I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1169 Stirring Up Europe
"A hot air balloon?" Honecker exclaimed in surprise. "Those things used for high-altitude performances?"

“Yes,” Ramsdorf nodded. “It can monitor enemy movements from the air, and it’s much more efficient than hussars.”

"This time, we have the same weapons as the French, and a much larger army—more than twice as many if you include the British—and ample military funding. We are sure to wash away the humiliation of three years ago!"

The speaker then proclaimed, "The god of victory will forever favor us! Long live united Germany!"

An excited cheer immediately erupted in the hall.

……

Vienna.

In front of the main gate of Schönbrunn Palace, Austrian Foreign Minister Ludwig von Kobtzl frowned as he looked at the empty square, seemingly muttering to himself: "The Englishman is late. We must do everything we can to prevent him from seeing His Majesty the Emperor."

“It just rained heavily, and the roads are muddy, so there will inevitably be some delays,” said the newly appointed chairman of the War Council, Earl Bellard. “Perhaps Lord Hawkesburg will bring good news.”

“Everyone knows he wants to drag us into a war,” Kobtsl said anxiously. “And the Empire can’t afford another war.”

He glanced at the chairman of the War Council: "That's why I brought you here to see him."

“I’ve heard that Prussia is very likely to join the war,” said Count Bellegard. “Those war fanatics have conscripted 15 troops. God, they only have 800 million people in the whole country. If only we had such a high mobilization rate.”

Kobutzl shook his head: "There are reforms underway in the country right now, so we should wait until everything is more stable before making any decisions."

Driven by his brother and Metternich, Austria implemented reforms in various areas, including taxation, trade, and the judiciary. Archduke Karl also spearheaded military reforms. It was clear to everyone in Austria that the empire needed radical change to avoid further decline.

"By the time we are fully prepared, the situation in Europe may be very different."

As the two were talking, several carriages drove into the square and slowly stopped not far from them.

The surrounding palace guards immediately raised their guns in salute, and the band began to play.

Kobutzl reluctantly went to greet him, and patted his chest to the British Foreign Secretary as he stepped down from the carriage: "Fortunately, this terrible weather did not deter you from coming, Your Excellency."

Lord Hawkesburg returned the greeting. The group then walked side by side into the palace.

"I've heard that things aren't going too well for your country in Gibraltar," Kobtsl said sarcastically. "Those Frenchmen are showing off their spoils everywhere. You see, even Vienna has imposed press censorship, but the news is still spreading."

Everyone knew he was referring to the two captured British warships.

Lord Hawkesburg simply smiled and said, "It's nothing. The Gibraltar fortress is still garrisoned by British soldiers, and it's well-defended."

Kobutz's face immediately stiffened—the British were clearly alluding to the Mantua fortress, which was now under French control.

Lord Hawkesburg strode into the Grand Gallery, turned his head seriously, and said, “Actually, you should say that we used Gibraltar to firmly bind 15,000 Franco-Spanish troops. They had to waste countless shells there every day, urging their soldiers to rush up the fortress to their deaths, while we lost nothing.”

"Well, Britain has only temporarily lost control of its access to the Mediterranean; that's not a real loss." He sat down in a chair covered with thick flannel and continued, "Now, all of Europe faces a huge threat from the French, and we must..."

Kobutzl, who was also quite diplomatic, immediately interjected: "To be precise, it is Britain that faces a threat from France. Frankly speaking, His Majesty the Emperor does not intend to get involved in a war at this time."

A disdainful smile flickered across Lord Hawkesburg's lips as he glanced almost imperceptibly out the window. He wasn't some dogmatic bum like Fox; he had done extensive preparation before coming to Vienna.

Sure enough, just as the servant brought him some black tea, a wave-like shout came from the distant street: "Return to Italy and reclaim Lombardy!"

"Venice will forever belong to Austria!"

"Reject war reparations! Reject special war taxes!"

“Send troops to drive the French out of the Rhineland…”

Kobtzel frowned instantly. A moment later, a court official hurried over and whispered in his ear, "Sir, there are radicals marching on Garden Street. More than a thousand people."

"Damn it, disperse them immediately!"

Lord Hawkesburg watched as the servant hurriedly closed the window, then turned to Kobutzl and said, “You can’t keep your eyes closed forever. The truth is, Austria needs to defeat France more than anyone else.”

He didn't need to say anything more; the people marching outside had already said everything he needed to say.

Austria constantly sought to regain lost control of Italy, expel the French from the Rhineland, and reclaim control of the entire South German market. Of the 3 million florins in war reparations, they had only paid less than 15%, and were already planning to renege on the remaining amount. No, they preferred to have the French pay reparations to the Empire!
Yes, the parade was planned by Lord Hawkesburg's men and cost £5.

Radicals have always existed within Austria, demanding war against France, the recapture of Italy and the Rhineland, and even the unification of Germany. These people only need a little incitement to take to the streets and cause trouble, not to mention they have financial support.

Kobbutzl's face darkened: "But now is not the time..."

“There is never a perfect time,” the Englishman said. “To be honest, His Majesty William III has already decided to send troops. We have provided him with £80 in military aid.”

He paused, then put down his teacup. "It's £80 a year. If war breaks out."

The Austrian Foreign Minister's pupils constricted sharply. Eight million florins annually? That's enough to make Prussia's military spending surpass Austria's!

He swallowed hard, and after a long pause, shook his head again, saying, "No, no, the chances of winning are too low..."

Lord Hawkesburg stared intently at him with hawk-like eyes and said in a deep voice, "You are wrong. The truth is, we cannot possibly lose!"

"The Empire possesses an invincible and powerful navy, capable of obtaining a continuous stream of resources from the Far East and North America, while France can never threaten the British Isles. As long as the war continues, France, which is constantly suffering losses, will one day be defeated."

He leaned forward: "If Austria is unwilling to join the war, then after the war is won, I think the German states will gather around Prussia."

Kobutz frowned for a moment, then quickly regained his composure: "I think you're being too confident. It's not just Britain that has colonies; France and its allies have even more."

(End of this chapter)