I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 644: The Strong Emperor (asking for monthly votes)
Minister of State Baron Turgut nodded and said:

"Your Majesty, the empire's trade revenue has indeed been declining in the past two years."

Francis II asked again:

“And the key to turning the trade situation around lies with France?”

Baron Turgut hesitated for a moment and nodded again:

"In a sense, you could say that."

Baron Walter on the side waved his intact hand and said angrily:

"The French used an unreasonable trade agreement to snatch away our market in southern Germany and squeeze out many of our factories. As long as that treaty remains, our trade situation will never improve!"

Baron Turgut interrupted him:

“In fact, when the treaty was signed, the terms were in our favor.”

He signed the Treaty of Rhine and Seine on behalf of Austria, so he naturally could not go back on his word at this time.

Francis II looked at Count Rheinfels:

“So how do you think we should deal with the adverse effects of the treaty?”

The latter had already thought about it on the way back to Vienna, and said hurriedly:
"Your Majesty, at present, the southern German countries dare not offend France. We may be able to negotiate with France privately and strive to reach an independent tariff quota for the two countries outside the treaty."

What he meant was to give up the southern German market and to compromise with France in order to preserve Austria's own market.

Francis II looked at Baron Turgut again:
"Do you agree with Count Rheinfels?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, this will indeed temporarily stabilize our country's trade income." The Secretary of State said, "After that, we can use our influence in the German region to call on other countries to boycott French products and ultimately achieve the goal of renegotiating the treaty."

Franz II nodded and said:

"Okay, let's do this."

The king and his ministers discussed in detail the details of the exchange of interests with France, and the sky gradually darkened.

The court officials came to remind His Majesty that the dinner was ready. The ministers bowed and left one after another, and Francis II, surrounded by servants, walked towards the banquet hall.

Suddenly he heard familiar footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw his mother Ludovica chasing after him.

"I thought you weren't dining with me."

"It's been a long time since we've had dinner together, and I'm free tonight." Ludovica came to his side, her face became serious, and she whispered, "Actually, Franz, I have something to tell you."

"Oh? What do you want, mother?"

"As an emperor, you need to be tougher," Ludovica said. "Those ministers, if they think you are weak, will constantly push you into a corner."

Francis II nodded:
"Well, you are right."

Ludovica's voice was like dry stone:

"As an emperor, you are a sharp sword. Anyone who dares to stand in front of you will be ruthlessly cut off!
"You have been too indulgent with the Foreign Minister today. He has returned from Karlsruhe in defeat and disgrace, and he must be punished accordingly.

"Similarly, the French dared to threaten you with their army. But you chose to be humble and exchange your interests for their charity. This will only make the French more arrogant!" Franz II was stunned for a moment, and nodded again:
"That's true. I should have been tougher."

Ludovica was already dissatisfied with France, and over the past year or so, Baron Walter had been constantly slandering France in her ears, causing her to now hate France to the core.

"You must let the arrogant French know how powerful the Holy Roman Emperor is and how careless their previous actions were. Then, revise that damn treaty immediately!"

Franz II was a very gullible person. At only 23 years old, he lacked experience in governing a country. After hearing what his mother said, a feeling of heroism and arrogance suddenly surged in his heart.

"Yes! I cannot retreat blindly. Austria's interests must be guaranteed." He straightened his back with all his strength. "I am the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, a sharp blade!"

The next day.

Baron Turgut, Count Kobutzl and other important Austrian officials once again gathered before the emperor.

As soon as Francis II came to power, he severely reprimanded Count Rheinfels, saying that his incompetence had seriously damaged the interests of Austria, and fined him half a year's annual pension.

Then, the Holy Roman Emperor looked at Thugut again and said, "Regarding our attitude towards France, I think we should not be too soft. Yesterday's negotiation plan needs to be revised."

"But, Your Majesty..."

The Minister of State was about to say something when Baron Walter bowed and said in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty is wise and powerful! Only by showing the French how powerful we are can we effectively safeguard our country's interests!"

Francis II nodded and looked around at his ministers:

"So, what suggestions do you have?"

Since Kaunitz's resignation, the pro-French faction in Vienna's political arena has been on the decline, and the pro-British, pro-Prussian and even pro-Russian factions are now in the spotlight.

Chief Royal Advisor Kolinek and Baron Walter looked at each other and spoke first:
"Your Majesty, we can use our influence on the Italian countries to warn the French that if they do not re-sign the Treaty of the Rhine and the Seine, they will lose the Italian market."

At present, the main regions of Italy include Sardinia, Genoa, Venice, Tuscany, Sicily-Naples and other countries.

Venice was completely under Austrian control. The Grand Duke of Tuscany was the younger brother of Francis II. Sicily-Naples had a large number of marriages with the Habsburgs.

It can be said that Austria has a significant influence on most of the Apennine Peninsula.

Especially Venice, a major commercial city, which accounts for nearly one-third of Italy's trade volume.

For France, losing most of the Italian market for the sake of the Austrian market is absolutely not worth it.

Francis II nodded with satisfaction:

"This is a good idea. Let's plan it in detail."

Count Rheinfels had just been reprimanded, and now wanted to restore his position in the emperor's mind as much as possible, so he hurriedly added:
"Your Majesty, France's previous military exercises were indeed very effective. I think we can hold a joint exercise with Tuscany to deter France while demonstrating our strength to the Italian countries."

Everyone then offered suggestions one after another, and soon a diplomatic plan for the trade agreement was formulated.

Francis II once again handed over the mission to France to Count Rheinfels and announced the end of the meeting.

The officials left, but Baron Turgut stayed and handed a financial report to His Majesty the Emperor.

It was true that Francis II had little understanding of the country's financial situation, and it was difficult for Thugut to explain it to him simply by words, so he had to submit written documents.

(End of this chapter)