I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 604 The Light of Hope

Stanislaw II said with great humility:
"Your Majesty, Poland is always under your protection. All countries know that any improvement in Poland is inseparable from your grace."

"Is that so?" Catherine II shook her head slightly. "I heard that you are constantly instilling in the people the idea that they are Polish, regardless of whether they speak Polish, Russian or German."

The Polish king's back instantly broke out in cold sweat, for he knew that if he said one wrong word at this moment, Poland would fall into hell.

But the smile on his face became brighter:
"Your Majesty, this is all a trick to coax those Prussians and Romanians who are unwilling to pay taxes. They have to feel that they are Poles, so that they will pay taxes to the Polish king, right?"

The proportion of the main ethnic groups in Poland, that is, Poles and Lithuanians, is not high, and there are a large number of Prussians, Russians, Austrians and Romanians in the country. This is also one of the important reasons why it is difficult for them to form a joint force to resist the enemy when they encounter foreign invasions.

Stanisław II continued:
"Somehow those stupid officials in Warsaw have brought these 'frauds' to the Ukraine. There is no need for them there.

"Oh, if this makes you uncomfortable, I will order them to stop advertising like this now."

After more than two years of dissemination, Poland's nationalist ideas have long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and there is no need for the government to promote them anymore.

Later, he would ask the parliament to issue a ban, prohibiting the promotion of the idea of ​​"Greater Poland". But ideological trends are simply not something that can be banned by government decrees, and may even trigger a rebellious mentality among the people, which in turn will lead to another climax.

However, Russia no longer had an excuse to make things difficult for the Polish government - you see, I tried very hard, but these untouchables just wouldn't listen, and there was nothing I could do.

Catherine II narrowed her eyes, as if accepting Stashi's explanation, and then asked:
"So, has Warsaw's massive military expansion in the past few months also been intended to scare the untouchables who are unwilling to pay taxes?"

Stanisław II felt his scalp tighten. To be honest, if his nephew and Mr. Sieyès had not made sufficient plans for him before departure, he would have been so nervous that he would have been speechless.

Fortunately, the Tsar’s problems were not beyond expectations.

"Your Majesty, this is just to make some money," he said pitifully. "You know, Poland's debt problem is already extremely serious."

"I think more troops will only consume more finances to maintain," the Tsar said in a somewhat cold voice, "Tell me, who do you want to fight against with so many troops?"

Stanislaw II tried to keep himself calm and pretended to be wronged:
"Your Majesty, these armies are really just a business.

"In order to get some money for the treasury, Malachowski thought of the Bulgarian approach, which was to organize the useless untouchables into mercenaries.

“It just so happened that Austria said they needed to deal with a rebellion in Slavonia, so I asked him to recruit some people to earn commissions.

"Don't worry, I will disband these troops as soon as I finish my business with Austria. Ah, in fact, I don't have the money to support so many soldiers."

This is of course just to delay time. As long as Russia does not object for the time being, and these new recruits mature, there will be no need to worry about Russia's objections.

"Well," Catherine II finally smiled again, "Stasi, I must remind you that only Russia truly protects Poland and hopes that Poland will become strong. Leaving Russia will put Poland in danger."

Stanislaw II bowed and said:

"Yes, Your Majesty, please believe that this is what I think too."

The next day at noon, Catherine II received a letter from Potemkin. The letter advised her not to trust Stanislaw II. After the new constitution was passed, Poland was gradually moving away from Russia and getting closer to a sovereign state. Russia should continue to prepare for war against Poland and should not relax.

Although Potemkin was in Jassy, ​​he was informed by his rival Zubov that the Polish king was trying to influence the Tsar, so he immediately wrote this letter.

Catherine II hesitated for a moment and threw the letter into the drawer.

In fact, there was no need for Potemkin to remind her. As one of the most capable monarchs in Europe, she had naturally long seen that Stanisław II had ulterior motives in flattering her.

But she was rarely hesitant, although all the signs in Poland showed that they were preparing something, and Stashi assured her that these would be corrected.

She didn't know why, but she suddenly remembered his melancholy and vicissitudes of life eyes, and instantly felt that she should trust him once, and Poland would still be the docile and obedient protectorate it used to be...

……

Southern Netherlands.

City of Ostend.

Edmund Henry Demville looked at the dozen or so sailboats in the sunset and felt a sense of unreality.

In these twenty years, he had never thought that he would become a sailor one day, just as he had never thought that he would be able to pay off that terrible debt one day.

Old Demville tortured him for 16 years, and the only inheritance he left him was a debt of 4 livres.

This old drunkard's life was filled with bad wine and drunkenness. Six years ago, when he was drunk, he accidentally killed a nobleman. The court sentenced him to 6 years in prison and ordered him to pay 20 livres in compensation to the nobleman's family.

Fortunately, he died before he went to prison. In order to pay off the debt, Demville's mother sold her property and borrowed from all relatives and friends, and finally paid off the 3 livres.

Then, she died of exhaustion.

After so many years, 3 livres has become more than 4 due to interest.

When Demville, who was in debt, was in despair, Madno, a distant relative and one of his biggest creditors, introduced him to a very lucrative job.

He could earn 900 francs a year. He could pay off his debt in less than 5 years!
That is to follow the "Pulse Gang" to do maritime business.

At that time, Demville was very disappointed because he had never been on a ship in his life, let alone be a sailor.

However, Maderno told him that the Walloon Business Council had recently established a new "Marine Business School" where he could learn how to become a crew member. The tuition fee was only 30 francs, and he could study first and pay the tuition later.

Therefore, after four months of intensive training, Demville successfully passed the assessment of "apprentice handyman" and then got the job on the "Leisure".

The boatswain of the Leisure promised him an annual salary of 950 francs as long as he guaranteed to go out to sea six times a year.

(End of this chapter)