I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 823 Joseph in Brussels
After finishing his talk about Flemish independence, Joseph instructed Fouché:
"There is one more very important thing that the Intelligence Bureau needs to do. Genoa will start the new governor election in two months. It would be best if more councilors who are close to our country could be elected."

Fouché bowed slightly and said, "We still have some troops stationed in Genoa. This should not be difficult to do."

Joseph shook his head: "No, before the election begins, all our troops must be withdrawn. And during the entire election process, there must not be any trace of our country's participation.

“The people of Genoa must feel that the election results were their own decision.”

"This..." Fouché frowned slightly, but still nodded, "Although it is a bit difficult, the family power in Genoa is complicated. We can start from this aspect."

"Very good." Joseph continued, "My minimum request is to end the control of the parliament by the four great families of Genoa, establish an institution under our influence to supervise the Genoese bureaucracy, and write it into their laws."

Fouché has previously participated in the government formation process in Caribbean countries and presided over operations to influence the US presidential election, so he has rich experience in these matters.

After just a brief thought, he came up with a general plan, which Joseph basically agreed with.

Seeing that the Crown Prince had nothing else to do, the Intelligence Director was about to leave, but he seemed to have thought of something and stopped again and said, "Your Highness, there is another small matter that concerns me. I think it would be best to report it to you."

"Please tell me."

"It's about Mr. John Sandel, a senior technician of the United Steam Engine Company." Fouche said, "Half a year ago, Matthew Bolton, the major shareholder of the British Steam Engine Company, had secretly contacted him.

"But I have confirmed that Mr. Sandel rejected the British. Of course, he did not report the matter.

“And that Bolton had just entered France from Biscay, Spain, a few days ago.

“I had reason to suspect he was trying to engage in industrial espionage.

"Do you think we need to take some necessary measures against him?"

"Bolton?" Joseph narrowed his eyes.

He knew that the Boulton-Watt Steam Engine Company had not been doing well recently, and this was probably an attempt to poach Sandel's employees.

He was not too worried that Sandel would leak technical secrets - the latter was now famous and wealthy, and was pursuing a French noble lady, so it was basically impossible for the British to bribe him. Moreover, the Intelligence Agency had arranged agents around these core technical personnel, both to protect their safety and to ensure their loyalty.

Joseph was just about to ask Fouché to expel Bolton from the country, but he suddenly stopped talking.

Boulton-Watt's company was the leader in British steam engine technology, and the steam engine was a national weapon that determined the future of the Industrial Revolution.

Since Bolton came to us himself, why should we be polite to him?
This is a good opportunity to throw some sand in their company. If you are lucky, maybe you can just knock them out.

Thinking of this, he said to Fouché: "Just keep an eye on him secretly and don't alarm him.

"Also, use the signal tower to notify Mr. Sander and ask him to come to Brussels as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness." Joseph's schedule was always very full. As soon as Fouché left, Emand reminded him to attend the General Staff's combat meeting.

The content of the meeting was naturally the battle to the north to the Netherlands and how to attack the Duke of York from behind.

The combat meeting did not come to an end until dinner time.

Joseph yawned as he returned to his office. He was reminding Emmanuel, "Don't serve that beer-soaked charcoal-roasted beef for dinner..."

Suddenly, a graceful figure in a black and white dress came up to him quickly, knelt down in front of him, and said in a soft and joyful voice: "Your Highness, you are back?"

Joseph was slightly startled, then smiled in surprise: "It's Camelia, why are you here? Have you recovered completely?"

"Thanks to you, I'm completely well now." The maid said with a bright smile. Her face had indeed become a little rosy, but her cheeks were still much thinner. "Her Majesty the Queen has been thinking about you every day. She was worried that you didn't have a good diet abroad, so she asked me to come to Brussels to take care of you."

She paused, then whispered, "I've always been thinking about you."

She signaled the maid to bring over a few exquisite boxes and said, "Oh, Your Highness, these are what Her Majesty the Queen asked me to bring. They are all your favorite snacks."

Then Joseph saw portions of strawberry cakes, frosted almond cookies, and colorful macarons, enough for him to eat for a month.

Camelia pointed to the bottom of the box and said, "Your Majesty had people put ice cubes in the interlayer at the bottom of the box, so the snacks are still fresh."

Joseph felt his nose getting a little sour for some reason, and he tried to cover it up with a smile: "Aha, these are enough to make all the pastry chefs in the Southern Netherlands bow down in worship.

"Um, how are the Queen and the King doing lately?"

In fact, with the Sharp signal machine, he could know the situation of his parents at any time, but it sounded more lifelike when heard from Camellia.

"Yes, they are all very nice." The maid began to talk about the daily life of the Palace of Versailles. "Her Majesty the Queen attends fewer balls, but she often asks people to tell her about things in the Southern Netherlands. She also ordered several sets of military uniforms. By the way, military uniforms are very popular in Paris now, the style you are wearing, and the ladies and gentlemen like it very much.

"His Majesty the King still spends all day in the Royal Workshop..."

She chattered happily, following Joseph into the office: "Oh, you seemed to have mentioned 'beer soaked meat' just now, don't you like the food here? If you are willing to wait a while, let me prepare dinner for you."

Joseph trusted Camelia's cooking skills, but seeing that she had just recovered from a serious illness and her eyes looked a little tired from the journey, he was about to refuse when he heard the voice of a young girl behind Camelia: "Your Highness, Miss Camelia has just recovered from a serious illness and needs to rest. Perhaps you can give me the honor of cooking a meal for her."

Joseph leaned over and saw a woman about 1.7 meters tall, with a slim figure, curly black hair tied behind her head, deep blue eyes, and every movement and tone of voice was so friendly and appropriate as if it had been carefully calculated.

He felt that this woman looked familiar, and looked at Camelia and asked, "Who is this?"

"Oh, sir, I am so rude that I forgot to introduce you. This is Mademoiselle Veronique Legris. She was the one who testified on the Poroscaffier against the man who pushed me overboard."

(End of this chapter)