Paris.
Versailles Palace.
Joseph quickly finished reading the report from Potier, the "French-Irish Liaison Officer," and immediately frowned.
"These Irish are far too naive." He glanced at the date on the report. It had been written the night before last. He immediately said to Lavalette, "Notify Potier at once, by the fastest means possible. Have him do everything he can to stop the United Irishmen Association."
"Yes, Your Highness." The Director of Security Bureau answered, then hesitated slightly. "Your Highness, this riot is extremely large in scale. If we support the Irish and that London Corresponding Society, we may be able to inflict enormous damage on England."
Joseph shook his head. "You are thinking too simply. England is isolated from the European Continent. So long as their Parliament does not care about bloodshed, no riot can possibly succeed.
"Tell the Irish to preserve their strength. Now is not the time to use them.
"Of course, we must seize this opportunity as well, but mainly to strike at them through public opinion.
"You may have Mr. Denico cooperate with you, and proceed in this manner..."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After the Director of Security Bureau left, Joseph immediately signaled to Eman. "Prepare the carriage. I am going to the General Staff Headquarters."
He looked out the window and let out a soft breath. The European Continent would likely soon face total war once again.
He knew very well that a grave crisis would erupt within England this time, and the British Government would most likely seek to divert its internal conflicts outward.
On the other hand, England would never sit by and ignore France's current explosive momentum.
The conflict between England and France was structural. If England wanted to maintain its position as Europe's foremost power, it had to bring France down.