Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Joseph smiled slightly, “I haven’t seen Count Kaunitz for a long time. Oh, how is he lately?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.” Count Moses hesitated for a moment, “Yes, he is still in fairly good condition.”

In fact, Kaunitz was already a dying candle in the wind, liable to pass at any moment.

“That’s good.” Joseph didn’t expose the lie, nodding, “If this were a private conversation, please tell him not to worry, the war will soon be over.”

Moses’ face showed a hint of joy, and he continued, “Then, regarding the armistice?”

Joseph’s expression became kind, “Oh, Archbishop Talleyrand has not yet submitted the relevant proposal. You see, after all, Napoleon’s army has not shown any intention of withdrawing.”

Moses’ expression froze immediately, “But…”

Joseph waved his hand with a smile, “Hmm, I will try my best to persuade the Cabinet to formulate relatively relaxed armistice conditions.”

Before Moses could say anything else, Joseph stood up and said, “That’s it. Please send my regards to Count Kaunitz.”

“No, Your Highness,” Count Moses immediately became anxious, wiping sweat from his forehead, raising his hand, “Please wait a moment. In fact, Count Kobutsel has now succeeded as State Minister.

“It was the political alliance formed by Count Kaunitz that promoted him to this position.

“You know, Count Kaunitz has always been very friendly towards France.”

Joseph stopped in his tracks, “Hmm, so?”

Moses lowered his head and said, “Your armistice conditions will be conveyed to the new Imperial Government by me.”

“And then?”

“And recommend that His Majesty the Emperor sign it.”

Joseph then sat down again, “So, this is not a private meeting after all?”

“Yes, yes, Your Highness.”

Joseph nodded, so he didn’t have to listen to Moses talk about Queen Mary’s personal relations.

He said calmly, “First, Austria recognizes our sovereignty over the Walloon Region. Recognize the newly established Flemish Republic.

“Second, Austria abandons all rights in Northern Italy, recognizes the newly established Milan Republic, and recognizes the Medici Family’s rule over Tuscany.

“Third, the Holy Roman Empire recognizes France’s rule over all territories on the left bank of the Rhine River.

“Fourth, Venice will be handed over to our country for administration. Withdraw all your officials from Venezia territory.”

By this point, Moses was already drenched in sweat, summoning the courage to say, “Your Highness, perhaps Venice should serve as a buffer zone for Northern Italy, managed jointly by our two countries…”

Venice was one of Austria’s two main sources of wealth in the Italian region. Lombardy had already been effectively controlled by France, leaving little room for discussion. However, a portion of Western Venice still remained under Austrian rule, and he had to strive for it.

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him and continued, “Fifth, Austria promises not to form any alliance with England in any form.

“Sixth, Austria compensates France for the losses caused by the war, totalling 30 million florins.

“I have finished. These are the basic conditions; the specific details will be discussed in special negotiations with Archbishop Talleyrand and your country’s ceasefire.”

Count Moses took a deep breath and said, “Your Highness, these conditions… indeed exceed the range that the Empire can accept. You see…”

He wanted to mention Queen Mary, but Joseph had already blocked that approach early on. After struggling for several seconds, he finally said, “At least, concerning Venice and the war indemnity, can we…”

Joseph looked at him with a smile and said, “I don’t want to bargain like a vendor at a market. What you just heard is my bottom line.

“If you feel that your government cannot accept it, I can let General Napoleon renegotiate with you in Vienna.”

Moses turned pale and said, “Your Highness, you know, our country is experiencing serious unrest. Losing Venice, along with those indemnities, would render us powerless to suppress those rioters.”

Joseph spread his hands, “I regret that.”

Moses, helpless, had to resort to his “ace,” speaking in a heavy tone, “Your Highness, you might not realize the severity of this unrest.

“The unrest is being orchestrated by those wicked ‘Liberals.’ Their goal is to overthrow Austria, and even the entire Royal Family of Europe! Look at this…”

As he spoke, he took two small booklets from his pocket—he had been searched by the Court Guard before coming, so they were definitely not dangerous items—and handed them over with both hands.

Joseph took the booklets and casually flipped through them.

One was “The Meaning of Freedom and Human Rights,” very similar to the “Declaration of the Rights of Man” in history, though not as culturally articulated as the latter.

The other was “On the Awakening of Citizens.” This one was somewhat akin to Sieyes’ historical “What is the Third Estate,” mainly exposing the class oppression in Austrian society and calling on the grassroots populace to resist.

Moses continued, “These are their extremely dangerous ideas.

“Your Highness, if Austria cannot control these Liberals, they will swiftly spread throughout Europe and inevitably affect France.

“At the very least, you should leave our country enough military funds to eliminate these most dangerous people!”

Joseph’s expression showed not the slightest panic, but he lightly tapped the two booklets, shook his head, and said:

“I do not find this dangerous at all. I am not worried they will impact France in any way.”

He understood very well that Enlightenment ideas had irreversibly influenced the entire Europe, and thoughts on human rights, freedom, and equality would inevitably be accepted by all.

Especially with the Industrial Revolution underway, the productive capacity of various countries rapidly improved, and traditional feudal dictatorship could not adapt to social development, ultimately destined to be replaced.

The Royal Family must either choose to embrace this trend or be engulfed by the tides of history.

Historically, these ideas erupted in France and swept across the world.

Now, the soil for the great revolution in France had disappeared, yet they were thriving in Austria.

What was to come, would inevitably come.

Yet Joseph did not fear these things.

As a man acquainted with future eras, he even warmly welcomed the ideas of human rights and freedom. Moreover, he had mature plans to guide them, appease them, and integrate them into France without causing significant destruction.

Moses, stunned, widened his eyes and raised his voice, “Your Highness! Perhaps you haven’t understood, these Liberals plan to incite the lower classes, like ravenous beasts, to devour you and all the Nobles!”

Joseph chuckled, like a university professor observing a primary school student flaunt their knowledge.

“Why do you think the lower classes would riot?”

“Ah?”

Joseph realized the question was too broad, so he provided options: “Is it because the King rules the country, or because they want a Congress?”

“That,” Moses was stunned, “who knows what those Liberals are thinking.”

Joseph directly gave the answer: “No, they would riot only due to their dire living conditions or because they have been treated extremely unjustly.”

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