Chapter 634: The Right Choice
At 9 a.m. the following day, the meeting to discuss admitting Britain into the Rhine-Seine Trade Agreement officially commenced.
As the representative from Salzburg, Viscount Schaun cast a complicated glance at Bayi, the French delegate, before rising to speak:
"I believe we all recognize that Britain, as a major European power, possesses an enormous market…"
He hadn't even completed his first sentence when the sound of military drums echoed outside Karlsruhe Palace, followed by the unified shout of thousands of soldiers:
"Long live the King!"
A court official hurried into the hall, bowing apologetically.
"It seems the troops from the military exercise are passing by. I kindly ask for your patience."
The disturbance lasted a full half-hour before the procession moved away from the palace.
Viscount Schaun, recalling the intense scenes from the previous day's military exercise, found his confidence wavering as he resumed his speech.
After his remarks came the Austrian representative's turn, followed by Bavaria's delegate.
When the other representatives had spoken, Bayi finally rose to his feet. Clearing his throat, he was just about to speak when cannon fire boomed again—this time from all directions, as though Karlsruhe itself were encircled.
The thunderous artillery continued for over 20 minutes, followed by the heavy, rhythmic thudding of cavalry hooves passing the western side of the palace. The sound was so powerful it seemed to make the very ground tremble beneath the delegates' feet.
When the cavalry had finally moved on, Bayi, now standing for quite some time, sighed and waved his hand dismissively:
"It's too noisy. I won't waste everyone's time. France does not support Britain's entry into the agreement."
With that, he sat back down.
The hall fell into silence.
France's response was the briefest of all, almost dismissive. Yet the earlier cacophony of cannon fire and cavalry hooves had already delivered the message far louder than words ever could.
Austrian representative Cobenzl stood to salvage the discussion, passionately reiterating Britain's potential to bring immense trade benefits. But the South German representatives were preoccupied, mentally calculating how long it would take French troops to march from non-combat readiness to their borders.
In the 18th century, the threshold for declaring war was low. France defending its trade agreement with military action was entirely plausible.
At 11 a.m., the Baden finance minister, presiding over the meeting, declared a recess amidst the rumbling cannon fire outside.
That evening, during a banquet, Britain's second chancellor of the exchequer, William Wilberforce, was unusually busy. Moving from one representative to another, he tried to renegotiate terms, significantly increasing Britain's previously offered incentives.
But there was no escaping the immense psychological pressure created by France's military posturing.
The banquet dragged on late into the night. Cobenzl cornered Wilberforce in a secluded area and whispered anxiously. Wilberforce, raising his glass in reassurance, replied:
"There's no need for such concern. The vote is tomorrow afternoon. Even if delegates have doubts, they likely lack the authority to reverse their countries' pre-determined decisions."
Cobenzl nodded. Indeed, decisions on such matters were usually finalized before representatives even set out. Both Hesse and Augsburg had already assured Britain of their votes in favor. Unless something extraordinary happened, their trade envoys would not dare defy their governments.
A Suspicious Incident
At the next day's luncheon, Cobenzl, Schaun, and others hurriedly shoveled food into their mouths, seemingly eager to finish and proceed with the vote.
But midway through the meal, Lützke, the representative from Upper Hesse, made a subtle gesture to his attendant. Taking a sip of creamy pigeon soup, he began to gargle softly, creating froth in his mouth. Moments later, clutching his stomach with an anguished expression, he slid off his chair onto the floor, foaming at the mouth.
His attendant rushed to his side, shouting anxiously:
"Master! Master, what's wrong?"
Glancing around, the man added:
"My master has been suffering from severe dysentery. This must be a relapse! Please summon a doctor immediately!"
The palace's court physician arrived quickly and ordered Lützke to be carried out on a stretcher for immediate bloodletting treatment.
Due to the Upper Hesse representative's sudden illness, the afternoon vote was postponed.
For the next three days, Lützke remained bedridden, weak and frequently unconscious.
Finally, one evening, an attendant brought him a reply from the Duke of Darmstadt. Claiming exhaustion, Lützke dismissed everyone from the room. Once alone, he sprang out of bed and tore open the letter.
During the banquet a few nights earlier, he had written to the Duke, detailing the French military's rapid mobilization and commitment to defending the trade agreement. In his letter, Lützke recommended rejecting Britain's offer and casting a vote against its inclusion in the treaty.
After all, Britain's market, no matter how vast, was distant and detached from Upper Hesse. Meanwhile, French troops could march on Marburg in just 25 days.
Provoking France for marginal trade gains seemed foolhardy. And besides, the loans and subsidies offered by France were quite reasonable—along with the promise of steam engines, Upper Hesse's industries might even thrive in just a few years, potentially offsetting their trade deficit.
The Final Vote
At sunrise, the long-delayed negotiations resumed.
The Baden finance minister solemnly gathered the representatives' votes and announced:
"The results of the vote on admitting Britain to the Rhine-Seine Trade Agreement are as follows—"
Opening the first ballot, he read:
"France: Opposed."
"Austria: In favor."
"Bavaria: In favor."
"Upper Hesse: Opposed."
Cobenzl's face darkened. While he had anticipated Lützke's "illness" might influence the outcome, hearing the confirmation still stung with frustration and anger.
"Augsburg: Opposed."
"Württemberg: Opposed..."
Bayi rose with a smile, placing a hand over his chest as he addressed the room:
"Thank you all for making the right choice. I believe the Rhine-Seine Trade Agreement will now bring us an even more prosperous market and a brighter future!"
He no longer needed to hear the remaining votes. With Upper Hesse and Augsburg opposing the motion, Britain could not secure enough votes for inclusion.
France's hold on the South German market was secure.
Aftermath
Ten days later, the French United Steam Engine Company received an order from Upper Hesse for 1 million francs. The contract included 140 LJ15 steam engines and accompanying parts for mechanized looms.
Meanwhile, in the Caribbean
A massive fleet arrived at Jamaica's largest port, Port Royal.
The first vessels to dock were troop transports, carrying 4,000 British soldiers, along with warhorses, artillery, and other military supplies.
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