I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 761 Flemish Republic (asking for double monthly tickets)
Seeing that Tyne was controlled, Sihaik got up from the ground, walked around him fearfully, and said to Joseph with a flattering smile:

"Your Highness, please give me two days, and your Flemish Legion will be able to fight for you on the battlefield."

Tyne snorted coldly: "Humph, as long as I am here, no Flemish will work for the French!"

Joseph glanced at him and said to Sihak, "Is this Mr. Tyne influential in your army?"

"Yes..." The latter nodded subconsciously, then immediately shook his head, "Ah, no, Your Highness, you know, General Tyne's family will pay the ransom for him, so he is showing his so-called loyalty and courage here.

"Most soldiers don't want to be prisoners here. It means no salary and long hours of hard labor. I will definitely be able to convince them."

Joseph looked at him with interest: "What about you? Why don't you let someone redeem you?"

"Well, well... my family is not very well off, and besides, I admire you very much..."

Tyne said disdainfully: "Because this guy abandoned his position and fled yesterday. After returning to Brussels, he will only be tried by a military court."

A French soldier raised his gun and made a threatening gesture to him, shouting:
"Shut up!"

Joseph narrowed his eyes slightly and raised his hand to signal to the soldier: "Oh, please give this general at least some decency and let him go."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The soldiers released their hands on Tyne, but still stared at him very vigilantly.

Joseph first had Sihaik taken to the prisoner camp, and then turned his attention to Tyne:
"General Tyne, perhaps we can work together. Oh, and come to my tent for a cup of tea?"

Tain puffed out his chest proudly. "Oh, don't waste your time. The Flemish people will never be controlled by anyone who speaks French!"

Interestingly, he said all these words in French.

Of course, French is now a fashion among the entire European aristocracy, and all noble aristocrats will learn it.

Joseph smiled and said sarcastically, "But the Flemish people will accept being driven by people who speak German."

"This, no..."

Tyne seemed a little embarrassed and argued: "You know, we fought..."

Joseph nodded: "Yes, and then I chose to surrender."

Tain almost shouted: "What can we do? Austria is too powerful!"

Joseph suddenly came up to him and lowered his voice and asked, "Do you really want to free the Flemish region from Austrian rule?"

Tyne sneered: "And then be ruled by the French?"

"Of course not," Joseph said very sincerely, "My suggestion is to establish a Flemish Republic."

Tyne still sneered: "You mean a puppet state that accepts France's 'protection'?"

Joseph shook his head: "No, it is completely independent, with its own parliament and army. There are no French troops stationed there, nor are there troops stationed there by Austria, Prussia and other countries - the Flemish Republic."

Tyne was stunned for a moment and sighed: "Even if we want to, we can't do it at all."

"What if there is French support? I mean, all-round support from military to diplomatic."

"Really?!" There was a flash of surprise in Tyne's eyes, but he immediately suppressed all his emotions and looked at Joseph, "Why are you helping the Flemish people?"

"Brussels," said Joseph. "I want Brussels."

"Haha!" Tyne slapped his thigh and laughed, "You are really a young ambitious man. Haha, Brussels? "What else do the Flemish people have left if they lose Brussels?"

The Flemish region is basically Brussels, Antwerp, Lohn, and the part of Ghent province north of the Scheldt River.

Although Brussels only occupies about 20% of the area, it accounts for nearly half of the economic income of the Flemish region. How could the Flemish people be willing to give it up?

Joseph smiled: "There are still Zeeland, Breda and 's-Hertogenbosch left."

Tyne frowned and said, "Are you kidding? This is all Dutch territory..."

He suddenly realized something and looked at Joseph in surprise: "Holland? You want us to take Holland..."

Joseph nodded as a matter of course: "The area south of the Waal River will become the core area of ​​the Flemish Republic."

"But this is simply impossible..."

"No, as long as you can find a suitable political leader in the Flemish region and convene a parliament, France will help you with military matters."

Joseph knew very well that there were more than 140 million Dutch-speaking people in the Flemish region, and they had deep conflicts with the Walloons, making it difficult to rule them effectively in the future.

Forcibly incorporating it into France will only lead to endless protests and riots.

It may also become a tool for foreign countries to contain France - especially since there is the Netherlands to the north, which has very close ties with the Flemish people, making it even easier to incite unrest in the Flemish region.

Therefore, compared to ruling this place, letting them be independent is actually a better choice.

If the Flemish occupied the three southernmost provinces of the Netherlands and established a country, they would inevitably fight the Dutch to the death in the future. The only country they could rely on was the powerful country that helped them establish their country - France.

The Dutch people's hatred will only be vented on the Flemish Republic, and they even have to seek France as a mediator when there are diplomatic needs.

The Flemish had no ethnic or linguistic barriers to their rule over the southern provinces of the Netherlands, and with the Waal River as a natural barrier, it would be extremely difficult for the Dutch to retake these places.

Most importantly for France, if the Flemish obtained Zeeland, they would be able to control the mouth of the Rhine!

If France directly controlled this place, it would inevitably be hostile to Britain, Prussia, Austria, and most of the German states along the Rhine.

But after the establishment of the Flemish Republic, all these pressures were borne by this small country.

When necessary, France can influence Rhine trade through Flemish without having to bear the geopolitical burden.

Tyne confirmed in disbelief: "You mean, Flemish is completely independent, and France will not have any garrison, delegated management, or diplomatic guidance..."

Joseph continued: "As well as trade, education, news, etc., they will not interfere. I only want Brussels."

Tyne could no longer conceal his excitement.

The Flemish people have been fighting against the Spanish and Austrian rule for centuries. Now, they finally see a chance to gain freedom and independence!
To achieve this goal, giving up Brussels is not unacceptable. After all, the southern provinces of the Netherlands are far larger than Brussels in terms of area and economy.

He bowed slightly to Joseph: "Your Highness, I think you invited me to have tea just now?"

"Yes." Joseph asked someone to bring a horse to Tyne, "This way, please."

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Soon, the two were riding side by side. Joseph continued, "So, regarding the matter of convening the parliament, who do you recommend?"

Tyne patted his chest and said proudly, "In fact, I am a member of the Antwerp Parliament, Your Highness."

(End of this chapter)