I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 313 The real goal (please vote for me)

Joseph nodded and continued to ask: "What about Saxony?"

69𝒔𝒉𝒖𝒙.𝒏𝒆𝒕】

"When I left Vienna, I set out for Dresden." Talleyrand said, "I must have been in contact with General Morris now."

General Morris was the commander of the Saxon army.

Joseph motioned for him to sit down on the chair: "Are all the people using it reliable?"

"Please rest assured, he was selected by the Intelligence Bureau and I secretly brought him to Saxony through diplomatic channels. He is an authentic Bavarian and can't even speak French."

"You did a good job." Joseph smiled, "Oh, by the way, when you bribed the Austrian Interior Minister's Assistant, the Baden Negotiator and others this time, you maximized the efficiency of the funds, which is very good. So, "Just keep half of the income from the 'sale' of information in the Southern Netherlands and Saxony as a bonus for you and your subordinates."

Joseph spoke calmly, but Talleyrand's heart tightened when he heard this.

When he went to Germany to pay bribes this time, because of the difficulty, he barely made a penny. Just now, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, "Maximize the efficiency of funding," which is obviously what he was referring to.

In other words, His Highness is likely to know exactly whether he is lining his own pockets.

Before that, I went to the United States, Russia and other places to earn bribes myself...

He swallowed hard, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He was struggling in his mind on how to admit his mistake to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but he heard Joseph say: "Bribery is often involved in the diplomatic field. You only need to report it when you come back. Can you get help from foreign governments?" You have put in the effort to get the money, and you can keep part of it as a bonus. Of course, you must not interfere with your work just to make money.”

Talleyrand was startled. Does His Highness mean that he should accept bribes from abroad in the future? As long as he hands over the money he receives, he can get a proportional share of the bonus?

He secretly glanced at Joseph and saw that the latter's expression was very serious, and he was immediately overjoyed. From now on, he no longer had to worry about getting money.

Then he remembered the proceeds from this "sale of information" and couldn't hide the smile on his face.

According to the instructions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, he first sent people to the Southern Netherlands and sold the news that "the main force of the Austrian army in Luxembourg has withdrawn to Vienna" to the Duke of Brunswick in Prussia for 16,000 florins. . Later, his people sold the news to Saxony that "Austria was gathering an army to attack Silesia" and received 20,000 florins.

This totaled 90,000 livres. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave him half as a bonus with a wave of his hand. How could he not be overjoyed!

As expected, being loyal to His Highness is the most correct decision I have ever made in my life!

Talleyrand struggled to pull his consciousness out of the ocean of the river, expressed his loyalty to Joseph, and then continued to talk about business: "Your Highness, when I left Vienna, Leopold II summoned He told me that he hoped France could exert influence on Russia to ensure that they would not interfere in the war in Silesia."

Joseph nodded slightly and said to himself that Leopold II had indeed rich political experience and almost immediately considered the Russian issue.

Catherine II has been committed to winning over Prussia and Austria to carve up Poland, so she definitely does not want the two countries to fight.

But how can I convince her to stand by and watch?

Joseph thought for a long time, then looked at Talleyrand and said: "It seems that you have to go to Petersburg again. After you see the Tsar, you will say this..."

After explaining it carefully, Joseph added: "I will also try to cooperate with you, and you have to adapt accordingly based on the news you heard."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will not let you down!"

After Talleyrand left, the Duke of Broglie and Berthier, the Minister of War, came to the Crown Prince's study again.

The two presented the drafted troop dispatch plan to Joseph, and the chief of general staff explained: "Your Highness, according to your instructions, a 35,000-strong army will be sent to Austria.

"The core consists of the Legion of Lorraine, the Legion of Champagne, the Legion of the Rhine, and some soldiers from the north who can speak German were selected."

The Duke of Broglie seemed a little nervous, although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had previously said that he would decide to go to the Austrian troops in exchange for his support for sending troops. However, the ones he picked out were basically legions that were related to him, and he was afraid that His Highness would have objections.

However, Joseph nodded and smiled: "Very good, these troops are very suitable."

He originally wanted to throw the old army to Austria. If he can win a few battles, he will use this as an excuse to ask for benefits from Vienna. If he loses, it will be beneficial and harmless to kill a group of hereditary military nobles - these capable talents in the old army have already applied for transfer. The Guards Corps is gone, and those left behind are either die-hards or losers.

The Duke of Broglie felt relieved when he heard this and motioned to Berthier to continue.

The latter hurriedly said: "Your Highness, according to the latest news sent back from Vienna, the Austrian army will complete its deployment in about three weeks and officially launch the attack."

The mobilization of an army of nearly 100,000 people is an extremely cumbersome matter. It is not like in the game, where you can click and leave with just a click of the mouse.

In reality, before attacking a certain area, you must first make a strategic layout and calculate the enemy's traffic arteries, logistical supply lines, and advancing and retreating routes. Then rationally move the army to the position that can threaten these points the fastest, while also paying attention to concealment.

During the military mobilization, logistical supplies must also follow, and the domestic personnel and material mobilization must also keep up.

Only when all these are in place can the main force begin to attack.

Therefore, Austria was able to complete this series of preparations in about one and a half months, which was already a relatively fast speed.

Joseph asked the most concerned question: "What about the Guards Corps?"

"Your Highness, the military station north of Verdun has been built, and the supplies can be replenished within a week." The Chief of Staff said, "In order to facilitate supplies, a wooden track from Lorraine to Verdun has even been built, but it will take more than three months to complete.

"At present, the First and Second Guards Corps, as well as the Moulin Corps, have a total of nearly 20,000 people, and have been assembled and are ready to fight at any time. "

Joseph's eyes flashed with a smile.

He didn't care about the Silesian War at all.

The South Netherlands was his focus!

All of France's most powerful Guards Corps were deployed here, waiting for the Silesia to fight to the death, and the Prussian Army in the South Netherlands to give a huge surprise to the Wurmser Army stationed in Luxembourg.

By then, Joseph II would not be able to withdraw any available troops, so he could only ask for help from France, which was closest to the South Netherlands.

For this reason, Joseph also gave the Duke of Brunswick a "reminder" to let him notice the lack of manpower in the Austrian Army in Luxembourg.

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