I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 647 The Door to Italy Slowly Opens
Count Rheinfels seemed to have guessed what the official had said to Bailly, and he raised his head proudly:
"I believe that Italian countries will definitely support our proposal."

The first meeting ended in a tense atmosphere. Both sides gave each other cold shoulder and failed to achieve any results.

Of course, such important negotiations cannot be completed overnight. It is normal for them to take a month or two.

Bailly came out of the Peace Hall and did not even attend the ball to entertain Austrian diplomats. He immediately rushed to report the situation here to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Second floor of the Tuileries Palace.

Joseph couldn't help but frown when he heard what Bailly said about the Austrians' demands.

Francis II truly deserves to be called a "great man" in history who personally destroyed the Holy Roman Empire. He was in a hurry to do such a thing before the coronation ceremony was even completed.

That was an international treaty that had only been signed two years ago! Previously, Leopold II had only dared to bring in Britain to "save the country in a roundabout way", but he actually came directly to ask for a re-signing.

Why is your face so big?

If this had happened during the reign of Louis XIV, he would probably have declared war on this matter.

Bailey continued:
"Your Highness, the Austrians also said that if we do not accept their conditions, they will join forces with the Italian countries to impose punitive tariffs on our country. In addition, I just received news that an Austrian army of 3 people has just arrived in Tuscany and is preparing to conduct military exercises."

Joseph wanted to laugh, thinking that the Austrians had a strong learning ability. As soon as he had a military exercise, they immediately learned it.

He suddenly thought of something and looked at Bai:

"You mean, they want to instigate Italy to impose trade restrictions on us?"

"Your Highness, Austria has a strong influence on Venice and Tuscany, and has marriage alliances with Parma and the Two Sicilies. I'm afraid we can really convince them to... "

Joseph nodded with a smile: "Perhaps this is not bad news."

Italy has been a key area of ​​contention between France and Austria for hundreds of years, and it is also France's "backyard". After Emperor Napoleon conquered Italy, he gained huge economic benefits from it, which supported a small part of his military expenditure.

I had previously been struggling with the fact that I had no reason to intervene in the Italian region. After all, the political situation there had become stable in recent decades, but now someone had offered to come to me on their own initiative.

Francis II also has his lovely side.

Of course, the Italian market must not be lost.

Joseph thought for a moment and said to Emand, "Please ask General Berthier to come and see me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

He then instructed Bailly: "Mr. Bailly, you must try to delay the Austrian Foreign Minister for a while, at least half a month. We need to increase our presence in the Apennine Peninsula."

"Please leave it to me, Your Highness."

Joseph gave Bailly some detailed instructions, and after the latter left, Fouché hurried over.

After the salute, the director of the Intelligence Bureau took out a report:
"Your Highness, Russia has been behaving unusually recently."

Joseph took the report and unfolded it, and saw at the beginning that "the 14th Infantry Regiment of the Russian Royal Guards was transferred to be stationed east of Minsk."

Fouché continued: "According to the intelligence we have, more than 2 Russian troops have been assembled in the Ula area. There are also 1 troops near Kiev in the south.

"At the same time, the Russians began to build warehouses in these two places, and a large amount of food, ammunition and other supplies were transported there."

Joseph's eyes suddenly froze.

He studied in the military academy for more than three years and participated in the war himself, so he was very familiar with the war model of that era.

If the simple troop movement is just a rotation of guard or training, the massive gathering of logistical supplies is definitely a precursor to a war.

The target of the Minsk-Kiev frontline is obviously Poland. I have done everything I can. Although the Russian army started to assemble half a year later than in history, what was coming finally came.

According to Poland's national strength, Russia would have to mobilize at least 10 troops to win the war.

Therefore, the Russian army's assembly should have just begun, and Poland must make full use of this last time to make preparations.

He looked at Fouché and asked, "If Russia were to invade Poland, how long do you think it would take them to complete their preparations for war?"

"It depends on how big a war the tsar wants to launch," Fouché said. "If it's just to capture the Minsk area, it will probably take another three to four months. If it's a full-scale attack, it will take at least half a year."

Joseph nodded and asked, "How are the preparations in Warsaw?"

"Currently, Poland has 6 regular soldiers and more than 7 local troops. The logistics are relatively good, with enough weapons and ammunition for nine months, and more food."

Joseph exhaled: "We have to speed up."

He knew very well that Poland would face a pincer attack from Russia and Prussia. Prussia would send out more than 5 troops. Even if Poland had the advantage of being on the defensive, it would be impossible to resist without 10 soldiers.

As the two were talking, Berthier followed by Emmanuel and knocked on the door.

He bowed and saluted: "Your Highness, you are looking for me?"

Joseph gestured toward a chair. "Please take a seat. We will first talk about the military exercises in Italy, and then we may have to hold a meeting of the General Staff to discuss Poland's war strategy."

"Poland?" Berthier was slightly startled. "Have the Russians been unable to hold back any longer?"

Fouché continued: "It is said that before his death, Potemkin was still busy allocating supplies to Minsk."

Berthier nodded and looked at Joseph again: "Your Highness, what do you mean by exercise?"

"Did you know that Austria is conducting large-scale military exercises in Tuscany?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I just received the news."

Joseph said: "We need to hedge against Austria's deterrence in the Italian region."

"Then we will hold a larger exercise in Sardinia or Modena."

Joseph suddenly remembered the previous battle in Silesia and shook his head, saying, "There is no need to mobilize so many troops. Just give the Austrian army a little 'surprise'.

"Well, Count Ségur must go to Modena as soon as possible."

……

A week later.

Central Italy.

Duchy of Modena.

Ercole III, Duke of Modena, looked at the French envoy nervously and shook his head.

“Count Ségur, I have heard about the trade dispute between your country and Austria.

“However, the day before yesterday Venice and Tuscany announced that they would support His Majesty Francis II’s proposal, and Parma and the Two Sicilies also said that they would seriously consider it.

"It may be a little late for you to hold a military exercise now..."

(End of this chapter)