Leopold II still spoke with fury, "Austria must also make its stance clear!"
Joseph II, tired, waved his hand to interrupt, "General Willemze has just suffered a defeat at Rochefort. Now all the German states are watching our response; we must deliver a powerful counterstrike against the Prussians."
Immediately, Leopold II's gaze dropped.
He was well aware that due to his brother's reforms, the Austrian nobility was extremely dissatisfied, utterly unwilling to exert themselves for the nation. Similarly, Bohemia, Croatia, Hungary, and other nations also resisted the Royal Family because the reforms had touched their interests[Note 1].
In such a situation, Austria simply didn't have the strength to confront Prussia decisively. But if Southern Netherlands were allowed to become independent, then the German states would certainly perceive Austria as weak and defect to Prussia's embrace.
This was an unacceptable situation!
Joseph II paused for a few seconds, then continued, "Now our only option is to persuade France to provide support, then we might have a chance to beat Prussia. Clementine isn't yet engaged to the Crown Prince of France; let that matter pass."
Leopold II also understood the stakes and nodded somewhat reluctantly, but then he recalled something and looked at his brother, "Your Majesty, although we have a marital alliance with France, according to the supplementary clauses signed with Gravier, France does not bear military obligations to our country."
The Gravier he spoke of was the Earl of Vergena, Louis XV's Foreign Minister, also the very person who facilitated the marriage of Austria's Queen Mary to Louis XVI. However, as a very seasoned politician, the Earl of Vergena took advantage of Austria's need for France at the time to completely extricate France from any marital obligations.
Indeed, after this century-old rivalry formed a marital tie for short-term benefits, there was hardly any mutual support afterwards.
"I'm aware," acknowledged Joseph II. "That is why we must make every effort to persuade Antoinette, after all, she is our sister.
"Moreover, France seems very interested in the trade agreement with the southern German states. We can offer them certain help in this regard in exchange for their military aid."
According to Austria's original plans, it was not supposed to allow France to enter the southern German market too easily. They would add many restrictive clauses to the trade terms between France and Germany, and set up high tariff barriers for states like Bavaria and Wurttemberg, to ensure that they remained the masters of this market.
However, the situation was stronger than their plan, and now Austria could only offer benefits in this regard in exchange for France's military support.
Fortunately, the French people were very tolerant of the high tariffs imposed by the German states, only demanding that tariffs be lowered for certain goods like iron products and machinery, which was acceptable to Austria.
At the same time, Austria could also use this trade agreement to enter the French market.
Moreover, regardless of how the trade agreement was signed, as long as the French troops were deployed, at the very least, it would ensure that the Austrian reforms could continue.
That was what Joseph II valued most!
His reforms could not be interrupted, or Austria would, sooner or later, lose its status as a leading European power.
In the spacious corridor of Schonbrunn Palace, Talleyrand followed the court officials at a brisk pace towards the reception room of Leopold II.
He had been summoned by the latter and had just hurried back from the negotiation venue in Munich.
Talleyrand recalled the letter from Leopold II, and couldn't help feeling emotional. Last month, when he left Strasbourg, the Crown Prince of France had told him that Austria was very likely to suffer a defeat in the Southern Netherlands. As it turned out, General Wilmze had indeed been crushed by the Duke of Brunswick.
According to the instructions of the Crown Prince of France, after that, a high-level Austrian — possibly the Emperor or a State Minister — would seek him out to discuss the matter of France dispatching troops to assist Austria.
And thus, the summons by Leopold II, equivalent to the Austrian Crown Prince, took place.
Talleyrand immediately straightened his chest, ready to implement the follow-up arrangements made by the Crown Prince of France.
In the reception room, after some simple pleasantries, Leopold II steered the conversation to the military affairs in the Southern Netherlands, "As I just mentioned, General Wilmze has withdrawn his main forces to the vicinity of Luxembourg's dense forests, thereby saving the vast majority of his troops.
"That is to say, we still maintain a substantial military pressure on the rebels."
Talleyrand knew that the Austrian Army had not suffered heavy casualties, but the so-called "maintaining pressure" was just diplomatic rhetoric. Blucher's army of twenty thousand and the tens of thousands of Dutch rebels were blocking the west side of Luxembourg. If it weren't for the fear of ambushes in the Black Forest, they would have driven the Austrian Army into Bavaria by now.
Of course, logistical supplies from France were also a crucial support that enabled Wilmze to continue holding on. Otherwise, the Austrian Army would have had to compete with the farmers of Luxembourg for potatoes to fend off hunger.
He simply smiled at Leopold II, but did not take the conversation further.
The latter, feeling somewhat embarrassed, continued, "His Imperial Majesty has decided to dispatch eighty thousand troops to Luxembourg to make William II understand how foolish it is to interfere in the affairs of the Southern Netherlands.
"Of course, the Prussians are likely to reinforce their troops as well. At the same time, the Dutch have also provided a lot of support to the rebels.
"While His Imperial Majesty's army is confident in defeating any enemy, the conflict could potentially drag on for a long time. As you know, this is very costly financially."
He glanced at Talleyrand, "If at this time, Austria's close ally France could provide some military support nearby, it would greatly accelerate the defeat of the Prussians."
After speaking, he looked at the French Foreign Minister, "His Imperial Majesty has also instructed that Austria will take French interests into account as much as possible during the negotiations for the 'Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement'."
The Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement was the new name that the representatives of the negotiations had come up with a few days ago. The Seine River represents France, and the Rhine River runs through the southern German states, while the name also reflects the French proposal to use inland river navigation for trade.
Leopold II added, "I hope you can promptly convey His Imperial Majesty's views to His Majesty the King of France. I am very much looking forward to the further close cooperation between our two nations."
Talleyrand nodded, remembering the instructions of the Crown Prince of France, he smiled and said, "Your Majesty, in fact, His Majesty the King of France, upon learning of the situation in the Southern Netherlands, has already authorized me to sign a military assistance agreement with you at any time."
Upon hearing this, Leopold II was overjoyed, thinking to himself that his sister, after all, still cared for her homeland. He hadn't even spoken yet, and she had already prepared to reinforce Austria.