I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1186 Eastern European Strategy
"So...who's the Tsar now?" Alexandra looked at the minister. "Alexander?"

“Yes, Your Highness,” Count Morkov said, bowing his head.

Alexandra waved her hand dismissively and smiled, "Perhaps he should have done it sooner. Some of Father's actions were indeed unwise. Let him go fishing in the Moika River; it's better than him arguing with the ministers every day..."

“Your Highness,” Molkov interrupted her through gritted teeth, “His Majesty Paul, he has passed away.”

The girl's smile froze: "What did you say?"

"Your father accidentally fell and was stabbed in the chest by a candlestick... This happened about two weeks ago."

"Are you kidding me?"

"That is true, Your Highness."

Alexandra suddenly turned her back, letting out a low growl: "That greedy and cold-blooded vulture! He couldn't even wait for the abdication decree to be signed before pouncing on him and tearing his flesh apart! Hell cannot contain his sins!"

She was a very clever girl and naturally knew that there was no such thing as an "accidental fall"; it must have been her dear brother who had done something shameless.

She struggled to suppress her emotions and asked, "Who did this? Zubov? Or some duke whose hereditary privileges were abolished?"

"I... I don't know what you're talking about, Your Highness. I'll take my leave now."

As soon as Joseph entered the gates of Versailles Palace, Camellia quickly came to his side and whispered, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess is not feeling well."

Joseph sighed and nodded, "I understand."

Ten minutes later, Alexandra threw herself into Joseph's arms, sobbing softly, "He was very fierce, but I still loved him very much..."

"That devil, that viper, why did he do this? I will never forgive him..."

Joseph gently stroked her hair and comforted her, "You can go to the Tuileries Palace and pray for him at that small altar."

"If this is a nightmare, then wake up quickly..."

After crying for an unknown amount of time, the girl fell into a deep sleep in Joseph's arms.

Joseph carefully picked her up, placed her on the bed, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, then let out a long sigh and turned to walk towards his living room.

Brian, Talleyrand, and the others were already waiting there. Upon seeing the Crown Prince arrive, they quickly bowed and asked, "Your Highness, is the Crown Princess alright?"

"She was devastated."

Joseph shook his head and gestured for the senior officials to sit down: "Now, we need to discuss the situation in Eastern Europe."

Talleyrand immediately said, "Your Highness, Britain, Prussia, Austria, and other countries may launch a war at any time. I believe that the best strategy at present is to try to win over Russia as much as possible."

Joseph shook his head slightly. He knew very well that Alexander I was an ambitious tsar, adept at speculation, and extremely stubborn.

Such people have most likely already made their decision by now.

“It would be best if he were on our side,” Joseph said calmly, looking at the group. “But we also need to make some preparations in advance.”

Talleyrand continued, "If Russia wants to intervene in the war in Europe, it must first break through Poland."

Poland lies between Russia and Central Europe. Russian troops must cross Poland to reach Austria.

Duke Broy nodded: "We can increase the garrison at Gdansk and at the same time help the Poles strengthen their military."

France owns a stake in the port of Gdansk, and therefore maintains a garrison of several hundred troops there. The ministers then all looked at the Crown Prince.

Joseph replied without hesitation, "Weapons and equipment can be shipped to Poland; the Danes can help with that. However, all troops stationed in Gdansk must be withdrawn."

The people inside the room looked at each other in bewilderment.

Joseph, anticipating their reaction, continued, "Gentlemen, how long do you think the Polish army could hold out if Russia, in alliance with Prussia and Austria, attacked Poland?"

Duke Broy hesitated and said, "If we are well prepared, it will take about two months."

The others remained silent. Poland had never recovered its strength since the last Great Patriotic War.

At the same time, the Russians would certainly not give Poland a chance to launch a surprise attack this time. Moreover, as long as the Prussian and Austrian armies launch a full-scale attack, Poland will only have the option of defending with all its might, otherwise Warsaw will be gone in a few days—the Prussian army in Kalisz can reach Warsaw in just seven or eight days.

Joseph sighed, "Poland simply cannot hold off Russia, Prussia, and Austria. And letting Poland hold out to the death will make them feel like they are helping France wear down the enemy."

Duke Broy asked doubtfully, "Your Highness, are we going to abandon Poland?"

Joseph shook his head: "No, let them surrender before they are attacked..."

After explaining his arrangements, ignoring the indescribable expressions on the faces of his senior ministers, he said to Talleyrand, "Go to the Ottomans immediately and try to persuade Selim III..."

Talleyrand quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness. Russia is currently reorganizing its army in Isiah, and we can take advantage of this."

Before long, Talleyrand and the others left with their orders, but Joseph kept Baron Brett, the Minister of Justice, behind: "I know you are an enlightened gentleman."

"We must make the most thorough preparations domestically to deal with the worst-case scenario. So I need your help to write something..."

As Joseph continued speaking, Baron Brett's eyes widened, and taking a breath, he whispered, "Your Highness, is this really how it's supposed to be?"

Joseph nodded: "This is something that was destined to be done; it was just a matter of choosing the right time. You should prepare in advance."

He was not worried at all that Brettie would leak the information, because he was absolutely confident that he could control the situation.

……

The South Caucasus.

North of Tbilisi.

Gudvich watched as squads of Russian soldiers walked past him, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

The last time he came here, he had to grovel before that guy named Zubov and deal with his nonsensical commands. In the end, he won the battle, but that guy took most of the credit.

Now that the entire Zubov family has been exiled to the Ural Mountains, he finally has a battlefield where he can fully utilize his abilities.

Just then, his attendant brought in a man dressed in Georgian attire: "General, he says he was sent by Askar."

The "Georgian" hurriedly stepped forward, touched Gudvich's chest, and then handed him a letter: "Your Excellency General, this is what His Majesty the Shah instructed me to give you. All the Shilfans will cooperate with your army."

Goodvich didn't recognize Sylvan's Fire Mark at all and handed it over to his staff officer.

Askar's messenger continued, "General, His Majesty the Shah has assembled two thousand warriors and is preparing to attack Tabriz. There are only a little over a thousand Persians there now."

(End of this chapter)