I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 461: Death of the Emperor of Shinra
Immediately, nearly half of the British MPs echoed:
"The Franco-Austrian coalition has taken the initiative on the battlefield, and we must respond!"

"If Austria were allowed to retake Silesia, the strategic balance in the German region would be disrupted."

"Not only Silesia, the Franco-Austrian alliance can even influence the political situation in Europe..."

As a long-standing troublemaker, Britain will never allow a hegemonic country to emerge on the European continent.

However, some more cautious councillors shook their heads and discussed. One of them stood up and said:

"Lord Fox, we are not ready to fight at all. We haven't even started mobilizing the army."

All the mobile forces that Britain could mobilize were deployed in India last year. At present, at most 3 people can be sent to Silesia, and the logistics are not ready, so even if they participate in the war, it will be difficult to affect the situation.

Fox immediately patted the war proposal in front of him and said loudly: "So, we should start preparing for war immediately."

He jabbed his finger at the eastern air: "When the French help Austria defeat our allies, it will be too late!
"The weak Netherlands cannot be relied upon at all. Prussia is our only support point in Europe. If Prussia is defeated and chooses to side with France and Austria, it will be a nightmare for Britain!"

In the parliament hall, the voices of support for him became louder. Although the Tory MPs were reluctant to support his proposal, they could not find any reason to refute it for a while.

In just an hour, the British Senate passed a bill to immediately start preparing for war, sending troops to Silesia in three months, with a force of no less than 6. At the same time, Hanover's troops in Silesia were greatly increased, and allies such as the Netherlands, Lower Hesse, and Poland were also required to send troops.

The bill was quickly sent to 10 Downing Street for signature by Prime Minister Pitt the Younger.

It seemed that the whole of Europe would soon be completely detonated with Silesia as the midpoint.

……

Silesia.

South of Liegnitz.

"Please accept this little gift." General Leo gestured to the carriage parked on the road with a big smile on his face. "I've heard that even Marshal Lacy was against sending more troops to Ratibor, but you overcame all objections and allowed General Kellerman to lead 3 troops to help me."

"Hey," Joseph coughed dryly, patted his shoulder and smiled, "We are old friends. Of course I can't just stand by and watch you get into danger."

Leo thanked him again and again. He always believed that he was besieged in Latibor because of his poor fighting ability, and it was the French prince who saved him in the end.

Joseph was happy to have a good relationship with him, after all, it would allow him to have more connections in Vienna.

He and General Leo exchanged pleasantries and entered the tent. At this time, a staff officer came over and whispered to him, "Your Highness, these are all jewels and luxury goods, worth at least 50 francs."

Joseph smiled even brighter. It seemed that Leo had brought all the gifts from Vienna. Well, since Austria had won a great victory this time, Leo's actions in Ratibor were also characterized as "fighting bravely and tenaciously, thus tying down a large number of enemy troops." He was commended for this, and his promotion to marshal should be a foregone conclusion.

Soon, Leo's topic turned to the war.

He took out Marshal Lacy's handwritten letter and said to Joseph: "Your Highness, the coalition forces currently have a considerable advantage in Breslau.

"The command has already formulated a battle plan for the 'March Offensive'. Once your corps arrives, we will soon be able to capture the Breslau Fortress."

Joseph couldn't help but sigh secretly. General Wilmser, who had come to urge him before, had not left yet, and Leo came again to urge him.

The Guards had been "resting" here for more than half a month, and it seemed that they could not delay any longer this time. He turned to Berthier helplessly, and was about to order the army to march out when he heard the sound of horse hooves approaching rapidly. Then, an officer entered the tent with a black obituary, and said in a sad tone: "Your Highness, generals, His Majesty the Holy Roman Emperor has been summoned by God..."

Although Joseph was quite sad about the passing of his uncle, after all, they were relatives, but he was also relieved.

Joseph II still followed the course of history and died at the end of February 1790.

France will also be able to use this opportunity to extricate itself from the vortex of the Silesian War.

Joseph looked at General Leo, who was in shock, and said in sorrow: "Oh! God! My dear uncle has passed away, and I must return to Vienna to attend the funeral."

Leo also reacted, and hurriedly beat his chest and wailed: "May your majesty rest in peace in heaven..."

For a while, no one mentioned the war anymore. Marshal Lacy urgently revised the battle plan and changed it to defending the entire line. Fortunately, the Austrian army had gained some advantages before, and the Prussians were unable to take advantage of the opportunity to launch a full-scale counterattack.

……

A week later.

There was no dull atmosphere in Vienna. Instead, the death of Joseph II made some people excited.

In Schönbrunn Palace, several ministers were advising Leopold II: "Your Majesty, if the nobles continue to not cooperate, the state finances will dry up in a few months."

"Your Majesty, we have made a breakthrough in Silesia, but we also consumed a lot of supplies before that."

"Hungary's separatist activities are becoming more and more rampant. I suggest that some troops be transferred back to Pest for deterrence..."

Leopold II frowned. He knew very well that the words of these nobles could be summed up as follows: "Please abolish Joseph II's reforms as soon as possible."

Although he always advocated ending his brother's reforms, the power of the reformists could not be ignored, especially when he had not yet been officially crowned emperor.

Although given the political structure of Germany, the electors had no choice but to vote for him, but before that, he was absolutely unwilling to cause too much political turmoil.

At this moment, the servant shouted at the door: "Count Kaunitz is here——"

Leopold II turned his head and saw Secretary of State Kaunitz walking in quickly. He touched his chest and saluted him, then said loudly: "Your Majesty, it is urgent to suspend the reform. As for those reformists who are full of fantasies, I think they can be arrested for inciting riots!"

Although Kaunitz was not favored by Leopold II and had gradually moved away from the core of power, his influence as an important political force in Vienna could not be ignored.

Seeing that he was so determined to end the reform, Leopold II stopped hesitating and said to the Minister of the Interior: "Please immediately draft a decree to suspend the reform decree and convene a royal meeting tomorrow morning to discuss it."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

……

Joseph II's coffin was carried slowly along the streets of Vienna by strong palace guards. A group of priests led by the Pope followed closely, holding various sacrificial utensils.

(End of this chapter)