Xinshun 1730

Chapter 820

Thinking purely for oneself may not necessarily harm the interests of the country.The two are never in an either-or relationship.

The Marquis de Pompadour had to think about herself, and also considered the impact of the current truce on France. In her opinion, the current truce is better than a gamble for all Studs.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of the knee pillow, the Marquis spoke softly about the strategy discussed during the day.

After talking softly for a while, Louis XV also confided in his heart: after all, he was still worried that this battle would be fruitless, causing the ministers and those in the enlightenment circle to say that he was incompetent or disappointed in him.

Although speaking, France did not play badly.At the very least, the battlefields are all abroad, either in Belgium, in the Czech Republic, or in Germany, and the French mainland has not been affected by the war.

Although speaking, if you withdraw from the war now, you can at least return to India and North America,

But after all, the lowland area of ​​the Austrian Netherlands is the land that many French people dream of, and it is the perfect territory in the hearts of the French.

It is said that a hero should not be judged by success or failure.After a long time in later generations, when people talked about the war of Austrian succession, they all criticized France for giving up the Austrian Netherlands, and felt that Louis XV had made a mistake.But in fact, the mistake was not that it did not occupy the Austrian Netherlands, but that it lost the subsequent Seven Years War.Because if the Austrian Netherlands is occupied now, ghosts know what kind of magical alliance combination will appear in the Seven Years War, and France may lose even worse.

But what if the Seven Years War had been won?What about the dismemberment of Prussia, the independence of the British colonies, the financial collapse, or the capture of Scotland by Catholic forces?Can it be said that when Louis XV gave up the Austrian Netherlands to ease the conflict between France and Austria, he was far-sighted?

Therefore, there is a saying in China, which is called the conclusion of the coffin.Before a person dies, everything is possible, and only after death is it impossible.

The same is true for countries and dynasties.

Human life and death are like Cao Cao and Mang, in Zhougong and Wuhou.Why is it not the case for countries and dynasties?

What if Ruru Han had the siege of Bai Deng and the humiliation of marriage, and then he was usurped without waiting for Han Wu's counterattack?
What if, as in the Song Dynasty, there was the sound of the candle shadow and the axe, and the result of the Battle of Gaoliang River was that the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun were recovered?
Although the Marquis of Pompadour did not use such an example full of Chinese history, she continued the truth that Qi Guogong said in the daytime:
In the Han Dynasty, there was the humiliation of Bai Deng, and in the Tang Dynasty, there was the alliance of Weishui.As long as he can win in the future, the momentary humiliation is nothing.

If you want to put all your bets on one bet, you must first consider the probability of winning or losing, and also consider whether you can bear the consequences of failure.

Now France's finances are close to the limit, and the collapse of the Netherlands has caused severe turmoil in the entire European financial order.

Russia's sending of troops also means that France's national debt is even more difficult to borrow.Before Russia sent troops, when Marshal Hermann won a big victory, and Prussia had not withdrawn from the war, it was definitely different from borrowing national debt when Russia sent troops and Prussia withdrew from the alliance.

After the Marquis de Pompadour stated her inclination, she added: "Your Majesty, France should not face the enemies of the whole of Europe alone."

"This war, until now, is not just a matter of Europe. You should consider that the Chinese have recovered Southeast Asia, and they are still at war with the Netherlands."

"And the Duke of China didn't mention at all what kind of form the peace treaty between China and the Netherlands will take."

"I think the Chinese must have their own diplomatic considerations. However, as long as you can weaken our enemy, then the glory belongs to you after all."

"You are the representative of one party during the final peace talks of this war. As the Chinese say, you are the leader of the alliance."

"The advantages gained by one alliance, the glory can be attributed to the leader."

"The Chinese are not qualified to host negotiations with Austria, Britain, and Russia. They are only qualified to host negotiations with the Netherlands. The Netherlands is part of the alliance of Austria, Britain, and Russia."

"Perhaps, Your Majesty should ask, how do the Chinese consider the end of this war?"

These words reminded Louis XV.

However, so far, the Duke of Qi has said nothing about what China hopes to gain in this war.

This war started because of the succession of the Austrian throne. Not a single soldier from China appeared in the Holy Roman Empire. The few war observation groups and some "voluntary" officers who helped France could not control the war.

But it would be wrong to say that China was not involved in the War of the Austrian Succession.

In the peace talks at the end of the war, should the Chinese side participate?

In what capacity?
If you participate, what results do you want?
Is the rule of Southeast Asia recognized by Europe?

or more?

If only the rule in Southeast Asia was recognized by Europe, Louis XV believed that from the point of view of Liu Yu who had been in contact with him before and the Duke of Qi who was in contact with him at this time, I am afraid that China did not care much about whether the rule in Southeast Asia was recognized or not.

Territorial issues in Asia are simpler and cruder than those in Europe.

Want more?

So what do the Chinese want after this war is over?
Prussia had withdrawn from the war.

Spain has its own demands for war, but it also depends on the attitude of the French leader.

What about Dashun?
Of course, China is not qualified to meddle in the European peace talks regarding territorial changes.But what about outside the territory?
Wars, most of the time, are fought over territory.

But with the development of the times, there have been many non-territorial factors.For example, trade, slave priority, tariffs...

These, too, may lead to war.

The words of the Marquise de Pompadour reminded Louis XV.

Although Dashun's reason for declaring war on the Netherlands was that the majesty of the emperor was damaged.

However, the general perception in Europe is that the Sino-Dutch war was the cause of the Sino-Dutch war. China demanded free trade from the Netherlands, but the Netherlands refused.

If Dashun only wanted to settle the dispute with the Netherlands, there would be no need to send such a high-level envoy to Europe.

If it is only for the Southeast Asian issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or some officials of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth ranks in Dashun can solve it.

But this time, Dashun's mission was directly led by the duke, who was also the justifiable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Dashun.

I am afraid that it is not just for the sake of Southeast Asia.

If it is not just for Southeast Asia, but for another purpose, then the suggestions given by the Chinese need to be seriously considered: the Chinese suggestions sound good, but they must be considered for their own interests.

No matter how much people in Dashun say, no matter how nice they are, reaffirming the traditional friendship between China and France, and talking about China and France as the hope of the autocratic monarchies of the East and the West, they should not cover up their realistic interests.

"Yes, I should ask him tomorrow what the real purpose of the Chinese is, in their own interest."

"If, for the real purpose of their own interests, there is no harm to France, then their proposals are worth trying."

…………

After breakfast on the second day, like yesterday, Louis XV and the Duke of Qi met again.

When it came to the Dutch issue, Qi Guogong said a proverb in his heavily accented Latin.

"Clams are bitter and sour, and Nong is his wife."

This sentence, which sounds like "three pieces of meat for your mother" in Latin, stunned Louis XV for a moment, and then he raised his head and laughed.

This is a very special Latin proverb.

It can be elegant.

It can be the custom of the country.

If it is elegant and correct, it can be translated literally:
Gallic chickens can be friends, but never neighbors.

If it is based on the customs of the country, this sentence has a bit of a vulgar taste.

Like the Spanish flu in later generations, the bayberry sore that came from America at this time has an alias in Latin: French disease.

Therefore, if this sentence is based on the customs of the country, it can also be understood as: a friend's wife should not be bullied; a neighbor's wife, then maybe.Therefore, friends can have French disease, but neighbors better not have it.

However, the customs of the country are laughing, and this occasion is, after all, an occasion for discussing national affairs.

This sentence can only be translated with elegance and correctness.

After laughing, Louis XV couldn't help but nodded.

indeed.

France and the Netherlands can be friends.

This goes back to the question of the Austrian Netherlands.

However, the prerequisite for the Netherlands and France to be friends is that France cannot be the neighbor of the Netherlands.In other words, France cannot occupy the Austrian Netherlands.

After finishing this proverb, the Duke of Qi said: "The friendship between China and France is profound. As far as the countries of Europe are concerned, France is the country that knows the most about the geography and hydrology of the Celestial Dynasty. Maps of canals, borders, and towns are all It was drawn by French missionaries."

"In any case, the issue between China and the Netherlands cannot be avoided without the support of France."

"As an ally, China has perfectly fulfilled its ally's obligations on issues such as the Russian coup, the Russo-Swedish War, and the destruction of the Dutch East India Company."

"And when the war is coming to an end, China hopes to use a 'best of both worlds' approach in dealing with the Dutch issue."

"Since the Celestial Dynasty has gained benefits, France can also gain enough benefits. However, in addition to benefits, there should also be considerations for the friendship between countries."

"This time, I hope that His Royal Highness will stand from the perspective of a king, rather than a businessman who simply pursues interests, to reach a post-war negotiation."

The Duke of Qi didn't know that what he said at this time was exactly the excuse that Louis XV made for himself in history when he gave up the Austrian Netherlands: I am a king, not a merchant.I deal with the ownership of the Austrian Netherlands from the perspective of a king, but you judge my decision from the perspective of pure interests of businessmen.

When Louis XV heard this, he thought that the Chinese really had another purpose for the Netherlands.Now it seems understandable why they cared so much about the Austrian Netherlands.

However, if the Netherlands really becomes friends with France, it may not necessarily be an ally. As long as they are friends, this is of course beneficial to France.

At least, this can be regarded as the result of a war.

An explanation can be given to the nobles and the people, and the purely strategic considerations seem to be no less than winning the Austrian Netherlands.

(End of this chapter)