I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 930 The Tide of History

Joseph smiled and said, "I haven't seen Count Kaunitz for a long time. Oh, how is he these days?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Earl Moses hesitated for a moment, "Yes, he is in good condition."

In fact, Kaunitz was already a dying candle in the wind and could die at any time.

"That's good." Joseph nodded without saying anything, "If this is a private conversation, please tell him not to worry, the war will be over soon."

Moses' face flashed with joy, and he continued, "So, what do you think about the armistice agreement?"

Joseph looked kind and said, "Oh, Archbishop Talleyrand has not yet submitted a relevant proposal. After all, Napoleon's army has no intention of withdrawing."

Moses' expression froze immediately: "But..."

Joseph smiled and waved his hand: "Well, I will try my best to persuade the cabinet meeting to formulate more relaxed armistice conditions."

Without waiting for Moses to say anything else, he stood up and said, "That's all. Give my regards to Count Kaunitz."

"No, Your Highness, please wait." Count Moses suddenly became anxious, wiped the sweat from his palms, and told the whole story, "In fact, Count Kobzl has now taken over as Minister of State.

"It was Count Kaunitz's political alliance that pushed him to the top.

"You know that Count Kaunitz has always been very friendly towards France."

Joseph paused. “Well, so what?”

Moses lowered his head and said, "I will convey your armistice conditions to the new imperial government."

"anything else?"

"And recommend that His Majesty the Emperor sign it."

Joseph then sat down again: "So, this is not a private meeting?"

"Yes, yes, Your Highness."

Joseph nodded so that he wouldn't have to listen to Moses talking about Queen Mary's personal relationships.

He said calmly: "First, Austria recognizes our sovereignty over Wallonia and the newly established Flemish Republic.

“Second, Austria gave up all rights in northern Italy, recognized the newly established Republic of Milan, and recognized the Medici family’s rule over Tuscany.

“Third, the Holy Roman Empire recognized French rule over all areas on the left bank of the Rhine.

"Fourth, hand over Venice to our administration. Withdraw all your officials from Venice."

When he said this, Moses was sweating profusely. He mustered up his courage and said, "Your Highness, perhaps Venice should be used as a buffer zone in northern Italy and managed separately by our two countries..."

Venice is one of the two major sources of income for Austria in Italy. Lombardy is already under French control, so there is nothing to discuss. However, parts of western Venice are still under Austrian rule, so he must fight for it.

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him and continued: “Fifth, Austria promises not to form an alliance with Britain in any form.

"Sixth, Austria shall pay France thirty million florins in compensation for the losses caused by the war.

"I have finished. These are the basic conditions. Archbishop Talleyrand will discuss the details with your country's armistice envoy."

Count Moses took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, these conditions... are indeed beyond the acceptable range of the empire. You see..."

He wanted to bring out Queen Mary, but was blocked by Joseph early in the morning. After struggling for several seconds, he said: "At least, in terms of Venice and war reparations, can we..."

Joseph smiled at him and said, "I don't want to bargain like a vendor in the market. What you just heard is my bottom line. "If you think your government cannot accept it, I can let General Napoleon negotiate with you again in Vienna."

Moses said with a pale face: "Your Highness, you know that there is a serious riot in our country. If we lose Venice, coupled with the compensation, our country will be unable to suppress the rioters."

Joseph spread his hands: "I regret this."

Moses had no choice but to use his trump card and said in a heavy tone: "Your Highness, you probably don't understand the seriousness of this riot.

"The riot was planned by those evil 'liberals'. Their goal is to overthrow the royal family of Austria and even the whole of Europe! Look at this..."

As he spoke, he took out two booklets from his pocket - he had been searched by the palace guards before coming, so they were definitely not dangerous items - and handed them over with both hands.

Joseph took the booklet and flipped through it casually.

The book above is "The Meaning of Freedom and Human Rights", which is 70% similar to the historical "Declaration of the Rights of Man", but is easier to understand than the latter.

The next book is On the Awakening of Citizens. This is a bit like Sieyès's What is the Third Estate in history. It mainly exposes the class oppression in Austrian society and calls on the lower classes to resist.

Moses continued: “These are their extremely dangerous and vicious thoughts.

“Sir, if Austria cannot control these liberals, they will quickly spread throughout Europe and inevitably affect France.

"You must at least leave a small amount of military funds for our country to eliminate these most dangerous people!"

Joseph's expression was not at all flustered. Instead, he tapped the two booklets and shook his head.
"I don't see any danger in this. I'm not worried about their impact on France."

He was well aware that the Enlightenment had irreversibly influenced the whole of Europe, and that ideas such as human rights, freedom, and equality would be accepted by everyone.

Especially with the Industrial Revolution, the productivity levels of various countries have increased rapidly. Traditional feudal dictatorship is simply unable to adapt to the development of society and will eventually be replaced.

Either the royal family actively embraces this trend, or it will be swallowed up by the tide of history.

Historically, these ideas broke out in France and spread throughout the world.

Now that the soil for the great revolutions in France has disappeared, they are thriving in Austria.

What is supposed to come will eventually come.

But Joseph was not afraid of these.

As a man of later times, he even welcomed the idea of ​​human rights and freedom, and he also had a mature plan to guide it, appease it, and integrate it into France without causing great damage.

Moses' eyes widened in shock and he raised his voice, "Your Highness, perhaps you don't understand that these liberals are trying to incite the untouchables to devour you and all the nobles like hungry beasts!"

Joseph smiled, like a college professor watching a primary school student showing off his knowledge.

“Why do you think the untouchables rioted?”

"what?"

Joseph felt that the question was too broad, so he gave another option: "Is it because the king rules the country? Or is it because they want a parliament?"

"This," Moses was stunned, "Who knows what those liberals are thinking."

Joseph gave a direct answer: "No, they will only riot because they are in trouble or are treated extremely unfairly."

(End of this chapter)