I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 414: Withdrawal (asking for monthly ticket)

William II's brows suddenly furrowed even more tightly.

The British were right - although Prussia survived last year's drought thanks to its large-scale potato planting, the poor agricultural harvest still dealt a heavy blow to the country's economy.

Prussia was soon involved in the Brabant Rebellion and the Silesian War, and funds were rapidly draining from the treasury like a flood.

If the war continues as it is now, the country's finances may collapse by March next year.

Ending the war in the Southern Netherlands would indeed ease financial pressure.

Lord Grenville continued:
"In addition, transferring General Blücher to Silesia will also change the balance of forces there."

Seeing the King of Prussia nod subconsciously, he immediately threw out another bait:
"To allay your concerns, the Bank of England will provide you with a loan of £70 to help you achieve victory in the Silesian War."

He knew that the Prussians were worried that Britain and Austria would collude and betray Prussian interests, so he had to show his support for the latter's war in Silesia.

William II's eyes lit up immediately - 70 pounds is 700 million florins! This money is enough for his army to fight until October next year. By then, the autumn harvest will have already arrived, and the finances will be able to continue.

But he was still quite hesitant:

"But this would also allow Austria to regain the Southern Netherlands."

Grenville said: "It will also make them lose France. You may know that the Austrians have always been wary of France's interference in the Southern Netherlands. The end of the rebellion there means that the French have lost their value to them.

"Of course, we will also exert some influence in Vienna to divide France and Austria."

Upon hearing this, William II finally nodded and fell into deep thought.

……

Austria Vienna.

In a villa on the west side of Schönbrunn Palace, Count Frenz hurriedly drove all the servants out and carefully closed the door. He then looked nervously at the middle-aged officer standing beside him:

"Is what you said really reliable?"

He knew that this officer was nominally affiliated with the garrison in Vienna, but was actually a member of the British ambassador to Austria.

The officer nodded immediately: "Yes, my Lord, this is a joint agreement between Lord Grenville and His Majesty King William II."

Ferencz's face changed, which meant that Britain and Prussia had abandoned the rebels in the Southern Netherlands.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Then why did your Lordship ask you to tell me this?"

"You know, we must first ensure that the French troops withdraw from the Southern Netherlands before the Hanoverian troops can leave," the officer said, "this is to ensure that Brussels will not fall into the hands of the French."

"Yes, you are right." Ferenc rubbed his hands excitedly. If the Emperor took back the Southern Netherlands after his "advice" at the Schönbrunn Palace, he would surely be able to rise to a high position in the future.

He immediately thought of another question:
"But Kaunitz and his group will certainly advise Your Majesty to oppose my proposal."

Kaunitz was a representative of the pro-French faction in Austria. He had always supported strengthening cooperation between France and Austria, and naturally would not agree to let the French withdraw from the Southern Netherlands.

The officer smiled:

"Marshal Lacy and General Wurmser will stand on your side, and we will cause some trouble for Kaunitz."

Lacy had considerable power in Austrian politics and was the commander-in-chief of the Silesian Campaign. His opinions were at least as important as those of State Secretary Kaunitz.

And Wurmser's influence was also not small. With the endorsement of the two of them, Ferenczi's confidence increased immediately. The British insider continued:

"Most importantly, it could potentially end the war in Silesia."

When he told Ferencz about it, the latter immediately nodded excitedly:
"Please tell Lord Grenville that I will persuade His Majesty to get rid of the French."

……

Paris.

Versailles, Petit Trianon.

Queen Mary looked at the trembling handwriting on the letter in her hand, and her eyes instantly became moist.

"Mrs. Delvaux, you were so cheerful and healthy in my memory, but how come..." She choked up a little, took a deep breath, put the letter aside, and made the sign of the cross on her chest, "May God bless you."

Madame Delvaux was her wet nurse and one of her closest people before she got married. In that letter, the old lady told her that her health was not good and the doctor said that she might be called by God at any time.

The old lady said that she originally did not want to disturb Her Majesty the Queen because of these little matters of hers, but her only granddaughter made her really worried, so she had to write this letter.

Queen Mary thought for a moment, then turned to her maid and said:

"De Berninac, please send for the Dauphin."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Joseph happened to be in the Foreign Minister's office in the Palace of Versailles at this time, discussing something with Talleyrand.

"According to the information sent by the Intelligence Bureau and the ambassador to Austria, Vienna has probably decided to evacuate us from the Southern Netherlands."

Talleyrand frowned and thought:
"With the strength of Austrian troops in the Low Countries, it is already very difficult to deal with Blücher's army. Once we leave, the Brabant rebels will immediately occupy the entire Southern Netherlands and declare independence."

Joseph nodded:
"This is so unusual that I may have to go to Vienna with you."

Just yesterday afternoon, the Palace of Versailles received a note from Austria, inviting French diplomats to Vienna for a meeting. As the matter was sudden, Talleyrand immediately rushed to the Tuileries Palace to report the matter to the Dauphin.

While the two were discussing, the queen's maid knocked on the door and bowed to Joseph:
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen asks you to go to her."

"Oh? Is there anything I can say for you, mother?" Joseph stood up, motioned to Talleyrand to wait, and went to the Petit Trianon Palace with Countess de Berninac.

"It seems to be related to the letter from Madame Delvaux." The maid tilted her head and said, "After reading the letter, His Majesty became a little depressed."

Joseph nodded. Madame Delvaux was able to write directly to her mother, which showed that she had a special relationship with her.

In this era, not everyone had the right to send private letters to the royal family. You know, even if Catherine II's illegitimate daughter wanted to write a letter to her, it had to be forwarded by Potemkin's old subordinates before it could be delivered to the Tsar.

Soon, Joseph walked into Queen Mary's bedroom, bowed, and before he could say anything, he saw his mother's tears falling.

He hurried forward and took the queen's hand, saying with concern:

"Mother, what's wrong with you?"

"My dear, I hope you can go to Vienna on my behalf." Queen Marie tried to stop sniffling, looked up at him and said, "Madame Delvaux is my wet nurse, who has been taking care of me since I was a child. But now she is in trouble."

(End of this chapter)