Chapter 21: The Unfathomable Crown Prince
"The key to this battle lies with Wilhelmina," Joseph had thought about this problem for a long time. "As long as the Patriot Party can hold out a little longer, and we make good use of Wilhelmina while stationing some troops on the Franco-Prussian border, Prussia should withdraw."
"I will submit the specific plan to Marquis Saint-Priest in a formal document."
The Queen nodded. "Very well, I will decide whether to continue aid based on the War Minister's opinion."
Just then, Louis XVI, who had been completely silent, suddenly spoke up. "There's no need for treasury funds. I will personally contribute 600,000 livres to aid the Patriot Party."
After speaking, he gave Joseph an affirming smile.
Brienne immediately let out a sigh of relief and bowed to Louis XVI. "Thank Your Majesty for your generosity.
"With His Majesty's funds, the treasury can temporarily suspend its allocations to the Patriot Party. We can then decide whether to continue aid in two months, depending on the situation in the Netherlands."
He turned to Queen Mary. "Your Majesty, does this arrangement suit you?"
The Queen nodded. "Very well. Let's move on to the next item."
Afterward, the cabinet meeting discussed various miscellaneous matters and was nearing its end.
Queen Mary signed the last two documents and, without looking up, asked Brienne, "Archbishop Brienne, I hear the Tax Bill isn't progressing smoothly."
She was referring to the new tax reform bill the government had been actively promoting since the beginning of the year. Its main provisions included: making the privileged nobility pay Land Tax like commoners; free transport and trade of grain; abolition of corvée labor; and an increase in Stamp Duty, among others.
The objective, naturally, was to increase fiscal revenue and cover the treasury's deficit. If implemented, it would actually benefit the common people.
However, the tax reform bill faced unanimous opposition from the grand nobles and had failed to pass for over half a year. The previous Minister of Finance had even been tragically dismissed over this issue.
Brienne nodded, a troubled expression on his face. "Your Majesty, the new bill is being held up by the High Court. I've received intelligence that they are very likely to reject the bill."
According to French law, a tax reform bill needed to be registered with the High Court and then signed by the King before it could officially take effect.
But France's courts were firmly controlled by the aristocratic class, and this bill, which touched upon their interests, was stalled in the registration process, preventing its implementation.
Queen Mary's voice sounded a little weary. "You know our financial situation; the Tax Bill must be implemented as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do everything in my power!"
'Joseph shook his head inwardly. He knew that, following the original historical trajectory, Brienne had never managed to pass the bill. Eventually, Louis XVI, in a desperate attempt, and perhaps on the advice of some hardliner, stripped the High Court of many powers, exiled stubborn judges, and replaced it with a plenary court under royal authority, forcibly passing the bill.
'However, the grand nobles immediately seized upon this incident to incite public opinion, painting Louis XVI as an autocratic tyrant who disregarded the law. This sparked a nationwide anti-tax movement across France, plunging the national finances into chaos.
'Louis XVI, with no voice in public discourse, was unable to defend himself. In the end, he had no choice but to recall the exiled judges, restore the High Court's powers, and consequently, the High Court once again halted the recently implemented tax reform bill.
'The worst impact of this was that the grand nobles were thus confirmed in their belief that the King could not contend with them, leading them to become even more arrogant and overbearing. Louis XVI, utterly helpless, had no choice but to convene the Estates-General, hoping the common people would support him against the nobility.
'As for the outcome, the nobles exploited the Estates-General to incite riots, but unexpectedly, this coincided with the Great Famine of 1788 in France. The situation then spiraled out of control, and the Great Revolution erupted...'
Joseph looked at Brienne, thinking, 'You want the nobles to accept a bill that makes them pay more taxes? Isn't that like asking a tiger for its skin?'
To implement tax reform, one must first severely discipline these nobles, making them understand the power of the monarchy. Only then will they obediently pay taxes.
Furthermore, the power of public opinion must be firmly held. These grand nobles are experts at To Confound Black and White, inciting popular sentiment, and destabilizing the country to profit from it. Only by ensuring the French populace can hear the government's voice and know the truth will they not be exploited by the nobles.
He took a deep breath. Taking the position of Assistant to the Minister of Finance was his first step. However, changing the course of history would inevitably face many obstacles, but whether it was stubborn nobles, the church, or capitalists, he would show no mercy to anyone who dared to challenge him!
"That will be all. Meeting adjourned."
The Queen's voice interrupted Joseph's thoughts. He and the other ministers rose together, bowed to the King and Queen, and prepared to leave.
"Joseph, don't leave yet." Queen Mary called out to him.
Joseph reluctantly returned to his seat.
Once the other ministers had left the meeting hall, the Queen smiled at him. "Joseph, your Police Reform is excellent. The Saint-Antoine district has clearly become the safest place in Paris."
She paused, then sighed. "However, this Police Reform must be terminated."
"Why is that?"
The Queen said with Sincere and Earnest Words, "After your reforms, the police salaries are too high, and they are all borne by the municipality. Previously, you used your own money to pay the police force, but the city hall simply cannot afford this amount. The public safety of ordinary citizens still relies on the civilian Patrol Teams."
Joseph, however, replied without hesitation, "Public safety is extremely important. I believe that not only should it not be terminated, but it should also be promoted throughout Paris and even the entire nation!"
"As for the money, you needn't worry. With me taking over... ahem, participating in financial management, the national treasury will quickly become abundant."
Queen Mary looked at her son, intrigued. "Where do you plan to get the money from?"
'Joseph paused, thinking, 'Steam engines, blast furnace steelmaking, rubber, mining, cement, even armaments—any one of these could earn tens of millions of livres.'
'But I can't tell you any of that...'
He hesitated for a moment, then chose a few options the Queen would accept. "For example, finance, real estate, luxury goods. In short, I am confident."
Queen Mary frowned, finding it a bit unreliable. After a moment's thought, she said, "Tell you what, I'll give you half a year. If you can solve the police salary problem, you can continue the Police Reform; otherwise, it will immediately revert to its original state."
"Very well. I don't think it will take half a year."
Louis XVI, glancing at the time, said to the mother and son, "It's almost lunchtime. No work should interfere with lunch."
He led the two of them towards the royal dining hall. In the corridor, Joseph remembered something and asked Queen Mary, "Mother, are there any suitable candidates for Commissioner of Police of Paris?"
"Commissioner of Police? You'll have to ask Count Monnot."
"Hmm, he'll accept my suggestion."
The Queen paused, then quickly understood the key. "Are you blackmailing him with the Guizot affair?"
"Absolutely not," Joseph replied with complete candor. "I'm just helping him ease his mind."
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