Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 942 - 850: Focus on Diplomacy

Joseph was stunned for a moment: "Are you saying? Engagement? With, with Russia?"

In fact, more than two weeks ago, Talleyrand had already submitted a report to him about a marriage alliance with Russia. However, when Eman was categorizing the report, he was unsure whether to classify it under diplomacy or internal affairs, and in the end, he just placed it in the "Royal Family Affairs" folder. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

But Joseph had been busy with warfare recently and had no time to deal with the trivial matters of the royal family, so he hadn’t looked at that report until now.

Seeing her son’s expression, Queen Mary thought that he was so happy that his mind went blank, she smiled and held his arm, saying:

"I know you like her, but because you have been busy with state affairs, you haven’t been able to propose to her. However, you are already seventeen, and the marriage cannot be delayed any longer, so after discussing it with your father, we decided to help you..."

Joseph’s mind was not blank at all; it was working overtime. The Russian Princess, that would be Alexandra, or Yelena. Since his mother mentioned "you like her", it should be someone he had met before, so it was—Alexandra.

He was a bit flustered.

The little princess is not even eleven years old! How can she get married?

And how did mom see that he liked her?

He suddenly realized.

Right, he had mentioned before that he didn’t want to marry a closely related princess.

So looking around the European royalty, it seems that in the major powers, it is only the Romanov family that fits the condition.

From this perspective, the Russian Princess really is the most satisfactory...

Joseph suddenly recalled Alexandra’s charming and cute little face, and her beautiful big eyes. Hmm, she is definitely a beauty in the making.

Speaking of which, she is indeed the lineage of Ye Er, who can captivate all of Saint Petersburg, so her appearance is definitely hard to beat.

In terms of personality, she is amiable, well-mannered, and sensible, beyond reproach.

According to the tradition of the French Court, he certainly needs to marry a princess, so Alexandra is almost the best choice...

Joseph habitually thought of the political and diplomatic aspects again.

Apart from ambitions regarding Poland, Russia doesn’t really have any conflicts of interest with France.

And since Poland has just thwarted Russia’s attack this time, it is estimated that for quite some time, Russia won’t have any thoughts on Poland.

So France and Russia can truly reach a consensus of interests.

If France can bring Russia in as an ally, when the likes of England, Prussia, and Austria try to form an Anti-French Alliance, they would have to measure their weights.

After all, if France and Russia were to flank from the east and west, the whole Germanic region would be the ham in the sandwich, only waiting to be devoured.

Moreover, Russia, as the most important supplier of raw materials to England, also has considerable leverage on England. Historically, if Napoleon’s continental blockade policy could gain Russia’s cooperation, it really could "starve" England.

Of course, expecting Russia to risk its own economic collapse to cooperate with France and cut off England’s raw material supplies isn’t realistic.

But if there is a marriage alliance between France and Russia, and Russia slightly raises the prices of certain export materials, they would probably give this face. In the heated competition during the Industrial Revolution, sometimes the cost of a few raw materials can determine victory or defeat.

Most importantly, as Prussia and Austria have just been decisively struck by him, even if they are dissatisfied with France and Russia getting together, they probably can only hold back their voices.

In conclusion, a marriage alliance between France and Russia is definitely a great strategic move on the national level.

If utilized fully, it could even overturn the political landscape of the entire European continent!

Joseph couldn’t help but look at Queen Mary, wondering if his mother was truly deeply hidden and accomplished such a magnificent diplomatic arrangement with a few words and laughter?

Queen Mary, seeing her son’s "excited and surprised" expression, gave a kindly smile: "I just knew you would be very happy. So, let the astrologer choose the most auspicious day next year for you to officially marry."

"Ah, no..."

Joseph was taken aback instantly. The Russian Princess is still a child; isn’t this too rushed?

He deliberated, "Perhaps, the wedding can be postponed a little, as Alexandra is still too young..."

Queen Mary lightly patted her forehead, agreeing, "I think you are right, I almost put you in the same awful situation as your grandfather."

She was referring to the engagement of Louis XV to the Spanish Princess back then.

At that time, the Spanish Princess was only four years old, while Louis XV needed an heir urgently to stabilize his political position, so he annulled the engagement with the little princess.

As a result, the Spanish Royal Family felt humiliated and almost declared war on France.

But she immediately thought that the Russian Princess would soon be eleven years old, and should be able to bear children soon, so the risk is not too big. Thus she said to Joseph, "Then secretly sign the engagement first, and complete the marriage when she is twelve or thirteen."

Although Joseph thought thirteen was still a small child, by then, he could let Alexandra live in the Palace of Versailles for a few years to get to know each other better.

"Then, everything will follow your will."

Queen Mary instantly laughed with joy, then turned and whispered something to her husband. The couple both looked at Joseph with affectionate smiles.

On that day, all of Paris, from the Palace of Versailles to the streets and lanes, broke into song and dance, staying up all night.

Joseph also, under the various toasts from the nobles, drank until he was dizzy, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.

The next day, Joseph was awakened by a warm and soft cherry lip kiss. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Camellia’s bright big eyes, and then the hangover-induced headache began to torment him.

"Uh, I’ll never drink again." He rubbed his forehead.

Camellia immediately got up, dressed in her expensive maid outfit, then instructed the maids to bring an ice towel, which she used to wipe his forehead, then gently massaged his temples on both sides.

Her soft hands relieved some of Joseph’s discomfort, and the maid softly whispered in his ear, "Your Highness, shall I get you a cup of lemon coffee? You still have a rehearsal for the summit this afternoon."

Joseph nodded, gulped down a cup of coffee, felt much more awake, and began to wash up seriously.

The Iberian-Apennine Summit was formally opening the day after tomorrow, which was a significant diplomatic event for France.

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He planned to use the hundreds of thousands of troops from the Anti-French Alliance to form three armies, advancing separately and combining efforts, eventually surrounding and annihilating the main force of the French Army. Although the goal was not achieved, it dealt a heavy blow to Napoleon’s French Army in the Battle of Leipzig. The Prussian Army, whose efficiency was gradually improving, also delivered the final blow to Napoleon at Waterloo.

The successors following Scharnhorst’s military principles were still constantly pondering how to use the General Staff to execute a decisive annihilation battle.