Chapter 806: Chapter 714: The Sweden-Poland-Lithuania Alliance

Joseph nodded: “This is the latest disinfectant developed by our country. In addition to being affordable, it is also easier to transport, and it will not be pilfered by the soldiers.

“As for the tents and military uniforms, we can make them for you at cost price.”

“That would be wonderful,” Razewski said excitedly, rubbing his hands together, “If we don’t buy expensive medical alcohol, roughly 2 million francs should suffice for the payment.”

“Our country can offset most of it with grain.”

The autumn harvest in Poland was fairly good; the plains of Eastern Europe are a massive granary.

Razewski added in a whisper, “For the remaining part, as long as mercenaries in Krakow are dismissed, we should be able to come up with the necessary funds.”

Joseph sighed inwardly.

Poland was facing wars on multiple fronts, and even 2 million francs was a significant burden for them. Squeezing out so much funding might negatively affect their war situation.

He suddenly thought that perhaps Poland could obtain funding from other countries.

At the moment, Poland had withstood the first wave of attacks from three major powers, demonstrating their strength and value.

Therefore, they should try to cash in on this geopolitical strategic value as much as possible, in order to provide more support for their army.

So, who would be most concerned about Poland’s geopolitical value?

An idea suddenly dawned on Joseph, and he said to Razewski, “You could try borrowing from the Ottoman Empire or Sweden.”

The latter was taken aback and said, “Thank you for the suggestion, Your Highness, but I don’t think it will yield any results.

“The Ottoman Empire, pressured by the threat of Russia, has already abandoned the traditional friendship with our country.

“And Sweden, as you know, we have always had a rather tense relationship.”

Joseph said, “Do not forget that Poland has currently drawn the attention of Russia’s 120,000 troops and has persisted for over two months.

“Both Sweden and the Ottoman Empire should have realized the significant role of Poland, I mean in their conflict with Russia.

“Poland shares a very consistent goal with them in dealing with Russia.

“Perhaps you could try to set aside your grudge with Sweden and confront Russia together; you could even form a Poland-Sweden-Ottoman alliance!”

In the early 18th century, King Charles XII of Sweden had once conquered most of Poland, including Warsaw, and the two countries had been at enmity since then.

However, over the near century that followed, there had been no further conflicts between Poland and Sweden.

Sweden had just suffered considerably in the Seventh Russo-Swedish War; if they could retaliate against Russia, they would surely be very eager.

As for the Ottoman Empire, they had already lost strategic locations like Crimea and Ochakov to Russia and harbored deep resentment.

Previously, both nations had been so pressured by Russia’s army they could only retreat, but now Poland was single-handedly holding against Russia, which gave them the opportunity to entertain other thoughts.

One must know, Russia could mobilize at most 140,000 troops for field operations, of which 120,000 were stuck in Poland.

If Sweden and the Ottoman Empire were to simultaneously trouble Russia, Catherine II would not have any troops to call upon.

The more Razewski thought about it, the more he felt the Crown Prince of France made sense.

After a moment, he saluted Joseph, hand on breast, “Your Highness, you truly are the finest strategist in Europe! I shall surely convey your advice to Count Pototsky.”

Joseph knew that the political and geographical differences among the three countries of Poland, Russia, and Tripolitania were enormous, making it very difficult for them to truly form an allied force to attack Russia. But as long as they supported each other, they could put tremendous strategic pressure on Russia, thereby abandoning their plans to invade Poland.

After discussing some details of the “Poland-Russia-Tripolitania Alliance,” Razewski thanked the Crown Prince of France profusely and prepared to take his leave.

Joseph then remembered something and signaled to him, “By the way, I have established a new Military Medical University.

“You can select some military doctors and ladies who wish to pursue medical nursing to come here for training after you return.

“Of course, all these people will be coming to Paris as tourists.”

“I sincerely thank you, esteemed Crown Prince.”

Upon Joseph’s return to the Palace of Versailles, he saw Count Herrio trembling at the edge of the corridor, bowing his head almost to the ground from afar, paying his respects.

Joseph walked past him, merely glancing at him coldly and ignoring him.

Count Herrio instantly trembled all over, cursing his foolish daughter a hundred times over in his heart.

Although Amari Herrio had already been exiled to Tubact– a province east of Tripoli adjacent to the desert, setting a record for the furthest exile of a female noble–when Count Herrio heard that the Crown Prince’s maid was critically ill from the previous drowning incident, he was still frightened as if falling into an ice pit.

Count Herrio had no choice but to follow to the outside of the Crown Prince’s Bedroom Palace and stood in the corridor for four or five hours until he finally saw the Crown Prince’s close servant approaching him.

He hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects, only to hear Eman speak in a cold voice: “His Highness does not wish to see you. However, Miss Delvaux’s treatment has incurred a huge amount of medical expenses, which you must pay. 300,000 francs.”

Count Herrio hesitated, but immediately bowed repeatedly and said, “Yes, yes, I will go and raise the money right away!”

…

Pope State.

Rome.

Beside a stone sculpture of an angel, Molt Schmitz put his hand on his forehead, glanced at the bright sun, and nodded in satisfaction: “Everything in the world is illuminated so clearly, very good.”

The square in front of St. Peter’s Cathedral opposite him was still quite empty, with the Swiss Guard marching in neat columns and patrolling the area from time to time.

Schmitz felt that standing around like this would seem a bit odd, so he took out a newspaper brought from the inn and unfolded it in front of him.

The headline on the front page read: The Austrian Army has basically occupied Sandomierz. The news content roughly said that the Vilmos Army was overwhelming and quickly defeated the Polish defense forces, capturing Sandomierz Province.

He smiled, not wanting to say anything.

Ever since the Pope’s spokesperson lied in Vienna, denying the Crusade’s holy war, the morale of the Ao forces had indeed risen– the soldiers at least didn’t have to worry about increasing their time tormented in Purgatory because of this war.

However, they still had not managed to break through the Polish defenses at Tarnovsk Mountain, although there were only a little over ten thousand troops there.

His Majesty the Emperor, in order to reduce domestic pressure, ordered Vilmos to temporarily abandon Krakow and instead attack the weakly defended Sandomierz.

He succeeded.

Sandomierz was occupied but that was as far as it went.

Sandomierz is bordered by the Sang River to the east, with no possibility of continuing to advance deep into Poland. Unless, they could capture Krakow.

It’s a cursed war after all, and this is probably as good as it gets. Schmitz thought to himself. Just then, he heard the sound of bell tolling from the direction of St. Peter’s Cathedral Square.

He immediately looked up, his expression calm but very determined, murmuring to himself, “It’s finally beginning.”