Chapter 1383: Great Achievements
Once Eman had closed the drawing-room door, Archbishop Beaumont immediately spoke, his face beaming with flattery:
"Your Royal Highness, as I said, that 'Pious French Clergy Order' only incites trouble among the people. If this continues, the Church's daily operations will be affected."
He glanced at the Crown Prince's expression, then lowered his head and gave a slight cough.
Archbishop Chartres, standing nearby, hastily added: "Your Royal Highness, especially Father Grenier, who constantly denounces us in public. I implore you to persuade him to cease such behavior..."
Joseph nodded with a smile. "You're right. I even believe that the 'Pious French Clergy Order' no longer has any reason to exist."
Beaumont and the others were overjoyed. 'It seems listening to Archbishop Brienne's advice back then, to block the reformists' proposals by allowing the redemption of Church lands, was truly a brilliant move!'
Joseph suddenly changed the subject: "However, due to the recent incident involving Deputy Abbot Rieu, Father Grenier suggested to me that the Clergy Order should supervise the Church's financial situation."
Rieu was the Deputy Abbot of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Joseph had initially planned to wait for Robespierre's side to slowly uncover the Church's tax loopholes before beginning to regulate Church assets. However, Sorel unexpectedly delivered a great gift: Rieu's secret ledger.
Archbishop Beaumont's heart tightened. He hastily swore an oath: "Your Royal Highness, Grenier and his faction are merely coveting the Church's administrative power.
"I swear in God's name that I will thoroughly investigate any misappropriation of Church assets and provide you with a satisfactory answer!"
Joseph pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said:
"How about this: We establish a 'Church Asset Management Committee'. Henceforth, any use of Church assets will require approval from this committee.
"Oh, and of course, the committee members will be decided by an internal Church election.
"This way, Father Grenier and his followers will have nothing to say."
Indeed, the Crown Prince truly considered the Church's interests.
"After that, I will announce the dissolution of the Pious French Clergy Order."
The Archbishops and others exchanged glances. They felt there was nothing amiss; dealing with the reformists, their greatest concern, was paramount.
So, Beaumont led the others in bowing and said: "We shall comply with Your Royal Highness's wishes, esteemed Crown Prince."
Little did they know that the 'internal Church election' the Crown Prince mentioned referred to a general election involving all lower-ranking clergy.
Furthermore, any future use of Church assets would require the consent of over 90% of the committee members.
Anyone who had organized large-scale voting knew that such a passing rate was impossible to achieve.
In other words, the Church's assets would essentially be locked away in the Industrial Development Fund.
Beaumont and the others, having achieved their wish to eliminate the reformists fabricated by the Crown Prince, were about to rise and take their leave, when they heard the Crown Prince speak again:
"Oh, and one more thing. I find Father Grenier's proposal that the Ministry of Finance be responsible for disbursing clergy stipends to be very beneficial."
Archbishop Beaumont immediately grew anxious: "Your Royal Highness, the internal affairs of the Church are exceedingly complex. If the Ministry of Finance interferes, it will certainly create utter chaos..."
Joseph raised a hand, interrupting him, and changed the subject: "I am preparing to push for the establishment of two legislative chambers.
"Currently, there are still some uncertainties, regarding the Church's seats in the Senate, and the eligibility of clergy to participate in elections for the lower house."
Beaumont's heart immediately stirred.
'He had long heard rumors that the Crown Prince intended to establish a parliament; it seemed the rumors were true.'
'The two chambers would undoubtedly become the administrative center of France in the future, and the Church absolutely had to secure a place in both!'
He hastily and carefully said: "Your Royal Highness, the Church has historically had the custom of providing ministers to the Crown. Now, it shall continue to serve the Crown in the Senate."
Joseph nodded. "I intend to reserve ten of the eighty seats in the Senate for the Church."
His gaze swept over the few individuals present: "You, along with Archbishop Chartres and Archbishop Tours, will all serve as inaugural senators."
The Archbishops were all ecstatic.
'The Crown Prince was granting them qualification to enter the heart of French power!'
'Who would want to remain a mere cleric when they could hold official power?'
'Look at how glorious Brienne and Talleyrand were now; they too would soon enjoy similar prestige!'
In truth, a place in the Senate inevitably had to be reserved for the Church, an organization of immense influence.
Moreover, judging by France's previous political conventions, once Church members entered the administrative system, they would essentially pledge allegiance to the Crown.
Currently, Joseph intended to use what was already destined for the Church to exchange for the conditions he desired.
Without waiting for Beaumont and the others to respond, he seemed to lose focus and returned to the previous topic: "You see, the Ministry of Finance taking responsibility for clergy stipends has many advantages. Firstly, it can be disbursed alongside civil servants' salaries, using the same process, which means efficiency..."
Beaumont and the others exchanged glances again, and subtly nodded.
'In the future, they would enter the Senate and enjoy great prestige; their families would also prosper.'
'For this, "betraying" a small portion of the Church's interests was not unacceptable.'
'They could simply use what His Royal Highness had just said—that clerics could run for election as representatives—to appease any discontent within the Church.'
After the Archbishops reiterated their loyalty and then took their leave, Joseph finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Through a series of maneuvers, he had finally managed, without inciting social unrest, to smoothly complete the fundamental reform of the Church.
Henceforth, the Church would no longer possess immense wealth.
With clergy stipends disbursed by the government, they would rapidly become civil servants, eventually transforming into 'community administrators'.
Thus, all entrenched ills of the old era that hindered France's development had been swept clean.
Over more than a decade, he had averted the bloodshed of the historical French Revolution while achieving the innovative outcomes that revolution would have brought.
Though he had preserved most of the nobility and clergy, these individuals would gradually integrate into the nation's industrialization process. Their distinct identities would slowly blur, eventually becoming citizens of the new era.
And of course, most importantly, his efforts had allowed himself, his parents, and all his loved ones to live well.
In the days to come, they could play together, laugh together, care for one another, and support each other.
Together, they would witness France ascend to the pinnacle of Europe under his leadership, and until their last breath, they would still be able to smile, looking into each other's eyes.
"Your Royal Highness, dinner time is approaching."
Alexandra's voice came from outside the door.
Joseph took a deep breath, and walked towards the door with a smile.
'Hmm, I still have many things to do, like leaving an unparalleled and mighty France for my children!'
Three days later, Father Grenier received a transfer order, to serve as a priest in Zweibrücken, Rhineland. He would accumulate four or five years of experience there, before becoming an Archbishop of a certain diocese.
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