Chapter 1652 - 1558: The Disheartened Baron Breti

Chapter 1652: Chapter 1558: The Disheartened Baron Breti

On the steam train leading to the Fontainebleau Sanatorium, Baron Breti watched the elegantly designed buildings constantly flashing by outside the window and the various flags fluttering on the rooftops, feeling as though his heart was bleeding.

Last year, Director Kovisat had advised him to buy a few more houses here. He only superficially agreed but didn’t take it to heart at all.

It was still three to four kilometers from the sanatorium, and back then the nearby area was vast wilderness, with the price of an acre being less than 900 francs. Who could have imagined that now even an inconspicuous two-story building sells for over 3,000 francs, with high-end villas with gardens even reaching tens of thousands!

An acre could probably accommodate 12 to 20 houses...

If he had bought a few acres back then, it would now have turned into a huge fortune.

Indeed, with royals and prominent figures from various countries coming to Fontainebleau for treatment — many staying here for up to four months a year — they often meet at the sanatorium’s gym, spa, or massage parlor, naturally chatting about current political affairs or diplomatic matters.

Over time, Fontainebleau has become a miniature of Europe’s permanent "political economic forum."

Many important messages, diplomatic communications, and even political transactions originate from the sanatorium’s massage parlor or tea room.

Countries have unanimously started to value this diplomatic hub, and to improve efficiency in handling affairs, many liaison offices and secretariats have been established around the Fontainebleau Sanatorium.

Countries like Milan, Genoa, and Baden have even set up embassy branches here.

As the nearest areas to the sanatorium have long been bought by the bigwigs of various countries and French nobles, the establishments had to be built several kilometers away, causing property prices to rise sharply.

Baron Breti shook his head, as if trying to throw his regrets out the window, then pressed his hand against the suitcase containing the report, and his expression finally relaxed somewhat.

Since he became Prime Minister, he hadn’t achieved any standout political accomplishments, and this report was likely his chance to make a name for himself in French politics.

He believed the Regent King would definitely be very pleased with this report, after all, it was a product of two days of Senate meetings.

Soon, the steam train stopped outside the sanatorium square.

Baron Breti walked briskly along the gravel path through the lawn, following the guard leading the way, arriving at the west side of the palace.

He smiled and nodded to Count Eman standing by the door, but before he could speak, he heard the doctor’s voice from inside: "Your Highness, Prince Michel’s physique is exceptionally robust, surpassing most children of the same age.

"Look, both his height and weight curves are above the 95th percentile...

"His visual, auditory, reactionary, and motor abilities are outstanding...

"And his head circumference, cranial sutures, hip joints, etc., are all normal..."

Baron Breti wasn’t surprised by this, as prior to the prince’s birth, the sanatorium had already begun conducting health checks for infants and toddlers.

It is said these screenings can detect more than 80% of common developmental issues in infants and toddlers, and timely intervention can lead to treatment in nearly half of the cases.

This was of course initiated by Joseph through the health bureau.

The health bureau staff spent over six months compiling developmental data of tens of thousands of French infants and toddlers, consolidating them into "Infant and Toddler Health Metrics."

Additionally, they began researching targeted solutions for common developmental issues in infants and toddlers.

According to the Regent King’s theory, most issues stem from a lack of nutritional substances or "trace elements," or even lack of sunlight.

However, this requires long-term testing to reach conclusions, and currently only calcium, iron, and vitamin A are listed in the "necessary supplements" list.

The first edition of the "Infant and Toddler Health Evaluation Guide" has already been distributed to quasi-doctors in major cities like Paris and Marseille, requiring at least two physical checkups before ten months of age.

It can be said that the birth of Prince Michel has indirectly benefited infants and toddlers all over France.

Baron Breti followed Eman into the room, bowing in salute to the Regent King: "Regent King."

Then he glanced at Michel, sucking his thumb in the Regent King’s arms, smiling and bowing slightly: "Prince."

Joseph gestured to the sofa beside him: "Is it regarding Austria?"

Recently, the largest issue was the turmoil in Vienna, and the clashes among various forces in Austria.

Baron Breti nodded, took out the prepared documents, and handed them to the Regent King with both hands: "Your Highness, this is the Senate’s formulated response plan, please review it."

Watching the Regent King flip through the report, he waited expectantly for praise, only to see the Regent King slightly furrow his brow.

"Offering a loan of 6 million francs to the Austrian government," Joseph glanced at the Prime Minister, "and delivering some military supplies from the Alps Province..."

Alps Province refers to Basel, Sorotun, and other states, currently undergoing annexation procedures into France. The Zurich congress is still fiercely debating, so the exact boundaries of Alps Province have yet to be finalized.

Previously, Basel and other areas received a lot of weaponry and ammunition aid, and Breti and others intended to transfer this to the Habsburg army.

In fact, the backup plan in the report suggested even calling upon the German states to send troops to reinforce the Habsburg, or even employ the French Mantua garrison to restrain the southwest of Hungary.

Baron Breti hurriedly said: "Your Highness, the rebel expansion in Vienna is very fast, and they may have already occupied Linz. Assisting the Habsburg Family could draw Austria closer to us..."

Joseph laid down the report, shaking his head: "Austria can never become our ally, there’s absolutely no need to waste funds on Austria."

Baron Breti was stunned, this completely contradicted Archbishop Talleyrand’s judgment, and the latter was the most skilled in diplomacy and understanding the Regent’s intentions in French politics.

What he didn’t know was that Talleyrand had been laying a trap for him from the start. After all, Talleyrand ranks in the top ten in the Senate and his capabilities overshadow most of the senators. If Breti no longer holds the position of Prime Minister, it’s likely that Talleyrand would assume the role.

Just after the Senate ministerial meeting ended that day, Talleyrand immediately submitted a report entitled "Analysis and Recommendations on Central European Situations" to the Regent on behalf of the Foreign Ministry, completely different from what he said during the meeting.

Baron Breti cautiously tested: "Your meaning is, we should support the Vienna National Assembly?"

Even the term changed from rebels to National Assembly.

Joseph rubbed his forehead, saying: "We support no one. Our financial budget should be invested in railway construction."