Palace of Versailles, second floor.
The sunlight streamed through the vast arched floor-to-ceiling windows into the spacious corridor, enveloping the Crown Prince and his entourage in a faint golden sheen.
"So, Austria has been defeated?" Joseph frowned slightly, looking at Eman holding the freshly delivered report.
"Indeed, Your Highness," the latter glanced at the document in his hand, "General Wilmze lost more than 5,000 soldiers, and was even nearly encircled by the Prussian Army. He kept retreating until he reached Luxembourg, where he barely managed to stop the Prussians' pursuit."
Joseph shook his head inwardly. He remembered that in history, Wilmze wasn't supposed to be defeated until the end of this year, and it wasn't even June yet.
He looked again at Eman: "You just mentioned that the Dutch also provided support to Southern Netherlands?"
"Yes, Your Highness, the military expenses of the Prussian–Netherlands allied forces and the weapons for the rebel army are largely provided by the Dutch Provincial States-General."
"That explains it," Joseph sighed lightly. It turned out that the Dutch were far more involved than they were historically, which might be the reason for the rapid Austrian retreat. It seemed his own "butterfly wings" had already had a significant impact on the course of history—had William V, the "lay-flat faction," still been ruling the Netherlands, it's unlikely they would have supported the Brabant rebels so generously.
Of course, it was also possible that the British had orchestrated more moves behind the scenes, leading to this series of outcomes.
Eman continued, "Your Highness, according to the intelligence report sent back the day before yesterday, it's very likely that the Dutch will claim sovereignty over Southern Netherlands. And Vandernoot seems quite willing to accept the Dutch."
Vandernoot was one of the leaders of the Brabant uprising.
Joseph then asked, "What about the conservatives in Southern Netherlands? What's the name of that guy—Weng something?"
"Do you mean Henri Onck, Your Highness?"
"He seems to have made no declaration on this matter."
Joseph nodded and instructed, "Please send someone to invite Director Fouche for a visit; we need to make contact with Onck as soon as possible."
He massaged his brow, "In that case, the matter of Southern Netherlands must be prioritized now. Oh, and please go over my recent itinerary."
"Certainly, Your Highness. Your current itinerary is: depart for Saint-Etienne at noon today to inspect the Royal Armory there.
"Then head south to Lyon to promote the automated loom; before that, Mr. Bailly will report to you on the newly established insurance company.
"Your next stop is Troyes to personally oversee the military combat efficiency assessment there, and to address the Guard First Legion...
"Following that is to inspect the logistical preparations at Verdun...
"If things proceed smoothly with Bavaria, you will travel to Munich to represent His Majesty the King in signing trade agreements with Austria and other countries. If the trade agreement negotiations are delayed, you will go to Saxony first..."
Joseph gestured wearily, "Please move up the military combat efficiency assessment and the inspection of the Verdun logistics site. The rest will have to wait."
Joseph knew that Austria wouldn't take the defeat in Southern Netherlands lying down.
Historically, Austria did not hesitate to disrupt reforms and muster nearly 200,000 troops, staging a battle posture to fight Prussia in a war of annihilation. The Brabant uprising was ultimately extinguished after two and a half years of relentless effort.
And he intended to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to escalate the conflict as much as possible, thus driving a wedge between Prussia and Austria to prevent them from joining forces against France.
If the plans laid out in Poland could also achieve some success, preventing Russia, Prussia, and Austria from partitioning Poland or at least delaying it by a few years, the common interests between Prussia and Austria could be eliminated.
As a result, the main theme of future wars on the European Continent would most likely revolve around the conflict between Austria and Prussia for supremacy over Germany.
France would no longer face the troublesome Anti-French Coalition, and strategically it would have plenty of room to maneuver—as a major power in Europe, both Prussia and Austria would surely vie to court France. The benefits France could reap from this were immense.
With General Wilmze's rapid defeat in the Southern Netherlands, Joseph would have to prioritize military affairs over domestic issues.
After all, to reap benefits from the Prussian-Austrian war, one must first have a powerful army capable of influencing the situation.
The stronger your strength, the more valuable you are to be courted. Therefore, every livre invested in armaments today might bring a return of ten or even a hundred livres in the future!
"Your Highness, we need to hasten our pace a bit; the King is likely getting anxious," a court official walking in front said, noticing the Crown Prince had stopped and was talking to his attendant, and hurriedly turned back to remind him.
"Oh, right," Joseph hurried to catch up with the court official and casually asked, "By the way, what does Queen Mary want with me?"
The seasoned official deflected, "Your Highness, that I do not know. However, the Queen's expression was very serious; it seems like an important matter. Oh, and the King is also there."
"Ah? Father is there too?" Joseph realized that something significant must have occurred, otherwise it would be rare to disturb the perennially idle King Louis XVI.
When he arrived at the Petit Trianon Palace, sure enough, he saw his parents sitting by the window listening to music, evidently waiting intently for him.
He hurried forward and bowed deeply.
Upon seeing her beloved son, Queen Mary's serious expression immediately softened, and she beckoned to him, "My dear, come sit!"
Joseph sat down next to his mother, who then said, "A moment ago, your uncle sent a special envoy."
Joseph blinked, "Uncle? Which uncle?"
"The Grand Duke of Tuscany," Louis XVI reminded from the side.
Queen Mary pushed a dessert plate filled with puddings and macarons towards her son, "The envoy has informed your father and me about the Emperor's health. Just as you said a few days ago, it is probably not very promising."
She referred, of course, to Joseph II.
"The envoy also specifically mentioned your cousin," the Queen continued, looking into Joseph's eyes, "My dear, you are not getting any younger; it's time to decide on whom to marry. I was already married to your father at your age. What do you think of Clementine? Your father and I like her very much. Perhaps we could propose to your uncle on your behalf..."
Joseph nearly choked on his own saliva and stood up abruptly, awkwardly waving his hands, "This... this might not be... actually, regarding the inducement of genetic diseases, this close kinship... perhaps we should discuss this further..."
Queen Mary could clearly see her son's reluctance and frowned slightly, "Joseph, do you have any objections to Clementine? Or is there someone else you have in mind?"