I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1019: Change under the leadership of France

Berlin.

City Palace.

After the Silesian War, William III moved here to live. Perhaps it was because the Sanssouci Palace always reminded him of his father's stupidity and decadence in his later years, as well as the bitch Wilhelmine.

In the hall, Scharnhorst, wearing the Blue Max Medal he had just received, told William III about his military reform ideas. It was because he had urgently mobilized 4 troops for Prussia through the "universal conscription system" during the Silesian War and stabilized the Glogau Line that he received this highest-level medal in the Prussian military. Well, the famous Iron Cross Medal would not appear until nearly years later.

"Your Majesty, we can learn a lot from France's experience," Scharnhorst said. "For example, allowing civilians to be promoted to officers and strictly evaluating aristocratic officers. This involves the military academy I mentioned to you last time..."

He said this, glancing cautiously at the king.

Unlike his useless father, William III was an enterprising young man. Especially after suffering two consecutive defeats against France and Austria, he realized that Prussia must undergo a huge change.

So he nodded to Scharnhorst and said, "I'm listening, please continue."

The young staff officer repeated the idea of ​​establishing a three-level military academy and an officer assessment system in imitation of France, and then said: "Your Majesty, the new military academy system will surely train a large number of outstanding officers for our country, just like France."

William III nodded and said, "I'll leave the matter of expanding the military academy to you. I'll ask Prince Heinrich to help you prepare the funds."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty." Scharnhorst bowed, but said, "But if I rely on myself alone, I am bound to make mistakes."

"Who would you like to recommend?"

Scharnhorst said hurriedly: "It's not a certain person, Your Majesty, but a system that manages the army.

“As you know, France established a general staff system several years ago, where there are a large number of professional staff officers who can carry out very detailed management from conscription to training, from logistical preparation to combat planning.

"This is a very advanced mechanism. We should also set up our own general staff as soon as possible."

If Joseph were here, he would probably be a little embarrassed, because his General Staff system was largely based on the theories of Scharnhorst in later generations.

However, now it is the Prussians who are learning from the French.

William III had read Scharnhorst's report before and immediately agreed: "Then you should first prepare the General Staff, and then let the subordinate departments be responsible for military academies and officer assessments and other matters.

"Well, you will be the first Chief of the General Staff."

Prince Heinrich reminded: "Your Majesty, he is currently only a lieutenant colonel."

What he meant was that a military officer of such a low rank was not qualified to be the head of such an important department.

William III said without hesitation: "From now on, he is a brigadier general."

Scharnhorst was surprised and moved. He touched his chest and saluted: "Your Majesty, I will never let you down! I will give you the most powerful Prussian army in Europe!"

William III smiled and said, "I believe you can do it."

Then, Scharnhorst told the king about the specific reform contents, such as "copying and mass-producing new percussion cap rifles", "learning the French military organization", and "building Scharp signal towers across the country".

It was not until dusk that he left the palace with a feeling of reluctance.

In his vision, as long as the military reform was carried out according to his plan, in a few years, the Prussian army, equipped with a brand-new military system, percussion guns and new tactics, would be able to sweep across Germany until the moment of the peak showdown with the French army.

However, he did not know that in faraway Paris, the French Crown Prince had already started a new round of military reforms.

The "most advanced" military concepts and equipment that he had high hopes for were already obsolete for the French army. If the two armies really faced off in a few years, it would definitely not be a "peak showdown", but still a generational crusher...

In the room on the second floor of the City Palace, William III looked at the empty and desolate streets in the distance and couldn't help but sigh.

He was well aware that he was taking over a country that was on the verge of collapse after a series of defeats in wars.

After losing a large piece of land in Silesia, the financial situation was on the verge of collapse - if it weren't for the 70 pounds of "sugar advance payment" from Britain, it might not even be able to pay the salaries of government officials.

There was a knock on the door behind him, and his attendant said, "Your Majesty, Baron Stein and Baron Hardenberg are here."

The two men entered the house and bowed to William III.

Currently, they serve as Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Prussia respectively.

William III did not ignore Stein because of his cooperation with Wilhelmine, but allowed him to continue to serve as prime minister.

Because he knows that this is a capable person. And sometimes it is a good thing to have a political stain, which will make him work harder to prove himself.

William III nodded to the two of them and said, "Baron Stein, I have read your report.

“Regarding the abolition of industry associations, the removal of restrictions on factory establishment, and tax reform, I think these can all be implemented gradually.

"But, will the abolition of serfdom arouse opposition from the nobles?"

Stein took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, the French have proven that as long as the redemption system is adopted, it will not have much impact on the nobles."

The finance minister said hurriedly: "Baron Stein, France has established the 'King's Fund' and uses the profits to subsidize the nobles. But our finances simply cannot afford such a large sum of money."

Stein nodded and said in a deep voice: "We can increase the ransom money for the serfs and let them make up for the losses of the nobles.

"For example, the redemption period is set at 25 years."

The 25 years he mentioned is the annual land rent and labor fee added together multiplied by 25.

William III groaned and said, "I'm afraid this is still not enough..."

Baron Stein seemed to have been prepared and immediately said, "Then stipulate that the serfs must cede one-third of the redeemed land to their masters..."

……

Vienna.

The streets were packed with people, and everyone craned their necks to look towards the end of the road.

The moment the emblem of Archduke Karl appeared in people's sight, the whole street erupted in thunderous cheers.

Austria's small gains in Silesia made people forget the disastrous defeats on the Rhine and in Italy.

In front of Schönbrunn Palace Square, Kobutzl stood behind Franz II, but there was no joy on his face.

Victory masked all problems, which led His Majesty the Emperor to veto his reform proposals twice - it seemed that everything was fine in Austria now and there was no need for any changes.

(End of this chapter)