Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Leopold II exclaimed angrily:

"What exactly do they want to do?!"

Marquis Hartman said uncertainly:

"Your Majesty, the Hungarian separatists have always been looking for an excuse to rebel, and this could very well be their way of humiliating Vienna. If we handle this incorrectly..."

Although Hungary is currently a part of the Austrian Empire, it has always had its own "little court," not only independently managing its finances but also maintaining a complete official system, hence having a strong tendency towards independence.

For the stability of Hungary, Austria granted them a significant number of preferential policies, yet the separatists in Hungary cause trouble every year.

It was precisely this point that Joseph had taken advantage of, deciding to let Hungary take the blame. And the members of the Hungarian separatist faction could hardly come to Schönbrunn Palace to defend themselves—unless they wanted to explain from a prison cell.

That afternoon, all of Austria's most influential ministers gathered in the bedroom of Joseph II to discuss how to deal with the current situation.

The anti-Prussian faction led by Kaunitz and the peace faction led by Franz clearly stood on opposing sides.

At this moment, Joseph II was so ill he could hardly speak; he just weakly raised his hand to signal the meeting to begin.

Count Lecam of the peace faction was the first to speak:

"Your Majesty, there is no significant obstacle in our way to retake the Southern Netherlands, and it's utterly meaningless for the Empire to continue depleting resources in Silesia."

Members of the anti-Prussian faction immediately objected:

"My Lord Earl, if we fail to achieve a strategic breakthrough this time, you know that our country will find it very difficult to allocate so many resources to fight against Prussia and reclaim Silesia in a short time."

"It's precisely because we have wasted so many resources that we should cut our losses as soon as possible!"

"Please listen to the people!" Baron Ferrari raised a list, "When everyone heard that Marshal Lacy had achieved victory, just yesterday, they donated 35,000 florins to the front line! And now you want to negotiate peace with the Prussians? Then please, go and return these donations to everyone."

"What victory has been achieved? That's all just rumors!"

By this time, these high-ranking ministers all knew that there was no "Legnica grand victory"; it was merely a rumor circulated by the Hungarians to shame Vienna.

"No, that is the longstanding wish of all Austrians," Baron Ferrari spoke passionately, "They all believe it to be true!"

Earl Franz, considering the benefits promised by the British, began to join the fray as well:

"Do we really intend to continue waging a war for a rumor?"

Marquis Lang spoke gravely:

"Unless you take everyone to Silesia to see for themselves, some will always believe that Legnica has been recaptured. Moreover, negotiating peace would also damage Marshal Lacy's reputation."

Indeed, yesterday everyone was saying that you had won a complete victory, but today the government is denying you have achieved anything—the political and military career of Lacy could be over after this.

Franz immediately said:

"In fact, Marshal Lacy is also in favor of a cease-fire."

Count Lecam added:

"I have been to the Gnitz frontline, and given the current situation, our army simply cannot recapture Silesia before the financial collapse."

Foreign Minister Baron Tugut glanced at Kaunitz and began to say:

"The Crown Prince of France has officially stated his willingness to increase support for the Silesian war effort. The intervention of the French Army will help us defeat the Prussians, just as in the Southern Netherlands."

Baron Ferrari immediately responded:

"The entire nation is now immersed in the joy of victory, as you all know, and at this time, a retreat means..."

He pointed towards the southeast: "The Hungarian separatist faction is indeed the one that hopes most for us to negotiate peace with the Prussians!"

Reclaiming Silesia remains the ultimate political correctness for Austria. As the pro-war faction's arguments grew fiercer, Franz and his group could barely get a word in.

Just then, Kaunitz, who had remained silent, suddenly stood up, leaned his head back at a 45-degree angle to look at the ceiling, clenched both fists, took a deep breath and said aloud:

"I wonder if you have heard a poem that has been circulating among the people recently—

"If We Don't Go To War"

"If we don't go to war,"
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"the Prussians with their bayonets,

"will kill us,

"and then point at our bones saying:

'Look,

"these are slaves!'"

Silence suddenly descended upon the entire bedroom. The peace faction could not help but bow their heads in shame, while the eyes of the war faction were filled with raging flames, some even on the verge of tears.

This poem was a direct stab to the soul!

Everyone instantaneously recalled the humiliation of Silesia being forcibly occupied by the Prussians.

Especially that last line, which filled them with rage, wishing they could personally go to the front lines, press a flintlock gun against the Prussians' heads, and roar, "Austrians are not to be trifled with!"

This was the "ultimate weapon" Joseph provided for Kaunitz—a short poem that had inspired countless patriotic soldiers to fight bloodily in future generations, a potent bombshell in any country suffering from foreign aggression. Thus, Joseph relayed this poem to Kaunitz, instructing him to recite it when necessary to turn the tide.

On the sickbed, Joseph II suddenly shuddered, lifting his withered right hand, making a "eh eh" sound.

Leopold II hurriedly bent down to listen closely to his mouth, then stood up after a moment and surveyed the crowd:

"His Majesty says, we must recapture Silesia at all costs. Discuss aid with France immediately, and send reinforcements to the front line."

Turning back, he saw His Majesty's lips move and added:

"Austria shall prevail!"

Baron Ferrari immediately raised his arm and cried out:

"Victory to Austria! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"

The other war proponents also shouted excitedly, and after a moment, even the likes of Count Franz felt compelled to join the chanting throng:

"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Take back Silesia!"

Under such an atmosphere, who would dare propose peace? His Majesty would undoubtedly throw him back to his hometown to feed the pigs without hesitation.

…

Joseph, turning his head, listened to the crowd outside the window chanting loudly—

"...and then point at our bones saying:

'Look,

"these are slaves!'"

He couldn't help but exhale softly, it seemed that Kaunitz had won at Schonbrunn Palace and the French military investment in the Southern Netherlands wouldn't have been in vain.

With Austria's current national strength, they needed to rely on France's power to defeat Prussia. He could then set his price.

However, this time Austria needed some substantial support; otherwise, once the excitement of 'the victory at Legnica' had faded, Vienna would still opt for peace talks.

Now that Hanover and Prussia had withdrawn from the Southern Netherlands, his Guard Corps could disengage and show off their prowess in Silesia.

Of course, they couldn't conquer the whole of Silesia; that would severely weaken Prussia and lead to the possibility of Austria reunifying Germany.

Basically, helping Austria recover one province of Silesia should suffice. In exchange for the Walloon Region of the Southern Netherlands, Austria would profit in terms of area, politics, and economics.

However, getting involved in the grand war against Prussia required detailed strategic planning—it needed to be enough to take a province without significant losses and to be able to disengage at any time...

As Joseph pondered, Eman entered with an elderly man knocking on the door.

Joseph recognized the man as the old butler of Madame Delvaux. A sense of foreboding immediately welled up in him.

True to his hunch, after the old man bowed respectfully, he spoke in a low and somber voice:

"Your Highness, the lady...she has returned to heaven..."