Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 741 - 649 Dividing the Spoils
Chapter 741: Chapter 649: Dividing the Spoils
Chapter 741: Chapter 649: Dividing the Spoils
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience, there’s still a bit left to type, please don’t look yet. Wait for me ten minutes,” he said.
Franz II glanced at the King of Prussia and said with his head held high, “It’s just a few minor issues, the Empire’s finances are quite ample.”
William II mercilessly exposed him, “Let’s speak frankly. Austria has already lost its advantageous position in the Southern German Market, and even our own domestic market is being challenged.
“The Hungarians and even the Bohemians are very dissatisfied with your tax policies, making it often impossible to collect the full amount of taxes in those areas.
“Of course, the most important factor is that His Majesty Leopold II has spent too much on military expenses in Silesia.”
Seeing the Emperor of Sanctum’s disapproval, he quickly raised his hand in a calming gesture, “Yes, our country also suffered huge losses from that conflict. Oh, I even lost Legnica.”
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Franz II immediately said coldly, “That place was originally Austria’s.”
“Alright, alright, let’s forget the ‘Dresden Treaty’ for now,” William II said, shaking his head, “In fact, our country is also facing serious financial pressure.”
The Dresden Treaty was precisely the treaty signed 40 years ago after Austria’s defeat, recognizing Prussia’s sovereignty over Silesia.
Franz II entered the meeting room, gestured towards the sofa, and frowned at the King of Prussia, “So, what exactly are you trying to say?”
William II sat down and in the specific formal tone of the Prussians, said, “Both our countries urgently need to improve our finances. Perhaps we can set aside our prejudices and do something beneficial for both of us.”
“What would that be?”
William II signaled to the servants and court officials around him, “Excuse me.”
Franz II frowned but still waved his hand, “Everyone, please leave.”
Once the spacious hall was left to just the two of them, William II leaned forward and said, “If Austria could acquire the wealthy region of Lesser Poland, it could quickly improve its financial situation.”
The “Lesser Poland” he referred to stretches from Krakow to west of the Bug River in southwestern Poland. Located adjacent to Warsaw, opposite Silesia across the Oder River, it is an extremely affluent area of Poland.
However, Franz II’s expression darkened at these words and he decisively said, “My country has never claimed Poland, and maintaining Polish integrity has been a consistent policy since Emperor Joseph II!”
He looked at William II again, scoffing, “If I’m not mistaken, Prussia and Poland have signed an alliance.”
“An alliance?”
William II smiled and skipped over the topic, continuing, “You must be aware of the newly mined silver mines in the Tarnovsk Mountain near Krakow last year, right?
“The output has already reached six million florins, and it continues to grow.
“If you gain Lesser Poland, it will provide you with a continuous source of funds.”
Franz II opened his mouth but said nothing.
William II glanced at his expression and leaned back on the couch, continuing, “I heard that France has been mocking your troops in Italy?”
“No, that’s just…”
The King of Prussia nodded, “It doesn’t really matter. However, if you want to pin the French down at the negotiation table and resign that trade agreement, you must have a sufficiently strong army.
“All this is beyond what Austria’s finances can currently support.
“Austria has always wanted to annex Bavaria. Oh, there’s no need to deny it. Many things are clear to everyone, and this makes an army all the more necessary to help you achieve it.”
He spoke in a beguiling tone, “Even Salzburg, Wurttemberg, Augsburg. Finally, to reconsolidate the fragmented territories of the Holy Roman Empire.”
Franz II raised an eyebrow, “Or does that include Prussia as well?”
“Who knows?” William II said nonchalantly, spreading his hands, “If that day comes, we can fight another war.
“But until then, we all need to address our troubling financial issues.
“Poland is the best opportunity for that.”
He smiled again, “Honestly, Prussia is still a part of the Holy Roman Empire. You don’t always have to see me as a challenger.
“Our future expansion doesn’t have to focus on the south; the vast lands of East Prussia offer easier acquisition.
“If we could set aside our opposition, you would get Lesser Poland, and I could continue eastward. Don’t you think that’s the best situation?”
Franz II remained silent. The Prussian was right; acquiring the Lesser Poland region could quickly enhance Austria’s national power. However, keeping Poland intact was also a national policy of Austria. More importantly, the more Polish land they acquired, the closer they would be to that terrifying “beast.”
That beast was Russia.
Without Poland as a buffer, hundreds of thousands of Eastern Orthodox troops could roll across the plains of Eastern Europe, and it would likely be a catastrophe for the entire continent.
William II, seemingly perceptive of his concerns, smiled more smugly, “Well, to show my sincerity, there’s something I can share with you.
“In fact, I and Catherine II have already signed a secret treaty. Russia only wants the line from Minsk to Lithuania, after which they will withdraw.
“The entire regions of Oxstania and Pripyat will still be left to Poland, serving as a buffer zone.”
———
At 4 a.m. on May 11, the Allied forces began to assemble. The British and Hanoverian armies formed the right wing and center of the Allies, while the Dutch Army formed the left wing, with the smaller Austrian Army acting as the reserve. However, Cumberland severely underestimated the strength of Marshal Saks, thinking that he had merely 30,000 troops. Thus, they concentrated artillery fire on the center of the French line, attempting to crush the French Army with sheer numerical superiority. Cumberland’s original plan involved the British and Dutch troops on the flanks engaging with the French, drawing the majority of the French forces to the flanks, then the main infantry force of the Allies would advance to split the French Army in two. However, Ingolesby, who commanded the British left wing, was quickly blocked by the French Royal Guards hidden in Barri Forest, and only then did Cumberland realize the strength of the French flanks far exceeded his expectations. As the Dutch Army launched their attack on Fontenoy Village on the left wing, they were also repelled by the defensive French forces. At noon, Cumberland ordered Count Ligoneer, who commanded the main Allied forces, to launch an attack on the French line. The central columns of the Allied forces, formed in two lines, suffered heavy casualties but reached the hilltop. Since the majority of the French reserves had been drawn to the right wing to counter the Dutch attack on Fontenoy, the French lines seemed at risk of collapsing in front of the well-trained Allied infantry. The place of the Allied attack was very close to where Louis XV, the Crown Prince, Duke Noa Ye, and Marshal Saks were observing. Duke Noa Ye urged Louis XV and the Crown Prince to move to a safer place, but Marshal Saks assured the King that the French forces would surely achieve victory.
