Chapter 1389: An Industrialized Nation
Joseph flipped through the financial report before him, his gaze falling on the pie chart detailing the sources of fiscal revenue.
The largest slice still comprised land taxes and indirect taxes on agricultural consumption, which together contributed 36% of France's fiscal revenue.
Meanwhile, industry-related income, including industrial goods consumption tax and technology licensing fees, had risen to second place, accounting for 30% of the revenue.
The remaining 34% was made up of service industry taxes, tariffs, stamp duties, postal income, government investment income, and foreign reparations.
Joseph couldn't help but nod. To be honest, this composition of income pleased him more than the significant overall increase in revenue.
It was worth noting that just two years prior, France's agricultural income accounted for 39%, while industrial income was only 26%.
This rapid increase in France's industrial output was likely due to the extensive railway construction. This was particularly impressive considering that most of the railways were still under construction and hadn't yet spurred industrial development along their routes.
Once they were fully operational, France's industrial production and trade were sure to experience another major leap forward.
Even at the current pace, it was estimated that by next year, France's industrial output would surpass its agricultural output, making it the first truly industrialized nation in Europe!
Smiles spread across the faces of those in the conference hall.
40 million Pound Sterling was equivalent to 1 billion Francs.
Although Britain's total fiscal revenue had always been lower than France's, due to its significantly smaller population, it had consistently remained close, with only a small difference.
However, last year's figures indicated a trend of France pulling ahead in fiscal revenue.
In truth, for Britain to maintain an increase in fiscal revenue despite the various financial attacks orchestrated by Joseph, was testament to William Pitt Junior's governing abilities, which far surpassed those of ordinary men.
However, Godan did not mention Britain's expenditure figures—48 million Pound Sterling.
This meant Britain faced a fiscal deficit as high as 200 million Francs.
Bear in mind, Britain wasn't even building railways.
Aside from building warships, most of these funds were poured into the war efforts at Gibraltar, foreign aid, and subsidies for sugar and grain.
Consequently, in terms of economic health, France had once again pulled further ahead.
As for the financial situations of other nations, the French officials present barely paid them any mind—
Russia, 380 million Francs; Austria, 260 million; Prussia, 205 million; Spain, 320 million; Milan, 40 million; Parma, 19 million; Modena, 22 million; Florence, 34 million; Genoa, 9 million...
After the Crown Prince commended the Ministry of Finance for its achievements, Archbishop Brienne turned his attention to the Minister of Transport.
Theresa immediately rose, delivered a brief opening, then declared loudly:
"By the end of April, the total length of operational railways in our nation has reached 860 kilometers!"
Joseph didn't even need to consult the documents for the railway specifics; he knew them by heart—the 385 kilometers from Paris to Strasbourg, nearly 100 kilometers from Verdun via Luxembourg to Trier, 250 kilometers from Paris to Namur, and the more than 110 kilometers of the partially constructed line from Paris to Lyon.
In fact, due to difficulties in tabulation, this figure didn't even include the numerous uncompleted railways owned by private companies, which likely added at least another 300 kilometers to the total.
For instance, the railway from Paris to Lille was being built by a private railway company. Lines connecting other smaller cities were almost entirely under private company control.
Theresa continued, "And the railway lines for which planning has been completed exceed 900 kilometers. These lines will begin construction by the end of this year at the latest, with most expected to be operational within four years!"
"Completed planning" referred to lines where surveys along the proposed routes had been finished, sufficient construction funds secured, or private companies had already pledged to undertake the projects.
After detailing France's railway situation, Theresa then spoke about the railway plans of other nations:
"The line from Karlsruhe to Bad Wimpfen is the most complete; at its current pace, it will be operational by next August... The lines from Milan via Pavia to Nice, and from Milan via Parma and Modena to Lucca, have also commenced construction and are expected to be completed within two to three years. Most of the lines in Bavaria, Hesse, Cologne, and Nassau have also secured funding and are nearing the start of construction..."
Thanks to the promotion during the World Cup and Joseph's secondary licensing of railway patents, a railway construction boom had swept across the German and Italian states, with almost all capital flowing into railway projects.
As for why other nations' railway plans were being discussed in a French cabinet meeting?
Because these railways were essentially being built for France's benefit.
All these lines would connect to the French railway network from places like Nice, Strasbourg, and Cologne, and the technology and construction standards used would all originate from France.
French goods and Francs would flow continuously into these nations along these railways.
It could be said that the day these railways were completed would signify France's full integration of these regions.
What the Minister of Transport's report didn't mention was that even the British were busy planning railways, though they hadn't yet managed to produce a usable train—their steam engine power was stuck at 50 horsepower and couldn't advance further.
In fact, if Britain proposed to purchase trains, Joseph would be happy to sell them, provided the price was high enough.
After all, if all British railways adhered to French standards, it would only increase their dependence on France and hinder their own development of related technologies.
Subsequently, the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Civil Affairs, the Minister of Science and Education, and even the Minister of War all presented reports on their respective domains.
In terms of trade, France had successfully gained control over commercial activities along the Mediterranean coast. The market had expanded to all European nations west of Austria, excluding Britain.
Regarding civil affairs, the national population had grown to over 34 million by the end of last year—this included the non-French-speaking populations of North Africa and the Rhineland region.
Naturally, the population growth rate in metropolitan France was also steadily increasing. This was primarily due to the widespread implementation of cheap medical reforms, based on auxiliary doctors, which had covered over 75% of the nation, reducing the mortality rate from illness to less than 20% of its former level.
In particular, after mandatory cowpox vaccinations for all children were introduced, the annual number of smallpox deaths dropped from over 80,000 to less than 12,000—the deceased were mainly adults, as adults did not receive free vaccinations, and many were unwilling to pay 3 Francs and 4 Sous for a shot.
Concurrently, the orphanage system had been implemented in 70% of cities, though its effectiveness was somewhat lacking.
Many people passed off their own children as orphans to send them to orphanages, allowing them to "enjoy" the free food and lodging, which led to a significant number of orphanages being overcrowded.
Now, orphanages were forced to enlist the help of local police to investigate which families' children had "suddenly disappeared" and return them home.
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