventually defeated the Russians with the massive assistance of Britain, and took back all the land lost in the early stages of the war with the Treaty of Verel.

Therefore, Joseph strongly supported Russia's fight against Sweden. On the one hand, it would give Poland more breathing space to complete the integration of the country. On the other hand, it could use Sweden to consume Britain. France did not have to invest anything except talking, which was definitely a very cost-effective deal.

However, this was too much for Queen Mary.

She waited for the Russian ambassador Stroganov to finish speaking, her eyes widened, trying to recall whether Talleyrand had ever submitted such an important report on national strategic planning to her.

And Stroganov thought she had acquiesced, so he moved closer to her and said in a lower voice: “Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor thanks you for your position.

"At present, Prussia and Austria are fighting fiercely in Silesia, and France has also intervened in the war there on a large scale.

"His Majesty the Emperor fully understands your claims to the Low Countries and is ready to support you at any time."

"No..." Queen Marie was still thinking about Sweden. She was even more confused after hearing this. France didn't have any ideas about the Low Countries. Was the Russian ambassador drunk?
If Joseph were here, he would definitely be very shocked - the French army is still lingering on the border of Liege, and even Luxembourg is still legally part of Austria for the time being. Catherine II saw his thoughts on the Southern Netherlands.

This woman is worthy of being one of the most outstanding tsars in modern Russia. Her strategic vision alone is enough to overwhelm all the European powers.

Of course, she used her own ambition to speculate on France's strategy. In fact, Joseph only wanted the Wallonia region in the south. Eating too much at once will make you full.

Count Stroganov continued, "But His Majesty the Emperor believes that France's strategy should not stop at the Low Countries." Queen Marie immediately shook her head: "I never thought that the Low Countries..."

"Yes, I understand." The Russian ambassador thought she meant to say "The Low Countries were never the ultimate goal", so he nodded immediately, "Your Majesty the Emperor also thinks that what you have in mind is the broad Rhine."

He raised his right hand to his chest and waved it vigorously: "But that is definitely a difficult goal to achieve. Oh, I am not questioning your strength, but if France faces the whole of Germany with its own strength, please believe that Britain, Italy and even Sweden will be hostile to France. It will be a protracted war and will bring huge losses to France.

“If France and Russia join forces, the situation will be very different.

"As soon as His Majesty's army can cross Poland, of course, this will be after our war with Sweden is over, we will be able to provide you with strong support from eastern Austria.

"As for the future strategy, perhaps you and His Majesty the Emperor will have to discuss it in detail before we can determine it."

His words had been made very clear - Catherine II wanted to join forces with the French strong woman to divide the European continent from the east and west!
France took the west bank of the Rhine, and Russia gained eastern Sweden and Poland. Eventually, the two armies attacked Austria from two directions.

As for how far they will go in the end, the two women will have to discuss and determine it in detail.

After Queen Mary's brain repeatedly crashed, she finally determined that the Russian ambassador was drunk.

What Low Countries? What Rhine? What faces all of Germany?

He wouldn't be this drunk just by drinking wine, he must have drunk a whole bottle of vodka!

She figured this out and immediately regained her composure. She looked at Stroganov with a smile and said, "You are such a joker. Perhaps you need to take a break? Debenak, please ask someone to prepare a rest room..."

Stroganov was a little anxious and said hurriedly: "His Majesty the Emperor asked me to convey to you that in today's Europe, only France and Russia can bring a new order. Although France is currently facing some financial problems, under your rule, France will eventually become strong!"

He suddenly turned to Alexandra and said, "Oh, you see, His Majesty the Emperor is absolutely sincere in promoting closer ties between our two countries."

Queen Mary still maintained a tolerant and polite smile towards the drunkard: "Okay, okay, I am very grateful for your sincerity. Then, do you need to go to the lounge to eat something first?"

Stroganov was slightly stunned, and confirmed that he had expressed all his meanings clearly, so the French Queen's words meant that she needed time to consider.

So he touched his chest and bowed: "Then I won't disturb you from appreciating the art."

Joseph, who was far away in Luxembourg, never imagined that his previous series of actions would actually arouse such huge ambitions of Catherine II.

If Queen Mary really chose her granddaughter as the Crown Princess, the entire European continent would be in great shock.

(End of this chapter)