Chapter 153: Appointing France's Industrial Minister
Monnot rose nervously, leaning close to Joseph, and whispered:
"Ah, Your Royal Highness, you are my best friend! You absolutely cannot speak of this..."
In those times, having a lover was hardly an issue; some "enlightened" noble couples even introduced paramours to each other.
Yet, Count Monnot had an insatiable craving for thrill in this regard – his mistresses were always exceptionally challenging conquests.
Take, for example, the Comtesse de Messaye. She was her husband's beloved, and any unthinking nobleman who dared pursue her had his arm broken by Messaye.
Or the Marquise de Saint-Priest, who had just fled. Her Marquis was extremely possessive, forbidding any man to approach her. Her first lover was framed by Saint-Priest and sent to the Caribbean Sea as a laborer.
Nevertheless, both ladies had fallen into the hands of the audacious Monnot.
Of course, Monnot also feared the husbands' wrath. While his status meant he wasn't worried about underhanded plots, he dreaded being challenged to a duel by a thrown glove – with his portly 170-pound (77-kilogram) frame, crossing swords would essentially make him a stationary target.
So, this situation today was rather troublesome.
He nodded earnestly at once. "You can rest assured, my greatest virtue is discretion."
"I'm truly grateful to you..."
Before Monnot could finish, the Crown Prince gestured towards Clémentine, who was busy searching for her cat in the adjacent suite, and lowered his voice. "However, my cousin, as you know, she's quite fond of gossiping."
The Minister of Interior instantly panicked. He wanted to beg her to keep quiet, but then froze – how could he explain such a thing to a young girl? Besides, she might not even heed him.
He turned, looking pleadingly at Joseph. "Your Highness, please help me just one more time! You are her elder brother. She will surely listen to you."
Just as he spoke, Clémentine's soft voice drifted from nearby. "Cousin, Monsieur Moustache isn't here! Let's hurry to the next room."
Joseph patted Monnot's shoulder, stating gravely, "I'll try, but I can't guarantee success. Await my word."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Monnot in a flustered gaze.
The cat hunt lasted for over an hour. After disturbing nearly half the nobles in Versailles, Joseph and his companions finally spotted Monsieur Moustache in Princess Thérèse's drawing-room.
At that moment, he was perched proudly on the Princess's Chartreux cat's back, about to embark on a grand feline affair.
Clémentine, however, let out a cheer, affectionately calling out "Dear Monsieur Moustache!" She rushed forward, scooped up the cat without a word, and, ignoring its furious and desperate struggles, turned to thank everyone and apologize to Thérèse.
And then, for the first time in her life, she was scratched by Monsieur Moustache...
Joseph only rose reluctantly at 10 AM the next morning, stifling a yawn.
Last night, he had been up with the little girl, only getting to sleep past 3 AM.
Of course, the harvest wasn't insignificant. As he pondered what he could 'extract' from Monnot, Eman quickly approached him and bowed.
"You're awake, Your Highness. Count Mirabeau has been here for a while."
"Right, I understand." Joseph quickly changed, performed a quick wash, and headed to the drawing-room.
"It's a pleasure to see you, esteemed Crown Prince!" Mirabeau greeted him with a beaming face, bowing with a hand to his chest. "I bring you several pieces of good news."
"Oh? What good news?" Joseph smiled, gesturing. "Please, have a seat."
Mirabeau settled down and began:
"First, our paper mill has completed its trial production and officially begun full operation.
"The first batch of paper produced three days ago, totaling 20,000 pounds (about 9,000 kilograms), was of excellent quality and was immediately snatched up! Pre-orders are now booked five months in advance. We estimate monthly profits could reach 100,000 livres starting next month!"
"You've truly put in a lot of effort," Joseph said, nodding with a smile. He hadn't managed the paper mill much; Mirabeau and others had handled it, and he hadn't expected such smooth progress.
However, he wasn't surprised by the booming sales – paper of the same quality, sold at two-thirds the price, was bound to be snapped up. As for profits, they would undoubtedly continue to grow with increased production capacity.
Mirabeau rubbed his hands together and said:
"I merely did my duty; the credit primarily belongs to your new technology. Oh, and by the way, the paper workshop in Lyon has already begun construction and should be operational in three or four months."
He then spoke excitedly about factory construction and artisan recruitment before moving on to another piece of good news:
"Your Highness, the core area of the Nancy Industrial Development Zone is largely complete. There are seventeen or eighteen workshops there now, bustling with people. You really ought to see it. Oh, and your 'French United Steam Engine Company' is also there. Its factory complex is the largest in the entire development zone."
The core of an industrial development zone essentially involved finding a site near a water source, leveling the land, widening the roads, and adding a perimeter wall. As for supporting facilities like banks, schools, and hospitals, they could be built gradually; they wouldn't affect workshops moving in.
"Nancy's Estates-General also approved the development zone's tax reduction plan," Mirabeau continued, full of enthusiasm. "Of course, they were bound to agree. The development zone will soon bring prosperity to Nancy."
Joseph knew that the Estates-General Mirabeau referred to was entirely different from the one during the Great Revolution. At this time, local Estates-General were merely administrative auxiliary bodies that synthesized various opinions, requiring the King's permission to convene, and their decisions could potentially be overturned by the government.
However, when it came to taxation, involving the Estates-General would significantly increase implementation efficiency.
Mirabeau looked at Joseph, probing:
"Your Highness, you know that industrial development relies heavily on the market. However, the tariffs throughout France currently severely fragment the market. Perhaps we could try to push for the abolition of these tariffs, to unify the domestic market?"
Joseph nodded.
"You are quite right. However, there are many obstacles to abolishing local tariffs, especially since our treasury can hardly provide support... I will find a way to deal with this."
Currently, tariffs existed between various regions of France. Products from one province had to pay customs duties to enter another. This had little impact in the agricultural era, but it became a serious impediment in the industrial age, which prioritized product sales and capital recovery.
Britain, by being the first to abolish internal tariffs and leverage a unified market, gained a significant advantage in the competition for industrialization.
However, while abolishing local tariffs would indeed benefit the nation, it would be extremely difficult to implement.
One of the most fundamental problems was that a large portion of each province's finances relied on these tariffs. If they were suddenly abolished, the resulting financial deficit would have to be subsidized by the state; otherwise, provincial governments wouldn't even have the funds to operate.
But given France's current financial situation, it would be a divine blessing if the nation itself didn't collapse, let alone subsidize the provinces.
This was also one of the reasons Joseph was eager to expand overseas colonies – to use colonial markets to fill the gaps in the domestic market, and then use the profits to gradually resolve the issue of local tariffs.
Mirabeau knew that local tariffs were not so simple; he was merely reminding the Crown Prince.
Afterward, he delivered the final piece of good news – potatoes purchased from Austria, the Southern Netherlands, and other regions had arrived in batches in the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, largely replenishing the grain previously shipped out from there.
With this, Joseph's potato promotion plan concluded successfully. Although this year's planting area was very limited, it had opened the door for potato cultivation in France. It was foreseeable that in the coming years, after experiencing the benefits of high potato yields, more and more people would be willing to plant them.
However, this would subsequently lead to the problem of soil fertility depletion – potatoes were a crop that consumed a lot of nutrients. This was the next issue Joseph needed to address in his Agricultural Reform process.
After Mirabeau left, Joseph watched his retreating figure and suddenly realized what he needed to 'extract' from Monnot.
Currently, Mirabeau and his associates were needed to contribute to France's industrialization process. Giving him a suitable government position would greatly enhance his efficiency, thereby accelerating the pace of industrialization.
Furthermore, this would allow him to harness the Capitalist Nobility for his own purposes, strengthening his political power.
From a historical perspective, the bourgeoisie, represented by the Capitalist Nobility, was the future political core, while the Old Nobility would eventually be swept away by the tide of industrialization. He ought to plan ahead.
At this thought, Joseph frowned slightly. Placing Mirabeau, who represented the Capitalist Nobility, into a cabinet controlled by the landed gentry would inevitably face significant resistance.
This required careful planning on his part.
That evening, at the gambling party hosted by Queen Mary, Joseph drew Monnot into a corner of the hall, glancing at Clémentine as she placed bets at the dice table. He whispered, "I promised her a whole list of conditions, and I finally persuaded her. You can rest easy; she swore she wouldn't mention last night to anyone..."
In reality, when Joseph had asked Clémentine last night if she had seen anyone leave Monnot's room, the little girl had said she was only focused on the cat and hadn't seen anyone at all. As for her maid, having never been to Versailles, she wouldn't recognize the Marquise de Saint-Priest.
Monnot quickly stopped the Crown Prince from continuing, then, seeing that no one was paying attention to them, bowed sincerely in thanks. "You truly saved my life; I don't know how I can ever thank you enough."
Joseph feigned a sigh. "You see, I've been busy researching how to better promote industrial development, and now that I've promised to spend half a month entertaining her, I'm afraid I won't be able to get anything done."
Monnot chuckled apologetically. "You're truly going to a lot of trouble."
"If the Industrial Planning Bureau could have more staff, I could save some energy for my cousin," Joseph said, feigning difficulty. "But as you know, the Planning Bureau is just a small department with limited personnel."
Monnot seemed to catch his drift and followed up, "Then how can we increase the staff?"
"Unless the Bureau's status can be elevated, its subordinate officials are limited to this number."
Monnot immediately understood that the Crown Prince was asking for his "reward."
"What rank do you think would be appropriate for the Industrial Planning Bureau to be changed to?"
Joseph said casually, "It would be great if it could become the Ministry of Industry; then I could serve as an Industrial Minister or something..."
Monnot sighed inwardly. The leverage from last night was still in the Prince's hands, so he had to pay this price. Fortunately, the handicraft sector didn't earn much, and there were many tasks, plus it had mostly been managed by the Crown Prince anyway, so completely separating it from the interior administration wouldn't be an issue.
After a moment of thought, he added, "Your Highness, I fully agree with your suggestion. It's just that something as significant as creating a new Industrial Minister isn't something I can decide on my own."
Joseph smiled. "You merely need to propose the motion at the cabinet meeting; I'll handle the rest."
"As you wish, Your Royal Highness."
After concluding their business, Joseph, looking relaxed, led Monnot to play cards. He suddenly heard Clémentine's exasperated shout from the dice table: "I've lost twelve rounds in a row! Are you cheating?!"
The servant responsible for rolling the dice hastily lowered his head and defended himself: "A-absolutely no cheating, please don't be angry..."
The little girl quickly reined in her anger, stepped forward, linked arms with the man, and cheerfully slipped him a piece of candy. "Don't mind me, I was just speaking out of pique. Here, I'll treat you to some candy, look how sweet it is!"
Joseph watched with interest as the dealer, turning worry into joy, thanked her profusely and then continued to manage the game.
Clémentine grandly bet 2 livres on 'large'.
The dice cup was opened: 1, 3, 1 – small.
The little girl, fighting on despite repeated defeats, bet 1 livre on 'small'.
The dice cup was opened: 5, 5, 6 – large.
"I refuse to believe I can't win!" Clémentine declared, her face flushed, and continued to place her bets.
This little girl's luck was truly terrible. Joseph shook his head, chuckling. Just as he was about to leave, an idea suddenly sparked in his mind.
'Since her luck is so bad, perhaps she can be used as a reverse indicator!'
Joseph immediately stepped forward. Seeing Clémentine bet on 'small', he promptly took out 5 silver coins and bet on 'large'.
The roll: 4, 6, 5 – large.
'That actually worked!' Joseph glanced at the little girl in surprise, collecting 10 livres from the table.
Seeing her cousin win immediately, the little girl grew even more indignant, pouting as she placed 2 livres on 'small'.
Joseph, in turn, immediately placed the 10 livres he had just won on 'large'.
The roll: 6, 4, 3 – large.
Joseph's eyes lit up. 'I hadn't realized; you're a treasure girl!'
He thought for a moment, then stepped forward to advise the little girl: "You're still young; just have fun, but don't bet too much."
"Thank you for your concern, Cousin! I'm definitely going to win!" the little girl declared, rolling up her sleeves and heading to the next table.
Joseph shook his head helplessly, following close behind Clémentine. If she bet on 'large', he bet on 'small'.
At the baccarat table, if she bought the banker, he bought the player.
At the roulette table, if she bet on odd, he bet on even.
...
By the end of the evening, Joseph, relying on his "Reverse Clémentine Tactic," had won more than he lost. By the time the little girl finally lost heart and stopped playing, he had already won over 100 gold écus and a large pile of silver coins.
Beside Queen Mary's card table, a dejected Clémentine, having lost terribly, tugged at her aunt's hand, whining, "Please take me to Paris tomorrow! I've been losing all night; you have to comfort my wounded heart."
Unable to resist her persistence, the Queen smiled and called her son over, instructing him, "Joseph, tomorrow you are to do nothing but take Clémentine for a fun day out in Paris."
"Understood, Mother." Joseph nodded reluctantly, thinking, 'Consider this the little girl's "wages" for tonight.'
The little girl was overjoyed. She immediately clung to his arm, pouting, "Cousin, I heard someone say that an 'Eden Amusement Park' has been built in the Tuileries Palace Gardens, full of new and exciting things. Can you take me there?"
Joseph paused, startled, then carefully asked, "Um, are you afraid of heights?"
Comments