"There's no need to waste funds on this matter." Joseph waved his hand with a smile, "Have Baron Bodley quickly send those two Members of Parliament from Basel back."
Talleyrand was surprised and said, "Your Highness, but..."
Joseph interrupted him, "You should send someone, under the name of an 'anonymous official from the Foreign Ministry,' to publish a commentary in the newspaper, stating that our country is unwilling to waste energy on the German-speaking Protestant area of Switzerland.
"Make sure the article will be quoted by the newspapers in Vienna. Oh, you might as well publicly express appreciation for Austria's diplomatic efforts in northern Switzerland, saying something like 'this ensures the smooth flow of our land trade routes toward the Alps.'
Talleyrand was a bit anxious: "Your Highness, do you mean to abandon the Northeast Switzerland region?"
Joseph did not answer, but continued:
