Chapter 102 A Constitutional Monarchy of Corsica (Part 1)
Lawrence kept smiling without changing his expression, but he was constantly searching for information about the Duke of Choiseul.
This negotiation started the moment the two met, and Lawrence represented not only Corsica, but also his personal interests.
In order to obtain concessions from Duke Choiseul in the ensuing war of words, Lawrence must take advantage of the information gap he possesses.
"By the way, if I remember correctly..."
Lawrence glanced at Duke Choiseul and thought silently:
"Historically, he was the leader of negotiations for Genoa to sell Corsica to France. France did not get Corsica in this timeline, so did he notice me from that time..."
Although there were thousands of thoughts in his mind, Lawrence still chuckled politely, bowed again and said:
"This really surprises me that you can remember my name."
Duke Choiseul squinted his eyes and looked at Lawrence, but said nothing, whether he was thinking about what to say or waiting for Lawrence to take the initiative to speak.
Count Malbeuf saw that the two of them had just exchanged a few words and had become silent. He coughed awkwardly twice and walked between them and said:
"Sir, Lawrence, let's go in and talk."
After that, Count Malbeuf led the two of them into the living room in the main building, ordered his servants to serve them desserts and tea, and then left the living room with the others very wisely.
"M. Bonaparte, your letter is very interesting."
Duke Choiseul picked up the teacup and took a sip, then put the teacup aside with a look of disgust on his face, turned sideways and looked at Lawrence and said:
"The crown of Corsica... restores a republic to a monarchy, and the people on the island may not be very willing."
After hearing this, Lawrence slowly shook his head, sighing in his heart that the Duke of Choiseul was indeed a veteran in French politics. The first sentence he said was to put himself at a disadvantage.
These words of the Duke of Choiseul are nothing more than questioning whether Lawrence has the ability to put this crown on the head of Louis XV.
As long as Lawrence shows any difficulty, Duke Choiseul will take the opportunity to say that this will allow France to invest resources to help Lawrence, thus forcing Lawrence to make concessions in the subsequent negotiations.
Now that he had seen through Duke Choiseul's intention, Lawrence directly changed the subject and said:
"Since I submitted the letter to the Palace of Versailles, I am naturally capable of doing it. His Majesty the King should be very satisfied with this crown, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Duke Choiseul couldn't help but look at Lawrence again. He didn't expect that such a young boy could speak so well. In one sentence, he turned from defense to offense, and instead set a trap for himself.
.
Once he admits that Louis XV is very eager to get the crown of Corsica, the other party can seize on this point in the subsequent negotiations to force him to retreat.
Seeing that he was not taking advantage of his words, Duke Choiseul cleared his throat, not prepared to continue to be so pretentious and submissive with Lawrence.
After all, the most important thing in a negotiation is the strength of both parties.
"Yes, His Majesty the King is very satisfied." Duke Choiseul nodded directly and admitted.
Lawrence also nodded, this result was also within his expectation.
As for the reason, it is actually exactly the same as what Lawrence said when he first met Pauli two years ago - Louis XV lost the Seven Years' War and handed over all the French colonial achievements of decades. This made
His reputation plummeted.
Now, if he could get a new crown, and it was a crown offered by a local, this would be more satisfying to Louis XV than buying Corsica from Genoa for his prestige.
Lawrence smiled and looked at Duke Choiseul. If he guessed correctly, King Louis probably gave Duke Choiseul a death order before setting off, and he must get the crown of Corsica.
"Okay, young man."
Duke Choiseul glanced at Lawrence. This controlled smile made Duke Choiseul very unhappy, so he said impatiently:
"Tell me, what do you want? Money or a title?"
Lawrence shook his head slowly but firmly and said:
"I just want Corsica."
Duke Choiseul remained silent, looked at Lawrence with some dissatisfaction, took a deep breath and said slowly:
"You want autonomy?"
"That's right." Lawrence nodded and said.
"young people."
Duke Choiseul's expression was already a bit sullen, and he suppressed his dissatisfaction and said:
"You used the power of France to pacify Corsica, and then you wanted to give the king a hollow crown in return?"
"well"
Lawrence sighed deliberately, looked embarrassed, touched his forehead and shook his head and said:
"You also know the situation in Corsica. Even any city in France is richer than Corsica. What can you expect to get from it?"
The Duke of Choiseul listened silently. He also knew how poor Corsica was. France would not only likely not receive much tax revenue, but would also have to provide large financial subsidies in return.
In this sense, Corsica is a hot potato and a money-sucking hole. On the contrary, giving the Kingdom of Corsica full autonomy and allowing them to support themselves will save a lot of financial expenditure.
"in addition."
Lawrence struck while the iron was hot and then said:
"The customs and traditions of the Corsican people come from Italy, which is very different from the French culture. They are completely foreigners. If you insist on sending French officials to govern Corsica, to be honest, I am not sure whether you can pacify the island.
Endless rebellion.”
The Duke of Choiseul also knew that the Corsican people were poorly educated and were often discriminated against by the surrounding countries because of this, being scorned as savages and barbarians.
But in contrast, the Corsican people are fierce and aggressive, and have a strong-blooded character. If they really implement high-pressure rule, the people on the island will inevitably resist the French just like they resisted the Genoese.
"Perhaps you are right, young man."
Duke Choiseul closed his eyes and thought for a long time, then shook his head and said:
"But I don't see France getting its due."
"No, France will get something quite important in return."
Lawrence smiled and said that he also knew that he could not just put forward his own conditions. If he wanted to reach a final agreement, he had to make some concessions.
"Oh? What is it?" Duke Choiseul raised his eyelids and asked with slight interest.
"Garrison rights of the French navy in Corsica."
"Right to station in Hong Kong?" After hearing this, Duke Choiseul waved his hands repeatedly and said nonchalantly:
"France has no shortage of Mediterranean ports. We have Toulon and Marseille. Who cares about the small fishing port in Ajaccio."
"France may not care, but a certain country does." Lawrence smiled and shook his head.
Duke Choiseul frowned, with some bad premonition, and asked in a deep voice:
"What do you mean? Which country?"
"England."
"England? In Ajaccio..."
Duke Choiseul couldn't help but show a look of surprise on his face. After thinking for a moment, he realized how much of a threat it would pose to France's Mediterranean fleet if the Royal Navy were stationed in Ajaccio.
"Wait a minute... not long ago, a British warship stopped in Ajaccio, and it probably hasn't left yet."
The Duke of Choiseul had a gloomy expression, stared at Lawrence, and said seriously.
Although the Duke of Choiseul knew that the Corsicans were negotiating an agreement with the British, he had not yet found out what the agreement was.
Lawrence's expression did not change, he still smiled and said briefly:
"I can tell you who that ship is carrying."
"who?"
"William Pitt."
"William Pitt? Damn William Pitt?!"
As soon as the Duke of Choiseul heard the name of the opponent he hated so much during the Seven Years' War, he immediately lost his composure and couldn't help cursing.
Of course, while cursing, Duke Choiseul also understood what kind of treaty a man of William Pitt's status should be negotiating when he came to Corsica.