I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 650: Money Makes the End of Grudges

Franz II glanced at the King of Prussia, raised his head and said, "It's just a few minor problems. The empire's finances are very sufficient."

William II mercilessly exposed him: "Let me put it bluntly, Austria has lost its dominant position in the southern German market, and even its own market is being challenged.

“The Hungarians and even the Bohemians are very dissatisfied with your taxation policy, which often results in insufficient tax collection in those places.

"Of course, the most important thing is that His Majesty Joseph II spent too much military money in Silesia."

Seeing the unfriendly expression on the face of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, he quickly raised his hand and made a gesture of suppression: "Yes, our country also suffered huge losses because of that war. Oh, I even lost Liegnitz."

Franz II immediately said in a cold voice: "That place originally belonged to Austria."

"Okay, okay, let's forget about the Treaty of Dresden for now." William II shook his head and said, "In fact, our country is also facing serious financial pressure."

The Treaty of Dresden was the treaty that recognized Prussia's right to rule Silesia after Austria's defeat 40 years ago.

Franz II entered the conference room, gestured to the sofa, frowned and looked at the King of Prussia: "So, what do you want to say?"

William II sat down and said in the old-fashioned tone of the Prussians: "Both our countries are in urgent need of improving finances. Perhaps we can put aside our prejudices and do something that will benefit both of us."

"what is that?"

William II gestured to the servants and court officials around him: "I'm sorry."

Franz II frowned, but still waved his hand and said, "All of you go out."

[Schematic diagram of the partition of Poland]

When they were the only two left in the spacious hall, William II leaned forward and said, "If Austria can obtain the rich Lesser Poland region, then the financial situation will improve rapidly."

The "Little Poland" he mentioned refers to the area in southwestern Poland from Krakow to the west of the Bug River. It is adjacent to Warsaw and faces Silesia across the Oder River. It is a rare fertile land in Poland.

Franz's face darkened when he heard this, and he said decisively: "Our country has never made any claims on Poland, and maintaining the integrity of Poland has been our policy since His Majesty Joseph II!"

He looked at William II again and said with great disdain: "If I remember correctly, Prussia and Poland have signed an alliance."

"Covenant?"

William II smiled, skipped the topic, and said: "You should know the silver mine newly mined in Tarnovskaya Mountain in Krakow last year?
"Annual production there now reaches 600 million florins and continues to grow.

"If you get Little Poland, there will be a constant flow of money for you there."

Franz II opened his mouth, but said nothing.

William II glanced at his expression, leaned back on the sofa, and continued: "I heard that France mocked your army in Italy?"

"No, it's just..."

The King of Prussia nodded: "That's really nothing. But if you want to force the French to the negotiation table and renegotiate the trade agreement, you must have a strong enough army.

“All of this is beyond the financial means of Austria at present.

"Austria has always wanted to unite Bavaria. Oh, you don't have to deny it. Everyone knows a lot of things, and this requires the army to help you achieve it."

He said in a bewitching tone: "Even Salzburg, Württemberg, and Augsburg. Finally, the fragmented territories of the Holy Roman Empire will be united again."

Franz II raised his eyebrows: "Or, does it also include Prussia?" "Who knows?" William II spread his hands nonchalantly, "If there really comes such a day, we can fight another war.

"But before that, we all have to solve our financial headache.

"And Poland is the best opportunity."

He smiled again: "To be honest, Prussia is still part of the Holy Roman Empire, you don't have to always regard me as a challenger.

“In the future, our country’s expansion will not be in the south, as the vast East Prussia has more accessible land.

"If we can put aside our differences, you can get Lesser Poland, and I can continue to move eastwards, and we will no longer be hostile to each other because of the German region. Don't you think this is the best situation?"

Franz II remained silent. The Prussians were right. Acquiring Lesser Poland would rapidly increase Austria's national strength. At the same time, it would draw Prussia's power eastward and allow Austria to unify the German region more easily.

But maintaining the integrity of Poland is also Austria's national policy. More importantly, the more Polish land it gets, the closer it is to that terrifying "behemoth".

The beast's name is Russia.

Without Poland as a buffer, hundreds of thousands of Orthodox troops would roll in along the plains of Eastern Europe. By then, it would be a disaster for the entire European continent.

William II seemed to see his concerns and smiled even more proudly: “Well, to show my sincerity, I have to tell you something.

"In fact, Her Majesty Catherine II and I have already signed a secret agreement. Russia only needs to take the line from Minsk to Livonia, and then withdraw its troops.

“The entire region of Okstenia and Pripyat remained with Poland as a barrier to the Orthodox Church.

"Believe me, I don't want the Russians to get too close to us either. If the Russians cross the Minsk line, I will work with you to warn them."

Franz II frowned: "This is not enough."

"What if we add Britain? They will also join our 'Act East' agreement. The Russians will never ignore the British attitude."

Franz II immediately remembered that it was the British envoy who had played the role of Prussian leader yesterday, and he narrowed his eyes. "Why did the British intervene in the situation in Eastern Europe?"

"Check and balance France." William II said without hesitation, "France's influence in the German region is growing, which has aroused the vigilance of the British. Oh, and India, you should have heard of it. The shadow of the French is probably behind Mysore.

"And if Britain wants to do something in Germany, it cannot do without our two countries."

Franz II was silent for a long time this time, and finally smiled and said: "Thank you for coming to my coronation ceremony. Some things may be decided after my coronation."

"I'm waiting for your good news at any time."

……

Poland.

Tin Dome Palace, Warsaw.

Prince Poniatowski looked at the map in front of him solemnly and said to Sieyès, "We have indeed received reports that Russia is mobilizing troops, but are you sure that this is to launch a full-scale war against our country?"

Although Sieyès did not know why His Royal Highness was so sure, he still followed the latter's request and nodded, saying, "Please believe in the capabilities of the French intelligence agencies. In at most half a year, Poland will face an unprecedented invasion. And it will not only be the Russian army."

(End of this chapter)