Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Finally, ten years ago during the Anglo-Dutch War, the British defeated an important member of the Armed Neutrality League, the Netherlands, and made it their vassal.

Subsequently, the British also pressed down on Prussia.

Coincidentally, Sweden and Russia broke out into war, consuming their national power greatly, and leaving them uninterested in maritime affairs.

At this point, the Armed Neutrality League existed in name only.

It was in this situation that the British were able to realize the blockade of France's maritime trade.

"This is indeed an opportunity," Regent Frederick nodded and said, "The Armed Neutrality League is a diplomatic asset of the Tsar of Russia, she will definitely support this matter.

"The Netherlands has just freed itself from British control, coupled with the enormous pressure on their domestic finances, this is precisely the time they need to expand trade.

"My only concern is the Swedes' choice."

Sweden, having just had a war with Russia, is likely to reject any form of cooperation with Russia.

Schulenberg's tone was full of confidence: "Your Highness, Regent, I believe that if we can persuade France to put pressure on Sweden, His Majesty Gustav III will likely consider it seriously.

"Moreover, relaunching the Armed Neutrality League is exactly what France needs."

Burnstov nodded in agreement: "Right now, France is the fastest-growing country in European trade volume, while Sweden, due to its war with Russia, is in a very concerning financial state, urgently needing trade with France."

After he finished speaking, the people in the room fell silent for a moment.

Because with Britain blockading the French coast and Denmark's complete reliance on maritime trade, they suffered heavy losses.

Denmark's principal exports are seafood, grain, oils, and ship supplies.

Except for the last item, these are perishable goods. During the nearly year-long loss of the French market, Denmark's trade volume plummeted by more than one-fifth!

Compared to Sweden, Denmark's financial situation might be even more precarious.

This is also one of the reasons they are eager to relaunch the Armed Neutrality League.

At night, after careful deliberation by several Privy Council ministers, the Regent of Denmark ordered:

"That settles it; Count Burnstov will go to Saint Petersburg to prompt the Tsar to initiate a new Armed Neutrality League.

"And over at the Palace of Versailles, I will personally make a trip. Duke Schulenburg, please quickly prepare a presentable gift for me."

In reality, the Armed Neutrality League is the real grand gift he is bringing to France.

...

Ottoman Empire.

Constantinople.

In the Topkapi Palace, the port tax inspector knelt nervously, reporting:

"…Afterwards, the French Army raided Bavaria and even advanced to the gates of the City of Vienna.

"After Bavaria surrendered, that French General withdrew his troops.

"Then Austria also couldn't hold on and declared surrender. France thus acquired all of Austria's spheres of influence on the West Bank of the Rhine and in Northern Italy.

"And because of this defeat, Austria experienced serious internal riots. Their Chancellor Tugut was dismissed and fled the capital…"

In front of him, Sultan Selim III and Grand Vizier Melek exchanged glances continuously, their eyes filled with not just shock, but also uncontrollable excitement.

Indeed, due to the Ottoman Empire's intelligence system's shockingly low efficiency, Constantinople had not learned the recent specifics of the European continent's situation until today.

It was still a Genoese merchant ship that docked at the port to unload goods; the captain spoke to this Ottoman tax inspector about European news, informing the Sultan for the first time.

Initially, when the Sultan and his Grand Vizier heard that France was confronting several European powers and had secured control over the Mediterranean Sea, they merely internally rejoiced at the correctness of their previous decision to choose France.

Since the Ottomans had previously deepened trade and shipping cooperation with France, it was foreseeable that their trade revenue would greatly increase in the future.

What concerned the Ottoman Sultan more was Austria's defeat and the large-scale riot occurring domestically.

After Selim III let the tax inspector leave, the Grand Vizier immediately bowed to the Sultan and said:

"Your Highness, this is a rare opportunity for the Empire. The empire's warriors will reclaim Wallachia's lost territory with blood and scimitars for you!"

Wallachia is the most northwestern territory of the Ottoman Empire, but had been occupied by Austria before.

Now Austria is at its weakest. Meanwhile, after severely beating the Mamluks in Egypt, the Ottomans have gained quite a bit, and their national power has recently recovered seven to eight-tenths from the defeat in the Russia-Turkey War.

It is simply the perfect time to reclaim Wallachia.

Selim III obviously had the same idea, but he took a deep breath to calm himself and asked:

"How many troops can the empire mobilize now?"

Melek thought for a moment and said: "Your Highness, troops that can be sent northward include 2,000 from the Topizis New Army, about 30,000 Yeniceri Guards, and around 30,000 from regional forces in Bulgaria, Thrace, and other areas."

Selim III shook his head slightly: "No, that's still not enough…"

Based on the Ottoman Empire's past record against Austria, the Ottoman forces would need to reach at least three times the size of Austria's to have a chance of victory.

This would exclude forces like the Thracian regional army, which cannot even maintain law and order in occupied territories, and might even weaken the morale of the Guards by retreating too quickly on the battlefield.

This means that the forces that can really be committed against Austria are fewer than 40,000.

Of course, now that Selim III has the Topizis New Army, he feels slightly more confident.

But the number of the new army is still too small.

Selim III sighed again: "Moreover, the Russians will not stand by as we attack Wallachia."

Although Catherine II has promised to give all of Wallachia to Austria—to persuade the latter to declare war on Poland—the Russian-controlled area of Moldavia lies right next to the eastern side of Wallachia.

The Russians are sure to worry that once the Ottoman Army occupies Wallachia, they might take the chance to encroach on Russian territory.

Another possibility is that the Russians might invade the Ottoman Ternovo Region directly south, while the Ottomans concentrate their forces in Wallachia. That area is less than 100 kilometers from Constantinople.

Melek immediately said: "Your Highness, the Russians have suffered severely due to the invasion of Poland and are currently in a very weakened state.

"As long as the empire amasses heavy troops in Ternovo, the Russians should not choose to start a war.

"As for the troops to capture Wallachia…"

He paused for a moment and looked at the Sultan: "We can seek help from our French friends."

Yes, after the Topizis New Army trained by France defeated the Mamluks, the French became friends of the Sultan.

As for the notion of infidels, the empire itself has many Christians, which has no real impact.