Chapter 561: Equivalent Exchange
"If exchanging Liegnitz for Gdańsk is an option," Mencken glanced at his king, "I believe it's strategically acceptable."
"Gdańsk?" William II halted mid-step and exclaimed, "That's already mine! The British want me to trade something that's already mine for Liegnitz!"
Gdańsk, also known as Danzig, was officially Polish territory. However, given Poland's weakened state, it struggled to govern this enclave isolated by Prussian lands.
Under the Prussian-Polish alliance, the city was effectively managed by Prussia, though Poland still claimed most of its port revenues.
A knock at the door interrupted the conversation, and Prince Heinrich strode in. As a pillar of Prussia's military and political stability, he had near-unrestricted access to Sanssouci Palace.
He bowed briefly to the king before speaking:
"Your Majesty, we aren't trading Liegnitz for Gdańsk but for legal legitimacy.
"Currently, we manage Gdańsk because Poland is in chaos. Should they regain stability, the city would no longer be under our control.
"To secure Gdańsk permanently, as the British suggest, would require war."
William II fell silent. His uncle had warned him repeatedly about the fragile eastern situation. If Prussia remained entangled in the Silesian conflict, it could never launch the war he needed against Poland.
"But why must we be the ones to compromise?" he began, only to be interrupted by Prince Heinrich:
"Your Majesty, I've just received word that the British envoy, acting on orders from Parliament, has offered us £500,000 in aid. This is not a loan but compensation for our concessions."
"£500,000 as a loan isn't..." William paused mid-sentence and looked up sharply.
"You said aid, not loan?"
Prince Heinrich nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Half in military supplies, the other half in currency."
A smile spread across William II's face. Loans required repayment—often with interest. Aid, however, was a gift.
Given Prussia's current financial struggles, this sum was a lifeline.
Perhaps, he mused, the British weren't so different from Peter III after all.
Prince Heinrich pressed on:
"With this funding, we can modernize our military and expand our forces. In the ensuing war, Gdańsk would be just the beginning.
"We could also secure vast territories along the southern Vistula River, far more valuable than Liegnitz."
Mencken added tactfully, "Your Majesty, with a larger army, we may even avenge the humiliation suffered in the Low Countries."
He referred to Blücher's recent defeat by French forces, which drove him from Liège to Namur.
Finally, William II nodded firmly. "Inform the British envoy that I will summon him tomorrow."
While Prussia's king brokered deals with the British envoy, storm clouds of unrest and uncertainty gathered over Paris.
In his office on the second floor of the Tuileries Palace, Joseph mulled over Fouché's recent intelligence report.
The British Cabinet was clearly orchestrating an unprecedented strategic maneuver. Though this was London's most closely guarded secret, the sheer number of individuals involved meant leaks were inevitable.
French intelligence pieced together the evidence and concluded that these plans likely targeted France, encompassing diplomacy, military preparations, and economic schemes.
"It seems France's rapid development has triggered the meddling stick's alarm," Joseph muttered, setting aside the intelligence dossier. He massaged his temples.
"This British administration is brimming with talent. They spotted the anomaly quickly and reacted even faster."
Historically, it was precisely the 18th century's crop of brilliant British statesmen—William Pitt the Younger, Wellington, Grenville, Cavendish-Bentinck, George Canning, and others—that shepherded Britain through its Industrial Revolution and onto the world stage.
Their challenge to France had arrived sooner than Joseph expected.
"Facing such formidable opponents is no small task..."
While Joseph wasn't yet privy to Britain's specific plans, history suggested it would likely aim for a balance of power on the continent.
Fortunately, while Britain had wealth, trade influence across Europe, and unrivaled naval dominance, its land forces were inadequate to confront France directly.
Thus, Britain would have to rely on continental allies and meticulously crafted strategies to encircle France. This process wouldn't happen overnight, giving Joseph a year or two to prepare.
Taking a deep breath, Joseph resolved to match Britain's swift response with his own advantages.
"Let's see who prevails in the end."
He reached for pen and paper, methodically jotting down countermeasures.
Priorities for France's Survival
Military Expansion
A clash with Britain would ultimately escalate into war. Strengthening the military was an immediate necessity.
Currently, the core combat forces—the Imperial Guard and the Moulins Corps—totaled just 30,000 men.
This was sufficient in peacetime for cost-saving purposes but woefully inadequate against a coalition of Britain and its allies. To ensure readiness, troop numbers needed to swell to at least 80,000.
Doubling the Imperial Guard's size within a year or two was no easy feat. It would demand substantial resources—wages, modern weapons, and intensive training—all exceeding the costs of maintaining traditional units.
Even at its current size, last year's military expenditures exceeded 50 million francs. Expanding to 80,000 troops would push annual costs to 90 million francs, with wartime expenses easily exceeding 200 million.
Economic Reform
In the face of escalating military demands, robust economic growth was essential. Accelerating industrial development, agricultural modernization, and expanding trade were top priorities.
Fortunately, France had already laid the groundwork. Financial reforms, a revamped tax system, and market liberalization were all underway. The land reforms would also bolster productivity, giving Joseph confidence that France could sustain itself in the coming conflict.
Sighing deeply, Joseph reflected, "In the end, wars are won by money. The British survived countless defeats by sheer financial resilience, grinding Napoleon into submission."
Determined not to repeat history, Joseph committed himself to preemptively fortifying France's foundations.
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