New Shun 1730

Purely considering oneself does not necessarily harm the interests of the country. The two are never an either-or relationship.

Marquis Pompadour had to consider herself, and she also considered the impact of the current ceasefire on France. In her opinion, a ceasefire now is better than a full bet.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to rest her head on her knees, the Marquis spoke softly about the strategy discussed during the day.

After whispering for a while, Louis XV also revealed his thoughts: After all, he was still worried that this war would be fruitless, causing ministers and those in the enlightenment circle to say that he was incompetent or disappointed in him.

Although to be honest, France did not fight badly. At least the battlefields were all abroad, either in Belgium, Czechoslovakia, or Germany, and the French mainland was not affected by the war.

Although to be honest, if we withdraw from the war now, we can at least get back India and North America,

but after all, the Austrian Netherlands Lowlands is the land that many French people dream of, and it is the perfect map in the hearts of the French.

It is said that heroes should not be judged by success or failure. Long after, when people talked about the War of the Austrian Succession, they all complained about France giving up the Austrian Netherlands, thinking that Louis XV made a mistake. But in fact, the mistake was not that the Austrian Netherlands was not occupied, but that the subsequent Seven Years' War was lost. Because if the Austrian Netherlands was occupied now, who knows what kind of magical alliance combination would appear in the Seven Years' War, and France might lose even more miserably.

But what if the Seven Years' War was won? Prussia was dismembered, British colonies were independent, finances collapsed, or Catholic forces seized Scotland? Can it be said that Louis XV's giving up the Austrian Netherlands facilitated the easing of the conflict between France and Austria, and was far-sighted?

So there is a saying in China, called the final conclusion. Before a person dies, everything is possible, only after death, will it be impossible.

The same is true for countries and dynasties.

The life and death of people are like Cao and Mang, and Zhou Gong and Wu Hou. Isn't it the same for countries and dynasties?

What if the Han Dynasty had the siege of Baideng and the humiliation of the marriage, and then was usurped before the counterattack of Emperor Wu of Han?

What if the Song Dynasty had the candlelight and the axe sound, and finally recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in the battle of Gaoliang River?

Although the Marquis Pompadour did not use such an example with a strong Chinese historical flavor, she continued the truth that Duke Qi said in the daytime:

The Han Dynasty had the humiliation of Baideng and the Tang Dynasty had the Weishui Alliance. As long as we can win in the future, the temporary humiliation is nothing.

If we want to make a single bet and put all our money on it, we must first consider the probability of winning or losing, and also consider whether we can bear the consequences of failure.

Now France's finances are close to the limit, and the collapse of the Netherlands has caused the entire European financial order to show violent turbulence.

Russia's military intervention also means that France's national debt will be more difficult to borrow. Borrowing national debt before Russia's military intervention, when Marshal Hermann won a great victory, and when Prussia has not yet withdrawn from the war; and borrowing national debt when Russia's military intervention and Prussia withdraws from the alliance are definitely different.

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

"This war has been going on for so long and is no longer just a European affair. You should consider that the Chinese have recovered Southeast Asia and are still at war with the Netherlands."

"And the Chinese Duke did not mention what 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 we can weaken our enemies, the glory will eventually belong to you."

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

"The glory of the advantage achieved by one alliance can be attributed to the leader of the alliance."

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

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

This reminded Louis XV.

However, so far, the Duke of Qi has not talked about what China hopes to get in this war.

This war was caused by the Austrian succession. China did not have a single soldier in the Holy Roman Empire. The few war observation groups and some "voluntary" military officers who helped France could not influence the war.

But it is not right to say that China did not participate in the War of Austrian Succession.

In the peace talks after the war, should China participate?

In what capacity?

If participating, what kind of results do you want?

Is the rule of Southeast Asia recognized by Europe?

Or more?

If only the rule in Southeast Asia is recognized by Europe, Louis XV believes that judging from Liu Yu, who had contacted before, and Duke Qi, who was contacted at this time, China may not care much about whether the rule in Southeast Asia is recognized.

The territorial issue in Asia is simpler and more brutal than that in Europe.

If you want more?

So, what do the Chinese want after the war?

Prussia has withdrawn from the war.

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

What about Dashun?

Of course, China is not qualified to interfere in the European peace talks on territorial changes. But what about outside the territory?

Wars are often caused by territory.

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

These may also trigger wars.

The words of the Marquis de Pompadour reminded Louis XV.

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

But the general perception in Europe is that the cause of the Sino-Dutch War was that China demanded free trade from the Netherlands, and the Netherlands refused.

If Dashun was just to resolve the dispute with the Netherlands, there would be no need to send such a high-level delegation to Europe.

If it was just for the Southeast Asian issue, in fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or some third-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-rank officials of Dashun could solve it.

But this time, Dashun's delegation was directly led by the Duke, and this Duke was the legitimate foreign minister of Dashun.

I'm afraid this is not just as simple as Southeast Asia.

If it is not just for Southeast Asia, but for other purposes, 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 the people on the Dashun side said, no matter how nicely they reiterated the traditional friendship between China and France, and talked about China and France being the hope of the monarchy of the East and the West, they should not cover up their actual interests.

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

"If, for the real purpose of their own interests, it does no harm to France. Then, the suggestions they give are worth trying."

…………

After breakfast the next day, just like yesterday, Louis XV met with the Duke of Qi again.

When the Dutch issue was mentioned, the Duke of Qi said a proverb in his Latin with a heavy accent.

"Clams are bitter and rice bran is sour, you are my wife Nus."

This Latin sentence, which sounded like the English "three pieces of meat to feed your mother", made Louis XV stunned for a moment, and then he laughed with his head raised.

This is a very special Latin proverb.

It can be elegant and correct.

It can be the customs of the country.

If it is elegant and correct, it can be translated directly:

Gallic chickens can be friends, but they can never be neighbors.

According to the customs of the country, this sentence has a bit of vulgarity.

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

So if this sentence is interpreted as the customs of the country, it can also be understood as: a friend's wife should not be bullied; a neighbor's wife, that's not certain. Therefore, a friend can have French disease, but a neighbor had better not have it.

However, the customs of the country are laughable, and this occasion is still an occasion for discussing national affairs.

This sentence can only be translated in a more elegant and correct way.

After laughing, Louis XV nodded.

Indeed.

France and the Netherlands can be friends.

This is back to the issue of the Austrian Netherlands.

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

After saying this proverb, Duke Qi said, "The friendship between China and France is deep. Among all European countries, France knows the most about the geography and hydrology of the Celestial Empire. The maps of canals, borders, and towns were all drawn by French missionaries."

"In any case, the Celestial Empire and the Netherlands cannot avoid the support of France."

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

"And when the war is about to end, the Celestial Empire hopes to deal with the Netherlands. ”

“Since the Celestial Empire has gained benefits, France can also gain enough benefits. However, in addition to benefits, there should also be considerations of 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 benefits, to reach a post-war negotiation.”

The Duke of Qi did not know that what he said at this time was exactly the excuse that Louis XV made for himself to give up the Austrian Netherlands in history: I am a king, not a businessman. I use the perspective of a king to deal with the ownership of the Austrian Netherlands, but you use the perspective of pure benefits as a businessman to judge my decision.

When Louis XV heard this, he thought that the Chinese really had other purposes for the Netherlands. Now it seems that we can understand why they care so much about the issue of the Austrian Netherlands.

However, if the Netherlands really becomes friends with France, it may not be an ally. As long as they are friends, it will certainly be beneficial to France.

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

It would give an explanation to the nobles and the people, and from a purely strategic perspective, it seemed to be no less important than taking over the Austrian Netherlands.