I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 416 Armistice Agreement
If Han and Prussia had not intervened in the affairs of the Southern Netherlands, Van der Noor's rebel army would have been quickly wiped out by the Austrian army.

By then, the French army would have lost its reason to stay in the Southern Netherlands, unless they shamelessly stayed there, in which case they would immediately become enemies with Austria.

But France is in great need of Wallonia's coal resources and has invested huge amounts of money there, so it cannot just leave.

While I was thinking, the carriage stopped and the two servants leading the way bowed and gestured to the small villa not far away:

"Your Excellency, that's it."

Joseph arrived in front of the villa under the protection of Ksod, and immediately saw an old man coming out with an anxious look on his face, saluted him with his hands on his chest:
"I'm glad you came here in person, Your Royal Highness."

It was none other than the Austrian Secretary of State, Count Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz.

Kaunitz let Joseph into the house, closed the door himself, and immediately said anxiously:

"Your Highness, Fao's alliance is facing a huge crisis."

Joseph knew that the old man was a famous "master of meth", so he asked directly:

"You mean the withdrawal of Hanover and Prussia from the Southern Netherlands?"

Kaunitz nodded, but immediately shook his head: "Those two countries will indeed give up supporting the rebels in the Southern Netherlands, but more importantly, His Majesty the Emperor has decided to sign an armistice agreement with Prussia later..."

Joseph's pupils shrank slightly. "Armistice? Do you mean an armistice in Silesia?"

"That's it." Kaunitz said, "I don't know what means Count Frenz used, but he only spent 30 florins to make Charles II and William II withdraw from the Southern Netherlands.

"Then, he suggested to His Majesty the Emperor that the original purpose of the Silesian War was to hedge against Prussia's interference in the Southern Netherlands. Now that the rebellion in the Southern Netherlands is about to end, it becomes meaningless to continue to be stuck in a stalemate in Silesia."

Joseph frowned slightly. This Franz was quite capable. He had suggested to Joseph II to recover Silesia on the pretext of the Brabant Uprising, but now he was using it as a reason to end the war.

He looked at the Austrian State Minister:

"Then His Majesty the Emperor agrees?"

Kaunitz nodded and said, "To be honest, Austria's financial situation is not optimistic. The military expenditures on the two fronts of fighting in the Southern Netherlands and Silesia are very high.

“In fact, His Majesty Leopold II once even suggested to His Majesty the Emperor to temporarily suspend reforms due to financial problems.

"In addition, there are rumors that the Hungarian nobles are plotting a rebellion to fight the war taxes. This has prompted Your Majesty to make up his mind to stop the war as soon as possible."

Joseph's brows suddenly furrowed even tighter - if the war in Silesia stopped, then Prussia and Austria would probably turn their attention to Poland in the east again, and then, with the help of Russia, start the process of dividing Poland.

The interests of Russia, Prussia and Austria are becoming increasingly consistent, and will eventually form some kind of alliance - history will return to its original track.

Kaunitz seemed even more anxious than he was:
"If Austria fails to retake Silesia this time, it is very likely that it will be lost forever."

Kaunitz's core strategic proposition was to "ally with France to fight Prussia", and he devoted his life to defeating Prussia and making Austria the master of Germany again. If Austria's full-strength attack ended so hastily, it would inevitably increase Prussia's prestige, which he could never accept.

Joseph knew that he was right - historically, Austria's national strength would continue to weaken after Joseph II, and it had indeed never been able to regain Silesia.

He nodded and said, "So, what do you suggest?"

Kaunitz looked pleading:
"If France can provide more support, such as more troops and some loans, I am confident that I can unite with the ministers who are tough on Prussia and persuade Your Majesty to continue the attack on Silesia."

Joseph narrowed his eyes when he heard this. Does this mean that I should withdraw from the Southern Netherlands and continue to provide manpower and money to help Austria fight Silesia?

Do you think I look like a fool? Taking Silesia does not contribute the slightest benefit to France. Besides, with France's current financial situation, where would it get the money to lend to Austria?

and many more……

He suddenly remembered that Kaunitz had just mentioned "a minister who was tough on Prussia," so he looked at the old Secretary of State and said:

"Are there many people in Vienna who support the war against Prussia?"

"Of course!" Kaunitz nodded vigorously. "People can never forget the humiliation of Silesia. Everyone is worried that Your Majesty will make peace with Prussia."

He said he wanted to wash away the shame, but in reality the Austrian bourgeoisie could not give up Silesia, a region with developed industry and strong consumption capacity.

Joseph nodded, a smile flashing in his eyes.

Political correctness is a powerful weapon at all times.

In Austria, the greatest political correctness was to recover Silesia. Although the war was stalemate and the financial constraints made the upper class in Vienna exhausted and had the idea of ​​retreating, if they were given a huge stimulus, this political correctness would be immediately activated.

By then, even the Holy Roman Emperor would not be able to make peace with Prussia against the odds.

He told Kaunitz: "Please rest assured that our country will continue to support the war in Silesia. At the same time, I will never sit idly by and watch Austria bow to Prussia."

"Thank you! Austria will always remember your help!"

Joseph continued: "Besides, I hope you can do me a favor."

"I am at your service any time."

"I need your cooperation at Schönbrunn Palace..."

After leaving Kaunitz's villa, Joseph immediately went to the French Embassy in Austria and summoned the French ambassador to Austria, Baron Alphonse.

"Your Highness, it is indeed difficult to bypass the news censorship in Vienna." Alphonse frowned and said, "But I will definitely try my best."

Joseph nodded and said, "The Intelligence Bureau will fully cooperate with you. In addition, if you have any difficult problems, you can ask Count Kaunitz for help.

"I hope to see that news in the newspaper within a week."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The next morning, Joseph first instructed Talleyrand to visit those ministers who advocated a tough stance against Prussia, while he went to Madame Delvaux's residence according to the address left by his mother.

It was a small but rather unique manor, which showed that the French queen's wet nurse lived a fairly good life. In fact, the old lady was somewhat famous in Vienna. If Leopold II's brother-in-law was not someone she could not afford to offend, she would never have asked Queen Marie for help.

The Delvaux family had long been alarmed by the luxurious scene outside the door and the large group of guards in white uniforms, and seven or eight servants immediately came out to greet them.

When she learned that the person who came was the French Dauphin, a maid hurriedly turned around and ran back to the house, shouting:

"Miss, please come here quickly! It's the French Queen's wife..."

An old man who looked like a butler shouted at the servants to make way, then lowered his head nervously and invited Joseph into the manor.

(End of this chapter)