Talleyrand froze for a moment and asked doubtfully, "Your Highness, what do you mean by Lesser Germany?"
Only then did Joseph remember that, historically, the concept of "Lesser Germany" had only been brought into the open after the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. At present, it should exist only in discussions among Prussian strategists.
He cleared his throat. "This is my speculation regarding Prussia's future national course.
"You know, Prussia shares Austria's highest strategic objective: the integration of all Germany.
"And the most direct way to achieve that objective is to become the true ruler of the Holy Roman Empire.
"But for Prussia, ruling the Holy Roman Empire is not the optimal path, because Brandenburg inherently lacks the legal basis for it. Nor are they likely to annex Austria.
"So the more realistic means would be to abandon a union with Austria, even abandon the framework of the Holy Roman Empire, and instead propose establishing a state of the German nation based on the German language and cultural customs."
"Compared with Austria's Greater Germanism, I call this the 'Lesser Germany' plan."
Yes, after decades of unremitting effort and a fortunate convergence of international circumstances, the Prussians had indeed accomplished this exceedingly difficult goal.
It was the process by which the Germany of later generations came into being.
"This is indeed a strategic challenge our country will face," Talleyrand said thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should use trade to isolate Prussia from North Germany."
At present, France's influence over the countries of North Germany remained very strong. In trade especially, France was the largest market and source of goods for nearly every state.
As long as France insisted on keeping Prussia out of the Stuttgart Trade Agreement, Prussia's momentum of development would inevitably suffer a setback.
On the other hand, being separated