The Fox of France - Chapter 351: Foundations

The joint declaration of the two nations immediately sparked doubt among the journalists attending the press conference. Some couldn’t help but pinch themselves a couple of times, questioning whether they were dreaming. Following the release of the joint statement, Foreign Minister Talleyrand and Ambassador Metternich didn’t even allow the journalists time for questions; they promptly announced the end of the press conference.

In truth, the journalists didn’t have time for questions anyway. What mattered most at that moment? 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 requirement for recruiting journalists: a twelve-minute endurance test. “If you can’t even run, how can you report?” became a reason for some journalists’ dismissal. In the inaugural Modern Olympics shortly after, Dresler, who secured the sprint world championship for France, was also an entertainment journalist for The Sun. So much so that a new proverb emerged 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 informed by their editorial departments, 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 plummeted 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!” lamented Joseph inwardly, observing Napoleon and Lucien revel in the substantial gains.

However, Napoleon seemed 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 income 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 time, a few ‘truthful words’ have reaped us such bounties,” exclaimed Lucien, equally excited.

Though Napoleon was also considering such thoughts, hearing Lucien say it instinctively irked him. It seemed to undermine his own worth.

But before Napoleon could retort, Joseph intervened.

“Lucien, and Napoleon, there’s something 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 me! 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 become fools. Our ability to harvest wealth using financial means isn’t unfounded. Without our invincible army, instilling fear that even deters any thought of opposition, how could we employ such methods to reap benefits?

Hearing the mention of the “invincible army,” Napoleon immediately brightened, enthusing, “Joseph’s right. Ultimately, it’s the army that serves as our scythe.”

“Napoleon, what you say holds some 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 fundamental causes and outward appearances. Everything has a beginning and an end. When dealing with matters, we must know what comes first and what comes later, placing what’s fundamental and what’s just a mere tactic. We must understand what truly matters, even if it means truly understanding life’s lessons.

Currently, what fundamentally makes us so powerful? It’s not our exceptional skills or even our strong army; fundamentally, it’s our robust industry. Why is it that in Europe, only England can somewhat 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 means.”

“How could we have such foolish thoughts?” interjected Lucien.

Upon hearing this, Joseph chuckled, “Lucien, even smart people are prone to laziness. The moment 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!” exclaimed Napoleon while scanning around, “Lucien, give me 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.

Some 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 momentarily 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 named 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 mercy toward these rebels.

“Since they’ve acknowledged their mistakes, they’ve become our brethren again,” declared Emperor Franz in the newspapers. Therefore, even the rebel leader Count Bartori was merely 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 some clemency. After all, the Austrian Empire still intended to use them to oppress the common Polish folk.