Chapter 715: The Poland-Sweden-Ottoman Alliance
Joseph nodded. "This is our country's newest disinfectant. Besides being inexpensive, it's also easier to transport and—most importantly—won't tempt soldiers to drink it.
"As for tents and uniforms, we can produce them for you at cost."
"That's wonderful!" Radziwiłł exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "Without the need to buy expensive medical alcohol, 2 million francs should cover it."
"Our country can accept grain as payment for the majority of that," Joseph added.
Poland had experienced a decent harvest this autumn. The vast Eastern European plains were, after all, a major grain-producing region.
Radziwiłł hesitated before adding softly, "For the remainder, we could gather the funds by disbanding the mercenaries in Kraków."
Joseph sighed inwardly.
Poland was already fighting a multi-front war, and even 2 million francs was a massive burden. Stretching their resources this thin could negatively impact their military campaigns.
A thought occurred to him—perhaps Poland could secure funding from another source.
Having successfully withstood the first wave of attacks from three major powers, Poland had demonstrated its strategic strength and value. Now was the time to capitalize on that geopolitical leverage to secure more support for their forces.
And who might care the most about Poland's geopolitical role?
Joseph's eyes lit up as an idea took shape. "You could try seeking loans from the Ottomans or Sweden," he suggested.
Radziwiłł was taken aback. "Thank you for the advice, Your Highness, but I doubt it would yield results.
"The Ottomans, pressured by Russia, have abandoned their traditional friendship with us.
"As for Sweden... You're aware that relations between our countries have been strained for centuries."
Joseph leaned forward slightly. "Don't forget, Poland has tied down 120,000 Russian troops and held out for over two months.
"Both Sweden and the Ottomans must now realize Poland's immense value—particularly in opposing Russia.
"Poland shares a common goal with them: resisting Russian aggression.
"Perhaps it's time to set aside past grievances with Sweden and face the Russian threat together. You might even consider forming a Poland-Sweden-Ottoman Alliance!"
The Potential Alliance
In the early 18th century, Swedish King Charles XII had captured much of Poland, including Warsaw, leaving a legacy of animosity between the two nations. However, no conflicts had erupted between them in nearly a century.
Sweden had recently suffered significant losses in the Seventh Russo-Swedish War. Given the opportunity to strike back at Russia, Sweden would likely leap at the chance.
As for the Ottomans, they had lost strategic territories like Crimea and Ochakov to Russia and harbored a deep-seated hatred for their northern neighbor.
Previously, both nations had been too constrained by Russian military power to act. But now, with Poland holding the line, they might be tempted to reconsider.
Russia's mobilization capacity for field armies didn't exceed 140,000 soldiers, of which 120,000 were tied up in Poland.
If Sweden and the Ottomans launched simultaneous offensives, Catherine the Great wouldn't even have enough troops to respond.
Radziwiłł mulled over Joseph's suggestion. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
After a moment of contemplation, he stood and placed a hand over his heart. "Your Highness, you are truly Europe's greatest strategist! I will relay your proposal to Count Potocki immediately."
Joseph knew that political and geographic differences made it unlikely for Poland, Sweden, and the Ottomans to form a unified military coalition. However, even indirect support among the three nations could create significant strategic pressure on Russia, forcing it to abandon its invasion of Poland.
A New Chapter
After discussing the potential alliance further, Radziwiłł expressed his profound gratitude to Joseph once more before preparing to depart.
As he rose to leave, Joseph added, "One more thing. I've recently established a military medical university.
"When you return, select some military doctors and women interested in nursing to come to Paris for training. Of course, they will travel under the guise of tourists."
"Thank you, Your Highness, from the depths of my heart," Radziwiłł said with another bow.
When Joseph returned to Versailles, he spotted Count Heriot trembling nervously in a distant corner of the hallway. As soon as Heriot saw him, he bowed deeply, practically touching the ground.
Joseph merely cast him a cold glance and walked past without a word.
Heriot shivered uncontrollably, silently cursing his foolish daughter a hundred times over.
Although Amélie Heriot had been exiled to Timbuktu—setting a record for the farthest exile of a female noble in France's history—Heriot had heard about Joseph's maid falling gravely ill after the incident. It left him feeling like he was walking on thin ice.
Desperate to make amends, Heriot followed Joseph to his quarters and waited in the corridor for over four hours before one of the prince's aides approached him.
Heriot rushed forward to bow, but Émond spoke coldly. "His Highness does not wish to see you. However, Miss Delvaux's medical expenses have been enormous. The Heriot family is responsible for covering them: 300,000 francs."
Heriot froze but quickly began bowing repeatedly. "Yes, yes, I will raise the funds immediately!"
Rome: A Plan in Motion
Meanwhile, in Rome, Mort Schmidt stood beside an angelic stone statue, shading his eyes from the bright sun. He looked up and nodded in satisfaction. "The world is illuminated clearly by its light. Excellent."
St. Peter's Square was still mostly empty, with only the Swiss Guard patrolling in orderly rows.
Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Schmidt unfolded a newspaper he had brought from his inn and pretended to read.
The front-page headline read: Austrian Forces Occupy Sandomierz Province. The article detailed how General Wurmser's troops had crushed Polish defenders and captured Sandomierz.
Schmidt chuckled but said nothing aloud.
Since the Pope's representative had publicly denied the Crusade in Vienna, Austrian morale had indeed improved. Soldiers no longer feared prolonged suffering in purgatory for participating in the war.
Yet despite this, the Austrians had failed to breach Poland's Tarnowskie Góry defensive line, which was held by just over 10,000 troops.
In frustration, Emperor Francis II had ordered Wurmser to abandon Kraków and redirect his forces to the less-defended Sandomierz region.
Wurmser had succeeded in taking Sandomierz. But that was the extent of his success.
Sandomierz, bordered by the San River to the west, offered no path for deeper advances into Poland.
"This cursed war is doomed to failure," Schmidt thought.
Just then, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica began to toll, pulling Schmidt from his thoughts.
He raised his head, his expression calm but resolute.
"It's finally time," he murmured to himself.
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