Chapter 1684 - 1590: Ancient Legends

Chapter 1684: Chapter 1590: Ancient Legends

Talleyrand continued, "Mr. Tacitus made many errors in his descriptions of Germania’s geography and rivers. For example, he included parts of Baltic tribes or the lands of the West Slavs as part of Germania.

"Oh, different parts of the book even contradict each other. For instance, it was mentioned that ’German warriors have no swords, helmets and breastplates are rare, they go bare-chested, perhaps wearing a light cloak,’ but later it states, ’Upon marriage, a German husband gives his sword to his wife, and the wife gifts armor in return.’

Joseph asked curiously, "You seem very familiar with this book?"

"Indeed, Your Highness," Talleyrand nodded, "When countering some spurious arguments, you must first understand their evidence.

"In fact, many historians in our country are refuting the Germanic origins theory. You know, some Germans claim that the Franks are all their Germanic compatriots."

Joseph did not respond, recalling that later research indicated the Franks were indeed a branch of the Germans.

Talleyrand seemed somewhat excited as he spoke: "It’s well known that in Tacitus’ time, the Franks had no ties to ’sub-ethnicities’ like the Ubese, Badawi people, or Marcomanni.

"Later, the ancestors of the Franks conquered the southwest and established the great France. The tribes in the Germanic region continued their primitive ways."

Joseph knew this narrative likely pertained to internal French nationalism. While possibly inaccurate, it was quite convenient to use as a tool in propaganda wars.

He noticed a term Talleyrand mentioned and asked, "You said ’sub-ethnicities’ just now, what does that mean?"

Talleyrand smirked: "A concoction by the Prussians. They based it on the content of ’Germania’ and, taking Manus and his three sons as a starting point, evolved numerous tribes, such as the Ubese or Marcomanni mentioned earlier.

"They claim that the current Thuringians, Saxons, Hessians, etc., are all descendants of these tribes.

"Of course, this is unfounded. They think the Bavarians are the ancient Marcomanni, based merely on a possible etymological link between ’Bavaria’ and the Marcomanni’s predecessor, the Boi people.

"Then they called the existing Thuringians and Saxons ’main ethnicities’ and the ancient Badawi people and Marcomanni as ’sub-ethnicities.’

Joseph nodded, realizing it was a kind of ’ancestry theory.’

Talleyrand suddenly laughed, "Oh, Your Highness, the funniest part is that the Prussians do not have a matching sub-ethnicity."

"Oh? Then who are their ancestors?"

"Some say ’frontier mixed tribes,’ formed by the tribes in Prussia mingling with the Balts and Slavs. Yet, more Prussians prefer to consider themselves a branch of the Saxons, albeit completely different from Saxons."

Talleyrand looked at Joseph and said, "Your Highness, perhaps we can exploit this to undermine the Prussians. You could depict them as ’inferior Germans,’ or even foreign invaders of the Germans."

Joseph thought for a moment and shook his head, "Your approach is good, but the tactics should be reversed. Promote Prussians as ’the superior Germans,’ the ’true Germans from a mystical tribe.’"

Talleyrand blinked, "But isn’t that helping them?"

Joseph smiled and said, "It seems so, which is why the Prussians would accept this notion.

"Arrogance, whether of an individual or a nation, only leads to isolation.

"How would the Prussians, thinking themselves as ’the elite descendants of Manus,’ be willing to integrate with other ’inferior Germans’?

"Then, even if the Northern German countries accepted the ’Little Germany’ plan, significant opposition would arise within Prussia."

Talleyrand quickly understood, nodding repeatedly.

Joseph added, "The only common thread among the German ’sub-ethnicities’ is the legendary figure, Manus."

Manus is mentioned in ’Germania’ as the "son of the Earth God," the ancestor of the Germans.

"Since it is a legend, we can certainly add more stories. Let’s first ’create’ an extraordinary ancestor for the Prussians."

Talleyrand immediately said, "That’s easy, Your Highness. In fact, legends of ancient Germanic times are ever-increasing. Some believe Manus had more than three sons, with the Marsi, Suevi, and Wandili peoples as the descendent of the other sons.

"I think we can ’arrange’ for the Prussians to be descended from Manus’s eldest son and his daughter, giving Prussia the purest Manus bloodline."

For Europeans of this era, pure bloodline was far more significant than things like endogamy.

Joseph gave him an approving look. Indeed, those well-versed in theology excel at crafting tales.

Before long, the carriage stopped at the steam railway station in the New Paris District, and the two had roughly finished discussing the ’shaping’ of the identity of various German states.

By convention, once they arrived here, celebrants would no longer follow the royal convoy.

Joseph boarded the steam railway and asked Talleyrand, "By the way, how are things going on in Rome?"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs quickly replied, "Naples is using various excuses to stall our diplomats, yet the military has never ceased. Behind this, there is likely support from the British.

"News from two days ago indicates that the Roman Citizen Guard has already been compressed to the east bank of the Tiber River, only able to use the hills there for resistance.

"Our contacts within the Holy See estimate that in five days, or even three, they could be driven to the west bank."

In this era, Rome’s urban area was primarily concentrated east of the Tiber River; losing the east bank would effectively relinquish control over Rome.

Joseph frowned, "It seems that the previous lesson for Naples from supporting the Lucca uprising was far from enough."

In recent years, Naples has also been leaning toward France, but due to guarding against Northern Italy, it has maintained close relations with England and Austria.

Talleyrand leaned closer, asking, "Your Highness, do you think we should let the fleet pose a threat?"

Joseph thought briefly and waved his hand, "There’s not enough time, forget it. Send someone to Constantinople and demand they immediately stop importing grain, olive oil, and coral from Naples.

"In Egypt, it would be best to halt all trade with Naples."

Currently, in addition to Austria, the Ottoman Empire and Egypt are Naples’ two largest export markets. The few bulk commodities purchased by the Ottomans alone account for 3% of Naples’ fiscal revenue.