Four hundred and twentieth chapters abolish the small state
In Frankfurt in May, the whole city was filled with an impetuous smell. Ever since the Imperial Parliament decided to hold the Elector Meeting on May 28, the entire Frankfurt had been plunged into a tense atmosphere.
After the time entered May, the electors who were qualified to participate in the elector conference had already set off from their own territories, and the envoys of the electors had already been arranged to Frankfurt at the first time. These people
An invisible war broke out between them.
As the special envoy of Prussia, Prussian Foreign Minister Elstner has also arrived in Frankfurt. From the moment Elstner set foot in Frankfurt, he became the focus of attention in Frankfurt. After all, for the seven people in the current empire,
The relationship between the electors is basically known to anyone of a certain rank in the empire.
Needless to say, the importance of Prussia in this Elector's Conference was at least a dozen waves of envoys from various parties visited Elstner's residence every day.
But contrary to Locks, Elstner's attitude towards these envoys who requested a meeting was completely ignored. As the Prussian Foreign Minister, Elstner certainly knew what William was thinking, and since he wanted to wait for a price,
If you want to sell, you must show your superiority so that you can sell yourself at a good price! This is the true inner thought of the Prussian Foreign Minister.
On the eve of William's departure, Austria's Prime Minister Kaunitz finally arrived at Sanssouci Palace.
The bumps along the way put a look of exhaustion on the old statesman's face, but despite this, in front of everyone in Prussia, Kaunitz still tried his best to maintain his demeanor, and the old man's behavior also served him well.
It won unanimous praise from everyone in Prussia.
Afterwards, Kaunitz held a meeting with William and Rocks. Others were naturally not qualified to participate in such a level meeting, and the topic of this meeting was about the Imperial Elector Meeting.
Seeing the smile on Kaunitz's face, William felt a little more emotional in his heart. Being able to send Austria's Optimus Prime Kaunitz to Prussia is enough to show how urgent His Majesty Leopold was.
.You must know that generally old politicians like Kaunitz who enjoy great reputation and high prestige in the international community
Family is generally one of the most precious assets in any country, and for people who exist like national treasures, the country and the monarch will not be willing to send such people to other countries to perform tasks. After all, the value of each of them is said to be overwhelming.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the country is beautiful. If something unexpected happens, it will be a huge loss to the country.
"Your Majesty William. Thinking about it, we haven't seen each other for several years. I didn't expect that the childish boy he once was has now grown into a promising king. I am really happy for Frederick!"
Although Kaunitz greeted William in the tone of an elder, there was no trace of anger on William's face. On the contrary, for William, Kaunitz's words were a real compliment.
"Okay. Your Majesty, I think you already know the purpose of my visit. We won't mention anything else. I know there is no free lunch in the world, so you can put forward your conditions and then we will consider it.
"
Kaunitz's straight-to-the-point approach put smiles on both William and Locks' faces. After all, for an old fox like Kaunitz, it was really a nerve-wracking battle with them. So being able to directly
Talking about things is really a desirable thing.
William nodded to Rocks and signaled. Seeing William's signal, Rocks naturally cheered up and said:
"Your Excellency Kaunitz, since you said so, let's just say it bluntly. Our country believes that the Main and Rhine river states in the current empire have greatly hindered the development of the empire. Those princes rely on their own superiority.
The geographical location of the empire has had a huge adverse impact on the commercial activities between the major countries in the empire. I think your country should also understand this, so our country hopes that after His Majesty Leopold ascends the throne, he will have a great impact on many businesses in the Main River Basin.
The small state is being abolished!"
After speaking, Locks looked at Kaunitz blankly. His eyes were fixed on Kaunitz's face like a scanner. Even for a person like Kaunitz who has experienced strong winds and waves, Locks' words were still like a heavy hammer.
Kaunitz's heart.
Are you kidding? Where is the Main River? It is adjacent to the Rhine River. If you include the states on the Rhine River, it can be said that these states account for more than two-thirds of the entire Holy Roman Empire.
However, what Rocks said is indeed a big problem.
The composition of the Holy Roman Empire can be said to be quite complex. It includes an empire, eight kingdoms, three grand duchies, 11 principalities, 11 princely territories and four free cities. Among them, because of the richness of the Rhine River Basin
, which has the largest number of states in the empire.
With the development of time, those small states did not have to pay large sums of taxes to the monarch for war like the cities of major countries, and because the authority of the monarch within the small states was not particularly strong, this also led to local
The dispersion of political power and the intricate relationships between various political forces have to some extent given these small states an unexpectedly peaceful atmosphere.
Under such circumstances, relying on the Rhine and Main rivers, the economies of these small states are quite developed. Due to tariffs, their products are relatively cheaper and more profitable than those of the surrounding vassal states. In this way,
As a result, the markets of the major countries surrounding the Free City have generally been impacted by the products of these small countries. Although due to productivity reasons, the products of small countries cannot invade large countries on a large scale, but for the monarchs of large countries, these small countries
Products have seriously affected the domestic economic order.
Although Prussia and Austria are the two most powerful vassal states in the empire, this does not mean that the economies of the two countries have not been impacted by the products of small states. On the contrary, because Prussia and Austria both have huge populations and huge consumption.
potential, so for businessmen, these two countries are hot spots.
Kaunitz thought for a while and then said:
"Your Majesty Locks, you are right. For some reasons, the existence of these small states with superior geographical advantages has caused great trouble to the economic and trade activities of major countries. Their existence has indeed hindered the empire to a certain extent.
development, but I think these small states are not so easy to abolish, at least take Frankfurt as an example, as the seat of the Imperial Parliament, a large number of nobles there will definitely not want the free city to be abolished!"
After listening to Kaunitz's words, Locks said nonchalantly:
"Your Excellency Kaunitz, what's the use of those small countries' continued opposition? Don't forget that our two countries are the two most powerful countries in the empire. If our two countries can stand on the same line, then I think the entire empire will
No one who is short-sighted will dare to stand up and object!"
Seeing the determined expression on Rocks' face, Kaunitz was secretly frightened. Judging from Rocks' attitude in speaking, it seems that this issue has now reached a consensus in Prussia, and it is obvious that Prussia will definitely consider the consequences.
And knowing that it would cause large-scale riots, it still insisted on doing so, which shows that Prussia's goal is not just as simple as the economy of the free city.
Kaunitz thought about it and realized that if these small states were to be abolished, they would definitely be merged into other vassal states within the empire. This must have been the Prussian's idea.
But this idea is not a bad thing for Austria. Kaunitz does not have a good impression of the Rhine states. Those small states are simply like grass on the wall. This has made Austria suffer in many wars.
There are some losses, and the Habsburg family has no longer longed for the territory of the Rhine states. The Prussian proposal has more advantages than disadvantages for Kaunitz.
Although Rocks proposed the abolition of the Main River states, the Main River was after all a tributary of the Rhine, so Kaunitz had the right idea.
Don't forget that the way from Vienna to the Austrian Netherlands is to pass through the Main River Basin. The last time Joseph II sent troops to suppress the rebellion in the Austrian Netherlands, the uncooperative attitude of those small states made Kauni
Ci was angry for a long time.
However, annexation is agreed, but how to annex and who will annex where is a huge problem.
"Sir Rox, I agree with your proposal in principle, but I have another question about this. I wonder what your country's thoughts are on the division of these small states?"
"Your Excellency Kaunitz, I think Prussia and Austria are the only two major powers in the empire, so when these small states are abolished, our two countries should get the biggest share of the cake! In my opinion, for these small states
We should take two steps. First, the abolition of the small states in the Main River Basin must not make other small states in the empire feel miserable! Second, we should try to be fair and just when we abolish these states!"
Seeing Rocks talking in front of him, Kaunitz couldn't stop sneering in his heart. Rocks' words seemed to Kaunitz to be a bitch and still build a memorial arch, which was completely obscene and shameless.
"Of course, if that's the case, then we can put these things after the elector meeting is over. I wonder what your majesty wants?"
As he spoke, Kaunitz looked towards William, and William nodded.
PS: Okay, what I wrote today is complete nonsense! I don’t even want to read it myself. It’s emotionally affected. It’s like a fucking third-rate romantic drama. My girlfriend gets married and the groom is not me. Just thinking about it makes me feel sad.
It popped up in my heart. Sorry everyone, you can ignore this chapter!