Make France Great Again-Chapter 753 - 744: Maximilian’s Conditions
Before starting the conversation, we must first introduce Czartoryski.
Prince Czartoryski, born in Warsaw in 1770, had served several Tsars, including Empress Catherine, reaching a position of high authority that put him just below the Tsar. He could be called a living fossil of his time.
This trusted minister under Alexander I has now become the undeniable core of the Polish independence movement. It is because of respected figures like Prince Czartoryski that this movement can remain united, avoiding discord over personal interests for the time being.
Why Czartoryski chose to betray the trusting Tsar and join the ranks of Polish independence is a long story in itself.
We won’t delve into it further here.
Under Czartoryski’s guidance, Jerome Bonaparte sat on the sofa in the mansion.
"Your Majesty, what instructions do you have for me?" Czartoryski immediately inquired of Jerome Bonaparte as he sat down.
"I want to ask if you have a complete plan for the future of Poland?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Czartoryski.
"Your Majesty, we plan to establish a republic in the new Poland..." Czartoryski eagerly described the political blueprint for the future Polish Republic to Jerome Bonaparte.
After listening to Czartoryski, Jerome Bonaparte paused for a moment before replying to him, "Mr. Czartoryski, I understand your desire for Poland to establish a republic, but I am afraid I cannot agree to that condition!"
Czartoryski showed a look of obvious stagnation, a wry smile appeared on his face as he replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I know you are planning to establish a duchy in Poland, right? Just like when His Majesty Napoleon established the Grand Duchy of Warsaw!!"
"Mr. Czartoryski!" Jerome Bonaparte said calmly to Prince Czartoryski, "Since you already understand our stance, I’m sure you are aware of the situation that will arise if a republic is established in the Polish region."
"I know!" Czartoryski replied to Jerome Bonaparte with a slightly low tone, "In the eyes of all monarchies, a republic is like a heresy, and no country can tolerate the appearance of such a heresy!"
"Mr. Czartoryski, since you understand everything, there is no need for further explanation from me!" Jerome Bonaparte stated calmly to Czartoryski, "Although I personally have no special inclination toward either republicanism or monarchy for Poland, I must also consider the stance of other countries.
If the newly established Poland hastily adopts a republican system, you will gain nothing but hostility from the surrounding monarchies!"
"Your Majesty, I understand what you mean, and I assume you have already selected a suitable successor for us!" Czartoryski inquired once again of Jerome Bonaparte.
"You are correct!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and replied to Czartoryski, "I have selected a suitable successor for you, and he is currently at the Tuileries Palace!"
"Who is it?" Czartoryski asked Jerome Bonaparte with curiosity.
"Grand Duke Maximilian!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Czartoryski.
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s answer, Czartoryski’s face showed slight resistance, and he tactfully inquired whether it was possible to choose someone else to serve as Grand Duke of Poland, as having someone from the Habsburg family could affect the national sentiments of the Kingdom of Poland.
After all, Galicia and Krakow are still in the hands of the Austrian Empire.
"Czartoryski, you can rest assured!" Jerome Bonaparte quickly explained to Czartoryski, "The newly established Poland will not have territorial disputes with the Austrian Empire, as Grand Duke Maximilian will soon be awarded the title of Grand Duke of Galicia-Krakow by the Emperor of the Austrian Empire! In other words, as long as you agree to Maximilian serving as Grand Duke, Krakow and Galicia will return to your control bloodlessly."
As soon as Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, Czartoryski immediately replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I agree to Grand Duke Maximilian serving as the Grand Duke of Warsaw!"
"Mr. Czartoryski!" Jerome Bonaparte addressed Czartoryski with a solemn expression, "I’m reaching out to you not only to gain your personal consent but also to ensure that all political parties in Poland will pledge allegiance to Maximilian like you.
I do not want to see the person I’ve chosen driven out by you. If that happens, I will consider whether Poland should exist as an independent entity or be re-installed under the Russian Empire.
I believe any government will happily accept such a gift from the heavens!"
Confronted with Jerome Bonaparte’s threat, Czartoryski’s hopes, pinned on the future Polish parliament, instantly shattered. Originally, Czartoryski intended to consolidate power through the future parliament, transforming Poland into a constitutional monarchy.
Just like what Duke Golitsyn is currently doing in the Russian Empire!
"Your Majesty, I am merely an old man over eighty! The task of mandating all parties to pledge allegiance to Grand Duke Maximilian is indeed too arduous!" Czartoryski conceded to Jerome Bonaparte.
After all, relying on one’s own prestige to suppress others and curb their ambitions is indeed a thankless task.
If it goes wrong, the factions he suppresses might turn their focus against him.
"Mr. Czartoryski, if you say others can’t suppress Poland now, I believe it! But if it’s you, I absolutely don’t believe it!
Because you’re the only one who can suppress the entire political parties of the Polish Region!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Czartoryski with a certain confidence.
"Your Majesty, you flatter me!" Czartoryski humbly replied again.
"I don’t care whether it’s flattering or anything else, I only need you to use your prestige to promote the person I choose!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Czartoryski in an indisputable tone: "You should know that it’s not an easy task for a newly born Poland to resist foreign invasions, and Grand Duke Maximilian will become your bridge to connect with Austria!
I need you and Austria to resist Russia together. If you can’t even meet this requirement, then I will have to consider other options!"
Czartoryski, after a moment of silence, looked up again at Jerome Bonaparte and said: "Your Majesty, may I arrange a meeting with the Grand Duke we’ve chosen!
I need to fully understand Grand Duke Maximilian before I can give you an answer!"
"Of course!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and said to Czartoryski: "Maximilian is now waiting for you in my office!"
Czartoryski immediately realized that the reason Jerome Bonaparte appeared here was to build a communication bridge between Grand Duke Maximilian and himself.
The fact that the Emperor personally involved himself also indirectly indicated the Emperor’s attitude towards Grand Duke Maximilian.
If Grand Duke Maximilian truly assumes the role of Grand Duke of the Hua Duchy, then they would be able to benefit from the friendship of two empires, France and Austria.
"Your Majesty, I will send my son Viereid to accompany you there, what do you think!!" Czartoryski nodded seriously and said to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Agreed!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded again and said to Czartoryski.
Then, Czartoryski called his son Viereid.
"Father!" Viereid stood respectfully in front of Czartoryski and said.
"You now represent me to the palace, with our new Grand Duke Maximilian!" Czartoryski instructed Viereid.
"Yes! Father!" Viereid nodded to Czartoryski and replied.
"Your Majesty, please take care of my son!" Czartoryski said.
Afterwards, Jerome Bonaparte and Viereid took a carriage back to the Tuileries Palace.
Upon entering the study, Jerome Bonaparte immediately saw Maximilian sitting on the sofa, looking somewhat reserved. He quickly introduced the slightly dazed Viereid to Grand Duke Maximilian.
"Maximilian, this is Viereid, Prince Czartoryski’s son!" Jerome Bonaparte introduced Viereid to Grand Duke Maximilian.
With a slight understanding of Poland’s current situation, Maximilian immediately realized that this Viereid was Czartoryski’s spokesperson, and Czartoryski was now the uncrowned king of all Poland.
"Pleased to meet you!" Grand Duke Maximilian politely extended his hand to Viereid.
"Likewise!" Viereid also extended his hand.
After shaking hands, Jerome Bonaparte invited both to sit down together.
"You two, please state your conditions!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Maximilian and Viereid, "Here, you can speak freely!"
Thus, Grand Duke Maximilian communicated the conditions beforehand discussed with Count Baur and Duke Metternich to Viereid. If Prince Czartoryski supports him in becoming the Grand Duke of Warsaw, he will grant Prince Czartoryski the authority to form a new cabinet or appoint specific individuals to form the cabinet.
