Chapter 351: Foundations
The joint declaration of the two nations imdiately sparked doubt among the journalists attending the press conference. So couldn't help but pinch themselves a couple of tis, questioning whether they were dreaming. Following the release of the joint statent, Foreign Minister Talleyrand and Ambassador tternich didn't even allow the journalists ti for questions; they promptly announced the end of the press conference.
In truth, the journalists didn't have ti for questions anyway. What mattered most at that mont? Broadcasting this major news right away. After all, isn't that what being a journalist is about? As soon as Minister Talleyrand adjourned the session, the journalists rushed out like a tide through the main gates, heading fervently toward their respective newsrooms.
It was rumored that thereafter, certain news agencies added a new requirent for recruiting journalists: a twelve-minute endurance test. "If you can't even run, how can you report?" beca a reason for so journalists' dismissal. In the inaugural Modern Olympics shortly after, Dresler, who secured the sprint world championship for France, was also an entertainnt journalist for The Sun. So much so that a new proverb erged in this era of France: "As fast as a tabloid journalist."
Indeed, in general, tabloid journalists always ran a bit faster. In contrast, journalists from scientific and truth-based publications, as well as business papers, didn't need to sprint as urgently. They were already inford by their editorial departnts, albeit not much earlier, but enough to scoop an exclusive. While the reporters from papers like The Sun were still parkouring through the streets of Paris, Scientific Truth Gazette was already pondering the wording of their editorials.
Naturally, with the early editions released by Scientific Truth and business papers, another group swiftly took off. These were the speculators.
Before this, due to widespread concerns about a potential Austrian defeat in a war with France, Austrian bonds plumted in the market, almost becoming worthless. But now, everyone knew the Austrian bonds would soar, surpassing their previous heights.
Regrettably, most had already disposed of their Austrian bonds at near-worthless prices. Now, with the bond prices skyrocketing, there were scarcely any Austrian bonds left to purchase. A collective sigh of regret filled the air, pondering who had bought the Austrian bonds for next to nothing before.
Yet, none could fathom that the person who had acquired Austrian bonds at throwaway prices was equally discontented.
"The financial tools of this era are so backward, lacking in financial innovation! Unable to drive Austrian bond prices into negative territory or even have a useful financial lever. How much could have been gained otherwise!" lanted Joseph inwardly, observing Napoleon and Lucien revel in the substantial gains.
However, Napoleon seed far more content than Joseph. These earnings were satisfying enough for him. Calculating the profits from Austrian bonds, he realized this haul even surpassed the inco from his audience with the Pope.
"Joseph, this is simply plundering, and it's more efficient than sending an army for pillage. In Italy, we called it a risky venture without capital, but deploying the army incurred costs. This ti, a few 'truthful words' have reaped us such bounties," exclaid Lucien, equally excited.
Though Napoleon was also considering such thoughts, hearing Lucien say it instinctively irked him. It seed to undermine his own worth.
But before Napoleon could retort, Joseph intervened.
"Lucien, and Napoleon, there's sothing I must remind you of," Joseph interjected suddenly. "Once, there was a fool who ate four loaves of bread in the morning and felt full. So, this fool said, 'How foolish of ! I should have just eaten the last loaf; why waste the first three?'"
Naturally, only a fool would speak such words. However, Napoleon and Lucien, we must be cautious not to beco fools. Our ability to harvest wealth using financial ans isn't unfounded. Without our invincible army, instilling fear that even deters any thought of opposition, how could we employ such thods to reap benefits?
Hearing the ntion of the "invincible army," Napoleon imdiately brightened, enthusing, "Joseph's right. Ultimately, it's the army that serves as our scythe."
"Napoleon, what you say holds so truth but not entirely. We haven't been at war for years, yet our military prowess hasn't dwindled; it's even rising. When those folks initially signed peace treaties with us, they had ulterior motives. I'm sure you understand; do they still entertain such thoughts? Why?" pondered Napoleon, startled.
After a brief pause, Napoleon continued, "Initially, they might have intended to catch their breath, lick their wounds, then challenge us once recovered. But now, they've given up that thought. They no longer need to fight; even fools know they're no match. The disparity between us and them is like a grown man versus children."
Joseph nodded, "Our strength grows faster than theirs. Currently, the artillery power of one of our divisions surpasses their entire army. Soon, even the firepower of one of our divisions will outweigh their corps. What do they have to combat us? As long as our commanders aren't fools, they stand no chance."
"Joseph, continuing like this... it'll all boil down to bullying children. War has lost its artistic appeal; it's just crushing... Life truly is lonely as snow," Napoleon sighed with the utmost drama.
Joseph glanced at Napoleon and continued, "Many things in the world have their fundantal causes and outward appearances. Everything has a beginning and an end. When dealing with matters, we must know what cos first and what cos later, placing what's fundantal and what's just a re tactic. We must understand what truly matters, even if it ans truly understanding life's lessons.
Currently, what fundantally makes us so powerful? It's not our exceptional skills or even our strong army; fundantally, it's our robust industry. Why is it that in Europe, only England can sowhat stand against us? Isn't it because, in comparison, England has relatively better industry? So, maintaining a robust industry is our foundation. Although industrial profits are slow—much slower compared to financial gains—we must always remind ourselves not to entertain thoughts of skipping over industry and living solely off financial ans."
"How could we have such foolish thoughts?" interjected Lucien.
Upon hearing this, Joseph chuckled, "Lucien, even smart people are prone to laziness. The mont France transitions from an industrial empire to a financial empire, it marks the beginning of the end of French hegemony."
"Joseph, your words are incredibly profound!" exclaid Napoleon while scanning around, "Lucien, give
your notebook; I want to jot this down and engrave it on my desk."
Leaving aside Napoleon's antics, the news reached Hungary. The Hungarian nobles engaged in autonomy and those emboldened by these nobles, including the Polish nobility prepared to aid the 'separatists,' were dumbfounded.
So who had been excessively vocal earlier found themselves unable to retreat and had to endure. At least, they appeared to endure publicly. Others, more tactful, sought to swiftly pledge loyalty to the Emperor, either claiming they were deceived or outright stating, "Your Majesty, I was undercover, joining to gather intelligence for you. I've gathered information that..."
Even those who were once adamantly committed and montarily unable to retreat were now
hastily reorganizing their ranks, preaching "unity among all" on the surface, while quietly sending emissaries to seek the Emperor's forgiveness.
In such a scenario, General Karl Philipp and the Imperial Army had just arrived in Hungary when the national militia mutinied.
Under the leadership of a young noble nad Bartori, the mutinous national militia arrested the rebel leader, Count Bartori, and handed him over to General Karl Philipp. Thus, the Hungarian rebellion was quashed.
Subsequently, both the Emperor and the French exhibited astonishing rcy toward these rebels.
"Since they've acknowledged their mistakes, they've beco our brethren again," declared Emperor Franz in the newspapers. Therefore, even the rebel leader Count Bartori was rely exiled; his title and lands remained intact.
Naturally, all hindrances to free trade in Hungary, including tariffs, were abolished.
As for the opportunistic Polish nobles, after dutifully relinquishing key lands based on "market prices," they received so clency. After all, the Austrian Empire still intended to use them to oppress the common Polish folk.
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