Chapter 384: The Farmers
Joseph knew that the British were also observing the reactions to France's newly announced land redemption scheme, hoping to find leverage they could exploit.
However, he had already made thorough preparations for this; how could he leave an opening for the British?
Eman rapped on the door and entered, placing a hand to his chest as he announced, "Your Highness, the carriage is ready."
Joseph nodded, descended the stairs, and entered the carriage, which then sped toward Versailles. If all went as expected, the Old Nobility would be utterly bereft by now, and he needed to get there quickly to stabilize the situation.
...
Reims.
Zesgehuchten Village.
The small village church was packed with people, and even more stood outside, queuing with bowed heads. Not even when the Reims city church held grand Masses here had it been so crowded.
Father Joly rubbed his weary shoulders, addressing the seven peasants kneeling in confession before him in a mild voice:
But the peasants on their knees remained stubborn, crying out:
"No, please let me stay a little longer. My sins are too great! I was actually deceived by those foreign spies and participated in that wretched riot... Oh, I even cursed the King. I'm such an idiot; His Majesty the King is so great, he's..."
His meager vocabulary utterly failed to express his feelings; he simply repeated "great" and "Long live the King" over and over.
Those beside him echoed similar words, prostrating themselves forcefully on the ground, as if His Majesty the King stood right before them.
Indeed, after learning of the government's official announcement of the land redemption scheme, peasants across France erupted with fervor. No, it was more than fervor; it was a blazing fire of joy, shock, gratitude, and rebirth that swept through every village.
The redemption scheme stipulated that all French citizens could acquire a piece of cultivated land, no more than five acres, for a price equivalent to eight years of the land's yield and annual tribute.
This amount could be paid annually, without needing to be settled in full at once. Furthermore, the government would provide subsidies for the redemption cost based on how long the land had been cultivated. Higher yields from previous cultivation would also qualify for subsidies.
In short, tenant farmers who had cultivated a plot of land for over 20 years, and whose yield per acre exceeded the average of surrounding lands by 30%, would receive a government subsidy equivalent to 30% of the redemption cost!
Furthermore, families purchasing no more than five acres of land per person could, after review by the parish church, obtain a loan from the French Agricultural Bank — a bank Joseph had established, led by the Bank of France's initial investment and supplemented by significant local government funding, specifically to facilitate land redemption and primarily address agricultural matters.
The interest on these loans was very low, allowing any tenant farmer family to use them to pay the initial land redemption fee and immediately gain ownership of their cultivated land.
Of course, the loan wouldn't be disbursed directly to the farmers but would be used to make scheduled redemption payments. The loan repayment period could also be extended up to 15 years, meaning farmers wouldn't have to worry about the redemption fees at all. As long as they diligently farmed their land in the future, they would face virtually no financial burden.
As for purchases exceeding five acres per person, a 20% "processing fee" would be levied.
And for purchases exceeding sixteen acres per person, the processing fee would increase to 33%, with half of the total redemption amount required as an upfront cash payment, and the remainder due within four years.
These redemption terms were simply several times better than the best scenarios the peasants had previously imagined!
Especially after recent widespread rumors had circulated that the redemption period would be 50 years and require a single upfront payment, the peasants truly felt that His Majesty the King was as merciful and benevolent as God himself.
They weren't afraid of arduous labor; as long as they could see hope and their lives wouldn't be crushed by exorbitant redemption fees, they would be immensely satisfied.
Now, in just eight years, they could own land truly their own, just like the noble lords of old.
All of this was bestowed upon everyone by the great King, the benevolent "Savior," Louis XVI.
The peasants who had previously participated in the riots, without needing any reproach from others, were tormented by their own consciences. Thus, they came to the church en masse, hoping to alleviate the sins of their souls before God.
Father Joly helplessly pulled up the peasants before him, one by one. This nearly exhausted the strength of a man past fifty, and after catching his breath for a good while, he kindly comforted the dozen or so people:
"Even God has forgiven you, and His merciful Majesty the King will surely not blame you anymore.
"If you wish to cleanse your conscience, then come to church often and devoutly pray for His Majesty the King."
The peasants immediately nodded vigorously:
"You're right, I'll come every day to pray for His Majesty!"
"I'll come every day too. I will be forever loyal to His Majesty!"
"And I..."
Once Mr. Mari ushered them out of the confessional, seven people who had been waiting for a long time immediately squeezed in—Father Joly had resorted to using the single confessional this way to improve efficiency.
As the peasants emerged from the confessional, they heard someone giving a speech outside the church. An eager neighbor informed them that it was someone who had been deceived by Saint-Just, venting their anger.
Hearing this, the peasants immediately grew indignant. It was all that Saint-Just! He had appeared so sanctimonious, yet he had lied to everyone, claiming the government would enforce a 50-year redemption scheme, and even incited them to cause trouble!
Simply despicable, utterly contemptible!
A few of them, curious, approached the speaker and listened as he denounced the dangers the "Liberals" posed to France.
One peasant asked the person beside him, puzzled:
"What are Liberals?"
A more worldly peasant explained to him:
"Oh, I heard Baron Guy say that people like Saint-Just are called "Liberals." They are intent on overthrowing His Majesty the King."
"Those wretches! If anyone dares disrespect His Majesty the King, I will never forgive them!"
"Exactly! From now on, if I see any of those so-called Liberals, I'll report them to the Mounted Police."
"What Liberals? They bring no freedom at all, only lies and deceit!"
Joseph hadn't expected that this incident would turn France's radical Liberals into pariahs. At least among the peasantry, they no longer held any sway.
Soon, the peasants' conversation shifted to the Netherlander spies.
"Those shameless wretches," someone spat, "May God punish them!"
"My relatives in the city told me that all of the over 130 spies who were caught have been sentenced to hang."
"Excellent! They got what they deserved!"
"I heard His Majesty the King is fighting a war against the Netherlanders."
"Really? Then I must send my second son to join the army."
"I'll send my son too!"
"Hmph, I have five sons..."
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