The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 195

Chapter 195: The European Turmoil 4

Joseph seemed far from satisfied as he forcefully waved his hand. “It’s a pity that Ottoman fortresses still remain on the northern shores of the Black Sea. Only by swiftly sweeping them away can we ensure stable ports for Black Sea trade.

“Following that, Russia should advance across the southern bank of the Danube, wresting control of its mouth from the Ottomans!
“And on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, Georgia—protected by Russia but still under Ottoman domination at its Black Sea access point and oppressed by Persia—urgently awaits Russia’s rescue.”

He looked seriously at Paul. “If necessary, France can provide assistance at any time!”

Crown Prince Paul was taken aback. How was it that the French Crown Prince seemed even more aggressive than his mother, the Empress? He was practically handing over all territories around the Black Sea, barring the Ottoman heartland in the south, to Russia. If others had been present, they might have mistaken him for the Russian heir instead.

In truth, Joseph was merely recounting the aspirations underlying Russia’s numerous historical wars with the Ottomans. These territories had always been coveted by Russia; any Russian hearing such words would be deeply stirred.

As expected, Paul nodded fervently. “This is also the will of His Majesty...”

Joseph immediately interjected, “It’s entirely His Majesty’s will. Please convey this to Her Imperial Majesty.”

As the French Crown Prince, Joseph’s words carried immense diplomatic weight.

The Russians were straightforward people who valued direct expressions of gratitude and revenge.

Paul promptly responded in kind. “I assure you that we will always support France’s actions in North Africa!”

...

After parting ways with the Russian Crown Prince, Joseph returned to his quarters, only to find his servants helplessly surrounding the Spanish Crown Prince, who was clearly intoxicated. His hair was disheveled, and he appeared utterly despondent.

When Antonio noticed Joseph’s return, he immediately stood with his wine glass in hand, his eyes reddened once more.

Joseph sighed and sat down to drink a few glasses with him, silently patting him on the back to offer comfort.

Before long, Antonio passed out drunk. Joseph instructed the servants to carry him to bed, then turned to see Fouché approaching briskly. After saluting, Fouché asked, “Your Highness, should we continue monitoring the second floor of the South Wing?”

He was referring to the surveillance of the Spanish Crown Princess.

“There’s no need,” Joseph said, shaking his head. Antonio’s lack of resolve left him feeling helpless.

Joseph glanced back at Antonio and casually asked Fouché, “Is there a way to give him the courage to confront that unfaithful woman?”

Fouché hesitated momentarily before replying in a low voice, “Your Highness, dealing with the woman is indeed complicated, but her lover should be much easier to handle.”

“Oh?” Joseph asked. “What’s your plan?”

Fouché’s face lit up with a sinister smile. “Destroying him shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Joseph frowned. He disliked using excessively “dirty” methods to resolve issues, so much so that he instinctively overlooked such options.

However, Antonio’s anguished expression lingered in his mind. Joseph narrowed his eyes. Godoy was merely a low-ranking guard without significant background; perhaps a straightforward approach would be most effective.

He turned to Fouché. “Can you guarantee there won’t be any loose ends?”

“Rest assured, Your Highness. It will appear as nothing more than an accident. No one will suspect a thing.”

“Tomorrow is His Majesty’s birthday. Don’t make too much commotion.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

...

At lunchtime, a tall, handsome man in his thirties encountered Joseph in the corridor and quickly stepped forward to bow.

Eymond whispered by Joseph’s side, “Your Highness, this is Prince Poniatowski of Poland.”

Joseph gave a slight nod but deliberately turned his head away, ignoring the Polish prince and walking off with a haughty air under the latter’s awkward gaze.

The Palace of Versailles was filled with watchful eyes. Since Joseph had chosen an alliance with Russia, he needed to demonstrate a stance of distancing himself from Poland.

Poniatowski did not seem overly offended. Given Poland’s current decline and its internal strife—especially after losing vast territories to Russia, Prussia, and Austria a decade ago—it was not surprising for a major power like France to hold them in low regard.

However, as Poniatowski turned the corner of the staircase, a young stranger suddenly approached him, bowed, and slipped a note into his hand.

Startled, Poniatowski clutched the note tightly, waiting until he reached a secluded spot to open it.

The note, written by the French Crown Prince, contained only one sentence: an invitation to meet at a specific location outside Versailles at 2 p.m.

...

Under the sweltering afternoon sun, with France having gone without rain for some time, Poniatowski wiped the sweat from his brow and checked his watch again just as two luxurious “Gemstone” carriages stopped nearby.

Moments later, inside one of the carriages, Joseph studied the robust Polish prince across from him and smiled. “I apologize for arranging our meeting in such a manner. However, I assure you, what we are about to discuss is of great importance to both you and Poland.”

Joseph understood that the current Polish king, Stanisław II, was entirely unreliable. Years ago, his position had been secured by serving as Catherine II’s lover. Even after ascending the throne, his fear of the empress persisted, rendering him passive in the face of Russian aggression.

During the Second Partition of Poland, despite his army’s main forces being intact, Stanisław II surrendered unconditionally, believing Russia to be unbeatable.

Poland’s internal aristocracy, preoccupied with personal political gains and alliances with either Prussia or Russia, paid little attention to the nation’s survival.

Only a few figures, like Poniatowski and the renowned military leader Tadeusz Kościuszko, remained committed to reforming and strengthening Poland. In the Second Partition, they even managed to push back Russian forces temporarily, showing they were worth cultivating.

Kościuszko had not yet risen to prominence, and it was Poniatowski who currently bore the responsibility of reorganizing Poland’s military. As a prince, he also wielded considerable influence over Polish politics.

Since Poniatowski happened to visit France, Joseph seized the opportunity to introduce him to strategies that could potentially “revive” Poland.

Whether Poniatowski could implement these plans depended on Poland’s fortune.

Poniatowski gazed at the young French Crown Prince for several seconds before nodding solemnly. “I trust you, Your Highness. Please proceed.”

Joseph exhaled lightly and began. “First, you must realize that Poland faces a perilous situation. In about five years, your nation will be at risk of complete dissolution.”

Based on historical events, the Second Partition of Poland would occur in five years.

Poniatowski hesitated, shaking his head slightly. “Your Highness, isn’t that an exaggeration?
“Although Poland is under significant threat, we remain a major power. Besides, we have an alliance with Prussia. Should we encounter danger, Prussia will aid us.”

Joseph was speechless. The Polish naïveté was astounding. Prussia had been the most zealous advocate for Poland’s partition, even more so than Russia!

Historically, Prussia had goaded Russia into acting while pretending to ally with Poland, only to betray them once the invasion began.

Joseph replied sternly, “If Poland wishes to survive, it must remember one thing: never trust Prussia!”

Poniatowski, taken aback, asked, “Why do you say so?”

Joseph sighed inwardly, wishing he could simply reveal he’d studied the future, but instead said, “France’s intelligence network has verified that acquiring northwestern Poland is Prussia’s primary strategic objective.”

“This... How can that be?”

“You are welcome to verify it with your own intelligence,” Joseph said. He didn’t expect immediate belief but hoped Poland would at least remain wary.

Poniatowski nodded, then asked, “Why are you telling me this?”

“Primarily, I don’t want Prussia’s schemes to succeed.”

This reasoning was self-evident. Prussia had grown close to Britain, and as historic enemies, France would naturally oppose its expansion.

Joseph continued earnestly, “But more importantly, I sympathize deeply with Poland and do not wish to see its people endure further suffering.”

Poniatowski dismissed the notion of “sympathy” as mere diplomatic pleasantry.

“Thank you for your warning, Your Highness.”

“It’s the least I can do,” Joseph said. “Also, Poland must expedite the drafting of its constitution.”

“A constitution?” Poniatowski was surprised the French prince would bring up Polish domestic affairs.

“With all due respect, the proposed constitution is overly ambitious, involving too many discussions and moving too slowly,” Joseph explained.
...

Joseph continued, “Poland’s greatest obstacle lies in the ‘liberum veto.’ You must not tie its abolition to the broader constitutional reform. Based on my calculations, it could take your Sejm three to four years to finalize the constitution.”

The liberum veto allowed any single member of the Polish parliament to block legislation, effectively paralyzing the government. Foreign powers like Russia and Prussia often exploited this by bribing a few deputies to prevent the passage of policies unfavorable to them.

Moreover, self-serving deputies frequently vetoed proposals that were beneficial to national development. As a result, Poland had been stagnant for over a century.

“But what are you suggesting?”

“Enact a separate bill to abolish the liberum veto,” Joseph advised. “Poland is in a critical state, and time is of the essence!”

He wasn’t sure if Poniatowski truly grasped the urgency but pressed on. “Poland’s military also needs rapid expansion. To ensure minimal national defense, a standing army of at least 100,000 is necessary. Currently, you have barely 10,000.”

Poniatowski looked visibly shocked. This figure aligned with the findings of Poland’s own military strategists, but hearing it from Joseph gave it additional weight.

In truth, Joseph was merely borrowing insights from the Polish constitution drafted four years later, which included plans for a 100,000-strong army. However, by then, it was too late. Poland managed to muster only 37,000 troops, far short of its needs.

Joseph went on, “In addition, advise your Sejm to hold off on abolishing serfdom.

“I understand that ending serfdom will greatly enhance Poland’s strength, but every reform comes with a ‘pain period’ before growth follows. Poland cannot afford that pain right now.

“Instead, you can begin improving the conditions of the serfs. But first, you must consolidate as much internal support as possible to resist external enemies.”

Historically, Poland’s radical abolition of serfdom alienated much of its traditional nobility, many of whom subsequently sabotaged national defense efforts during invasions.

Poniatowski couldn’t help but find it ironic. Poland’s push for freedom, equality, and constitutional governance had largely been inspired by French thinkers like Rousseau and Montesquieu. Yet here was the French Crown Prince, urging Poland to temporarily preserve serfdom.

As the carriage moved along, Joseph laid out his final point. “France is willing to assist Poland through American intermediaries. I hope you’ll accelerate your preparations for war.”

Once he had conveyed everything he needed, Joseph allowed Poniatowski to return to his own carriage, taking a separate route back to the Palace of Versailles.

...

On the day of King Louis XVI’s birthday, all of Paris was in celebration. Various government offices distributed free food, transforming their surroundings into lively gathering places.

Every three hours, state-sponsored theater troupes performed free shows. Between performances, citizens brought out musical instruments to sing and play, praising the king’s wisdom, power, and benevolence. The atmosphere was one of a golden age.

Few paid any mind to the fact that France was experiencing its worst famine in centuries.

At Versailles, the birthday celebrations had reached their zenith.

Competitions in singing, dancing, and swordsmanship had already narrowed the field to eight finalists, and professional commentators were on hand to analyze the participants’ strengths, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

Meanwhile, in an unassuming room on the second floor of Versailles, Fouché was intently questioning his subordinate. “Are you certain there are no anomalies?”

“Yes, sir. Godoy has been in Versailles for four days, attending Madame Garland’s musical salon promptly at 9 p.m. each evening.”

Fouché nodded subtly. He had already learned that Godoy had used his skill in guitar and singing to win the favor of the Spanish Crown Princess. Music was his ticket to power, and tonight, it would be his downfall.

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