Chapter 205: The Pit

"You're here to haggle with my time," Napoleon said.

Metternich remained silent, effectively agreeing.

"But this offer is not good enough," Napoleon shook his head. "This alone won't secure you such a favorable peace."

"So, General, what do you suggest?" Metternich inquired. He had prepared for bribing Napoleon, knowing that the General Napoleon Bonaparte had a penchant for money, as the various Italian states had disclosed.

"Mr. Metternich, do you remember how Spain exited the war?" Napoleon asked with a smile.

Metternich was initially surprised, then a glimmer of hope flickered.

Spain had left the war on the condition of allying with France, thus escaping territorial concessions. So, if they followed this path, especially given the recent Franco-Russian entente, how could the French make such demands?

"Of course, you can't expect to get the same terms as Spain. Our Russian friends wouldn't appreciate it," Napoleon's next words shattered Metternich's illusions, proving that Napoleon's wits were still razor-sharp.

"What do you mean then?" Metternich felt the negotiations had veered beyond his expectations, taking an unpredictable turn. This left him somewhat flustered, as this unexpected turn of events signaled a loss of control in the negotiations.

"We cannot achieve lasting peace based solely on a piece of paper. You see, agreements are often unreliable. Both our nations have had their fair share of violations after signing agreements. Let's not rush to defend your country; after signing agreements, both of our nations have been guilty of transgressions. Such incidents are hard to avoid, and their accumulation can utterly ruin the relationship between two countries, rendering the peace agreement a mere scrap of paper. If we want to discuss peace today, we should work to prevent this outcome as much as possible."

With these words, Napoleon leaned back in his chair, his smile reflecting his anticipation of Metternich's interpretation of his statement.

Had this been the seasoned Prime Minister Metternich of the history books or even the Ambassador Metternich of a few years later, they might have discerned hidden nuances in Napoleon's words. But the young and naive Metternich of this moment was unable to truly grasp the hidden daggers concealed within Napoleon's smile. All he could do was offer a generic response, "As long as our nations maintain their love..."

"No, Mr. Metternich, I'm afraid you haven't fully grasped my point," Napoleon sat up, resting his elbows on the table, his head cradled in clasped hands. "Good intentions and promises guarantee nothing, at least nothing lasting, because these things are inherently short-lived. Therefore, 'don't swear by the moon'—something dependable, something that can genuinely unite us and strengthen our friendship over time—is our common interest. You see, ever since we achieved peace with Spain, our friendship has grown because both sides benefited. The agreement we reached with Spain has elements we can mutually borrow."

"What exactly do you mean?" Metternich asked.

"Our mutual trade agreement with Spain," Napoleon replied.

This trade agreement established a common market between France and Spain, granting each other "most-favored-nation treatment" in equal measure. According to this agreement, except for specific goods, both sides exempted or reduced tariffs on each other's products. The tariffs imposed on goods by either party should not exceed half of the tariffs on similar products of non-signatory countries. Both sides agreed to grant citizens of the other country equal rights to reside, conduct business, and engage in other lawful activities in their respective territories and territories. There were also specific provisions concerning the protection of intellectual property rights.

In summary, this agreement was highly egalitarian both in principle and practice, a shining example of mutual benefit. After signing this agreement, businessmen from both Spain and France reaped increased profits.

However, as Joseph explained, this equilibrium was merely temporary. Soon, this equitable trade agreement would become an unequal treaty. The "Zeus Plan" had made significant progress, and another plan, the "Hephaestus Plan," was advancing steadily. All that was needed now were stable sources of coal and iron, and French production capacity would experience explosive growth.

In such a scenario, this equal trade agreement would eventually resemble the later "Treaty of Wangxia," a nominally equal but practically unequal treaty, tantamount to full colonization. So, when signing this treaty with Spain, the French intentionally extended its duration to twenty-five years, with an automatic renewal clause in case of no objections.

This type of agreement was essentially a colossal trap. What was even more frightening was that once this agreement was executed, dismantling it in the future would be extraordinarily difficult. Not to mention how powerful the French army would be after the Industrial Revolution, even within Spain. The rise of a comprador class of Spanish citizens who had grown wealthy from selling French goods would quell any opposition. In certain circumstances, Spain could transform from an economic vassal into a political one, and once trapped, escaping would be nearly impossible.

A few days earlier, following their meeting in Verdun, Joseph had foreseen that it wouldn't be long before the Austrians and Prussians would seek peace with France. He had emphasized to Napoleon the necessity of finalizing the trade agreement, telling him that everything else was negotiable, but the trade agreement must be secured.

This trap, built on the foundation of future technological revolutions, was incredibly discreet. Not even a more seasoned and cunning individual, like a sly fox such as Talleyrand, could truly comprehend its intricacies.

So, Metternich hadn't fully grasped what was happening, but at this point, he couldn't afford to continue hesitating. Napoleon spoke once more:

"Regarding this matter, I have the relevant documents for the trade agreement between France and Spain. These documents are public, and I believe that you can easily find them if you wish. However, it would take time, and right now, time is the most precious commodity. You can take these documents back and discuss them with Archduke Charles. But, speed is essential because, as you know, the most valuable asset in your negotiation terms is time. Every second lost chips away at your leverage, and naturally, I will demand more compensation. If I haven't received your response by noon tomorrow, I will have to commence military action."

Metternich excused himself, his mind preoccupied with thoughts about the trade agreement. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he almost forgot to bring the documents on the Franco-Spanish trade agreement handed to him by Napoleon.

Metternich rushed back, and by the time he met Archduke Charles, it was already dark. Metternich couldn't care less about fatigue and hunger, swiftly recounting the contact he had with Napoleon.

Listening, Archduke Charles pondered for a moment and then asked, "Did General Bonaparte make any other requests?"

"No, he only said that time is precious now. After discussing these matters, he asked me to come back and consult with you immediately," Metternich replied.

Archduke Charles nodded. "It's clear that General Bonaparte places great importance on this trade agreement. Mr. Metternich, do you have any insights into this trade agreement between the Spanish and the French?"

Metternich shook his head. "I know very little about this agreement. But it seems the Spanish don't have many complaints about it. From this perspective, the agreement appears to be relatively problem-free. Also, Your Highness, I thought of something on my way back. You see, the Bonaparte family is France's nouveau riche and famous for being wealthy. They are involved in various businesses, from arms trade to shipbuilding, navigation, mining, and more. Many say they are already the wealthiest family in France. I believe they might hope to benefit from this agreement..."

"That's a possibility," Archduke Charles nodded. "I've heard some rumors about General Napoleon Bonaparte's conduct in Italy, and many accuse him of greed. It's said he amassed several million francs solely from the Papal States, most of which ended up in his pockets. Perhaps what you're saying is one of the reasons."

"Your Highness, the Bonaparte family is certain to hold a very significant position in France in the future. They might even become the true rulers of France. If we can secure a share of their wealth for our nation, our country might indeed become much safer. Furthermore, I think we can also include additional conditions..." Metternich added.