Chapter 264: Competing in Industry
After that, Joseph barely listened to Fouché's report. There were documents, so he could always read them later.
Once Fouché had left, Joseph looked out at the sunlight streaming through the window and stretched his back vigorously.
Indeed, through his actions over the past year, he had stabilized the national debt, weathered the famine, and improved the lot of the lower classes. The possibility of France sparking a full-blown revolution had become negligible. The most pressing issues of survival were, for now, largely resolved.
But the cost of this was cutting into the Old Nobility's share, which had triggered new social problems.
However, the national pie was only so large. If more was distributed to the peasant class, the nobility would inevitably receive a smaller slice.
Therefore, to ensure the nobility remained firmly united around the monarchy and continued to contribute to France's prosperity, the pie must grow larger, allowing them to participate in the process of dividing a bigger share.
Eman, ever perceptive, motioned for a servant to bring fresh tea.
Joseph couldn't help but think of Emperor Napoleon. France at that time also faced a severe issue of insufficient pie to go around, and Emperor Napoleon's solution was to redirect internal pressures outward—seizing others' pies to distribute among the French.
...
Eman thought for a moment, then recalled:
"So, how can we make the pie bigger?" Joseph pondered as he picked up his teacup, only then realizing the tea had long grown cold.
'I'll seize what the British consider theirs!'
Subsequently, the booming industry utilizing coal tar led to rapid advancements in Britain's processing industries, such as disinfectants, dyes, perfumes, and even explosives. In this process, it greatly promoted the development of chemical industrial technology.
One must understand, in this era where the textile industry reigned supreme, dyes were the pinnacle of high-tech innovation.
This was hardly surprising. Not to mention that the cabinet ministers were practically all Joseph's people. France had recently experienced widespread riots due to food shortages, and currently, increasing grain production was the highest political priority. No one would cause trouble over this matter.
He let out a breath. War was the main theme of this era; on the European continent, multiple wars erupted almost every year simultaneously. If you didn't attack others, others would attack you. Everyone was fighting to snatch more pie from other countries.
"Your Highness, I recall reading a paper that mentioned this. The lamp seemed to burn a gas produced from coal. The light was exceptionally bright."
"Streetlights?" Mirabeau evidently didn't grasp the significant implications of gas streetlights.
"But this technology isn't mature enough yet," Joseph tempered his enthusiasm. "However, I know who excels in this area. Now I need you to help me draft a plan for installing streetlights throughout Paris, along with a preliminary budget. Oh, and Versailles must be included too."
Furthermore, gas lamps could also promote the development of France's coal industry. In the future, the entire gas lamp project could even be exported abroad, making it a symbol of French industry.
As Mirabeau was speaking, he saw King Louis XVI's attendant approaching, bowing to Joseph with a hand over his chest:
"Your Highness, His Majesty the King invites you to his Royal Workshop."
During the distillation of coal gas, a large amount of coal tar was produced. When the British dealt with this sticky, disgusting substance, they discovered it was rich in many useful components, such as aniline.
Joseph saw the long list of benefits brought by gas lamps, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips. Currently, Murdoch, the inventor of gas lamps, was working for him, tinkering with steam engines for France in Nancy.
The warm black tea brought Joseph a sense of calm.
In the early 19th century, the British were the first to install gas streetlights in London, significantly enhancing both London's urban convenience and its image.
This alone could directly boost the nation's GDP.
"Oh, no, thank you," Joseph smiled and shook his head. "My 'cake allowance' must be saved for when I visit Her Majesty the Queen."
"Yes, Your Highness, I will submit the report to you as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Your Highness, factories could operate 24 hours a day, and shops could stay open all night. It's truly marvelous!"
Joseph nodded inwardly. The gas lamp project was definitely a promising avenue for growth.
What they hadn't expected was that the gas streetlight project greatly spurred the development of Britain's chemical industry.
This simply couldn't support a fertilizer industry capable of supplying the entire nation.
"Precisely," Joseph nodded. "I plan to install these lamps on the streets of Paris. If all goes well, we'll be able to illuminate all of Paris at night for a very low cost."
"Your Highness, would you care for a slice of cake?"
Truth be told, France was still an agricultural nation. Increasing grain output clearly contributed the most to making the pie bigger and would also improve the quality of life for the lower classes most quickly.
However, the global level of chemical engineering was still rudimentary. Only sulfuric acid could be industrially synthesized with some difficulty. The other four foundational chemicals could only be produced in small quantities in laboratories.
The next day.
Besides promoting chemical industry development, the inexpensive and convenient gas lamps themselves could also bring enormous benefits. Illuminating cities extended the time available for urban commercial activities, turning previously unprofitable nights into periods of potential income. Regarding industrial production, affordable lighting equipment could increase factory operating hours, making night shifts feasible.
The gas lamp project was truly ready for implementation.
Of course, even if it meant seizing pie, he absolutely couldn't be as rash as Emperor Napoleon, nor could his ambition be as vast, provoking all of Europe against France and ultimately being dragged to ruin.
Joseph drew a branch 'Chemical Industry' under 'Industry,' recalling the historical development of the chemical industry during the Industrial Revolution.
Joseph then briefly explained the immense value of gas lamps to him, and Mirabeau's eyes widened as he listened.
Joseph remembered the gas lamp plan and said to Mirabeau, who was walking beside him:
Joseph walked out of the conference hall with a pleased expression. At the recent cabinet meeting, the 'Grain Production Decree' had been passed. After registration with the High Court, it would soon be implemented nationwide.
To increase grain production, the most direct method was using fertilizer. Currently, phosphate mines exploited from Nauru and Tunisia—ores formed from guano—could partially solve the problem, but transportation costs were still too high.
"I commend your frugality." Eman, who had no concept of the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, could only think of this explanation, and retreated to the doorway with a compliment.
Developing purely industrially synthesized fertilizers was the only way to bring about a true agricultural revolution.
"We'll pursue a dual strategy. Besides looking outward, we must also make the domestic pie bigger." Joseph put down his teacup, picked up a pen, and wrote down several words on the paper: 'Industry,' 'Agriculture,' and 'Trade.'
"Very well, I'll go at once." Joseph nodded. Then he said to Mirabeau, "We'll discuss the details later."
Before long, in the Royal Workshop, King Louis XVI stood before a wooden machine nearly ten feet wide and two men tall, fitted with numerous cylinders, and unenthusiastically gestured to Joseph:
"This is it. The automatic loom you asked for."
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