Milan, 1 November 1816, 8 a.m.
Palazzo Diotti in Borgo Monforte, Seat of the Austrian Government
After a whole night sleepless, Metternich received Joseph Fouché early in the audience hall of the palace of the Milanese government.
‘I apologise for having summoned you without warning, but I need your urgent assistance. For many years, you were essentially the French police and thwarted conspiracies, attacks, revolts and every kind of subversive activity’.
‘The esteem of mutual enemies does always please, Your Excellency, but pray tell what value my experience has for the Austrian Emperor?’
Metternich produced some documents that had been prepared overnight from a black briefcase.
‘The value of a permit granting leave to remain for five years with automatic renewal, tax concessi
