"You are all ministers of France and you should be considerate of the country's difficulties."
"What do you think?" Louis XVI looked at everyone.
All the ministers were silent, because they had no way to continue talking.
King Louis XVI was completely aware of what his regime was based on.
To be precise, kings are leaders elected by the nobles. The reason why they are able to take charge of the country is because the nobles below are convinced.
Moreover, most of the nobles can agree with what the king does.
And these nobles managed the serfs below.
Now with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, a new type of aristocracy called 'factory owners' has been born among these third-class serfs.
These nobles impacted the industries of the old nobles, causing many old nobles to go bankrupt.
However, these new types of nobles do not belong to the second class. Strictly speaking, their noble status will not be recognized by others.
This was the main situation that caused changes in the power structure of the French Empire.
Now, in order to maintain his rule, King Louis XVI of France is neither mediating the contradictions between the old and new aristocrats, nor supporting a certain faction of aristocrats.
Instead, they engage in foreign wars and attack enemy countries with force.
This was used to restore the image of the French Empire in people's minds.
Louis XVI wanted to return France to the state of his grandfather's grandfather, Louis XIV!
He wants to regain the glory of the Sun King, but he doesn't know how to deal with the current challenges.
Even if Britain was defeated, the foundation of France's rule was shaken.
It can't be undone.
In the French court, those people with lofty ideals looked at the French King Louis XVI and sighed silently in their hearts.
They knew that Louis XVI did this to maintain his rule. It was not that he did not want to be a good emperor.
But now that France has entered the early stages of chaos, Louis XVI continues to fight foreign wars without any scruples.
There are even more taxes to be added, and even the old nobles who defend the king cannot sit still.
"Your Majesty, I feel unwell, so I have to leave now."
Before Louis XVI could say anything, an aristocratic minister claimed illness and resigned.
Louis XVI frowned, but he did not stop him and allowed the minister to retreat.
Every day after that, among the ministers, some said they were sick and could not come to court!
"This one won't come, that one won't come!"
"What do these ministers think of France's meeting? Is it child's play!"
Louis XVI was furious in the Palace of Versailles, but now he only dares to smash a few glasses here and complain to his wife.
Otherwise Louis XVI had no place to vent.
Because France still needs these ministers now.
"Your Majesty, since the subjects do not listen to us now, the ministers do not listen to us."
"Perhaps we can follow our ancestors and hold a meeting of the three estates!"
Louis XVI's queen Antoinette suggested:
"The Third Estate..." Louis XVI murmured, thinking.
The so-called Estates-General was a parliament convened more than a hundred years ago when the country was in its most difficult times.
There are three classes that make up the state, namely the first class: the clergy.
Second estate: French traditional nobility.
Third Estate: French peasants.
It is a parliament convened by the king for help. Its main function is to pass new tax laws and levy new taxes.
In the history of France, every meeting of the Estates-General was held at a time when the country was most in danger.
For example, the Hundred Years War between Britain and France.
The convening of the Level 3 Conference directly helped France turn the tide. Otherwise, there would be no France today.
Louis XVI was extremely hesitant. Although their situation was very tense now, it was far from convening a meeting of the three levels.
"Queen, it is too early for the meeting of the three estates."
"Although the current budget is in deficit, as long as the war in America is ended, we can invade America's territory. Those places that were originally British colonial areas will become our territory."
"There must not be astronomical financial recovery by then."
Queen Antoinette laughed when she heard this: "Your Majesty, although we have contributed a lot in America, the real winner of this war is Long Yan."
"And do you think Long Yan wants America to become a new independent country, or to become a colony again?"
"Which option is more beneficial to them? I think Your Majesty should think about it."
When Louis XVI heard these words, he was struck by lightning!
He always thought that Long Yan only joined the war because Britain wanted to die and dared to hurt Liu Zheng.
But now that I think about it carefully, when Long Yan did not participate in the war, Long Yan's army also sent troops to support, but it was just under the banner of trading.
Behind all this there is the shadow of Long Yan!
Thinking of Louis XVI on this level, I broke into a cold sweat instantly!
Long Yan does not want colonies to exist. This is something that everyone in the world knows. Compared with colonization, Long Yan prefers to cooperate with weak countries.
To achieve a win-win goal, it is like the Ottomans, like Egypt, and now Yuncheng.
Although Yuncheng is under the control of Long Yan's army, the place has been informed by the Indians from beginning to end. It is not an exaggeration to say that the place belongs to the Indians.
But the proceeds from the Panama Canal were given to Long Yan.
If America becomes independent in the future and becomes a new country, it will definitely support Long Yan's interests.
And if it becomes a French colony, there will be many restrictions on cooperation, which is not the result Long Yan wants.
Now it seems that even if this war is won, France will not gain much benefit from it.
Louis XVI frowned after thinking of this.
There is always a feeling of being unwilling to make a big game of chess by yourself, and you are about to win, but in the end you end up making a wedding dress for someone else.
Queen Antoinette sighed and said: "Although we can't get much benefit from America, we can take the opportunity to build a good relationship with Long Yan."
"If it hadn't been for this typhoon, France might have been in our hands for a while."
"But that is now. Everything is unknown. Your Majesty, we have reached the most dangerous time."
The queen looked at Louis XVI seriously, stared at him carefully and said: "The Level 3 Conference is now one of the few options we have."
"If the situation warrants it, Long Yan's constitutional monarchy is not impossible to consider."
Hearing these words, Louis XVI felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
The constitutional monarchy meant that he had to hand over his huge power. From then on, although he was the king of France, he was more like a decoration.
However, this move was able to convince the nobles and the third estate.
But this is a last resort!
