After the ball ended, Joseph courteously escorted Count Osterman back to his room, and immediately turned around to instruct Talleyrand: "As soon as the Russian Ambassador returns home, you should go to Rome."
Talleyrand immediately understood: "Your Highness, actually, it would suffice to write a letter to the Pope.
"If you're not reassured, let Prince Ludovico go to Rome to 'expose' on your behalf."
Joseph pondered for a moment, then nodded.
Reporting the last Knight Order of the Holy See for privately colluding with the Eastern Orthodox is indeed more appropriate for the Prince of Parma to handle. Moreover, Ludovico is an in-law of France and will certainly be dedicated to the task.
The next day, Talleyrand continued to deal with the Russian Foreign Minister, while Joseph was convening the most important Cabinet meeting in recent times.
It was late February, and the industrial and agricultural statistics for France last year were already on Joseph's desk.
