Descending On France 1780
Chapter 322 - 315 Wedding Eve

Chapter 322: 315 Wedding Eve

Although the French in Paris were busy with civil strife, their external enemies were not idle.

The Holy Roman Emperor Franz II was fuming at his Minister of War over the inability to defeat France.

Franz: "I am the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, can I really not muster an army of three hundred thousand?"

Imperial Chancellor Wilhelm took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat: "Your Majesty, this time the French have not returned our captured soldiers as before. According to our information, they are using these prisoners to build fortresses.

"So... it would be difficult to rapidly restore the strength of our troops... it’s not that we aren’t making an effort, but that the French are too cunning!"

The Minister of War nodded in agreement: "Right, right, the French are cunning, just cunning!"

Franz: "How can they hold our people? This is not in accordance with the rules of war in Europe!"

Yes, that’s how it was in Europe before: armies would surrender upon defeat, and soon after, the surrendered men would be released to quickly reform units as long as there were enough officers.

Wilhelm continued to wipe his sweat: "Perhaps it’s because France now disregards all order and rules and is a game changer."

Minister of War: "They’re all wearing long trousers, it’s said that when the French leaders attend Parliament, they even go without breeches - it’s truly terrifying."

Now, Vienna’s high society is abuzz with rumors that France’s elite no longer wear breeches; only the noble wear long trousers.

This is actually a misunderstanding. In fact, the French upper class are now happily wearing breeches. They used to be the long trousers lot, but things have changed.

Franz: "Regardless, without the return of prisoners, are we unable to organize troops?"

Wilhelm: "We can organize troops, but it will take time. Recruitment officers have been conscripting across the Empire, but the newly conscripted troops can hardly march in formation, and many of the non-commissioned officers have also been captured by the French and not released, so now we only have a sufficient number of officers..."

Franz cursed: "Enough, I don’t want to hear more excuses! Move the troops from Silesia over here!"

"You absolutely must not, Your Majesty!" Wilhelm said, anxiously, "The Russians have been eyeing us covetously, we cannot move the troops from Silesia!"

Franz: "Have not the British said they would help persuade the Russians to join forces with us?"

"Trust the British," Wilhelm paused, emphasizing his tone, "is less reliable than trusting a dog! Haven’t you noticed? The British want Europe to be in complete disarray, so no one can compete with them for overseas colonies!"

Franz: "I don’t care! My brother is now captured by the French, I want to organize an army and give the French a look!"

Wilhelm fell silent for a few seconds before speaking seriously to Franz: "Didn’t the French propose to exchange Louis XVI and Marie who are with us for Duke Carl? If you’re eager to have your brother back, you might consider this..."

Franz: "No way! Although I’m not good at mathematics, I do know that two is greater than one!"

"Then we could send an envoy to negotiate with the French to exchange Louis XVI for Duke Carl."

"That won’t do either. My aunt said that if Louis XVI returns to France, he will be executed!"

Wilhelm shook his head: "No, no, he won’t be executed. Look, isn’t Louis XVII still living peacefully? And General Frost, who is now highly influential in France, is about to marry the daughter of Duke Tolleson, who has Bourbon Royal Family blood. It should be safe for Louis XVI to return."

Franz pursed his lips, showing a thoughtful expression.

**

At this very moment, at Sedan Fortress, Duke Carl being held in confinement here was engrossed in a book, "Selected Early Articles of General Frost."

This was a collection of General Frost’s early writings, compiled by a sycophant in Paris after the general had gained fame. However, the general didn’t seem to appreciate flattery much, so not long afterwards, that sycophant was sent to the guillotine.

"A nation-state, huh..." he muttered while reading, "So this is the source of the French Army’s fighting strength! Germany should also follow France’s example and establish a nation-state centered on the German people!"

A bold idea gradually took shape in the mind of Grand Duke Carl.

He put down the anthology, stood up, and paced back and forth in the room, muttering to himself, "The nation is the main body of the state, nobles are of no importance.

"Although I am a noble, I am more a German..."

**

In Paris, the biggest recent event was Anning’s wedding.

Anning had not intended to make a big deal of it, but his men wouldn’t have it.

Upon hearing that a wedding was underway, Napoleon immediately handed over the troops suppressing the rebellion to his newly promoted deputy and rushed back to Paris overnight. Upon his return, he insisted on celebrating in grand style and gathering everyone for a lively event.

Lasalle shared the same thought and even brought up a dignified reason, "The citizens of Paris are all on edge because of the Reign of Terror; it’s time to let everyone vent and be merry."

Eventually, Anning could not withstand his men’s urging and decided to combine the wedding with the celebration for the initial success in suppressing the rebellion, planning to have a proper celebration.

Anning had dispatched his officers to eliminate the bandits four months ago; small rebel forces had been mostly eradicated, and at least in the vicinity of Paris, the rebels had been subdued, allowing small-town merchants to conduct normal business and trade.

Although there was still a large group of rebels fighting the French Army in the Vendée, the complete eradication of the rebels was only a matter of time.

Parliament was already urging an expedition to conquer the Rhein region.

The members of Parliament still operated with the same old mindset, planning to use the taxes from the wealthy Rhein region to subsidize the Republic’s poor finances.

They were not unaware that Anning was issuing paper money, but in these gentlemen’s minds, paper money was already synonymous with unreliability, so they thought Anning’s paper money would rapidly become worthless like the assignats.

Of course, not everyone failed to see the value in what Anning was doing.

Talleyrand, just back from the UK, immediately sought out Anning and began lavishly praising him.

"You are looking to create your own British Pounds," Talleyrand said with a smile, "While I was in the UK, seeing them use British Pound notes, I wondered if we could make our assignats as reliable as British Pounds, then our government would never run out of money!"

Anning looked at Talleyrand, adopting an "I’m listening, continue praising" demeanor.

Talleyrand decisively went on, "When I had that idea, I carefully studied the British Pound, and then I realized the key point was that the British Pound was directly pegged to gold! If we want to maintain the value of the new paper money and get everyone to accept it, we must stipulate that the notes can be directly exchanged for gold!"

Anning: "Your view is too simplistic."

Talleyrand, surprised, said, "Simplistic? Then I would like to hear your esteemed opinion."

"The key is to ensure purchasing power, to make sure that the new issues can be exchanged for actual goods at a set value.

"And as for gold, it actually only serves to assure people’s confidence in this type of paper money; its essence is the same as the reputation of my name, Frost.

"Before issuing the currency, I had already taken control of fifty percent of Paris City’s grain supply and thirty-five percent of the clothing supply.

"Half of Paris’s bread comes from stable regions in the south, and one-third of the clothes come from my steam textile factories. So, through these commodities, I can ensure that the new paper money can be exchanged for goods that everyone urgently needs.

"At this point, the advantages of paper money over metal currency will start to become apparent. Since a five-sou paper note and a five-sou coin can buy the same thing, people will naturally prefer the more convenient paper money."

After Anning finished speaking, Talleyrand had an epiphany: "I see, using essential goods to replace gold, brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"

Anning smiled and then changed the subject: "I thought you would stay in London until the Reign of Terror was completely over, why the sudden return, Your Excellency the Priest."

Talleyrand smiled, "Of course, it’s because of your wedding, sir. I guess Fouché will be arriving soon too. Such a big event as your marriage, I couldn’t miss it."

Anning looked at Talleyrand, suddenly nostalgic—Ah, I originally wanted to become a character like this.