Chapter 1365: God's Favor
Upon entering the abbey, the Abbot of Saint-Sulpice immediately said, "Your Eminence, the reputations of many of our colleagues have already been affected by these assessments; we must find a way to make amends..."
The term "colleagues" was a general designation for church clergy.
Archbishop Chartres, however, expressed his deep concern. "I'm more worried about this church reform Father Grenier is stirring up; it's having a massive impact on the lower clergy..."
"I brought this matter to Her Majesty the Queen, but she said it wasn't appropriate for her to interfere in internal church affairs."
"Let's focus on how to deal with the Holy See's assessment first!"
Archbishop Beaumont cleared his throat, signaling for everyone to calm down. He first looked at Archbishop Asseline and instructed, "Prepare a sum of money and approach those sent by the Roman Curia. Try to persuade them to raise the passing rate, or perhaps obtain the exam questions."
The latter nodded. "Would five hundred thousand francs be sufficient?"
"Let's make it one million francs. It needs to be an offer they can't refuse."
In the past, he certainly wouldn't have been willing to part with so much money. But with the Church now embroiled in various troubles, they had to demonstrate the "boldness" to spend lavishly.
"First, we must shift public attention away from church assets," Archbishop Montmorency declared.
Everyone knew the Church was wealthy, but that was a tacit understanding. If it were repeatedly brought into the open, it would inevitably provoke public hostility towards the Church.
Archbishop Beaumont nodded. "We must publicize that all church property comes from the donations of the faithful, and that the Church does not use these funds arbitrarily."
Archbishop Chartres added, "Each diocese will now distribute bread to the poor three times a week, with each person receiving half a kilogram."
Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at him, but no one raised an objection.
Just for the churches in Paris, distributing bread three times a week would amount to over two hundred thousand francs a month.
If you include major cities like Reims, Dijon, and Lyon, it would likely cost six or seven hundred thousand francs each month.
It was certainly a major financial drain.
But to offset the impact of the church reforms, this money simply had to be spent.
Finally, Archbishop Beaumont seriously swept his gaze over everyone and admonished, "For at least the next six months, everyone must ensure that ordinary priests receive their full salaries."
Withholding the salaries of the lower clergy was a significant source of income for them, with each person earning tens of thousands, or even over a hundred thousand francs annually.
The high-ranking church officials in the room could only nod reluctantly.
...
Baden.
In the palace square of Karlsruhe, Joseph gazed at the bustling French exhibition area and remarked to Archbishop Brienne, who stood beside him, "A grand exhibition, one worthy of being recorded in history, wouldn't you agree?"
The former Chief Minister had journeyed a great distance to Baden, despite his "ailing body," so how could Joseph not let him see the World Expo?
Archbishop Brienne nodded, lamenting, "From here, France will also begin to be remembered by the world. And all of this stems from your magnificent rule."
His words were utterly heartfelt, without a trace of flattery. He had personally witnessed how the Crown Prince had led France, step by step, onto the path of strength and prosperity.
Joseph smiled faintly. "This is merely God's favor bestowed upon France."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Brienne spotted the train exhibit not far away. He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and lowered his voice. "Your Royal Highness, I heard that at a recent banquet, you agreed that nations purchasing railway patents could sublicense them to others?"
"That is correct."
Brienne immediately advised, "In fact, Your Royal Highness, you could simply claim excessive drinking and declare the signature at the time invalid..."
Joseph nodded. "I appreciate your suggestion. However, I was not drunk at the time."
Archbishop Brienne instantly understood, sighing inwardly, 'I was overthinking things; how could His Royal Highness make such a basic mistake?'
But then he expressed a new concern. "Your Royal Highness, this matter might affect your prestige."
Joseph chuckled. "France has already established its leading position in the German and Italian regions. If I constantly appear too dominant, it will only make other nations nervous. So, an occasional 'drunken stupor' isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"Moreover, Madame Le Brun's painting should be arriving soon."
"A painting?"
After Joseph explained his subsequent arrangements, Archbishop Brienne nodded again in admiration. "You are always so thorough in your planning."
Joseph didn't dwell on the topic, instead turning to ask, "How are things with the Church?"
Archbishop Brienne turned slightly. "It's like a wolf has gotten into the sheepfold, Your Royal Highness; everything is in utter chaos."
"Every day, the names of bishops who have failed the assessments are announced. Archbishop Boulogne, in particular, is practically going mad with anxiety."
"Mid- and high-ranking priests are all holed up in their studies reviewing. If you don't return soon, even Mass might have to be presided over by inexperienced young priests."
"It seems to be working well," Joseph nodded. "No wonder they've already started bribing members of the Papal Review Committee."
Indeed, the so-called Papal Review Committee was essentially staffed entirely by his own people. The few clergy who came directly from Rome were always accompanied by Intelligence Bureau agents disguised as attendants.
Thus, as soon as Archbishop Asseline offered a bribe, Joseph received the intelligence.
He then instructed the review committee to accept all the bribes, and even demand more.
This was practically the Church voluntarily handing over leverage, and he naturally intended to hold onto it.
Brienne knew the Crown Prince intended to exert pressure on the Church, so he asked, "Your Royal Highness, should I 'disappear' for a while longer?"
"You've stayed away long enough, and many here have surely seen you," Joseph said, reaching out to him. "Where is the diplomatic note condemning the Roman Curia?"
Archbishop Brienne quickly produced the document, then hesitated, saying, "Your Royal Highness, but what if the Church still refuses to reform even after this?"
Joseph signed it, handed it back to him, and smiled faintly. "Rest assured, they will agree. After all, the vast number of ordinary priests form the true body of the Church."
...
Paris.
At the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, a slender young servant, clad in a gray cloth jacket, arrived at the side door of the rear hall, carrying a stack of books.
The priest at the door reached out and stopped him. "Where are you going?"
The young servant bowed slightly. "Father Guerin asked me to bring these books to him."
The priest frowned. "Father Guerin went to prepare for Mass this morning."
The young servant paused, startled, then quickly shot a glance at the short servant standing beneath a tree not far away.
The latter immediately understood. He quietly slipped behind the blocking priest, and a wooden club suddenly dropped from his sleeve. He raised his hand and struck the priest on the head.
The young servant was startled once more, then looked up and sighed. "Courage, I just asked you to distract him!"
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