After the ball ended, Joseph courteously escorted Count Osterman back to his room, then immediately turned and instructed Talleyrand, "Once the Russian ambassador returns home, please go to Rome at once."
Talleyrand understood at once. "Your Highness, in fact, all we need to do is write a letter to the Pope.
"If you are still uneasy, have Prince Ludovico step forward and 'expose' them to Rome."
Joseph considered it, then nodded.
Reporting the Holy See's last knightly order for colluding with Eastern Orthodox believers without authorization was indeed more suitable for Prince of Parma to handle. Besides, Ludovico was France's relative by marriage and would certainly spare no effort.
The next day, Talleyrand continued dealing with Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Joseph convened the most important Cabinet Meeting in recent times.
It was late February. Statistics for France's industry and agriculture from the previous year had been completed, and the data now lay before Joseph.
Mirabeau, the Minister of Industry, proudly announced the industrial achievements in a loud voice:
"Last year's total coal output reached 9.6 million tons. Of that, anthracite accounted for 520,000 tons, and 70% of cities had begun using Honeycomb Briquettes. Coke output was 380,000 tons, and 80% of steel production came from coke...
"Last year, six large furnaces, seven forging plants, and two slitting mills were added nationwide...
"Pig iron output was 110,000 tons, refined steel output 10,000 tons, including 400 tons of the newest Manganese Steel...
"Last year's Phenol output exceeded 270,000 tons. Aniline Black output was 100,000 tons. Soda Ash output..."
After speaking in an endless stream for more than twenty minutes, he finally set down the documents in his hands, still not quite satisfied. He puffed out his chest and said, "As of the end of last year, we had completed every