I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 946: Austria's Savior

Three streets away from the Palace of Versailles, in a villa purchased by a Dutch tycoon, Hottinger, a senior adviser to the French Foreign Minister, said to Schmelpennink with a haughty look:
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you know that this matter involves the situation of the entire Lowlands. That gentleman must unite several cabinet ministers before he can convince His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Schmelpenninck nodded repeatedly: "Thank you Tallie...ah, that gentleman's selfless help, I will definitely not let him help in vain."

Hottinger picked up the pen on the table and wrote a line: "30 francs, send it to this address, and things will turn around."

Schmelpenninck was stunned for a moment, but immediately gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I will do it as soon as possible. Please thank that gentleman for me."

"I will."

Hottinger got into the carriage with a satisfied smile on his face.

three days later.

Schmelpenninck paid the bribe and was soon informed by Hottinger that the Crown Prince, on the advice of "that lord", had agreed to restrain the Flemish and let the Dutch Parliament recall the border troops to suppress the rebellion.

In addition, the French Walloon Army would be on standby in Gelden, ready to intervene at any time if the Dutch Parliament was unable to defeat William V's army - for an additional fee.

Of course, this was something Joseph had decided long ago, and he asked Talleyrand to inform the Dutch. The Foreign Minister kept the news under wraps for the time being, and made a small fortune of 30 francs.

Hottinger stood up and walked to the door, then stopped and turned around and said casually, "By the way, Prime Minister, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has recently been very interested in the 'International Maritime Convention' proposed by the Danes. He would probably be happy if the Netherlands chooses to join."

Schmelpenninck said hurriedly: "Thank you very much for your reminder. I will submit a bill to the parliament as soon as I return."

……

Vienna.

Schönbrunn Palace.

Franz II stared at Kobzl and shouted angrily: "These damn profiteers, even the most greedy vampires can only be their apprentices!

"Ten years of salt tax from Bohemia and the Erzgebirge? They might as well come and rob Schönbrunn Palace!"

Kobzl looked extremely helpless:
"Your Majesty, the financial community is worried that Prussia will go to war with our country. Mr. Rothschild's asking price is already the lowest."

He didn't dare say it out loud. Bankers throughout Germany believed that Austria would be defeated by Prussia. After all, the domestic rebellion had not been completely resolved.

In this case, lending money to the emperor would most likely result in a total loss, so sufficient collateral was required.

Franz II gripped the armrests of his chair tightly. Although he was unwilling to be blackmailed by these capitalists, he immediately remembered the report sent by Archduke Karl a few days ago.

The Ottomans are ready to make a move, and a large number of troops have been assembled in northern Bulgaria, ready to launch an attack at any time.

He believed that the Ottomans had probably reached some kind of tacit understanding with the Prussians and were preparing to attack from both the north and the south.

At present, his empire cannot even prepare for war, and even Archduke Karl's army can only receive one-third of their salary. Once the war breaks out, he will have no choice but to surrender.

So he planned to borrow 300 million florins from the usurer to raise military supplies, but the usurer asked him to mortgage 10 years of salt tax in Bohemia and Erzgebirge.

He knew that this money would most likely not be repaid on time, so he almost exchanged the salt tax from the two places for 300 million.

What a huge loss!

But the situation was stronger than the person, and he vented his anger for a while, then closed his eyes and waved at the Secretary of State:
"Go tell that profiteer that he can get what he wants, and give me the gold coins immediately..."

Before the latter could answer, he saw the emperor's attendant leading Count Moses in quickly.

Kobzl was a little surprised and asked, "Why are you back?" Moses ignored him and bowed to Francis II excitedly, "Your Majesty, good news! I convinced the Queen of France, and she agreed to lend 1 million francs to our country with an interest rate of only 3%!"

In fact, Joseph just asked Queen Mary to tell him his decision, not that he "convinced" anyone.

Well, I also want to let my mother show up in front of her family and gain some gratitude.

Franz II stood up suddenly from his chair: "Really?!"

"It is absolutely true, Your Majesty."

Franz II's face was instantly filled with ecstasy of having been saved from a desperate situation: "Great, really great! My aunt finally still remembers this little kindness of mine.

"Ha, to hell with that damn profiteer!"

He pointed to the Secretary of State and said, "Count Kobzl, you should immediately use this money to prepare logistical supplies and transport them to Liegnitz."

The latter bowed: "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Moses reached out his hand to stop him, and then said to Francis II:
"Your Majesty, the Queen of France also asked me to tell you that she knows that the Empire must avoid being caught in a two-front war.

“So she would try to get the Prussians to wait until July before launching their offensive.

"Before that, we must quell the rebellion as quickly as possible and defeat the Ottomans. Then we will concentrate our forces on defending Cilicia."

Franz II's eyes widened and his lips trembled: "Oh, my dearest aunt...she really saved the whole of Austria. God, I complained about her very viciously before..."

Kobzl looked at Moses: "How are the French going to hold back Prussia? Are they going to send troops to Silesia?"

"She didn't tell me the specific plan." Count Moses said, "But now we can only believe that she can do it.

"Anyway, it can't get any worse, can it?"

Kobzl remained silent.

Francis II has already signaled to his attendants anxiously: "Go and invite Marquis Becerral, quickly!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Count Moses said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. The Queen of France also mentioned that she hopes you can issue an edict to allow the Holy Roman Empire to join the 'International Maritime Convention' organization."

"International Convention on the Law of the Sea? What is that?"

"A Dane initiated an organization to regulate maritime rights." Moses then introduced the purpose of the "Union of the Seas".

Kobzl on the side narrowed his eyes: "This convention is obviously aimed at the British."

Francis II snorted coldly: "What's wrong with that? The damn British abandoned us just like throwing away a broken boot.

“We don’t need to care about what they think now!

"I think this 'ocean convention' can be fully supported."

The reason why he agreed so readily was indeed because he wanted to take revenge on Britain, but more importantly, it was impossible for him to refuse France's conditions.

After all, joining a "convention" that has little impact on Austria is better than surrendering to the Ottoman Empire and Prussia.

(End of this chapter)