During lunch, Baron Stein and the other Prussian ministers had largely reached a consensus.
"At the very least, this will give us the strength to fight Austria," Minister of Foreign Affairs Herzberg said.
"It's just that Silesia may be impossible to hold..." Marquis Hardenberg was rather pessimistic.
"It's still better than bowing to Vienna..."
Prince Heinrich interrupted them. "What we need to discuss now is how to secure the best possible armistice terms."
Baron Stein sighed and said quietly, "Should we report to His Majesty first?"
Prince Heinrich shook his head slightly. "His Majesty still has a high fever and likely lacks the energy to deal with these matters. Once the specific terms have been settled, we can let him make the final decision."
At two in the afternoon, Count Montyon returned to the Hall of Mirrors with his assistant.
After the customary formalities, Baron Stein immediately said, "Your Excellency, regarding the armistice, our country is broadly in agreement.
"It is only that... as for the reparations, you know our financial situation is extremely dire. We truly cannot produce ten million Thalers..."
Ten million Thalers amounted to thirty-seven million Francs. Prussia had been running deficits year after year and had just lost a war; even in Frederick the Great's most glorious years, the treasury had never held that much money.
Count Montyon waved a hand. "It can be paid over ten years. The interest need only be calculated according to the French Reserve Bank's base rate."
The Prussian Prime Minister forced himself to say, "If the reparations could be reduced to three million Thalers..."
The French Envoy said coldly, "The losses you caused our country far exceed ten million Thalers.
"In fact, the General Staff Headquarters' initial estimate was twenty-seven million Thalers. It was only because the Crown Prince considered