[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-life-of-being-a-crown-prince-in-france":3,"chapter-life-of-being-a-crown-prince-in-france-life-of-being-a-crown-prince-in-france-chapter-997":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Life of Being a Crown Prince in France",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},386326,646,"Chapter 996: 904: The Strategic Buffer Zone on the East Bank of the Rhine","life-of-being-a-crown-prince-in-france-chapter-997",997,"\u003Cp>Chapter 996: Chapter 904: The Strategic Buffer Zone on the East Bank of the Rhine\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke of Bavaria, Theodore, and a group of ministers watched the French envoy with tense expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew that a single word from the latter could decide the fate of Bavaria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>State Minister Pomentar stepped forward, saluted Saigul with a hand on his chest, and spoke with difficulty:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Undoubtedly, the powerful French Army defeated us. His Majesty is willing… to accept any conditions to have your country withdraw its troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saigul smiled and returned the gesture, shaking his head: “No, Bavaria hasn’t failed; this is merely Austria’s defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it weren’t for Franz II’s forceful orders for you to send troops to Ingolstadt, threatening Major Moro’s logistics, he wouldn’t have been keen to clash with General Deenberg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I recall correctly, it was also Austria that insisted on involving Bavaria in evil war against France.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That caused you to lose thousands of troops in Luxembourg. Even now, there are quite a few Bavarian soldiers staying in our prisoner camps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, is there any animosity between our two countries?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saigul turned his gaze to Theodore: “None at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not only no animosity, our two countries have a substantial trade exchange every year. Previously, we both joined the ‘Seine-Rhine Trade Agreement.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your fine salt, flax, and ceramics are popular in Paris, oh, I even have a porcelain pen holder from Munich in my study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bavarian rulers were suddenly at a loss. This doesn’t seem like reading terms of surrender; it seems more like a friendly visit…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pomentar cautiously asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what do you think our country should do to obtain a ceasefire agreement?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ceasefire? Oh, yes.” Saigul nodded, “But perhaps our countries can go even further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For instance, signing a ‘Franco-Bavarian Mutual Defense Treaty,'” Saigul raised his right hand, “Bavaria can even directly join the ‘Mediterranean Security Organization.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason Joseph made these arrangements was because he knew that although Bavaria was a Southern German state, it had never truly aligned with Austria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Austria sought to revive the glory of the Holy Roman suzerainty, the most direct method being to annex Bavaria to strengthen its power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just 16 years ago, during the Bavarian Succession Conflict, Austria had dispatched troops to occupy nearly half of Northern Bavaria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only due to Prussia’s concern about Austria growing stronger, coalescing with Saxony to intervene to make Queen Theresa choose to withdraw forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite this, Austria still acquired Bavaria’s Inn River region. Though the area is not large, it consists of fertile farmland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why the Duke of Bavaria later consistently sought to exchange territories to the Southern Netherlands to rebuild the Burgundy Empire—to distance themselves from the dangerous neighbor, Austria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For these reasons, historically, after Napoleon defeated Austria, Bavaria would rather accept the revolutionary government and ally with France to jointly resist Austria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And currently, the Anti-French Alliance is on the verge of dissolution, Austria being beaten back step by step by France, Joseph assessed that Bavaria would likely choose to lean towards France.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, the Ney Corps outside Munich would also help them make the right choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore was instantly overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been preparing to cede Mei Minggen and several million florins in war reparations, unexpectedly the French offered such lenient conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not wait for the State Minister to speak, and immediately nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, you’re absolutely right; Franco-Bavaria has always been the best of friends. We should absolutely sign a mutual defense treaty to counter certain countries’ provocations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saigul added: “And also the ‘Rhine Trade Alliance Agreement.’ I believe all member states are eagerly anticipating Bavaria’s joining.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, our country also hopes to join this trade alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pomentar cautiously confirmed again: “Count Saigul, then the French Army outside the city…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given that we have a mutual defense treaty, the French Army will only protect Bavaria,” Saigul said, “including those captive soldiers from before, will be returned to you afterwards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joseph wasn’t worried about Bavaria switching sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firstly, Bavaria, having been disciplined by Moro, certainly lacks the courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secondly, France will undoubtedly continue to weaken Austria in the future, returning the Inn River region to Bavaria. Even part of Innsbruck, southwestern Austria, would be divided and given to Bavaria; by then, Bavaria will follow France closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore and the ministers were relieved and endlessly thanked Saigul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should be known that normally, it would take millions of florins in ransom just for the officers among these captives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A week later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Representing France, Saigul signed the draft of the ‘Franco-Bavarian Mutual Defense Treaty’ with Bavaria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treaty stipulated that when either party is invaded by another country, the other party is obliged to provide military reinforcements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, both parties automatically obtain the right to military passage over each other’s land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, France can station troops in Bavaria’s Passau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, France gained a large strategic buffer zone on the east bank of the Rhine River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Bavaria’s considerable size, Austria could no longer directly launch an attack against France’s Rhineland region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, neither Prussia nor Austria can hope to unify Germany without first overcoming Bavaria. And France can readily use Bavaria as a leverage to involve itself in Germanic affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most interestingly, Theodore has no heirs. According to the agreement signed after the Bavarian Succession Conflict, his successor will be Maximilian Joseph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This individual is currently serving as an officer in Strasbourg, France.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is conceivable that once he ascends the throne, Bavaria will be even more aligned with France.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, the Munich Royal Palace held a grand banquet to celebrate the signing of the mutual defense treaty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the second course of appetizer served, Saigul held his wine glass and said to Theodore:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the coal mine in Iphoven has never been effectively exploited. Perhaps the French Industrial Development Fund can invest here and build a large coal mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore appeared very hesitant: “Ah, that’s certainly good, but, the coal mine’s ownership belongs to several families, which would be very troublesome…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saigul knew he was worried about France taking over his coal mine, and immediately smiled: “The Development Fund can hold only 45% of shares, while the rest is distributed among those families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, the coal mine must be managed by the Development Fund. You know, our country is very experienced in coal mine operations.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1061,"2026-05-30T06:21:22.173Z","2026-06-01T04:30:31.323Z",1,"novelbin.me","cb99efbf4333aa606106da184e7ce37411370ffd213e4371eaf4c5ab903310a0","life-of-being-a-crown-prince-in-france-chapter-998","life-of-being-a-crown-prince-in-france-chapter-996",1568,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flife-of-being-a-crown-prince-in-france-cover.jpg"]