Chapter 300 Provocation



Napoleon and Talleyrand arrived at the room where the Duke of Zweibrücken was staying.

There were two guards standing on either side of the door, who promptly presented arms and saluted to the Emperor.

Talleyrand stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Come in," a voice called from within.

Talleyrand opened the door, and Napoleon, with his coronation mantle still draped over him, entered the room.

The Duke of Zweibrücken, Maximilian, was seated on a sofa. Upon seeing the Emperor, he stood up immediately and bowed.

"Your Majesty," Maximilian greeted reverently.

Napoleon scanned the man, he seemed to be in his late fifties, with grayish hair that clung to his scalp, almost bald in the front. Just like any other aristocrat, he wore a finely tailored coat of dark blue, adorned with intricate gold embroidery that denoted his status and nobility.

"Duke Maximilian," Napoleon acknowledged with a nod. "You may raise your head."

Maximilian, following the Emperor's directive, lifted his head and met Napoleon's gaze with a respectful expression.

"We shall keep this exchange succinct, for our dinner approaches. I have been informed by Talleyrand of a missive from the Prussian government concerning the consolidation of the German states. Is this accurate?"

Maximilian nodded. "That's correct. But I rejected it."

"May I ask why?"

"Bavaria boasts a Catholic majority, while Prussia leans toward Protestantism and liberalism. I deemed it in the best interests of Bavaria to remain independent and retain our cultural and religious identity," Maximilian explained. "Not to mention the Austrians are planning to do the same, though I don't know how that would work as Austria is made up of many minorities."

"You are correct on one thing, Maximilian, in the issue of religion. However, in this ever-changing world, such a position could potentially render Bavaria vulnerable. Austria, Prussia, and Russia are rapidly advancing through industrialization and modernization. A smaller state such as Bavaria may find itself at a disadvantage should it choose to remain isolated, while these larger powers continue to expand their influence."

"So what do you have in mind, Your Majesty? I am committed to signing an alliance with you," Maximilian said.

"Okay, I'm all in."

"Great, join us for dinner," Napoleon invited.

***

A week later, in continental Europe, the news headlines were still dominated by France turning into an Empire with Napoleon as its Emperor.

In the Sanssouci Palace, King Frederick William III was reading that newspaper.

"It's been a week and I still can't get over it!" Frederick cussed, his nose flaring with frustration. He crumpled the newspaper in his hand and tossed it aside, where it landed on a table cluttered with maps and documents.

Suddenly, someone entered the door. King William jolted in his seat.

"Ferdinand von Bismarck! You can't just enter my office without knocking!" King Frederick William III exclaimed, visibly irritated by the unannounced intrusion.

Ferdinand von Bismarck, a close advisor to the King, wore an expression of urgency as he approached the monarch. "My apologies, Your Majesty, but I bring news that cannot wait."

The King leaned forward, his annoyance momentarily forgotten. "Speak, Bismarck. What news do you bring?"

Bismarck wasted no time. "The Empire of France has signed an alliance with the Electorate of Bavaria. The Electorate of Bavaria unified with the Duchy of Württemberg."

"So?"

Bismarck frowned after hearing that flippant reply. "Uhm—Your Majesty, the Electorate of Bavaria is on the path of uniting the German states under their leadership. We can't let that happen. We have to put our feet down. I have already informed the council and they are demanding war."

"But isn't France the strongest military nation in Europe? You advised me to modernize first."

"I did say that Your Majesty, but France is not that yet an all-powerful nation. We already reverse-engineered their bolt-action rifle, the Austrians and the Russians as well. This is a great opportunity for us to attack France."

"Alone?"

"No not alone, I have spoken with an Austrian diplomat and they share the same concern. I'm also convincing Russia to join the alliance and bring an end to France's domination."