I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 925: Rhineland
Berthier was a little surprised and asked, "How did you know?"

Joseph thought: Of course it's because Francis II has never had the habit of resisting to the end. In history, whether facing Napoleon or the Russians, he had no psychological pressure to compromise.

Well, it's almost time to sign the Treaty of Campo Formio.

However, he just said calmly: "This is a conclusion based on the international situation and the battlefield situation."

The Chief of Staff's admiration for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was already overflowing, and he didn't mind overflowing again at this moment: "Your wisdom always allows me to learn a lot, Your Highness."

When he rushed to send an order to Napoleon, Archbishop Briand knocked on the door anxiously, bowed hastily, and placed a report on Joseph's desk:

"Your Highness, our provisional government in the Rhineland has sent us news that there have been many public protests in various places recently, and several anti-government organizations have been established."

According to Joseph's plan for the Rhineland, two provisional governments were established there - the "Lower Rhine Government" north of the Palatinate, and the "Palatinate Government" south of it.

The main responsibilities of these two provisional governments were to carry out post-war stabilization in the Rhineland and to clean up the previous bureaucratic systems at all levels.

In this way, many offensive matters can be blamed on the provisional government. After being "cleaned up", the provisional government will announce its dissolution on the spot, and then the Rhineland region will be incorporated into France.

Well, by then the French government can also punish some officials of the provisional government to win over the hearts of the people.

Joseph simply flipped through the report and nodded, “This is normal. The British, Austrians, Prussians, and even Bavarians may secretly create unrest in the Rhineland.

"Oh, and there are also local nobles. Our arrival will definitely affect the interests of some people."

Brian said thoughtfully, "Your Highness, the Governor of the Lower Rhine, Count Moranchiton, hopes to transfer the garrison troops from Cologne to the city to quell the rebellion."

Joseph frowned and shook his head, "No, that's exactly what our enemies expect."

He allocated special funds to the provisional government to stabilize bread prices in the Rhineland, so there was no basis for large-scale riots there.

At present, the most the mastermind behind this is doing is hiring some gang members to cause trouble, but if the French army goes to suppress it, it will inevitably cause serious bloodshed - the mastermind behind this will definitely try to kill many people - and then arouse the anger of the local people, leading to more riots.

This can easily lead to an upward spiral of suppression-riots-stronger suppression-greater riots.

France wanted to transform the Rhineland into a core territory, rather than just abandon it as a colony.

Joseph thought for a moment and ordered, "First, transfer a group of police officers from China to the Rhineland. On the basis of stabilizing public security, we will start promoting police reform. Well, we need to select police officers from the northern provinces who can speak German."

There are many German-speaking people in Metz, Lorraine, Alsace and other places in France.

"Of course, this is only a temporary emergency measure. If we want to solve the problems in the Rhineland more thoroughly, we need to adopt a lot of policies.

"For example, improving the local economy, eliminating the power of the nobles, and reforming taxation..."

As he was speaking, Emmanuel knocked gently on the door and reminded him, "Your Highness, the ball is about to begin. You must change your clothes."

Joseph rubbed his brow, stood up, and signaled to Brian: "Let's continue talking at the dance later."

The World Expo is about to open, and this ball is hosted by Queen Mary to warm up for the Expo. Guests from many countries will attend, so it cannot be postponed.

20 minute later.

In the magnificent Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles, melodious dance music sounded. After Queen Marie and Louis XVI gave a speech to the crowd, they began to dance the opening dance in the middle of the hall. Well, at this time, there was no atmosphere of war in Paris at all, otherwise there would be no World Expo.

Joseph stood on the podium on the east side of the hall. Looking up, he saw black and white maid uniforms everywhere. He couldn't help but glance at Camellia standing beside him.

Under her influence, maid costumes became popular in Paris in later generations. French fashion designers made some changes to the basic style, such as adding a corset and a lot of complicated lace to make it look more luxurious.

The nobles all knew the habits of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and basically no one came to disturb him. Then Brian, Police Chief Besançon, Fouché and others came over.

"Please forgive me for interrupting your wonderful dance." Joseph picked up a glass of wine and gestured to several important ministers, "Cheers to our Rhineland."

Brian and the others hurriedly raised their glasses, "Cheers to the Rhineland."

"To the World Expo."

Joseph took a sip from his glass and continued, “I believe Archbishop Brian has told everyone about the situation in the Rhineland.

"At the most basic level, the police and intelligence agencies work together to try to nip riots in the bud before they happen.

"Then the Intelligence Bureau will temporarily intervene in the control of the news in the Rhineland, especially the control of pamphlets. Well, the situation in Paris should be much more complicated than there before, and you have rich experience in dealing with it.

"I will have Mr. DeNico send someone to assist you in acquiring as many large newspapers there as possible to publicize that the Rhineland has always been a part of France."

Fouché continued: "Your Highness, you mean, the same method as in Tunisia?"

"That's right." Joseph nodded, "But some modifications need to be made. For example, find some connections from the Frankish Kingdom."

Brian added: "Well, the area west of Cologne to Koblenz used to be the territory of the Kingdom of Franks."

Joseph knew that the consciousness of the German nation had not yet been finalized, and before that he had to add as much sand as possible to it.

When it comes to national identity, it often depends on who can "fool" the public into accepting it.

After finishing the general discussion on publicity, Joseph instructed Fouché: "You and Mr. Denico should prepare a detailed plan and submit it to me as soon as possible."

As the general manager of Paris Business Daily, Denico was not eligible to attend the ball in the Hall of Mirrors. He could only let Fouché convey the message.

Joseph looked at Brian again and said, "To ensure the stability of the Rhineland, the most important means is to allow it to develop."

Brian said: "Your Highness, this will probably require a huge investment of money."

Joseph smiled and said, “It does require a lot of investment, but that’s not a problem.

"Fortunately, the Rhineland has a large number of coal, iron and salt mines, and the investment can get sufficient returns."

Yes, the reason why Germany was able to catch up in the Industrial Revolution was because of the rich coal and iron resources on both sides of the Rhine River.

The Ruhr region on the east bank of the Rhine is currently out of reach, but Cologne and the Palatinate are in the Rhineland.

(End of this chapter)