The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 290

Chapter 290: The Crown Prince’s Diplomacy

Joseph immediately broke into a brilliant smile. “Mother, I’d like to personally visit Vienna. Since my uncle fell ill, I haven’t had the chance to properly visit him.

“Oh, I’ll do everything in my power to help my uncle resolve the Brabant issue and return to him the peace he deserves.

“At the same time, there are many matters I can discuss with him.”

Queen Marie nodded with deep relief. “That’s wonderful! My dear, I’ve always wanted to visit my brother, but France cannot do without me. Now you can go in my stead to see Benny. Oh, I must prepare some gifts for him.”

Not long after, the cabinet meeting concluded, and Joseph returned to his private chambers. He quickly summoned Émond and instructed him to call upon Count Ségur, the assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and asked the count to draft a letter to the American ambassador in Poland under a private capacity.

As Count Ségur prepared pen and paper, Joseph gave his instructions. “The content of the letter should primarily warn Prince Poniatowski that under no circumstances should Poland send troops to support Prussia. Doing so would antagonize Austria, the only one of Poland’s three great neighbors that has shown them any sympathy. At present, Poland should seize the opportunity created by Russia being preoccupied with Sweden and the Prussian-Austrian conflict in the Southern Netherlands to swiftly address the parliamentary liberum veto and train as many troops as possible.”

France’s actions in North Africa had caused the Ottoman Empire to surrender earlier than in history, freeing Russia to focus on Sweden. With the Russo-Swedish war likely to end sooner as a result, it wouldn’t be long before Russia turned its attention to Poland.

To prevent an alliance of Russia, Prussia, and Austria dividing Poland, it was imperative to make Poland’s internal state stronger. To avoid raising suspicion among the three powers, Joseph sought to use the United States as a French intermediary to assist Poland, ensuring that this letter reached American hands.

Count Ségur quickly noted down the Crown Prince’s instructions, and Joseph added, “By the way, once Archbishop Talleyrand returns from Britain, have him proceed immediately to Strasbourg. He is to wait for me there, and we will travel to Vienna together. Make sure he brings a few reliable aides.”

Strasbourg was the final border city between France and Austria.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

By noon that day, Joseph set out from France—not yet heading for Austria. That trip would require Talleyrand’s assistance to facilitate certain matters. Additionally, with Prussia and Austria both preparing large-scale troop mobilizations, the logistical preparations alone would take months, meaning the Brabant uprising wouldn’t erupt any time soon.

Joseph’s first stop was Spain.

After all, his old friend Charles IV was being crowned, and he needed to represent France to show his respect. Moreover, there were many matters to address with Spain, a sometimes-challenging ally.

Spain’s interests currently aligned closely with France’s, and given its weaker national strength, it generally followed France’s lead on international affairs, making it a decent ally. However, despite its vast colonial holdings and possession of Europe’s third-largest navy, Spain had fallen to the bottom tier of the great powers.

If Spain could be made stronger, France could draw more heavily on its power, especially in its struggle against Britain.

One mustn’t forget that Gibraltar, the gateway to the Mediterranean, lay on Spain’s southern coast. Originally Spanish territory, it had been ceded to Britain over seventy years ago following the War of the Spanish Succession.

Since then, the Spanish had been obsessed with regaining this strategic position, to the point of near-desperation. Reclaiming the Strait of Gibraltar from Britain would significantly secure France’s interests in North Africa. Even with its formidable navy, Britain couldn’t reach the Mediterranean without access to Gibraltar, limiting its influence over the North African states along the southern coast.

Joseph’s carriage departed Paris and headed southwest. In just over ten days, they reached the Pyrenees at the Franco-Spanish border.

However, upon crossing the mountain passes and entering Spain, particularly upon reaching the city of León, their progress slowed noticeably.

The road conditions in Spain were far worse than in France.

Fortunately, Joseph was traveling in the latest model of the “Gemstone” carriage, which offered exceptional comfort. Even so, the journey was so bumpy it felt like a form of torture.

After another half-month of jarring travel, Joseph finally glimpsed the distant spires of Madrid. He was already contemplating whether to take a ship for the return journey.

Charles IV welcomed the French Crown Prince with the highest honors. A ceremonial guard awaited five miles outside Madrid, and the Spanish Minister of State personally led the entourage to the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid.

Charles IV pulled his good friend along as they walked from the palace square to the royal residence. Along the way, fine carpets were laid underfoot, ceremonial guards stood at attention on both sides, and over a thousand Spanish nobles and foreign dignitaries gathered respectfully outside the palace, their eyes fixed on Joseph. In the distance, the cannon salute seemed never-ending.

The Spaniards all knew that the King of France was an extreme recluse who rarely left home, making it almost impossible for him to visit Spain. Thus, the presence of the French Crown Prince represented the French monarch himself.

Joseph accepted a bouquet of flowers from a group of Spanish children and entered the palace alongside Charles IV.

He noticed that the new Queen of Spain, Maria Louisa, remained by Charles’s side, but she appeared cautious and reserved, barely speaking throughout the ceremony.

Joseph let out a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed the old king had entirely stripped Maria Louisa of her power, ensuring she couldn’t wreak havoc on Spain as she had in history. His efforts to assist Charles IV in exposing her affair had not been in vain.

After an opulent banquet, where Joseph savored a seafood-rich Spanish feast, he couldn’t help but admit that some Spanish dishes surpassed French cuisine.

The main course, for example—a baked seafood stew—was served in a massive wooden barrel. The outermost layer was lined with oysters, followed by layers of lobster, filleted fish, roasted octopus, and sea urchins, all topped with a generous layer of cheese, baked to perfection and sprinkled with spices. Just the sight of it was enough to whet the appetite.

Joseph managed only half the barrel before feeling too full to move.

Later, Charles IV dragged his friend to the royal theater, where a play by a French dramatist, Phaedra, was being performed.

In the VIP box on the second floor, Joseph watched as his royal relative casually commented on the actors’ performances. Taking advantage of a scene involving a prime minister, Joseph turned to Charles IV and said, “Speaking of prime ministers, Your Majesty, is your current Minister of State still Count Florida Blanca?”

Charles IV waved dismissively. “Call me Antonio, please. Oh, yes, it’s still Redondo.”

Joseph frowned slightly. Count Florida Blanca had served as Charles III’s Minister of State. Without Manuel de Godoy’s meddling, Charles IV had simply retained his father’s cabinet.

However, Count Florida Blanca was not particularly well-disposed toward France.

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