Joseph had initially planned to use ’the dominance of the French-speaking population in Bern’ as a basis for integration, but evidently the banner of "Ro" is far more effective.
Had it not been for the reminder from Elarch and others, he truly wouldn’t have thought that Switzerland could sohow connect itself to the Roman Empire.
He couldn’t help but squint, realizing that the Swiss had indeed reminded him of sothing crucial.
Speaking of which, the Capet Dynasty is considered the only bloodline heir of Charlemagne, and the Charlemagne Empire is universally recognized as a legitimate continuation of the Western Roman Empire.
Currently, France’s territory largely coincides with the Charlemagne Empire—especially after acquiring the Rhineland, even the capital of Charlemagne Empire, Aachen, is within French borders.
Now, asserting Charlemagne’s legitimacy is perfectly justified!
Hold on a second.
Joseph suddenly realized that Alexandra, being a mber of the Romanov family, also inherited the legitimate royal lineage of the Eastern Roman Empire! [Note 1]
This ans that his descendants will simultaneously hold the legitimacy of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
The perfect revival of the Roman Empire!
However, he quickly suppressed this thought.
The banner of the Roman Empire holds significant appeal in Europe, but it also triggers great wariness from Austria, the Ottoman Empire, and even Russia.
France is currently at a critical juncture in integrating the German and Italian regions, and must avoid unnecessary complications.
But when France begins to expand its influence, this will absolutely be the optimal leverage.
Joseph couldn’t help but look at the Swiss people before him. Perhaps this ti, France would not only gain an eastern province but also seize the opportunity to start laying out the "Roman concept."
Count Erlach was still passionately speaking: "We are aware of the poverty and hardships of Bern, so as not to affect the prosperity of the Empire, the state parliant will raise two million francs to hand over to the Ministry of Finance, to cover the tax deficit of the past two years..."
Joseph was sowhat moved.
These Swiss indeed know how to handle matters, even bringing their own "mbership fee," which makes refusal all the more difficult.
After Count Erlach finished speaking about "Bern State Parliant has passed the legislation with a high vote, deciding to exit the Swiss Confederation," Joseph stood up, his expression solemn as he said:
"You are absolutely correct.
"The great glory of Ro binds us together eternally.
"As a descendant of Charlemagne, I have the duty to provide shelter to all those who still acknowledge themselves as Romans."
The three Swiss n looked at each other in disbelief, all overjoyed in their hearts— the Crown Prince of France had truly agreed!
They hastily knelt down on one knee, excitedly saying: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your benevolence. We offer you all our loyalty!"
Joseph gestured for them to stand and instructed:
"Have the state parliant submit a ’Union Application’ to the Foreign Ministry and publish the full text in the major newspapers of various countries. Oh, also include the matter of offsetting the tax deficit."
"Once His Majesty the King signs the application, ’Upper German Province’ will beco Bern’s new na."
He found it necessary to make such a fuss partly to use Bern’s request to join France as a warm-up for the "Roman concept."
The other reason was to inform all countries, particularly small nations in Italy, that France is not forcibly occupying Bern; instead, they are voluntarily requesting union, even footing the bill themselves, to ease worries about French expansion.
The Swiss people quickly and cautiously expressed that there would not be any negligence.
Joseph asked another few things about Bern State, glanced at the clock, and was getting ready to invite the three of them to join a banquet when Count Erlach cautiously said:
"Your Highness, after joining the great France, the parliant still hopes you can agree to so minor requests."
"Please go ahead."
The Swiss chose their words carefully: "Actually, Bern has long wanted to build a railway. If you could allow the Ministry of Transportation to plan it..."
Joseph furrowed his brow: "Build a railway?"
Count Erlach hurriedly replied: "No need to start construction imdiately, just announcing the route planning would suffice. Oh, the state parliant has also raised a fund previously, and we only need a bit more loan."
Joseph pondered briefly and shook his head: "I don’t think it’s necessary."
The Swiss suddenly grew anxious: "Yes, you are right. We should wait a few more years, gather the necessary funds ourselves, without governnt loans..."
What he most needed was the railway planning from the French Ministry of Transportation. Just having that would strengthen the confidence of Bern’s investors, easing the current project’s compensation issues. As for future matters, they would see as they go.
Joseph smiled and said, "No, my point is that Upper German Province does not need a railway for now."
Baron Fred also beca anxious, blurting out: "But we’ve already purchased a large amount of tracks and equipnt..."
Joseph raised his hand to signal him: "Without sufficient population and trade support, building a railway would only lose money.
"Given Switzerland’s current situation, what’s most needed are level roads, clockwork factories, fertilizers, steam irrigation equipnt, and facilities such as schools and hospitals.
"As for those tracks you ntioned, they can be used to build steam trams in Bern City.
"Only once those are completed will building a railway be aningful."
Since Bern had co with its own mbership fee, he naturally wanted to help it achieve rapid developnt. This could also set an example for other Swiss states.
Count Erlach, with a bitter expression, had to confess: "Your Highness, but if that’s the case, the state parliant’s fund raised for the railway..."
Joseph asked: "What is the promised return rate by the parliant?"
"4.5%, Your Highness."
Joseph nodded: "Not high. I can send soone from the Ministry of Finance to Bern, suggesting that this money be converted into a ’City Developnt Fund,’ and slightly increase the minimum yield to 4.6%."
Count Erlach and others instantly breathed a sigh of relief. With the backing from Paris’s senior officials, Bern’s investors should be convinced.
Joseph thought of another matter: "By the way, I rember you ntioned the thermal baths from the Roman Era before?"
Count Erlach nodded awkwardly: "Indeed, there are... and the theatre built during the Roman Era. But they have all fallen into disrepair..."
Previously, he had ntioned these abandoned ruins to affix the Roman label to Switzerland. The theatre in Avon was turned into a sheep pen hundreds of years ago.
Joseph didn’t mind and said, "It’s fine, I will allocate funds to repair these Imperial Ruins."
[Note 1] In the fifteenth century, the Eastern Roman Empire fell. At that ti, Grand Duke Ivan III of Moscow married Sofia Paleologos, the niece of Constantine XI, the last Emperor of Eastern Ro, thus granting the Romanov family the Eastern Roman royal lineage.
Later, Ivan IV crowned himself as Tsar, which is essentially the Latin for "Caesar," and proclaid Russia as the "Third Roman Empire."
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