Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 980 - 888: Preparing to Marry Off Older Sister

Pope Pius VI noticed that the Crown Prince of France was still looking at his teacup, his voice trembling a little:

"At most, add Ravenna."

He spread his hands: "This is already the bottom line of the Holy See, Your Highness."

Ferrara, Bologna, and Ravenna amounted to about seventy percent of the Pope State’s territory north of the Apennine Mountains.

Plus 1.2 million ducats, which is 11 million francs, is already a substantial "war indemnity."

"This tea lacks flavor." Joseph suddenly shook his teacup, "Eman, bring me the red tea sent by Archbishop Muzareli."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Joseph then looked at the Pope: "Would you like to change your cup as well?

"Hmm, although this tea is very precious, it’s not irreplaceable."

Pope Pius VI felt that every word spoken by this young man weighed on him like a mountain, making it hard to straighten his back.

After a while, he suddenly clenched his fists, raised his head, and exclaimed:

"No one will support that traitor, that schemer!

"I represent the true Holy See!

"If you continue to pressure me like this, France will be antagonized by hundreds of millions of Christians all over Europe!"

Joseph leaned forward slightly and said calmly, "Dear Holy Father, may I ask, how many divisions do you have?"

"Wha, what?"

"Infantry, cavalry, artillery," Joseph said, "including the Holy See’s own guards or foreign armies willing to respond to your call, how many divisions?

Pope Pius VI was stunned by this straightforward question, then clenched his fists even tighter, only to be bewildered to realize that the Vatican could not muster even a single division...

Of the traditional three main pillars of the Roman Church, Spain and France are in alliance and not too long ago announced they would not interfere in Northern Italy’s affairs.

Austria is barely able to hold onto Mantua, where would it have the capacity to reinforce Rome?

France... it is the French army aiming cannons at the Holy See.

Joseph picked up the newly replaced red tea from the table and continued:

"You probably forgot, the Holy See’s ability to rally all Christians in Europe hinges on its ability to influence the balance of power among Catholic countries.

"And now, there is no such balance.

"France, is the most weighty counterbalance on the scales of Catholicism!

"France, is the one with the power to sway the Catholic world!

"Did you just say no one supports Archbishop Muzareli?

"In reality, if he had 10 divisions behind him, all the cardinals would support him."

Pope Pius VI’s clenched fists slowly loosened, and he bent his back again, sighing deeply: "What terms did he give you?"

Joseph took a sip of red tea and casually said, "1.5 million ducats. And, the Holy See only retains the provinces of Rome and Perugia."

Pope Pius VI’s face turned pale, his lips moved several times before he could make a sound: "1.5 million... fine, just 1.5 million ducats. But at least, the Holy See should retain the ’Legacy of Saint Peter.’"

What he meant by "Legacy of Saint Peter" is the land claimed by the Vatican as inherited from the Roman Empire, mainly the provinces of Rome, Perugia, and Terracina.

It encompasses about two-thirds of the Pope State’s territory south of the Apennine Mountains.

Joseph thought to himself that he was being too polite; back in the day, Napoleon just marched through, leaving the Pope State only the city of Rome, and the Vatican accepted it obediently.

He glanced at Pope Pius VI: "Archbishop Muzareli probably hasn’t gone far, he can fully participate in the court banquet."

"Don’t... I agree."

In fact, Joseph could have ordered the Holy See to move to France’s Avignon right now, but doing so might push Pope Pius VI to a point of no return.

One must eat one bite at a time.

Everything Joseph was doing was to weaken the prestige of the Roman Church.

Once the Italian states reaped benefits from the Pope State, and the Pope State was so weak, the next plan could be implemented—to make the Holy See willingly move to Avignon.

Soon, the King and Queen of France, the Crown Prince, and a large group of nobles escorted the Pope into the banquet hall. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Everyone wore a devout smile, presenting a solemn and sacred scene.

Since the negotiations were settled, basic decorum towards the Pope had to be maintained.

At the banquet, Pope Pius VI publicly announced that the Holy See decided to bestow the title of "Greatest Catholic King" upon Louis XVI.

The Pope appeared burdened with worries during his visit to Paris, and hastily returned to Rome the next afternoon.

However, on his way back, he switched to a luxurious golden carriage, and the Paris Police no longer closely shadowed him.

The vast majority of Parisians didn’t know the Pope had visited until a few days later, while the embarrassing scene of the Pope in the Versailles Palace Square the previous day became a long-standing joke among the nobles.

Two days later.

The Palace of Versailles hosted a grand ceremony celebrating His Majesty the King being conferred the title "Greatest Catholic King."

The entire Paris was engulfed in celebration.

Citizens sang and danced, firing fireworks, and the previous tension and anxiety caused by the war had completely vanished.

By evening, at the ball in the Palace of Versailles.

The gas lamps lit up the Hall of Mirrors as bright as daylight.

Court musicians played joyful dance tunes with all their might, accompanying the continuously swirling nobles, the gemstones and gold thread on their clothes turning into a flowing Milky Way, dazzling the onlookers.

However, members of royal families and diplomats from various Northern Italian countries had no interest in dancing and instead surrounded the Crown Prince of France with hopeful expectations, waiting to hear any interesting news.

Indeed, since the signing of the Mediterranean Security Organization agreement, they had been staying in Paris for nearly two months now.

For these countries, maintaining good relations with France was of utmost importance.

As a dance ended, Prince Ludovico of Parma plucked up his courage to approach the Crown Prince of France, raised his glass, and bowed slightly: "To our ’Greatest Catholic King.’"

Joseph picked up a glass of wine and clinked glasses with him lightly: "To my beloved father."

He took a small sip of wine, gestured towards Princess Therese who was surrounded by noble ladies, and winked at Ludovico: "It seems you haven’t invited my sister to dance yet, she might be saddened."

Ludovico was briefly stunned, then showed an expression of ecstatic joy: "Your Highness, you don’t mind if I court Princess Therese?"

"Of course." Joseph smiled, "I will bless you both."

Ludovico was a handsome, gentle, and elegant young man, and Joseph had a good impression of him.

Most importantly, his sister Therese seemed to like him.

Joseph knew that the marriage prospects for a French princess were extremely limited, as she must marry an heir to a country. Currently, there were not more than three people in all of Europe who met this criterion and age.

Among them, some countries were politically unable to form an alliance through marriage with France.

Thus, Ludovico was almost the best choice for Therese.