I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 933 Aftermath
Baron Stein immediately said: "The worse our financial situation is, the more we need a war. At least it will allow the soldiers to 'find some money' on the battlefield to make up for their delayed salaries."

Yes, because Prussia withdrew from the war earlier and the country remained basically stable, it had barely recovered by this time.

Austria had just surrendered, a rebellion had broken out at home, and the Prussians were badly weakened by the loss of the Southern Netherlands and Northern Italy. They immediately smelled prey.

To be honest, compared to France, they care more about Austria, their more direct opponent.

If Austria could be defeated in Silesia, its leadership in the German region might come to an end, and Prussia would naturally become the boss.

And not just Silesia.

If the war goes well, the Prussian army can continue to advance into Bohemia, Moravia, and even Vienna...

You know, Prussia is a militaristic country. As long as it can win the war, all domestic problems will be solved.

Marquis Grollman sighed and said, "But at least, we have to prepare to mobilize the logistical supplies needed for the army. This will cost at least two million thalers."

Wilhelmin nodded and looked at the Foreign Minister: "Count Schulenberg, please go to London. Seek a loan of at least 30 pounds from our British allies."

The latter lowered his head in embarrassment. Prussia had previously received nearly 70 pounds in loans from Britain, and it didn't know how to repay it. Now that the war with France was over, how could the British pay more?

"Madam, if the British refuse..."

Wilhelmin interrupted him coldly: "Then tell little Pete...Oh, he has stepped down. Who is their prime minister now?"

Baron Stein whispered, "Lord Grenville."

Yes, after Pitt the Younger stepped down, Fox did not become prime minister as he wished.

George III accepted Pitt the Younger's advice and pushed Grenville up - although Grenville always stood with Pitt the Younger in political stance, he was a Whig. This forced Fox to accept it reluctantly.

Wilhelminine nodded and said, "Please tell Lord Grenville that this money is related to the survival of Prussia. If he cannot provide it, we will have to think of other ways."

Although she had no experience in governing a country, her experience as the king's mistress and palace fighting had taught her how to find other people's weaknesses.

She was almost saying that if Britain did not make an effort, Prussia would hook up with the French.

Prussia is the most important fulcrum of Britain in the European continent, without a doubt, and it cannot be lost. This is their weakness.

Count Schulenberg had no choice but to bow and say, "Yes, ma'am."

The Minister of War raised the question again: "Well, General Blücher has always advocated improving relations with Austria. I am worried that he is unwilling to lead the army to the battle."

After the last defeat, the Duke of Brunswick became disheartened and returned to his hometown to recuperate.

At present, the most capable commander in Prussia is Blücher.

Baron Stein said: "You can hand over the army to Prince Hohenlohe. Oh, that staff officer named Scharnhorst also has good abilities, let him go with us."

Prince Hohenlohe was a prince of Wurttemberg. Well, he had an elder brother who was an officer in Austria, and he was serving in Prussia.

The Battle of Jena in history was his "god assist" to Napoleon, helping the latter to win the victory cleanly.

Of course, being defeated by Napoleon was a "compulsory course" for European officers, but this does not mean that we can completely deny his abilities.

Marquis Grollman said hurriedly: "Lieutenant Colonel Scharnhorst is preparing for the reform of the General Staff..."

Wilhelminnie glanced at him and said, "Then let's continue after we take back Silesia." "Yes, ma'am."

……

The aftermath of Austria's surrender not only affected Prussia, but also spread to Rome.

On the right bank of the Tiber River in Rome, as many as two to three thousand citizens held high wooden signs that read "Roman Autonomy", "Elective Parliament", and "Freedom and Equality" and marched past the Pantheon in a mighty procession.

You have to know that at that time the city of Rome had a total population of only 130,000 to 140,000, including a large number of priests.

The scale of this parade is absolutely unprecedented.

A middle-aged man stood on the base of the Pantheon's stone pillar, waving the book "The Meaning of Freedom and Human Rights" in his hand, and said loudly with excitement:
"Citizens of Rome, the Austrians have shown us that we must earn our own freedom and equality!
“We always hoped that the Holy See would show mercy and charity and return Rome to its true owner.

“However, it turns out that this doesn’t work!

“The Church only greedily takes all our money with tax hikes, and then tells us that our hope is in heaven.

"No, there is no hope. Only deception!
“Our hope is here, right under our feet!

“We can’t wait any longer.

"Rome belongs to every one of our citizens, and the Holy See should serve God wholeheartedly. If the Holy See is unwilling to return Rome, then we will take it back ourselves!"

The crowd immediately burst into a thunderous roar, "Rome belongs to all citizens!"

"Implement Roman Autonomy immediately!"

"Form a parliament and abolish church privileges!"

Amid the people's shouts, more than a hundred Vatican Guards in red uniforms watched this side nervously from over a hundred meters away, but did not dare to come forward to disperse the protesting crowd.

The Papal States' army used to have at least two thousand soldiers, all of whom were mobilized to Rome to deal with these protesters.

But now the Mediterranean Security Organization's troops have entered the province of Spoleto, and the Papal States only have Rome and Perugia left, and the army has basically been disbanded.

The 400 soldiers of the Vatican Guard did not dare to take action against the protesting team, for fear of provoking an incident similar to the "Recruits Rebellion" in Vienna.

The middle-aged man who was giving a speech in front of the Pantheon suddenly waved to the crowd: "Everyone, follow me to petition the Holy Father. Let's form a parliament and let the Vatican return to piety!"

……

Braga is a major city in northwestern Portugal.

The Marquis of Talavera, the commander-in-chief of the Spanish Northern Army, looked at Junot with a troubled expression:

"Lieutenant Colonel, there are nearly 1 defenders in Porto. I'm afraid it will be difficult for my troops to occupy it in a short period of time."

Junot patted him on the shoulder and said, "General Talavera, you are the most powerful commander in the Iberian Peninsula. The Portuguese are definitely not your opponent."

What he said was not pure nonsense.

Marquis Talavera has an army of 20,000 under his command. Normally, he has an absolute advantage over the defenders of Porto.

(End of this chapter)