The Most Outstanding Son-in-Law

The most important thing is that my nephew just didn't mention France's largest export commodity-wine.🐍🐝 ➅➈ ♝☜

In comparison, Glass and Furs products are pillar industries of Austria.

He chuckled inwardly. His young nephew still lacked experience. Although including a large number of goods with reduced Tariff on France in the trade agreement could make the agreement look better, all of them combined were still far less than the export value of a single type of wine.

So he nodded very generously. "Then, let's set the Tariff on Paper at 15%, and the rest at 5%. What do you think?"

Joseph immediately sat down and returned the money. "Look, I've already reduced the Tariff Austria Flax products to zero, so you should at least reduce it a little more on Steel Products or Chemical."

The Holy Roman Emperor smiled, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip. "Very well, since my dear nephew has said so, let's reduce the Tariff on Chemical products to zero."

Austria still has some Steel Industry, and even exports a large amount to the Germany states. As for Chemical? To be honest, he wasn't quite sure what he meant, but it was probably something like Sulfuric Acid, and the annual trade volume was probably less than 10,000 Florin.

Joseph put on an innocent smile befitting a young boy and bowed slightly to his uncle, "You are such a kind elder; now our trade agreement looks much fairer."

Then, he continued to "climb the ladder": "Dear Uncle, for the convenience of trade between France-Austria, perhaps we can add a clause to the agreement Riga transport ships free access to each other's inland waterways."

"Oh, of course, necessary boarding checks are allowed before crossing the border."

Joseph II was nearly exhausted and weakly waved his hand, saying, "I will seriously consider this."

Joseph seized the last opportunity and spoke rapidly, "Do you think it possible to extend the mutually beneficial trade agreement between France-Austria to the whole of Germany?"

"Include Bavaria, Salzburg, Württemberg, Baden, and other countries, and have them all sign a trade agreement. Even Saxony, Thuringia, and Hesse could join this trade agreement in the future."

Joseph II shook his head wearily. "They are all worried that France-Austria goods will flood their markets, and they are probably not willing to join such an agreement to lift Tariff."

Even larger German States like Bavaria and Saxony couldn't resist Austria goods, let alone smaller countries. In this era when market economy theory was still very immature, everyone set higher and higher Tariff.

A sly smile flashed in Joseph's eyes, "Then we'll give them a discount."

The Holy Roman Emperor gathered his strength for a few seconds before asking, "But why do this?"

Joseph thought to himself that it was certainly to leverage Austria's influence among the German States, which was much easier than France negotiating with each of them individually.

However, what he told his uncle was, "This will allow them to reduce their trade with Prussia."

"A decrease in trade meant a decrease in contact. This had a positive effect on establishing Austria's prestige in Germany."

"In fact, as long as the negotiation strategy is appropriate, Austria will not suffer any losses. After all, given Austria's size, even if the terms of the agreement are not so favorable, as the country continues to develop, Austria will ultimately benefit from a larger market."

Upon hearing this, Joseph II was already extremely tired, suddenly regained his spirits.

He was a smart man and immediately understood what his nephew meant.

For example, small countries like Thuringia and Württemberg, even if they are strong in a certain industry, how strong can they really be? Even if they have advanced technology, their export volume will not be very large due to their small size. Moreover, for Austria, it is generally not difficult to find alternatives in other countries for the advantageous industries of small countries.

However, once a large country like Austria gains a leading position in an industry, smaller countries are essentially left with no choice but to accept being dumped.

Therefore, don't worry about short-term gains. The most important thing is to first bind smaller countries to your side, use them to expand your market, and make them dependent on Austria goods and markets!

Perhaps the desire for a unified Germany, which even war could not achieve, can be realized through this method!

His eyes were filled with shock as he looked at his nephew. This was a strategy his sister couldn't have come up with; he knew his sister very well.

Was it the idea of this young "Child of Divine Grace," or the scheme of some capable France minister?

In reality, Joseph was simply putting the concept of economic colonialism, which would later become commonplace, into practice. Which of the great powers of later times didn't unite their smaller neighbors into a unified market?

What the Holy Roman Emperor failed to realize was that he believed Austria was in control, binding the German States together with itself, with France profiting from the situation. But in Joseph's eyes, Austria was no different from Thuringia and Württemberg, all bearing the label of being France industrial markets.

Joseph II finally succumbed to his injuries and gestured for his brother Leopold II to continue discussing the trade agreement with his nephew, while he himself returned to his Bedroom to rest, supported by his Servant.

By the end of the banquet, Leopold II had discussed the details of the trade agreement with Joseph.

He was much more energetic than his brother, and therefore thought much more carefully, taking precautions against all foreseeable industries in France that could impact Austria.

What he didn't expect was that France's industrial development would be so rapid that it would soon turn almost all valuable industries into its strengths.

After Leopold II and Joseph left the banquet hall, surrounded by Nobility, and headed towards the concert hall, Maria Vitoluca subtly gave a wink to the Nobility to Joseph's left, then quickly took a few steps to the spot where the latter had just been.

She was about the same height as Joseph, and turned her head to say, "My dear, the His Majesty the Emperor looked at you just now was full of admiration and satisfaction."

"Sigh, he's never shown this much affection for Clementine before."

Joseph was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "My cousin is the kindest and most lovely lady. I heard that His Majesty's favorite junior is her."

Vitoluca covered his mouth with his fan and laughed, "Clementine has any flaws, it's that she can be extremely jealous at times, and she cares a lot about the people she likes."

She suddenly lowered her voice. "So, if you don't have any other mistresses in the future, oh, like your father, I think she'll be very happy."

Joseph was taken aback again, not expecting the topic to veer to this. He immediately broke out in a cold sweat and quickly changed the subject. "Um, well, I heard Mr. Mozart will be playing later?"