Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

The efficiency of the Genoa Parliament was exceptionally high, completing the voting process and issuing an announcement to the public by noon the next day—Genoa officially relinquished its neutral status and authorized the Governor of Abiyaso to apply for membership in the Iberian-Apennine Security Defense Organization.

Things moved a bit slower in Milan; on the fourth day after Joseph proposed Milan’s nationhood, the Milan Council unanimously passed joining the Security Organization.

Even though they were still preparing for nationhood, it didn’t prevent them from drafting laws ahead of time, stipulating that joining the Security Organization would be a fundamental national policy.

Three days later, the founding meeting of the Iberian-Apennine Security Defense Organization was held at the Tuileries Palace.

In fact, the organizational framework and terms had already been confirmed by various member countries over a period of time. This meeting was merely a ceremony for signing the agreement by the representatives of each country.

Of course, there were some requests for amendments to the Security Organization from member state representatives.

For instance, the Governor of Genoa proposed renaming the Security Organization to the “Mediterranean Security Defense Organization.”

After Joseph agreed, the new name was unanimously approved by the representatives of each country.

At eleven in the morning, representatives from France, Spain, Sardinia, Milan, Parma, Genoa, Lucca, and Baden successively signed the agreement.

The Mediterranean Security Defense Organization was officially declared established.

The headquarters of the Security Organization was set in Marseille.

A permanent “Peacekeeping Corps” consisting of 5,000 troops provided by all member countries was established, with annual military expenses of 6 million francs to be shared according to each country’s financial revenue.

A Security Organization Intelligence Center was established, responsible for integrating military intelligence among the member countries.

The renowned French general, the Marquis de Lafayette, was elected as the first Chief of Staff of the Security Organization, serving a term of five years.

As for why the Security Organization included Baden, a German state, one can only say that Grand Duke Carl Friedrich’s political acumen was exceptionally keen.

Upon hearing news of the Iberian-Apennine summit, he immediately realized it was a significant opportunity and dispatched Prince Lucivide to Paris overnight, ultimately securing the status of founding member of the Security Organization.

On the day the Security Organization was established, the French Royal Arsenal received weapon orders totaling over 5 million francs.

Except for the impoverished Spain, all member countries ordered a large batch of French-style equipment.

Especially Genoa and Milan, which replaced their entire military arsenal with French-made weapons and even altered their military uniforms to match the style of the French Army, differing only slightly in color.

The next day.

Today, the Iberian-Apennine summit took a day’s recess.

Representatives from various countries were invited by the Crown Prince of France to hunt in the royal hunting ground on the west side of the Palace of Versailles.

The former royal hunting ground was on the east side of the Palace of Versailles, but it has now been expanded into a city district and connected to Paris, so a new hunting ground was built to the west.

Unlike in the past, the new hunting ground is open to the public three days a week. Anyone who pays an annual fee to join the Royal Hunting Club can hunt here, making it a new trend among Parisian high society.

Of course, today the hunting ground was closed for diplomatic purposes.

Servants, accompanied by hunting dogs, drove deer from several kilometers away in a crescent formation towards the guests.

Meanwhile, royal members and diplomats from various countries discussed hunting, implicitly surrounding the Crown Prince of France, ears perked up attentively.

Sure enough, the Crown Prince of France suddenly turned to them, loudly asking, “Gentlemen, I am curious, to whom does the Apennine Peninsula rightfully belong?”

The crowd immediately looked at each other in bewilderment.

The ten-year-old Spanish young prince, recalling the request of the Count of Florida Blanca, chimed in with his childish voice, “Your Highness, of course it is you…”

The Chief Minister of Spain’s face darkened, hurriedly using his gaze to stop him.

Following Joseph, Talleyrand loudly said, “Your Highness, I believe the Apennine Peninsula rightfully belongs to the various Italian states.”

Sardinia, Parma, and other high-level officials immediately displayed expressions of joy.

Joseph nodded and continued asking, “And who brought disaster and suffering to Italy?”

This time, the Crown Prince of Sardinia quickly responded, “The wicked and shameless Austrians!”

Talleyrand promptly added, “And their accomplices.”

“That’s right!” Joseph feigned indignation and waved his hand, “The Austrians have brutally ruled and persecuted Northern Italy for over a century.

“Vienna has taken every gold coin from you, occupied your land, and turned Italians into slaves!”

Prince Emmanuel quickly declared, “It was the great France that drove away the wicked invaders!”

Joseph smiled indicating his agreement and then looked back at everyone, “We haven’t yet completely driven away those demons.

“Wilmze’s army is still entrenched in Mantua, ready to reinvade Italy at any moment.”

The leaders of various countries hesitated, thinking that the Crown Prince wanted them to send troops to assist in besieging Mantua, suddenly losing some momentum.

The Prince of Parma gritted his teeth and said, “Your Highness, our country is willing to send 4,000 troops to assist in attacking Mantua!”

The Governor of Genoa followed, “I suggest initiating the Mediterranean Security Organization’s decision-making meeting so that all member countries jointly send troops to Mantua!”

Joseph, however, shook his hand, “Thank you all for your intentions, but Mantua can be left to General Napoleon.

“In fact, the battle report received the day before yesterday showed that he has already completed the encirclement of the fortress and achieved a significant victory.”

Governor Abiasso cautiously asked, “Your Highness, what do you mean?”

“Besides Mantua, there are many Austrian lackeys on the Italian Peninsula that have yet to be eradicated!” Joseph declared loudly, “This requires the true masters of Italy, that is, all of you, to defeat them!”

The senior officials of various countries exchanged glances once again, their faces filled with confusion.

Abiasso had to inquire again, “Your Highness, are you indicating?”

“Tuscany,” Joseph said, “and the Papal States!

“Tuscany is a member of the Habsburg family. During Austria’s invasion of Genoa and Parma, they provided extensive logistical support. I believe that, if Franz II needed it, Tuscany’s army would fight for him at any time.

“All of this proves that Tuscany has effectively declared war on France, Genoa, and Parma.

“As for the Papal States, they, in pursuit of political gain from Vienna, have shamefully defied the Holy See’s decree, offering tremendous support to Austria’s heinous war, and labeling the invaders as the ‘Shield of God,’ urging Austrians to join the invasion of Italy.

“For hundreds of years, the Papal States have occupied vast amounts of land belonging to various Italian countries and have now once more colluded with Austrians to bring harm to us!

“I have reason to believe that the current Holy See has lost its pious heart, blinded by greed and desire. We must seek revenge!”