Novel Full Chapter 1314 - 1219: Fervor
Chapter 1314: Chapter 1219: Fervor
A black “Gem VI” carriage was slowly making its way through the crowded streets of Paris.
Inside, France’s Minister of Transportation, Theresa, listened to the sounds of musical instruments and cheers coming from outside the carriage window and shook his head helplessly.
Currently, Paris seemed like it was having a grand festival celebration, with almost everyone on the streets, either singing and dancing or gathering around street speakers, cheering from time to time.
Theresa remembered that the last time there was such a lively scene was when France defeated the Anti-French Coalition.
What he didn’t know was that today even the stingiest factory owners had given their workers a day off to celebrate well.
The carriage had to stop because there was a parade passing in front of it, and he heard someone next to the window saying, “I feel like a real person, a dignified person!”
“I heard that from now on, managers can no longer arbitrarily fine our wages.”
“Yes, I heard Mr. Strong say that in such cases, we can sue him.”
“What if a noble hits you? Last month, a nobleman hit my brother on the head.”
“You can try the local court. But I remember the newspaper says, ’The law does not retroact…’
“What does that mean?”
“It means…”
After a while, the carriage finally started moving again.
Theresa’s assistant suddenly asked, “Sir, I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince intends to form a Congress?”
The news was released by Joseph. Such an influential matter naturally required prior warming up.
The Minister of Transportation nodded: “Indeed. His Highness intends to establish two houses.
“The House of Commons is responsible for drafting laws, reviewing budgets, and setting tax rates. Members are elected by all citizens over the age of 20, who have graduated from ordinary schools or have an annual income of more than 1,000 francs.
“The Federal Council is responsible for legislative review, financial management, foreign affairs and military, and important state affairs. Members are appointed by His Majesty the King.”
The assistant, upon hearing this, already showed a look of excitement: “Great, now those who hold positions but do nothing will be cleared out. His Highness is truly a representative of enlightened rule!”
Yes, in this era, “enlightened despotism” was a great compliment to a monarch.
More than two hours later, Theresa’s carriage finally arrived at the Palace of Versailles.
In the Crown Prince’s reception room, Joseph unfolded a transportation plan map previously submitted by the Ministry of Transportation and said to Theresa: “Currently, we need to suspend all lines except the one to Nancy.
“For privately funded railways, if they haven’t started construction, they should also be postponed. No new routes will be approved.”
The railway from Paris to Reims started operation a month ago, and its terrifying transportation capacity and speed shocked everyone.
Many people traveled from afar to Paris to take the train to Reims, doing nothing but returning, just to experience that “speeding” sensation. Even a ticket price as high as 10 francs couldn’t stop people’s enthusiasm.
Consequently, railway investment heated up rapidly, with over ten million francs invested in just over a month. Dijon, Bordeaux, Lyon, and other places applied for seven lines, and numerous new railway companies were raising funds everywhere.
Although Joseph greatly needed this nationwide enthusiasm for investing in railways, France’s current most pressing issue was war.
Constructing railways consumed vast resources, and if manpower and funds were all consumed by the railway, it would severely limit France’s military scale.
Theresa quickly nodded and took notes: “Yes, Your Highness.”
Joseph continued: “In addition, the construction speed of the Nancy line needs to be accelerated. If additional investment is made, when do you think it can open?”
Nancy is already near the northeastern border of France; once operational, it would increase the capability of transporting troops and logistics from Paris severalfold, being crucial for future counterattacks against Prussia and Austria.
The Minister of Transportation pondered: “The earliest it can be completed is before the end of January next year, Your Highness. The cost would probably increase by about 3 million francs.”
“Then plan according to this timeline. I will see that the Ministry of Finance allocates the funds to you.”
Joseph moved his finger from Nancy to Strasbourg: “How long will it take to extend the railway to Strasbourg?”
There are only 110 kilometers from Nancy to Strasbourg, but this last short stretch would allow French railways to directly reach the middle and upper reaches of the Rhine.
“I need to run detailed calculations, Your Highness,” said Theresa, “but I estimate that if the funds are sufficient, it could be completed by May next year.”
Joseph said: “You will get the funds you need. Please start planning immediately. Oh, and make sure the production of the train engines keeps up.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After the Minister of Transportation carried out his orders, Baron Gottsheim, head of recruitments at the General Staff, hurried in to salute Joseph: “Your Highness, there are some complications with the new conscription…”
Joseph immediately frowned.
He seized this nationwide “fervor” brought about by the “Declaration of Human Rights,” instructing Denico to conduct intensive “Defense of France” propaganda, elaborating on the Allied Forces’ overwhelming manpower advantage over France, and calling on the French public to actively join the army to repel the Anti-French Alliance.
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Victor was still serving in the Italian Army. However, under the fierce assault of Marshal Suvorov’s Russian-Austrian Alliance Army, no matter how bravely the French Army fought, they could not withstand the Allied attacks, and Victor was wounded in the Battle of Trebia (June 17-19, 1799). In March 1800, when Napoleon formed the Reserve Army, Victor was appointed a General of one army (15,000 men), and he crossed the Alps with the First Consul to capture Milan, the capital of Lombardy. Austrian army commander Melas immediately ordered General Ott to seize Vukla to ensure the Po River crossing. On the morning of June 9, Ott’s troops (18,000 men) encountered the Lannes army (8,000 men) at Montebello, and a fierce battle ensued. Upon hearing the news, Victor, following behind Lannes, immediately engaged in battle with his nearby Shamanba Division (6,000 men), and together with Lannes, fought for over 9 hours, eventually annihilating the Austrian Army. On June 4, Victor and his army participated in the decisive Battle of Marengo, where he displayed great courage in both the initial defeat and the subsequent counterattack. After the armistice agreement, Victor left the Italian Army and was appointed Commander-in-Chief of France’s occupying army in the Netherlands (now Holland). In 1803, he was appointed Admiral Governor of the North American Louisiana Colony, but before he could take office, the colony was sold to the United States. In 1805, he was appointed Ambassador of the French Empire to Denmark. During the Prussian Campaign of the Fourth Anti-French Coalition War, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Fifth Army, served under Marshal Lannes, and participated in the battles at Saarfield (October 10, 1805), Jena (October 14), Weyhe (October 25), and Pultusk (December 26). In January 1807, he was appointed Commander of the Tenth Army but was captured near Stettin by a sudden Cossack Cavalry attack. After the Battle of Eylau (February 7-8), he was released in a prisoner exchange.