Chapter 1682 - 1588: Political Interests and Ambitious Figures

Chapter 1682: Chapter 1588: Political Interests and Ambitious Figures

Of course, another reason Cologne is so actively "cooperating" is that almost all its coal mines, salt mines, and alum mines, as well as the forestry industry within its borders, have rapidly developed thanks to the investment and technology from France.

Cologne’s Members of Parliament and capitalists deal with French companies all day, and the finance sector cannot do without French factory owners.

Based on this, both the political and business circles in Cologne are very keen to rid themselves of Austria’s influence as much as possible, to better engage in trade cooperation with France—beyond collecting imperial taxes and using the nobility to check Cologne, Vienna’s Emperor offers nothing to this country.

And directly pushing for the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire is undoubtedly the fastest and most effective way.

In reality, the smaller a country like Cologne is, the less it worries when it acts boldly. Especially as Talleyrand hinted that if trouble really arises, France will provide protection for Cologne.

Right now in the Northern Germany region, promises from France are more reliable than anything else. After all, the local states personally witnessed tens of thousands of French troops overwhelming the British, Prussian, and Hanoverian allied forces here back in the day.

Moreover, there are more than a thousand French soldiers stationed just 100 kilometers away in Essen.

Thus, Cologne unhesitatingly followed Bavaria in firing the "second shot" of the Holy Roman Empire’s disintegration.

The hall of Eggenberg Palace was silent for a full two minutes. The eyes of the pro-war ministers all focused on Earl Teigen, but he kept his head down.

Indeed, if only Bavaria wanted to challenge the order, Austria might still have the potential to rally the Holy Roman Empire states against it.

But Cologne’s attitude suggested that Austria was likely facing a solo battle, and might even see other states standing in opposition.

Finally, Count Stadion stepped forward, his expression strained as he said, "Your Majesty, we could try to persuade Cologne to change its decision."

At that moment, he didn’t know that just a few hours ago, Nassau had also announced its withdrawal from the Imperial Assembly.

Nassau was the second stop of Talleyrand’s Northern Germany tour.

Nassau was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the "Stuttgart Declaration" — although the land it gained wasn’t enormous, it expanded Nassau nearly double, including wealthy areas like Dusseldorf. From then on, Nassau leaped from being a small Northern German state to a middle-sized power.

Therefore, Nassau’s resolve to defend the "Stuttgart Declaration" was as strong as steel. And in the foreseeable future, the greatest threat to this declaration was Austria.

Following Nassau is Baden, a staunch ally of France.

If it weren’t for Joseph repeatedly asking Baden not to rush to the forefront, Carl Friedrich would have exited the Holy Roman Empire years ago.

Franz II looked at Count Teigen and the pro-war faction and waved a hand at Count Stadion: "I’ll leave Cologne to you." He then suddenly gritted his teeth fiercely and said, "Issue the mobilization order, gather all the troops!

"Also, tell Carl not to return to Graz, but to head directly to Linz. No one can challenge the Empire’s majesty!"

...

Paris.

The silver-white, top-configured "Gem XI" carriage slowly rode out from the Champs-Elysees, escorted by the Royal Guard.

Just having gotten into the carriage, Talleyrand pressed down on the small lambskin seat under him, astonished, "This carriage hardly has any bumps, if there were a bed here, I’d fall asleep immediately."

Hmm, he had heard people say that the wheels of this carriage were fitted with some rubber invented by the Regent King, but he never imagined the effect would be this good. His previous words were almost entirely flattery-free.

Of course, the brand-new top-tier spring suspension system developed by the Gem Carriage Company’s technicians also contributed greatly—utilizing expensive silicon manganese steel and employing a steam forging machine to finely process the ends of the spring plates, achieving variable-section spring boards.

Joseph heard him and simply nodded lightly, taking a glance back at the Triumphal Arch, the outline of which had faded from view through the car window. In his opinion, this carriage experience was at most akin to riding a rickshaw in later generations.

He had just presided over a grand celebration commemorating the ninth anniversary of the victory in the Ardennes Plateau campaign.

It was a significant victory where French forces defeated over a hundred thousand British, Prussian, and Austrian troops head-on. Since then, the entire European Continent’s battlefield situation shifted to French offensives and Anti-French Alliance’s passive defense, which also marked the beginning of French forces becoming a "legend" in Europe.

Hence, at this time every year, the Royal Family would organize retired veterans and Parisians to hold a celebration.

This is also a way to enhance the military’s prestige and sense of honor.

The carriage drove a bit further, the cheers behind finally softening, Joseph looked at Talleyrand sitting opposite him and said, "I’ve already read the reports, you’ve done very well in Northern Germany this time."

This is also why Talleyrand could sit on the Regent’s carriage after the celebration—both as a debriefing and as a reward.

Talleyrand hastily stood slightly bent, saying, "I only followed your instructions and did some routine work."

Indeed, it wasn’t entirely humility. This time, whether in Cologne or Nassau, he accomplished his tasks without employing high-level diplomatic skills.

First, Austria’s recent internal war weakened its national power, reducing its influence over the Germanic Region to a historic low. Secondly, the Regent King’s long-term strategic layout in the German states left him with a great number of useful options at hand.

To be honest, he felt that even if his assistant went to Northern Germany, they likely wouldn’t mess it up.

Joseph smiled and praised him again before asking, "The Foreign Ministry’s report doesn’t seem to mention Hesse’s stance?"

Hesse-Darmstadt was also united under quiet French support back then. But as a regional power, Hesse naturally has more to consider.

Talleyrand responded with a relaxed expression: "Ludwig X promised to bring all the money deposited in Austria back home and immediately give up the title of Elector. It will happen no later than the end of this year."

During the Seven Years War, Hesse-Kassel’s funds were frozen by Austria. And due to trade habits, Hesse still has plenty of investments like national bonds in Austria.

Joseph nodded as Talleyrand continued, "Your Highness, currently in the northern regions, only Thuringia and Weimar are firmly aligned with the Habsburgs, while other countries have more or less indicated, openly or in secret, that they plan to leave the Holy Roman Empire.

"Oh, there’s also Prussia.

"Berlin announced publicly last week that it would do everything in its power to maintain the Empire’s integrity, calling on all countries to be loyal to the Imperial Assembly."

Joseph and Talleyrand exchanged a knowing, amused smile.

To say which country in the Germanic Region most wanted the Holy Roman Empire to break apart, it had to be Prussia.

But the Prussians still have to display a show of "upholding tradition and order" until the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire becomes inevitable; then, they will "reluctantly" follow the international trend.

Joseph said, "If nothing unexpected occurs, Berlin will soon start pushing forward with their ’Little Germany’ plan."