Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 060
Chapter Title: Lorraine Treaty (2)
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Anyone who's actually lived through the 18th century knows one undeniable truth.
The diplomacy of that era is a jungle where reason and madness coexist.
They pretend to chase pure self-interest in peacetime, but the moment the neighbor starts gaining ground, everything changes.
"My cousin buys land, and my stomach aches"?
Europeans go way beyond that—if they could burn down their cousin's land, they'd do it without a care even if their own house caught fire.
Even that massive landmass of China has the saying that when the realm divides, it unites, and when it unites, it divides. So why couldn't Europe—or even just Germany—ever manage to unify?
Because diplomacy here is ruled by a madness that would set your own body ablaze just to pass the flames to your neighbor.
If France had strictly pursued national interest without that rivalry-fueled spite, could America have even won its independence?
History might have turned out completely different if France hadn't poured its empty treasury into screwing over its rival.
Anyway, Europe's diplomatic laws played out perfectly true to form this time as well.
Britain, having declared neutrality, sensed trouble upon receiving France's SOS and immediately shifted gears.
"If the war between France and Austria drags on, won't other nations tremble in unease? That could naturally lead to a slump in trade," they warned.
Dragging Spain and the Netherlands into it, they issued a joint statement urging peace and bellowed that no one should grab any more gains.
Austria's Privy Council was deeply dissatisfied at having to let go of this rare momentum, but reality made it impossible to push further.
"...Can't we press just a little harder?"
"Do that, and we might see Britain jumping in on France's side. Greed too far could cost us more in the end, so let's call it satisfaction against France for now."
The other councilors smacked their lips in regret, but Charles VI caught the implication in my words.
"...Against France? Meaning there'll be other opportunities?"
"Yes. So for now, let's save face for Britain and Spain. That'll bring bigger gains in the long run."
Let's be frank: the profits we can squeeze from France are inherently limited anyway.
We could swallow Lorraine or Alsace, but anything beyond that is impossible.
France would resist endlessly, and nations like Britain or Spain—too close for comfort—would side with them to check the Empire at any moment.
Try to crush that by force, and we might kick off a World War 200 years early.
No need to early-access that nightmare, right?
"Pretend to save their face while pulling gains from elsewhere... Not bad at all."
"Exactly. Next time something like this pops up, we can say, 'We backed you last time, so shut it now.' No need to redden faces—just save Britain's face, though we'll have to milk all the credit we can."
"A perfect plan. If anyone has objections, speak now."
No fool would openly challenge the triumphant hero who'd crushed France in a single year before the emperor himself.
In the dead silence of unanimous approval, the emperor handed negotiations with France to me and Eugène.
With full authority delegated, I headed straight to Ambassador Robinson—and subtly boosted his stature once more.
"Oho! Is that true? You're starting armistice talks with France right away?"
"Yes. The Privy Council was pretending to deliberate, with most pushing to at least grab Lyon, but I strongly held them back. No need to pick a fight with Britain just because we're at war with France, right?"
"Quite right, Your Highness."
"In return, feel free to take credit in the British Parliament. Say you and His Majesty strongly persuaded me to sit at the table immediately."
British Parliament could never have imagined we'd stop fighting the moment they said, "Please stop."
These negotiations usually involve dragging your feet on ceasefire just to snag a bit more.
Especially now, with Prussian forces able to push into Lorraine or Alsace, and Austrians over the Alps to Lyon if we wanted.
Stopping cold like this? Anyone could see it as deference to Britain.
"Parliament will praise you again, after Soissons, for racking up merits. So I trust you'll appreciate my goodwill."
"Of course! Without Your Highness's efforts, I'd have lost not just my ambassadorship but my estates too, branded a traitor. How could I forget that grace? And now, considering my position again—I'm simply grateful, profoundly grateful."
Good, good. Then put some extra care into that report to Britain.
France slapped innocent Austria first, only to lose all its teeth in the counterpunch.
Despite their self-inflicted mess, the magnanimous Empire agrees to peace via British mediation.
The moment Robinson submits that formally to Parliament as official record, their favorite divide-and-conquer tactic gets sealed shut.
No more water-muddying claims that we're the greedy ones escalating the war.
"His Majesty wants the armistice in Lorraine for now. Sardinia's already settled—just signatures needed. You and Spain send reps as mediators."
"Understood. I'll get London's reply ASAP and make clear how much Your Highness desires peace."
"I appreciate it."
First hurdle cleared.
With Britain fully cooperative, how efficiently I extract concessions from France is now my job.
Maximum yield without touching the sore spots of the participants.
Eugène and Friedrich delivered top results; now it's my turn.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ France, acting like they'd never thrown the first punch, turned into a meek lamb and pledged full compliance with the armistice.
With France slinking away defeated, the Polish crisis wrapped up too. Stanislaus, reduced to a rotten egg on the Nakdong River, fell from power.
Russia and Saxony, having swallowed Poland whole, magnanimously forgave the Polish nobles "just this once."
Britain was pleased that Austria obeyed so readily. They'd help ensure the Lorraine Treaty passed peacefully—as long as we didn't overreach, they'd look the other way.
If France tried flipping the board clumsily, Britain would smack their head before we even got mad.
In this happy, peaceful vibe, the plenipotentiaries arrived in Lorraine one by one.
Austria's was naturally me, Franz Stefan; Prussia's, Friedrich.
France sent Prime Minister Cardinal Fleury himself.
Russia's Andrei Ivanovich, Britain's Ambassador Robinson, and Spain's José Patiño took seats as mediators.
"Long time no see, Cardinal Fleury. You look well—relieved."
"...Your Highness seems even healthier."
Russia had staked Poland, Saxony got all it could, and Sardinia was pre-agreed—no need for them to chime in.
So talks naturally flowed one-on-one between me and Fleury.
"First, His Majesty judges further fighting pointless, breeding only tension across Europe. I agree—swift return to peace is best."
"France's king says the same. May this treaty satisfy both realms."
"Shall we outline the broad strokes quickly, so drafters can fill details? No intent to overdemand. First, confirm Sardinia terms."
I revealed the treaty exchanged with Carlo Emanuele III in Turin.
-Austria returns occupied Turin; Sardinia cedes three fortresses on the Po's north bank (Alessandria, Novara, Tortona) and two key Alpine passes to Austria.
Sardinia regains its capital, averting disaster, but its path to Lombardy is sealed shut.
Austria secures Alpine routes and solidifies the Po line, clinching hegemony in northern Italy.
Effectively, Sardinia clings to Turin alone; Piedmont falls under Austrian sway.
The three eastern Po forts block all Turin crossings, and with us holding two Alpine passes, Turin becomes an island on the continent.
We spared occupying Turin itself as a buffer against France.
-Sardinia pays 3 million thalers in reparations: 1 million immediately, 2 million over five years.
They started the war and got crushed—reparations are fair.
Three million is 2-3 times their annual revenue, but they can scrape up the first million.
The rest? Ten years of fiscal agony, curled up tight.
Harsh? They went all-in on French coin to expand in northern Italy—bad bet, suffer the loss.
"Thoughts? Sardinia fully accepts."
"...Seems a proper compromise."
France, needing to cover Sardinia, had its own nose too stony; Britain and Spain found it too iffy for direct gripe—passed without comment.
Appetizer done; time for the main course.
-France recognizes Austria's Pragmatic Sanction, affirming Maria Theresa as Charles VI's heir without objection.
(Britain already approved it, conditioned on embracing this mediation.)
With France aboard, all Europe acknowledges; no issue for Theresa inheriting Habsburg.
"...We've never objected to Archduchess Theresa's succession rights."
"But nor affirmed. Time for a clear answer."
"Understood. We'll sign."
No more word games possible—Fleury nodded silently.
Successive clauses fit our tastes perfectly.
-France's northern Gelderland-Meuse area (near modern Dutch border) and Prussia's Besançon fortress unified under single jurisdiction; Prussia's hold on east-west Rhine buffer recognized.
France: far from core, not too humiliating. Prussia: first direct Rhine toehold.
Friedrich's debut nets Prussia's long-sought Rhine access.
-France pays 10 million thalers reparations; Austria cedes 40% to Prussia.
Standard must-have. Considering Sardinia's 3 million, we shaved France's to accommodate later clauses.
Holy Roman Empire's sacrifice for world peace.
So magnanimous.
-Austria and France confirm marriage of Franz Stefan von Lorraine and Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina; Lorraine annexed as direct Habsburg-Lorraine domain.
The bombshell Fleury feared—eyes squeezed shut.
Post-crushing defeat, inevitable; why feign shock now? Win the war if it stings.
"Lorraine is my lawful inheritance. Merging houses makes it fitting as imperial direct rule. Objections?"
"...No exchange for other lands?"
"Fancy swapping for Alsace?"
"No, I mean..."
Alsace-Lorraine matter immensely to France and Germany—not just resources.
They hug the Rhine's west bank.
France holds: natural Rhine barrier. Germany: direct assault sans crossing.
Plus Rhine-to-Atlantic shipping wings. Immense value.
"We hold not just Lorraine but Alsace too. We could harden on both. But to avoid strife seeds, His Majesty generously returns Alsace for peace. Still think us greedy?"
"...No... but..."
Ah, whatever. Keep warring then?
Want amicable end, but if impossible, fight on.
My face soured live; frantic Robinson interjected.
"Lorraine's always been Prince Franz's domain. With Austria-Prussia holding Alsace too—and returning it—this retention's hardly excessive."
"Agreed. France's intransigence makes accord tough."
"How about this: Austria takes Lorraine; Alsace stays French forever."
Split-the-pot compromise: no greed on each other's turf.
We just need half-Rhine foothold; goal's prime iron ore from Lorraine-Luxembourg-Saar.
Perfect if workable.
"...No objection. But raze Alsace forts, demilitarized 10 years minimum. Refuse? Talks collapse."
"...Agreed. Lorraine as imperial direct."
Even this compromise rejected? Britain loses war intervention pretext.
"We'll accept all. Then..."
"One more, Cardinal."
No sneaking end here. We'd gain just northern Italy forts—Sicily-Naples to Spain, meager balance.
-Tuscany reversion to Austria upon Medici extinction (no heir); Austria recognizes Spain's Don Carlos as Sicily-Naples king.
"No, this..."
"Florence is HRE fief. Reverts to emperor on Medici end—proper procedure. We just confirm."
"But..."
I get it.
Unlike history, Sardinia crushed—Austria grabbing Tuscany completes Alps-Apennines natural wall?
That's the point.
Of course, overstuffing risks neighbors' hurt feelings sparking declarations.
-Guarantee Livorno free port 20 years; Austrian navy caps agreed ships; Tuscany's Elba-Piombino arsenals demilitarized.
-Confirm papal bishop appointments as is.
In short: no British/Spanish heartburn; slash tariffs for merchants.
Tuscany bolsters northern Italy defense—not meddling south Mediterranean.
"...Hm."
"Tweak tariffs more, no objection."
Britain-Spain signal okay at this level.
France alone left.
"Wait. Tuscany too...?"
"Pardon? Swap for Alsace?"
"Fine. Accept all if met."
Wish it'd clicked sooner.
France loses real turf: Dutch border fringe. Sardinia: Alps-Po forts.
Max territory, fair reparations.
Everyone clasps hands happily toward peace—I felt good too.
What do they call this?
Right: a world where no one gets hurt.
This war's Austria-recognized annexations. Blue-shaded Duchy of Lorraine, blue lines around Turin: Alps-Po forts. Plus northern Italy blue: Tuscany.
Will make detailed map on honeymoon return, showing full shifts.