Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 913 - 821: Full Counterattack (Year of the Snake Brings Great Fortune!)

Chapter 913: Chapter 821: Full Counterattack (Year of the Snake Brings Great Fortune!)

For countries like Genoa and Lucca with parliamentary systems, freedom of the press is fundamentally a cornerstone of their political structure. But in monarchies, news certainly cannot be left unregulated.

Those politicians and speakers colluding with big capital can turn kingdoms and duchies into constitutional monarchies, or even towards abolition of the monarch, within a few years.

Well, perhaps only the current France dare say they are not afraid of capitalists and politicians causing trouble.

Joseph looked approvingly at Talleyrand: "You are absolutely right.

"Therefore, we must prioritize ’developing’ those countries that are easy to carry out propaganda in, such as Genoa, to create a ’model effect.’

"For instance, if Genoa develops better than the surrounding countries, the people in other countries will certainly voluntarily accept Genoa’s ideas — the ideas that we have ’planned’ for them in advance.

"Genoa will soon become the news center and source of thought in Northern Italy, ultimately making the monarchs have no choice but to accept these.

"Currently, there are several key aspects to focus on in our propaganda. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"First is to make the Italian people admire and long for France. To vigorously promote the strength, fashion, elegance, and happiness of France, establishing notions among the Italians that ’everything about France is right’ and ’the French are the best.’

"Second, to promote that small countries should not covet high-level technology but should conscientiously manage their current industries. This is easy to prove; for instance, small countries with limited capability surely can’t compete with major powers in technological development, and by giving up, they can instead use the money to improve people’s lives.

"Third, to propagate hatred against Austria in Italy and incite demands to reclaim lands occupied by the Pope State. The specifics can be handed over to Mr. Denico, who has several editors under him very adept at this pathway.

"Yes, first we need to establish some newspapers, theaters, and various civilian organizations in Genoa and Lucca."

Talleyrand immediately responded: "You mean NGOs, right?"

He had seen the "guide" Joseph wrote to Fouche and knew what these organizations were for.

Joseph nodded: "Oh, and there’s another very important area, which is schools.

"Provide special allowances to teachers in schools, letting them incorporate some special content in their lectures. Provide schools for free with textbooks printed by us, or even directly build new schools.

"Each knowledgeable person can influence hundreds around him."

He thought for a moment and added: "For countries like Parma and Sardinia, we can only resort to subtle means for the time being.

"I will have Mr. Bomasha write new plays that meet our promotional requirements, organizing troupes to tour across the various Italian countries in Northern Italy."

Saigul extrapolated and reminded: "Your Highness, novels and songs have the same effect as well."

"Exactly. From now on, at least every six months, new plays, novels, and songs should be composed and delivered to Italy."

After Joseph finished speaking, he looked at the two people before him and smiled: "Do you think that after implementing these strategies, will there still be a need for us to occupy the various Italian countries?"

Both Talleyrand and Saigul had only one thought in their minds at this time — how did the Crown Prince come up with such brilliant methods?

He’s simply a political genius!

Although this series of operations would indeed cost some money, compared to the enormous expenses of hiring a large number of civil servants and the military expenses required for direct occupation, it’s almost negligible.

Even, if the newspapers and theaters operate well, they can even make money.

And what France wants, raw materials, markets, and even manpower, would not diminish one bit.

Saigul nodded in genuine admiration: "Your Highness, as you mentioned, military occupation is the most inefficient method."

Talleyrand looked at the notebook in his hand and continued: "When we return, we will immediately work with Archbishop Brienne to draft specific implementation plans according to your suggestions."

In fact, Joseph also has another important plan that he hasn’t mentioned to them, which is political infiltration in Genoa.

As long as this most important port in Northern Italy is controlled, it effectively controls Northern Italy’s maritime trade. With France controlling land trade here as well, the ’closed management’ of the ’back garden’ will be more complete.

However, this matter should be left to the Intelligence Bureau to handle.

As if sensing Joseph’s thoughts, Fouche came into his office shortly after Talleyrand and Saigul left.

"Your Highness," the head of the Intelligence Bureau saluted, then placed a list in front of Joseph. "General Tain sent a message yesterday, the Flemish Council has been fully set up, here is the list of the first council members.

"General Tain said, as long as you defeat the Duke of York’s army, the Flemish Region will immediately convene a council, declare independence, and expel all foreign troops.

"Of course, the area around Leopold’s Castle will be left for us to continue northward."

Leopold’s Castle is located in the Lonne Province east of Antwerp, and heading north from here is the transportation hub of Tilburg in the Holland Breda Province.

Joseph did not look at the list but simply nodded and asked: "How is Si Haike’s army prepared?"

According to his plan, the French Army will advance deep into Southern Netherlands under the pretense of ’pursuing the remnants of the Duke of York’, and after defeating the Dutch Army — actually, Holland currently doesn’t have any decent army left, Davidoivich’s 10,000 Dutch Army main forces are still besieged in Ghent — Si Haike will lead the Flemish National Army to occupy these territories, after which the French Army will ’retreat after the success’, recognizing the Flemish Republic.

Although the Flemish Army doesn’t have much combat power, it is more than sufficient to deal with the Dutch citizens.

Moreover, since the Flemish and Dutch people are close relatives, sharing the same language and habits, and can trace back to rulers in Zeeland, Breda, and other Dutch provinces, there should not be too much resistance in controlling this area.

Fouche said: "Your Highness, Si Haike has already left Leuven, and the Flemish army in Antwerp will also be under his command, with a total force of 7,000.

"However, he seems to be worried about encountering the British Army, so he has stayed south of Diest the whole time."

Diest is only about ten kilometers from Leuven. In other words, Si Haike has barely moved.

Joseph was not surprised, as he chose this person because he was relatively incompetent.

Joseph exhaled and instructed Fouche: "The Intelligence Bureau should also be prepared to liaise with General Tain. I estimate we will launch a counterattack against the Anglo-German-Austrian Alliance Army in the next few days."

According to the information sent from Italy yesterday, Napoleon’s troops have already reached Mantua.

As soon as he launches the attack, the Rhein Army will also go after the Duke of Brunswick at the same time.

At that time, the Duke of York is bound to panic, and Joseph intends to seize this opportunity to strike back, making it difficult for him to either advance or retreat.