Chapter 976: Chapter 884 Duke of Florence
The Crown Prince Lucivide wiped his cold sweat and stamred:
“You know, if our country and France reach a trade agreent, it will surely invite retaliation from Austria…”
Talleyrand smiled: “France will provide you with the most resolute support with cannons.”
His words had two obvious anings – France’s cannons could help you fend off Austria or press against your forehead.
Talleyrand raised his glass to the pale Württemberg Crown Prince:
“Moreover, our country does not wish to establish an exclusive market; mbers of the Trade Alliance can continue trading with Vienna. Even the tariffs you charge Austria and your internal trade alliance agreent don’t matter.”
This condition seed to be aid at reducing Austria’s pressure on the small countries in Southern Germany, but in fact, it was making secret moves.
With Austria’s current industrial capability and technological level, a significant technology gap has erged between it and France.
Under equal tariff conditions, Austrian goods cannot compete with French products, so France is completely unconcerned about trade between Austria and the Southern German countries.
In contrast, if the Southern German countries and Austria could reach a low tariff agreent, French goods could enter Austria through these countries.
Under the technological conditions of this era, it is simply impossible to trace the origin of goods.
Yes, even in the 21st century, the informationized United States struggles with the problem of tracing origins. Eastern countries bypassed tariff barriers through xico to export to the United States massively.
Of course, Austria could fully raise tariffs on Southern German states after noticing sothing wrong, but that would isolate itself from the Southern German market.
Lucivide breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that exclusion of Austria was unnecessary, nodding: “I understand, Mr. Talleyrand, I will strive to facilitate the Trade Alliance.”
Talleyrand extended his wine glass forward, gently clinking it with Lucivide’s, saying with a smile, “I look forward to the signing of the agreent.”
The next day at noon.
Talleyrand caressed the slender waist of his new sweetheart, Countess Notman, whispering in her ear: “Oh, my honey, I have so official duties to attend to, but I’ll co see you next month.”
After so affection, Talleyrand boarded his carriage and headed toward Rothenburg.
He would carry out a round of diplomatic operations among the Southern German countries to ensure the trade alliance would be established.
However, it is foreseeable that at least those countries that violated the loan agreent would definitely join.
…
A month later.
At the summons of Württemberg, France, Upper Hesse, Rothenburg, and four other countries held a founding eting for the “Rhein Trade Alliance” in the capital of Baden, Karlsruhe.
Indeed, after France controlled the Rheinland region, it was also considered a country along the Rhine River, and thus the na “Seine-Rhine Trade Agreent” was revised accordingly.
This was specifically instructed by Joseph.
Previously, when the Rhine River was ntioned, people instinctively regarded it as a symbol of Germany.
And from now on, France will continue to emphasize its presence along the Rhine River, eventually making “Rhein” rely a geographical term.
The negotiation process of the trade alliance went smoothly.
The agreent text almost copied the previous “Seine-Rhine Agreent,” and France also relaxed the negotiation conditions, so the main terms of the “Rhein Trade Alliance Agreent,” including the tariff rates of each country, were largely settled within just five days.
Notably, at the suggestion of Upper Hesse, mber countries of the trade alliance decided unanimously to condemn Austria’s behavior of tearing up the “Seine-Rhine Trade Agreent.”
Jesus witnessed, this was not instigated by France, but those Holy Roman Empire states that were involved in wars against France and were refused compensation by Austria wished to express their dissatisfaction.
…
Central Italy.
Corina Pass, northeast of Florence.
Adrian looked back at the dici family crest waving all over the hillside, feeling as if he were dreaming.
A few months ago, he was just a small rchant from Venice, facing the risk of losing all his family assets due to an investnt fraud.
And now, he was the formidable Duke of Florence, with over eight hundred soldiers who had sworn loyalty to him, here to reclaim the ancestral property of the dici family.
“Your Grace, the enemy has ford ranks a mile south,” a tall hussar reported, bowing, “There are about a thousand of them.”
The Duke of Florence looked help-seeking toward his brother-in-law nearby: “Ferrari, what do you think we should do?”
Indeed, just a week ago, the widow of the famous Gradini family in Tuscany, Caterina Lucrezia de’ Gradini, had married quickly.
The new Duchess of Florence brought with her a dowry of 280,000 ducats, 150 family guards, and her cousin Ferrari de Gradini.
The latter had attended a military school in Naples for several years, naturally becoming the Duke’s Commander of the Imperial Guard.
General Gradini drew his sword and exclaid loudly, “I will lead the soldiers and crush any enemy daring to stand before you!”
The French advisor Blot Bena, dressed in a priest’s robe, stepped forward to stop this rookie general and then bowed to Adrian: “Your Grace, I think, with your prestige as the ruler of Florence, you can easily disperse those presumptuous enemies.”
“Ah? Oh, okay.” Adrian nodded blankly.
Bena picked up a flag embroidered with the dici family crest, and with four guards, rode forward to the front of the Tuscan army.
The Tuscan army’s commander imdiately rode up, but Bena completely ignored him, raising the flag high, and walked along the direction of the military ranks, shouting:
“The great dici family has returned.
“The old glory of Florence will be restored!
“The Duke of Florence promises that apart from Ferdinand III being expelled, all personal property and interests will be assured.
“Now, make way for the dici family to return to their domain!”
A burst of murmurs instantly arose within the Tuscan army.
Undoubtedly, the dici family is forever revered in the hearts of Toscanans.
During the rule of the dici family, Florence was prosperous economically and was the center of comrce, culture, and art in Central Italy, leading the Renaissance era.
Awaiting for a mont, Bena continued: “His Majesty the King of France has acknowledged the identity of the Duke of Florence, and if necessary, General Napoleon would help him return to Florence.”
The Tuscan army formation suddenly fell silent.
Though Tuscany was highly developed in comrce and the arts, it had always maintained a tradition of being “non-military.”
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