I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 439 The Taste of Vienna
Catherine II was indeed a great ruler. Her mind worked very quickly and she immediately continued:

“In addition, I will transfer 3000 serfs to Donbass and contribute 5 rubles to French development projects.

"In return, I hope to receive one-third of the mineral revenues in the Donbass region."

Talleyrand immediately showed a standard diplomatic smile:
"Your Majesty, you know that our country will face great risks in developing Donbass. You know that those initial explorations are unreliable, and it is very likely that only a few hundred tons of small ore will be dug out in the end..."

To be honest, 3000 serfs did help the development work a little, but Joseph had already prepared other labor forces, so even without these people, the work could still proceed as usual.

As for 5 rubles, which is roughly equivalent to 20 francs, investing them in a place as big as Donbass won't make any splash at all.

In fact, Joseph was planning to give Ye Er some of the profits. After all, it is easier to do business when there is a vested interest in mining on someone else's land. However, the authority he gave to Talleyrand was to give Russia 20% of the profits.

But Ye Er's appetite is a little too big.

Talleyrand considered:

"Your Majesty, this development is entirely a risky decision made by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. You shouldn't be asked to bear any risks, such as the manpower you are going to send or the sponsorship."

Without waiting for Ye Er to object, he immediately added:

"But when I left Paris, His Highness also told me to give you 10% of the profits to show his respect for you. Oh, by the way, His Highness also said that if a large mineral deposit is really discovered in Donbass, then he will invest in the expansion of Kherson Port."

Catherine II narrowed her eyes slightly.

The river connecting the Donbass region and the Crimea's estuary is called the Dnieper River, and the Port of Kherson is the port where the Dnieper River flows into the Black Sea. Talleyrand was reminding her of the importance of developing the Donbass region for Russia's control of Crimea. Crimea is Russia's only foothold for trade with the Mediterranean coast, and successive tsars have spared no effort to take it. Ye Er also spent a lot of effort, fought repeatedly with the Ottomans, and lost tens of thousands of people before he finally barely controlled Crimea.

If the Donbas region on the northern coast of Crimea can be developed rapidly, it will provide strong support for her rule over Crimea. At the very least, if a war breaks out in Crimea, it will definitely cost much less and be much faster to collect logistical supplies from Donbas than to transport them from Moscow.

She smiled at Talleyrand and said:

"Thank you, Your Highness, for thinking so much about our country. Then France will be responsible for all the investment, and I will get 15% of the mineral income."

She did feel that developing Donbass was risky, and if the French really found a large mine, it would certainly require a large labor force to mine. By then, it would not be too late to increase her income by sending serfs in exchange.

Talleyrand secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but continued to bargain:
"Your Majesty, this ratio is too high. I hope you can give tax concessions to the mining plant..."

After the dinner that day, Talleyrand casually said to Catherine II:

"Your Majesty, Prussia and Austria are currently at war in Silesia. Your Highness the Crown Prince implores you to understand His Majesty Joseph II's wish to recover his homeland in Silesia. You know that His Highness respects his uncle very much."

Catherine II immediately remembered that last month Britain had also sent a special envoy to Petersburg to express the hope that Russia would not interfere in the war in Silesia. Today, the French Foreign Minister actually brought up the matter again.

The British statement was naturally what Joseph had requested in the Non-Interference Treaty.

Catherine II really hoped that Prussia and Austria could cease fire and then divide Poland with Russia, but she still had to consider the attitudes of Britain and France. Moreover, the French had just said they would help her develop Donbass, which made it even more difficult for her to refuse.

So she nodded and said, "Archbishop Talleyrand, please tell His Highness that I have no intention of interfering in the situation in Silesia."...

Little Trianon.

As soon as Queen Mary entered the room, she couldn't wait to sit on the chair. She looked very tired, but her face was full of smiles:

"Ah, what a great event! Look, the whole of Europe is watching Paris, everyone is constantly exclaiming in admiration, everyone!"

She stretched out her white and tender feet and helped the maid to put on comfortable shoes for her, and then sighed:
"Joseph always comes up with such wonderful ideas. God must have favored his little brain...

"Oh, fortunately the Expo will be held in Lyon in three years. It's really tiring to host such a grand event."

She had just presided over the closing ceremony of the World Expo and then rushed back to the Palace of Versailles from Paris.

Countess de Berninac next to her reminded:

"Your Majesty, there will be Paris Fashion Week in two months. You may have to preside over the opening ceremony. After all, you are the symbol of French fashion."

"Oh, my God..." Queen Mary held her forehead exaggeratedly, but her eyes glanced at the several plates of exquisite desserts on the small table in front of her.

"Could this be Viennese vanilla shortbread?" She was immediately surprised and carefully raised her hand to pick up a small piece and put it in her mouth.

The sweet taste and crispy texture spread between her lips and teeth. Queen Mary instantly closed her eyes in ecstasy and nodded in satisfaction:
"Uh-huh!"

After she tasted several other desserts, she suddenly looked at the maid:
"These are definitely not made by Mr. Cecilien and his team, they taste amazing!"

Cecilien is her chief baker. Although his skills are top-notch, he cannot make such Viennese flavor.

"It is Miss Delvaux's masterpiece, Your Majesty," said De Berninac.

"Hmm? Yes, yes, she is the only one who can make such authentic Viennese flavor here." Queen Mary looked at the maid next to her, "Where is Camelia?"

A maid said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, Miss Delvaux is cleaning your piano room."

Queen Mary smiled and shook her head: "She is always so restless, let her stop being busy and come and chat with me."

She originally wanted Camelia to learn poetry and dance like an ordinary noble lady, but she insisted on fulfilling her duties as a maid, running around every day. And she did a very good job. The old servants around the queen with more than ten years of experience were not as meticulous as her.

Queen Mary cut off a small piece of cake with her fork and was about to put it into her mouth when she heard the voice of the court etiquette officer:
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

Joseph came in and bowed to his mother:

"Dear mother, I may have to go to Austria soon. Mm, this smells so good..."

(End of this chapter)