Chapter 1709 - 1615: Monarchy Constitution

Chapter 1709: Chapter 1615: Monarchy Constitution

Monlon nodded, "Apart from signing official decrees, diplomatic documents, and declarations of war, His Majesty the King doesn’t need to do anything."

Visconti angrily said, "You call this no power? These are the most important affairs of the state!"

Talleyrand motioned him to calm down, "The King only signs them, all the contents are determined by the Congress.

"Before the King is crowned, your Congress should start functioning. If you still can’t control all domestic affairs this way, then I can only express my deep regret.

"You know, even the salaries of the Royal Guard are paid by the Congress.

"Oh, you don’t even need the title ’King,’ perhaps ’Governor,’ like Savoy, or ’Hereditary Ruler,’ like the Netherlands."

After two or three years of chaos in Savoy’s political arena, various forces finally compromised on a Governor—the Marquis of Barolo, as the nominal ruler of Savoy.

This Marquis has a beautiful Barolo Castle and a legendary vineyard, his best skill is doing charity. Counted strictly, his only advantage is that he married the great-granddaughter of Colbert, the Finance Minister from Louis XIV’s era.

Several Revolutionary Party leaders fell into contemplation.

Though they previously showed readiness to fight, they all knew in their hearts that the ammunition, food, and medicine in Rome were running low. If foreign troops intervened, they would most likely lose.

If they could exchange an unempowered King for diplomatic recognition from other countries, it wouldn’t be unacceptable.

At most, they would just take out a few hundred thousand Scudo each year to maintain his luxurious lifestyle.

Monlon’s gaze swept over them, his tone became more serious, "Actually, a King has a significant role in your domestic governance."

Anjeluci sneered, "You mean in endlessly increasing taxes?"

Monlon ignored him and continued, "In Rome, there are many nobles and middle- to low-ranking priests. If you don’t want to change several guillotines a day like the Viennese, the presence of a King can help them truly accept the governance of the Congress."

Even a King without real power can give nobles the psychological suggestion that "someone can make decisions for them."

"Furthermore, have you considered how to persuade Leti, Velletri, and Viterbo to join the newly established country?"

He was referring to the cities surrounding Perugia and Rome. After the Revolutionary Party controlled Rome, they remained in a wait-and-see state. After all, driving out the Pope seemed far too serious to them.

Sorendino nodded thoughtfully, "You mean to summon them in the name of the King?"

"Yes. A new King can more easily connect Rome with surrounding areas, especially the nobles in Viterbo."

Sorendino couldn’t help but nod slightly. His previous plan was to rely on the Citizen Guard to forcefully attack those cities with strong noble influences. But if they could give up resistance, that would undoubtedly be the best.

Visconti suddenly said, "Can you tell me who that King is?"

Monlon looked at him in confusion, "You’re confusing me a bit; isn’t this to be decided by your temporary council?"

Visconti froze for a moment, hesitantly said, "You mean France does not intervene in the choice of the King?"

"Of course, this is an internal affair of the Lazio-Umbria State."

Sorendino and the others suddenly brightened up.

They had previously assumed Monlon’s mention of "selecting a King" was a mere courtesy, surely designating a very pro-French noble, but unexpectedly it truly allowed them to choose.

The French actively helped them with diplomatic mediation, yet did not intervene in the choice of the King, worthy of being the birthplace of the Declaration of Human Rights, the symbol of freedom and civilization in Europe!

Monlon subsequently spoke to them about the promising prospects of joining the I-Ya common market, before being invited to dinner, he casually asked, "By the way, Mr. Josh isn’t here?"

"You know Mr. Josh?" Sorendino asked.

"Oh, I just heard he played a significant role in the uprising."

Sorendino coughed lightly and said, "Um, you probably don’t know, Josh is actually a lady. She usually doesn’t show up at public occasions."

"Oh, she is certainly wise and possesses exceptional judgment. In fact, if I were in France, I would directly praise her as very capable and politically talented."

Though Monlon didn’t know why he had to specially mention this Ms. Josh, Archbishop Talleyrand said it was directly instructed by Regent King, so he just followed suit.

...

Five days later.

At the high-level meeting of the temporary management committee in Rome, Sorendino raised the document in his hand, "So, currently, Duke Zagarolo has the most support. Next is Prince Borghese."

These two people he mentioned are reformist nobles connected with the Revolutionary Party.

Sorendino suddenly looked at Josiah, "Josh, who do you think is more suitable to be King?"

Josiah, dressed in black hunting attire, had been gazing out of the window, never expecting her opinion would be specially solicited.

She hurriedly turned around and blurted out, "Of course, Mr. Charlie."

Sorendino nodded and sighed, "Mr. Charlie is indeed a very great man, one could say without him, there wouldn’t be this new country. But he is clearly indifferent to fame and fortune, I had someone look for him in Savoy, but found nothing."

Josiah said listlessly, "Maybe, Duke Zagarolo then, I don’t know him well..."

October 2, 1802.

The Lazio-Umbria temporary council officially announced the election of Duke Zagarolo as Hereditary Ruler.

Subsequently, various Northern Italian countries expressed acceptance of this result and started dispatching diplomats to contact the La-Um Congress.

...

Austria, Graz.

In Eggenberg Palace, Franz II gazed intently at the report before him, as if it were the murder weapon that just killed his dearest relative.

After an unknown period, he slowly raised his head and looked at Count Colloredo, the court minister, "No other news?"

The latter bowed his head and whispered, "Just this, Your Majesty."

"A bunch of ungrateful traitors!" Franz II suddenly stood up, his chest heaving violently, yelling, "Hundreds of years, the Habsburgs granted them fiefs, conferred their honors, defended them against Turkic people, repelled French people! But now they are about to renounce their vows under the Golden Bull just for a few deceitful words from the French people!"

Indeed, the report before him was from the just-concluded Stuttgart meeting, jointly signed by a dozen German countries, apart from advocating peace and increased trade, the main content was only one thing, which was urging the Emperor to abandon the name of the Holy Roman Empire.