Chapter 1708 - 1614: Spiritual and Secular

Chapter 1708: Chapter 1614: Spiritual and Secular

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Talleyrand saw everyone stop in their tracks and turned around: "The cost of starting a war is just a small issue.

"What I want to remind everyone is that once those rebels surrender, the Holy See will quickly return to Rome."

The representative from Verona instinctively licked his lips, almost blurting out, "Once the forces divide the Pope State, the Holy See won’t come back."

However, he ruthlessly suppressed this notion.

Once this precedent is set, any country’s revolt in the future might lead to other countries dividing it under the guise of rebellion suppression.

Talleyrand gestured for everyone to move forward: "Therefore, in a certain sense, the rioters in Rome have their value."

The representatives from various countries pondered in silence.

The various Italian countries deeply detest the Holy See’s interference in their religious affairs, and no one wishes for its return.

However, the Foreign Minister of Florence worriedly said, "But we can’t just ignore those mobsters who overthrow the monarch, can we?"

Talleyrand smiled and recited a passage from Matthew: "Jesus said to Peter, ’I will build my church on this rock... I will give you the keys to the kingdom of Heaven.’

He made a cross on his chest: "The Pope is the representative of Christ on earth, a spiritual figure, not a worldly monarch.

"The Pope left the Quirinal Palace temporarily, out of kindness, to avoid conflict with the agitated protesters.

"So there is no such thing as ’overthrowing monarchy.’

According to Catholic doctrine, the Pope belongs to the Holy Spirit, and if he becomes a secular monarch, it is an insult to his identity as ’Christ’s representative.’

The so-called ’Two Swords Theory’—God has entrusted the sword of ecclesiastical power and the sword of secular power to the Church and the monarch, respectively.

In other words, the end of papal secular rule by Roman citizens is seen as a ’correction.’

The Foreign Minister of Florence secretly smirked, thinking to himself, aren’t you just fooling yourself?

The essence of the Roman revolt was that the mob drove out the monarch with force, whether it was the Pope or the King doesn’t matter.

He looked at Talleyrand and said, "Your Excellency Archbishop, this would set a terrible example for other nations’ aspiring usurpers."

Several diplomats nearby immediately nodded in agreement.

The rulers of these monarchies are most afraid of the revolutionary antics of the populace, so they spare no effort in participation in suppression.

Talleyrand had reached the mansion’s gate, taking advantage of the guards’ opening the door, he turned and said: "If the Romans ended the unjust secular interference of the Holy See and subsequently welcomed a true monarch, then everything would be very reasonable."

The representatives exchanged looks again, someone confusedly asking: "Who do you mean by ’true monarch’?"

Talleyrand spread his hands: "It doesn’t matter who, as long as he can manage the Lazio-Umbria region well."

Walking past the guards, he said: "You see, there’s another benefit here—avoiding enmity with the Romans. After all, war would surely kill many Romans, and the memories of hatred would linger for a long time.

"And once the new king is crowned, the Pope State, oh no, more precisely, the Lazio-Umbria State will welcome a new member to the common market, which is a vast market."

The representatives from monarchial countries, led by the Foreign Minister of Florence, were no longer as adamant as before.

Just as Talleyrand said, a mob overthrowing a monarch and Roman citizens dissatisfied with the Holy See’s meddling in the secular world while supporting a new king are completely different.

If paired with proper propaganda, the latter narrative might even bolster the image of the monarchs and diminish the influence of the Church.

Rome, being a place with little industry, imports a large amount of goods annually.

Previously, various Northern Italian countries wanted to sell their goods to Rome but were hindered by tariffs, resulting in low sales. Naples, on the other hand, had captured over half of the Roman market.

If the new Lazio-Umbria State joins the Iberian-Apennine Common Market without tariff barriers, then that agricultural nation of Naples doesn’t stand a chance against the Northern Italian countries. After all, the latter’s industry was supported entirely by France.

The representative from Modena thought of another issue and frowned: "Your Excellency Archbishop, your idea is excellent. But if those Roman rioters are unwilling to accept a king, I hear they are all fond of the American way, what shall we do?"

Talleyrand smiled: "I will send someone to mediate on this point. They will make the most correct choice."

...

Rome.

In an office of the Saint Sabina Temple Cathedral, the senior members of the Roman temporary management committee were all frowning, looking at the Frenchman in front of them with hostility.

Lawyer Librorio Angeleuci was the first to speak: "This is absolutely impossible, Mr. Monlon. We’ve just driven away a tyrant, how can we let another tyrant ravage Rome?"

Visconti nodded, shaking his right fist: "If the monarchs of other countries wish to support a tyrant, then let them come. We’ll respond with guns and cannons!"

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Count Francois Casimir Muret Monlon, known by Talleyrand as "the Darling Child of Hell (l’Enfant chéri de l’enfer)"

Talleyrand’s exclusive secret agent, trusted envoy, and political broker—not a formal diplomat, specializing in behind-the-scenes gray diplomacy, lobbying, intelligence, and financial operations.

A noble by heritage, imprisoned during the Great Revolution, released and entered Parisian high society salons, known for his wit, social skills, daring, and knack for uncovering secrets. He formed a lifelong friendship with Talleyrand early on and became Talleyrand’s "eyes and ears," handling all secret tasks where others could not show their face.

During the Brumaire coup, Talleyrand sent him to follow Bonaparte, participating in the peripheral contacts for the coup. Meanwhile, he speculated at the Paris Stock Exchange using political insights, accruing wealth.

During the Empire, his sharp criticism of Napoleon’s regime got him expelled from Paris in 1809; arrested in 1811 and held briefly in the Ham Fortress, then exiled, eventually fleeing to England.

During the Hundred Days, Napoleon dispatched him across enemy lines to Vienna, attempting to persuade Talleyrand to side with Napoleon and lobby Metternich and Nesselrode, trying to secure a truce for Napoleon. The mission failed, but this was his most famous secret diplomatic action in his life.

During the Bourbon Restoration and the July Revolution: continued as Talleyrand’s private liaison. In the 1830 July Revolution, assisted Talleyrand in London with secret negotiations between England and France.