Novels online

Chapter 1340: The Church Is in Trouble

Not long after the Minister of Civil Affairs departed, Eman's voice echoed from outside: "Your Highness, Archbishop Talleyrand has arrived."

Joseph nodded. "Please, show him in."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, limping slightly, approached him and quickly bowed. "Your Highness, a Russian envoy recently made contact, conveying their desire for a ceasefire."

France and Russia were still officially at war, though no actual fighting had occurred between them. Russia had clearly learned of France's support for Poland and, under the immense pressure of a two-front war, sought to influence Poland through France.

Joseph smiled. "Hmm, this certainly presents an opportunity."

Talleyrand nodded. "Indeed, Your Highness. The Kosciuszko Legion has already advanced to the south of Minsk, and the Russian-occupied territories are being thrown into a terrible fix by the resistance organizations. The Russians are likely to accept ceasefire terms highly favorable to us. We can seize this chance to demand they cease all trade with Britain."

Joseph glanced at him. "You misunderstand my intention. It's far too soon to halt our offensive against Russia."

"What I mean is, this is an opportunity to drag the British into trouble through diplomatic means."

He knew very well that the trade ties between Russia and Britain were too deeply intertwined to be severed.

Historically, Napoleon had thoroughly routed the Russian army at the Battle of Friedland, terrifying Alexander I into immediately signing the Treaties of Tilsit on a small raft in the Neman River, thereby joining the Continental Blockade—a policy prohibiting trade with Britain.

However, after Russia ceased trade with Britain, its finances instantly collapsed, and it soon began large-scale smuggling with Britain. This was one of the major reasons Napoleon later launched his invasion of Russia.

So Joseph had no expectation that Russia would accept similar terms.

Talleyrand asked, a touch bewildered, "What 'diplomatic means' are you referring to?"

Joseph instructed, "Go tell the Russian envoy that ceasefire negotiations can proceed, but since our nation declared war on Russia alongside the Mediterranean Security Organization, all members of the Security Organization must now participate in the talks."

"As for the location, Milan will do."

Talleyrand instantly grew even more puzzled. "Your Highness, could you explain why you wish to arrange it this way?"

Joseph smiled faintly. "Have the Security Organization Committee draft the following negotiation terms—"

After he finished speaking, Talleyrand instinctively said, "This... the Russians will certainly not agree."

"Exactly, but we only need the British to get wind of it," Joseph said. "Oh, and be sure to invite plenty of reporters to attend."

Talleyrand, being a clever man, immediately understood the Crown Prince's intent, and quickly bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

As he was about to withdraw, Joseph recalled the matter of the church and motioned for him to wait. "What are your thoughts on the current church governance system?"

"The church?" Talleyrand's thoughts didn't immediately follow. "Do you mean...?"

"Have you considered that the church needs some reforms?"

Joseph knew that while Talleyrand was an Archbishop, he had gained almost no benefits from the traditional church system; his power base lay with the government.

Historically, Talleyrand was an active church reformer, and even decrees like the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which aimed to uproot the church's foundation, were promoted with his involvement.

Sure enough, Talleyrand immediately nodded. "Yes, Your Highness, I believe there are many aspects of the church that ought to change."

Joseph smiled faintly. "Then, I hope you can contact some influential clerics and, when necessary, propose some reform suggestions—"

Talleyrand nodded repeatedly, his expression serious, then added, "Your Highness, I believe Father Sieyes and Father Bernier, among others, could participate as well."

"Very well, please take charge of gathering them."

In the French Tax Bureau office building, three kilometers from the Palace of Versailles, Robespierre looked at Roland in surprise, cautiously asking, "Are you truly going to do this? This application will involve hundreds of millions of francs in taxes; the church will certainly not agree."

Roland idly traced the rim of the coffee cup in his hand, stating calmly, "You were once a warrior brave enough to lead your men and trade musket fire with tax farmers. Why have you become so timid now?"

"I am not afraid!" Robespierre was clearly provoked, his voice rising a few notches. "You know, the church's influence is immense. They'll use every trick to make His Highness reject the application. For instance, they'll claim tithes are 'collected on behalf of God,' and 'paying tithes prevents natural disasters,' or even passively resist by delaying baptisms and Masses—"

Roland glanced at him, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This is the Crown Prince's will."

Robespierre froze for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. I will submit the application as soon as possible. But the church..."

"You needn't worry." Roland took a sip of coffee, then, still somewhat dissatisfied, added two large spoonfuls of sugar. "His Highness said the church will soon be too busy to concern themselves with tithes, as they will encounter a highly demanding major event."

"A major event? What is it?"

"I don't know either. But we'll find out when the time comes." Roland shook his head, looking at the brown coffee. "I still prefer the taste of tea."

Robespierre retorted with a huff, "You know, my salary can't afford much tea."

Recently, tea prices in Paris had tripled, and even the Crown Prince himself had begun leading by example, drinking coffee instead of tea.

The Director of the Tax Bureau said, pushing the sugar bowl forward, "Just add a bit more sugar; it'll taste much better."

Indeed, French cane sugar was subsidized, so its price was still relatively affordable.

January 11, 1800.

Epiphany had just passed, and the paintings of the Three Wise Men had not yet been removed from Notre-Dame de Paris. Yet, on the faces of the high-ranking church officials gathered there, there was not a trace of festive cheer.

"That Robespierre is utterly insane!" Archbishop Boulogne exclaimed, gripping the armrest of his chair in fury. "He was once just a pathetic little lawyer, and now he dares to meddle with tithes!"

Archbishop Agde frowned. "I heard Roland and Monge are also involved in this."

Everyone's expressions grew a few shades more solemn.

A single Director of the Tax Bureau was manageable, but with two cabinet ministers added to the mix, things became rather troublesome.

Indeed, just a few days prior, Robespierre had formally proposed a motion to the cabinet, stating that the current process of the church collecting tithes and then transferring them to the Ministry of Science and Education and the Ministry of Civil Affairs was overly cumbersome and unnecessary. He suggested that the more professional French Tax Bureau directly collect tithes instead of the church, then submit them to the Ministry of Finance along with other taxes for unified disbursement. This would not only spare the church the trouble of tax collection but also, with the Tax Bureau's extensive experience, effectively reduce instances of tax evasion.