I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 890: Marriage and the Pattern of Northern Italy
However, Therese still faced considerable resistance in wanting to marry Ludovico.

Mainly because Palma is too small.

The French ministers would feel embarrassed if the only princess of France married the Prince of Parma.

Yes, in France, the marriages of princes and princesses are all part of national affairs and must be discussed and decided by powerful ministers.

Sure enough, Ludovico soon whispered nervously: "Your Highness, but I am worried that Her Majesty the Queen and those ministers will be dissatisfied with me..."

Joseph put his arm around his shoulders and nodded, “I promise, they are all very satisfied with you and Parma as well.

"By the way, I heard that the Pope also blessed you and my sister, and even decided to give Ferrara as a gift for your wedding."

As a branch of the Bourbon family, Parma was the "confidant" and core that Joseph worked hard to cultivate in northern Italy.

It just so happened that Therese was also interested in the Prince of Parma, and the marriage would further strengthen the ties between Parma and France.

When Ludovico heard the words "Ferrara" and "wedding gift", his eyes widened in surprise.

You should know that the land area of ​​the Duchy of Parma is less than 5000 square kilometers, while the area of ​​the Province of Ferrara is about 3500 square kilometers.

If Parma can obtain Ferrara, its territory will directly increase by 70%!

Parma had previously actively sent troops to participate in the Mediterranean Security Organization's military operations against the Papal States in the hope of getting a part of Ferrara.

But I didn’t expect that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would give all of Ferrara to Parma!
Ludovico's hands trembled with excitement. He stepped back and bowed to Joseph: "You are so generous. I really don't know how to express my gratitude... Oh, I promise on behalf of my father that half of Ferrara's taxes will always be transferred to France."

Joseph helped him up and said with a smile, "That half of the tax will be my sister's dowry."

The tax revenue from Ferrara is a drop in the bucket for France, and over time it will even arouse dissatisfaction among the people of Parma. It would be better to do the favor all at once.

He leaned over to Ludovico's ear and whispered, "As long as Parma keeps up with France, it will get the part of Mantua south of the Po River and even the northern part of Modena."

The Prince of Parma was so shocked that he could not speak.

The two places just mentioned by the French Prince will better connect Parma and Ferrara into a whole, and they will be able to defend the Po River to the north and the Apennine Mountains to the south.

At the same time, most of the country is located in the fertile Po River Plain.

This is simply the most perfect land form!
Ludovico suddenly remembered that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince seemed to have mentioned "northern Modena" just now, but how could Modena give up its territory to Parma?

He subconsciously said: "But Modena..."

Joseph made a silent gesture to him: "His Majesty Ercole III will agree."

If Parma wants to be the "core" of France in northern Italy, it must have some places that rely on France.

For example, their territorial dispute with Modena.

Ludovico bowed to Joseph again, and then, at the latter's suggestion, excitedly went to invite Therese to dance.

Well, now Princess Therese is no longer just his sweetheart, but also the hope for the future of Parma.

If Therese asked for the moon in the sky now, he would definitely pick it for her without hesitation.

The people of other northern Italian states had been keeping their ears open around Joseph, and naturally heard the words that Ferrara was all given to Parma. They immediately gnashed their teeth in hatred towards Ludovico - this abominable guy actually used "sacrifice" to seduce the French princess and snatch away such a large piece of land!

In particular, the diplomats from Modena and Milan, who were also determined to acquire Ferrara, immediately gathered together to discuss in a low voice and decided to try again before the matter was finalized.

The two of them also toasted Joseph first, and then the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Modena said cautiously: "Your Highness, um, the war in Ferrara is coming to an end... Ah, you know, Ferrara and Modena have a deep connection..."

In the 16th century, the Duchy of Modena was also united with the Duchy of Ferrara, and its full name was the Duchy of Ferrara-Modena.

Later, Pope Clement VIII found an excuse to forcibly incorporate Ferrara into the Papal States.

In fact, the Papal States has done similar things many times over the past few hundred years, which is why the Italian countries hate the Papal States.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Modena secretly glanced at the French Crown Prince's face and continued, "So, do you think it is possible to return Ferrara, at least the part south of the Po River, to our country..."

Joseph nodded: “Your request is very reasonable.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Modena was delighted when he heard the French Crown Prince continue:
"But this will put Modena at odds with Parma and Milan.

"Look, Modena hasn't ruled Ferrara for 200 years, why are you still obsessed with it?"

Modena's Foreign Minister suddenly became anxious: "Your Highness, but..."

Joseph raised his hand and pressed down: “You need to change your thinking.

“Modena and Ferrara are separated by the Reno River, which is difficult to manage.

“But if Modena gets Bologna, there will be no problem in this regard.

“And from Modena to Bologna, there is the Reina River in the north and the Apennine Mountains in the south, so it is not easy to be invaded.”

Modena's foreign minister's mood was like a roller coaster, rising from the bottom to the top in an instant, and he said excitedly: "You mean, hand over Bologna to our country?"

“I do have plans in that regard.”

"But, the Papal States will not give up that place..."

"No, the Holy See has deeply realized that it should withdraw from worldly affairs so that it can concentrate on serving God." Joseph made a sign of the cross, "The Pope entrusted me to rearrange the ownership of Bologna, oh, and Ancona, Spoleto and other provinces."

"This, is this true?!" Modena's Foreign Minister widened his eyes, and then quickly bowed and saluted, "Thank you, Your Highness the Great Crown Prince! Modena is willing to accept any arrangement you make!"

Joseph immediately smiled and said, "You know, I still want to try my best to entrust these lands to reliable friends."

"Yes, Your Highness, Modena will always follow you!"

"Well, I remember that His Majesty Ercole III never remarried?"

"Indeed, Your Highness."

Joseph smiled like a little fox: "Then, I hope Your Majesty can marry a Bourbon woman."

He remembered that after the death of Ercole III's wife, he had never remarried, which eventually led to the extinction of the Duchy of Modena.

(End of this chapter)