Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Bertier was somewhat surprised, “How do you know?”

Joseph thought to himself: Of course, it’s because Franz II has never had the habit of resisting to the end. In history, whether facing Napoleon or the Russians, he compromised without any psychological pressure.

Hmm, the “Campoformio Treaty” is about ready to be signed.

However, he simply said calmly, “This can be considered a conclusion based on the international situation and the battlefield conditions.”

The Chief of Staff’s admiration for the Crown Prince had long been overflowing, so he didn’t mind letting it overflow once more, “Your wisdom always teaches me so much, Your Highness.”

As he hurried to send orders to Napoleon, Archbishop Brienne anxiously knocked on the door and entered. After hastily saluting, he placed a report on Joseph’s desk:

“Your Highness, our temporary government in the Rhineland has sent word that there have been multiple protests by the populace recently, and several anti-government organizations have been discovered.”

According to Joseph’s plans for the Rhineland, two temporary governments had been established there – the “Lower Rhine Government” to the north of Palatinate, and the “Palatinate Government” to the south.

The main duties of these two temporary governments were to stabilize the Rhineland after the war and to clean up the various levels of bureaucratic systems that existed here before.

In this way, many actions that would offend others could be blamed on the temporary government. Once things were “cleaned up,” the temporary government would announce its dissolution on the spot, and then the Rhineland would be incorporated into France.

Hmm, at that point, the French government could also punish some officials of the temporary government to win the people’s hearts.

Joseph briefly flipped through the report and nodded, “This is normal. The British, Austrians, Prussians, and even Bavarians might all secretly be causing unrest in the Rhineland.

“Oh, and the local nobles. After we arrived, they were bound to have certain interests affected.”

Archbishop Brienne considered and said, “Your Highness, Count Moranxiton, the Governor of Lower Rhine, hopes to deploy the garrison from Cologne to enter the city to quell the unrest.”

Joseph frowned and shook his head, “No, that is exactly what our enemies are hoping for.”

He had allocated special funds to the temporary government to stabilize bread prices in the Rhineland, so there was no foundation for large-scale riots there.

Currently, the masterminds at most are only able to pay some gang members to stir up trouble, but if the French army were to suppress it, it would inevitably cause a serious bloodshed event—the masterminds would definitely find ways to kill many people—thus provoking local civilian outrage and leading to more riot incidents.

This would easily lead to a situation of suppression-leading-to-riots-leading-to-stronger-suppression-leading-to-larger-riots, a spiral escalation.

France aims to turn the Rhineland into core territory, not just consume it and abandon it like a colony.

Joseph thought for a moment and instructed, “First, dispatch a batch of police from the domestic northwestern provinces where German is spoken to the Rhineland to stabilize the fundamental security and begin pushing police reforms there.”

In France, places like Metz, Lorraine, and Alsace have a significant German-speaking population.

“Of course, this is only a temporary emergency measure. More thorough solutions to the Rhineland’s problems will require extensive policy integrations.

“For example, improving the local economy, eliminating the power of large nobles, reforming taxes…”

Just then, Eman gently knocked on the door, reminding, “Your Highness, the ball is about to start; you should change your clothes.”

Joseph rubbed his temples, stood up, and gestured to Brienne, “We will continue this conversation at the ball later.”

The World Expo was about to start, and this ball was hosted by Queen Mary as a prelude to the expo, with many international guests attending, so it could not be postponed.

20 minutes later.

In the resplendent Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, a melodious waltz began to play. After Queen Mary and Louis XVI addressed the visitors, they started the opening dance in the center of the hall.

Hmm, Paris no longer had any sense of wartime atmosphere, otherwise, the expo could not take place.

Joseph stood on the eastern side of the hall’s platform, scanning the scene filled with black-and-white maid uniforms, glancing at Camellia nearby.

Under her influence, maid uniforms had become popular in Paris ahead of their time. French fashion designers made further modifications to the basic style, such as adding corsets and elaborate lace, making them appear more luxurious.

The nobles all knew the Crown Prince’s preferences, so basically no one disturbed him. Later, Brienne and the Chief of the Police Headquarters Besancon, along with Fouche and others, came over.

“Please forgive me for interrupting your enjoyment of the wonderful ball,” Joseph raised a glass, indicating to these ministers, “To our Rhineland.”

Brienne and the others quickly followed suit, “To the Rhineland.”

“To the World Expo.”

Joseph took a sip from the glass and continued, “I believe Archbishop Brienne has already discussed the situation in the Rhineland with everyone.

“Firstly and most fundamentally, the Police Headquarters and Intelligence Bureau should cooperate to extinguish riot incidents before they occur as much as possible.

“Then, the Intelligence Bureau should temporarily take over news control in the Rhineland, focusing especially on pamphlet censorship. Hmm, Paris used to be more complicated, and you have extensive experience handling such situations.

“I will have Mr. Denico send people to assist you, and try to buy out the major newspapers there, to promote that the Rhineland has always been a part of France.”

Fouche interjected, “Your Highness, do you mean using the Tunisian model?”

“Exactly.” Joseph nodded, “But with some modifications. For example, find some connections from the Frankish Kingdom.”

Brienne added, “Hmm, it used to be that all territory from Cologne to west of Koblenz was Frankish Kingdom territory.”

Joseph knew that the German national consciousness had not yet solidified, and before that happens, it was crucial to mix some “sand” into it as much as possible.

National identity, after all, often depends on who can “persuade” the people to accept it more readily.

Having roughly covered the matters regarding propaganda, Joseph instructed Fouche, “You and Mr. Denico should draft a detailed plan and submit it to me as soon as possible.”

As the General Manager of the Paris Commercial News, Denico did not have the privilege to attend the ball in the Hall of Mirrors. So Fouche had to relay the message for him.

Joseph then looked at Brienne and said, “To ensure the stability of the Rhineland region, the most crucial measure is to promote its development.”

Brienne said, “Your Highness, that might require a substantial amount of funds.”

Joseph smiled, “It indeed requires quite an investment, but that shouldn’t be a problem.

“Fortunately, the Rhineland has abundant coal, iron, and salt mines, and the investment will yield ample returns.”

Yes, Germany was able to leapfrog in the Industrial Revolution mainly because of the rich coal and iron resources along the Rhine.

The Ruhr District on the east bank of the Rhine is currently untouchable, but the Palatinate District is already French.