The Fox of France

"Unexpected funds?" Talleyrand inquired.

"Yes, indeed. Originally, it was meant to be the eleventh tax devoted to the Holy See. However, for now, we've temporarily intercepted these funds. At least until the issue is resolved, the control of this money lies in our hands," replied Metternich. "I remember you mentioning that if money sits motionless in a treasury, it ceases to be money. I believe there might be considerable investment opportunities in maintaining free trade at sea. Let's see if we could collaborate..."

"This, my friend, is a question that I cannot immediately answer. Nevertheless, I will inquire for you... After all, our two nations are friendly countries with a shared faith."

Talleyrand indeed kept his promise and informed Napoleon of this news.

"Mr. Talleyrand, what do you make of the Austrian's recent maneuvers?" asked Napoleon upon hearing the news.

"Your Excellency, I believe the Austrians are leaning towards us," replied Talleyrand. "Simultaneously, they wish to test what they can gain by leaning towards us."

"Go on," urged Napoleon.

"Your Excellency, I think the peaceful development over these past years has made Austria realize that the gap between them and us is increasingly widening. Challenging our dominant position in Europe has become an impossible task for them. Furthermore, Austria is a country with evident weaknesses. Your Excellency, as you mentioned before, the current strength of an army is constituted by two aspects: weaponry and training, and ideology."

Napoleon nodded.

"We needn't discuss weaponry and training. In this aspect, France is unrivaled. As for ideology, back in '93, the French army, clearly lacking in equipment and training, managed to overthrow the invading forces solely supported by democratic and patriotic ideals. However, in today's Europe, while any country can espouse patriotism, Austria cannot embrace it, let alone democratic ideals. Therefore, they've become exceedingly fragile.

Voltaire said, 'The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.' This country is a feudal hodgepodge; its internal ethnicities are too diverse. Speaking of patriotism immediately brings up affection for Hungary, Czech, and... As for democracy, it's a taboo. Yet, paradoxically, these concepts are becoming mainstream. In this situation, Austria's unprecedented fragility emerges. They're now preoccupied with maintaining their own stability and can hardly focus on European hegemony. Achieving even this much would be challenging for them without our support. Therefore, one of their current objectives might be to bind their interests to ours as much as possible."

Upon hearing this, Napoleon remarked, "Minister Talleyrand, draft a memorandum in this direction, and then we shall discuss it together with others. This involves far too many critical matters..."

The supposed "others" didn't extend much beyond a family meeting of the Bonaparte clan.

"Talleyrand is quite capable and insightful," Joseph evaluated after seeing the document Napoleon showed him. "He's almost grasped the underlying truth. But some in Austria are even more astute; they've formulated their policies based on the world's deepest truths."

"What deepest truths?" Lucien inquired.

"Lucien, let me ask you, what do you think is the fundamental difference between people?" Joseph suddenly posed the question.

"Joseph, your question is too broad and vague, lacking direction. It's hard to know where to begin," Lucien protested. Even today, when suddenly questioned by Joseph, Lucien couldn't help but feel extremely nervous.

"Alright, let me be more specific. Which, in your opinion, is the most fundamental difference: cultural diversity or income disparity?" Joseph continued.

This question was now more specific, but that didn't mean it was easier to answer. Lucien pondered for a while before responding, "Well, both of these differences are incredibly important. For instance, Europe has so many countries because of its cultural diversity. Numerous ethnicities, languages, and a variety of religions—Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy. Under each major denomination, there are countless sects, and those sects further branch into even smaller ones, turning Europe into a mishmash...

But income disparity is also a crucial difference. For example, during our revolution, why did people from other regions follow us, whether in Italy or Austria? It's because we stood with the low-income people. So, income disparity is also significant..."

Lucien rambled on for quite some time, furrowing Joseph's brow.

"Alright, Lucien, spare us the digression and get to the point!" Joseph interjected.

"Oh," Lucien said, "Wait, no, there's no conclusion yet. How can one immediately answer such a profound question? Joseph, why don't you be straightforward and just say it?"

Joseph burst into laughter, "Recognizing one's ignorance is true wisdom, Lucien. You're making progress. As for this question, here's my perspective.

I believe that people must first have food, drink, shelter, and clothing before they can engage in politics, science, art, religion, and so on. Therefore, the direct production of material living necessities at a certain stage of economic development for a nation or an era forms the foundation. The nation's infrastructure, legal perspectives, art, and even religious beliefs develop from this foundation. Hence, it must be explained by this foundation, rather than the other way around, as it was done in the past. I call this approach: 'The economic base determines the superstructure.'"

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