Chapter 685: Chapter 594: Special Trade Plan

Fortunately, Joseph had made some arrangements in Poland beforehand.

For example, he had advised Prince Poniatowski on major matters to pay attention to in the future, and facilitated some material aid to Poland through the United States, as well as promoting the awakening of Polish nationalism.

However, he was also aware that Poland was extremely weak during this era, after all, the “liberum veto” had been in place for a century and a half.

France was currently unable to directly intervene in Polish affairs, as that would severely offend Russia and Prussia, essentially aiding England in forming an Anti-French Alliance.

Thus, the only option was to maximize Poland’s own strength. As long as Poland could hold out a little longer, it would help France gain crucial development time.

There were still six months to a year before Prussia and Russia were ready for war, and this time must be fully utilized to help Poland prepare its defenses…

Five days later.

As soon as Joseph returned to Paris, he headed straight for the Palace of Versailles, summoning ministers such as Brian, Talleyrand, Bailly, and Fouche to his drawing room.

Soon, everyone arrived, and he first let Fouche report the situation with Prussia and Austria–during his trip back to Paris, Prussia and Austria had already formally concluded a ceasefire.

“… Both parties have already begun withdrawing from Silesia, with England and Russia overseeing the withdrawal. Baron Tugut has already initially taken control of Vienna’s political situation…”

After Fouche finished speaking, Brian immediately said, “In that case, we need to make some adjustments to our foreign policy towards Austria.”

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him, stating his conclusion directly, “The current focus is on how to help Poland resist the invasion of Russia and Prussia. Oh, and possibly Austria as well.”

Bailly spoke with some surprise, “Your Highness, did you say Prussia? But Prussia and Poland are allied.”

“Trust me, Prussia is the most eager to annex Poland, even more eager than Russia.” Joseph said, “As soon as Russia makes a move, they will immediately tear up the alliance…”

For the next few hours, Joseph explained his plan to help Poland resist invasion, and everyone made detailed adjustments.

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Then, Talleyrand put away his notebook and said to Joseph, “Your Highness, then I will set off for Warsaw tomorrow.”

Joseph shook his head, “This matter should be handled with as little trace of the French Government as possible. Thus, you cannot be the one to go.”

He looked at those present, “Does anyone have a suitable candidate to recommend?”

Bailly thought for a moment and said, “Your Highness, I think Bishop Esaias can go to Poland. Oh, Emmanuel Ebe Sais–he is meticulous in his actions and has unique insights on political maneuvers.”

When Joseph heard this name, he couldn’t help but nod slightly.

Sais, one of the three giants of the Thermidorians. His political skills were not merely “insightful”–he was truly a master.

In history, he withstood the rise and fall of all major revolutionary factions and single-handedly planned Napoleon’s coup d’etat in the month of Fog. Some even suspected that he was the mastermind behind the overthrow of Robespierre.

In this stable French political scene, he hadn’t had much room to maneuver, and thus far, he was still just the Vice Bishop of the Chartres District.

It seemed fitting to let him help control Poland’s political situation on behalf of Stanislaw II.

Moreover, he also had a Church background; the Catholic Church could easily find a pretext to send him to Poland without drawing attention from other countries.

Joseph turned to Eman, “Please send someone to Chartres to find Sais…”

Before he could finish, Bailly interrupted, “Your Highness, Archbishop Sais is currently in the Palace of Versailles.”

It was not surprising, as French nobility and senior clergy liked to linger in Paris.

Eman inquired about Sais’s residence and went to fetch him.

Soon after, a man not yet fifty years old, with a thin face and little air of a clergyman, knocked on the door and entered, bowing to Joseph, “I am honored to be summoned, Your Highness Crown Prince. I am Emmanuel Ebe Sais, always at your service.”

After Joseph gave him instructions for his mission to Poland, it was twilight.

The next morning, Sais took the aid funds for Poland and set off for Warsaw.

Meanwhile, Joseph felt much reassured and, after having lunch with his mother, discussed plans for smuggling licenses with Brian, Bailly, and Fouche.

Bailly was clearly the most excited, his eyes almost shining as he said, “Your Highness, I think your idea is very feasible. Actually, both Britain and the Portuguese colonies are very dissatisfied with their trade policies. If we can bring cheap goods ashore, I’m sure many people would rush to help us sell them.

“Among them would even be some very influential figures.”

As you know, both England and Portugal treated their colonies as “cash cows”–keeping the price of local raw materials as low as possible, while dumping their own industrial goods at any high price, leaving colonists with no choice but to buy because no other cheap goods could be shipped in.

This resulted in the complete inability of the colonies’ industries to develop; they could only exist as sources of raw materials, so naturally, their living standards could not be good.

Brian appeared very cautious, “Your Highness, this action is almost equivalent to declaring war on England and Portugal.”

Joseph was unconcerned, “We’ll just keep it as covert as possible, and as for declaring war, you needn’t worry. I have my ways.”

Brian continued to suggest, “Your Highness, if we absolutely have to proceed this way, we should concentrate our smuggling operations in Tripoli.

“That way, even if we provoke the British and the situation worsens, we can use the excuse that it is too remote to effectively manage. Also, trade there is already quite significant.”

Bailly nodded in agreement and added, “But setting off from the Mediterranean to North America, we’ll have to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar. The British make it very convenient to check for smuggling ships there, you know, it’s only a few dozen miles wide, you simply can’t slip past.”

“What’s your suggestion?”

“We could establish another concentrated smuggling port at Ostend Port in Southern Netherlands. Although it’s Austrian territory, the residents there primarily speak French.”

—

Sais was highly prejudiced against the commoners. Before the great revolution, he had developed his political theory that the bourgeoisie and the old petty nobility should act as representatives of the people in political affairs, because he believed that the people themselves were incapable of determining their own fate.

Born in a middle-class family in Fleac-sur-Seugne, he received a church education from a young age, served in the church, was a military priest, and was appointed Vice Bishop of Chartres in 1784.