Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

State Minister Baron Tugut nodded, “Your Majesty, the Empire’s trade income has indeed been declining over the past two years.”

Emperor Franz II then asked, “And the key to reversing the trade situation lies with France?”

Baron Tugut hesitated slightly before nodding again, “In a sense, one could say that.”

Baron Walter, on the other hand, waved his intact hand angrily, “The French people are using unfair trade agreements to snatch our market in Southern Germany and have crushed many of our factories.

“As long as that treaty remains, our trade situation cannot improve!”

Baron Tugut quickly interrupted, “In fact, at the time of signing the treaty, the terms were favorable to us.”

The Rhine-Saone Treaty was one he had signed on behalf of Austria, and naturally, he could not now discredit himself.

Emperor Franz II looked to Count Rhinefeels: “Then, what do you think we should do about the adverse effects of the treaty?”

The latter, having thought it over on his way back to Vienna, hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, currently, the countries of Southern Germany dare not offend France. We might be able to negotiate privately with France and strive to establish independent customs duties outside of the treaty.”

His meaning was to give up the Southern German market and negotiate a deal with France to preserve Austria’s own market.

Emperor Franz II then turned to Baron Tugut, “Do you also agree with Count Rhinefeels’ opinion?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, this could indeed temporarily stabilize our trade income,” the State Minister said. “After that, we can leverage our influence in the Germanic Region, call on other countries to join us in boycotting French goods, and ultimately aim to renegotiate the treaty.”

Emperor Franz II nodded, “Very well, let us proceed with that plan.”

The ministers discussed the details of the interest swap with France at length as the sky began to darken.

A court official came to remind His Majesty that dinner was ready. The ministers then took their leave one by one with their respects, while Emperor Franz II, flanked by his servants, headed to the banquet hall.

Suddenly, he heard the familiar sound of footsteps behind him and turned to see his mother Ludovica hastening toward him.

“I thought you wouldn’t be dining with me.”

“We indeed haven’t dined together in a long time, and tonight I happen to be free,” Ludovica arrived by his side, her expression turning serious, and whispered, “Actually, Franz, there are some things I must talk to you about.”

“Oh? What is it, Mother?”

“As the Emperor, you need to be tougher,” Ludovica said. “If those ministers think you are weak, they will continuously push you into a corner.”

Emperor Franz II nodded, “Yes, you are right.”

Ludovica’s voice was as hard as dry stone: “As the Emperor, you are a sword; anyone who dares to stand in your way will be ruthlessly cut down!

“Today you were too indulgent toward the Foreign Minister. Having returned from Karlsruhe with failure and disgrace, he must face appropriate punishment.

“Similarly, the French dared to threaten you with their army, and yet you chose to humbly trade benefits for their alms. This will only make the French even more arrogant!”

Emperor Franz II was taken aback but nodded again, “Indeed, I should be tougher.”

Ludovica already harbored dissatisfaction with France, and over the past year, Baron Walter continually disparaged France in her ear, leading her to hold deep resentment toward France now.

“You must let the arrogant French people understand the might of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and how rash their previous actions were. Then, immediately revise that damned treaty!”

Emperor Franz II was particularly impressionable, and at the young age of 23 with a lack of experience in ruling a country, his mother’s words instantly sparked a surge of vigorous pride in his chest.

“Yes! I cannot keep retreating; the interests of Austria must be secured,” he straightened his back with force, “I am the Emperor of Sanctum, the blade!”

The next day.

Austrian dignitaries such as Baron Tugut and Count Kobutsel once again gathered before the Emperor.

Emperor Franz II sternly reprimanded Count Rhinefeels right from the start for his incompetence that had seriously harmed Austria’s interests and fined him half a year’s pension.

Then the Emperor of Sanctum turned to Tugut, “Regarding our stance toward France, I believe we cannot be too weak. Yesterday’s negotiation plan needs to be revised.”

“But, Your Majesty…”

As the State Minister was about to speak, Baron Walter leant forward and spoke loudly, “Your Majesty is wise and martial! We have to let the French people know our strength to effectively protect our interests!”

Emperor Franz II nodded, looking around at his ministers, “So, does anyone have any suggestions?”

Since Kaunitz’s resignation, Vienna’s Pro-France Faction had declined, with the Pro-British, Pro-Prussian, and even the Pro-Russian factions now seeing an opportunity.

Chief Royal Advisor Kolinek and Baron Walter exchanged glances, the former taking the lead, “Your Majesty, we could use our influence over the Italian states to warn the French that if they do not renegotiate the Rhine-Saone Treaty, they will lose the Italian market.”

At present, the Italian Region was primarily composed of states such as Sardinia, Genoa, Venice, Tuscany, and Sicily-Naples.

Among them, Venice was entirely under Austria’s control, the Grand Duke of Tuscany was Franz II’s brother, and there were numerous matrimonial alliances between the Sicily-Naples and the Habsburg Family.

Austria had significant influence over much of the Apennine Peninsula.

Especially Venice, a major commercial center, accounted for nearly one-third of Italy’s trade volume.

For France, losing the bulk of the Italian market for the sake of Austria’s market was definitely not a good deal.

Emperor Franz II nodded in satisfaction, “This plan is good; let’s work out the details.”

Count Rhinefeels, having just been chastised, sought to recover his standing in the Emperor’s eyes and hurriedly added, “Your Majesty, I believe that France’s previous Military Exercise was indeed very effective. I think we can also hold an exercise in Tuscany to deter the Italian states and demonstrate our strength to France.”

The group went on to provide ideas eagerly, swiftly formulating a diplomatic plan regarding the trade agreement.

Emperor Franz II assigned Count Rhinefeels the mission to France once more and declared the meeting adjourned.

As the officials departed, Baron Tugut stayed behind, handing a financial report to His Majesty.

Indeed, Emperor Franz II was too unfamiliar with the state’s financial situation; he could only rely on written documents to understand, as explanations alone were not clear enough.