Chapter 388: Industrialized Farms Go Live
In this era, only the model of industrialized large-scale farms could rapidly drive the development of agricultural production technology.
Farmers, while diligently tending their land, were utterly incapable of agricultural technological improvement due to a lack of capital and expertise.
Moreover, small-scale farmers tended to be very conservative.
Joseph recalled how 19th-century French peasants clung to ancient farming practices, favoring the simplest, most affordable tools. They also staunchly resisted cultivating cash crops, as only a granary brimming with food could truly put a family at ease.
Large-scale farms, however, bolstered by significant capital, were not concerned with mere subsistence; their entire aim was to maximize profits!
Driven by the imperative of profit margins, they were compelled to continuously upgrade their agricultural machinery, develop more advanced cultivation techniques, experiment with new fertilizers — more costly yet superior — and grow crops of higher economic value.
This, in turn, would tremendously boost both France's agricultural and industrial development.
Indeed, agriculture itself formed the bedrock of industrial growth.
To illustrate, Britain's textile industry achieved global dominance by relying on vast quantities of domestically produced wool and cotton imported from South Asia.
Furthermore, France's traditional stronghold in the textile industry—silk production—also necessitated extensive cultivation of mulberry trees.
These were precisely the kinds of ventures where large-scale industrialized farms could truly excel.
Mirabeau and his circle possessed an exceptionally keen nose for profitable ventures. A mere hint from the Crown Prince was enough for them to instantly grasp the immense financial potential of these new-style estates.
Coupled with the advantageous land acquisition system, they promptly resolved to commit significant capital and dive into the competitive market of industrialized estates.
Naturally, Joseph's vigorous promotion of the Agricultural Services Consulting Company stemmed from his desire to consolidate scattered small-scale farmers under a unified management model, thereby granting them a degree of competitiveness akin to large farms.
As Vicomte du Coudray enthusiastically expounded on the promising future of these innovative estates, Mirabeau merely offered a polite smile in response.
What truly occupied his thoughts, however, were the Crown Prince's remarks from just a few days before.
His Royal Highness had pointed out that once industrialized large-scale farms were fully operational, land that once demanded three or four hundred laborers could be meticulously managed by fewer than one hundred workers. This would be achieved through the extensive use of livestock, machinery, and innovative farm implements, combined with stringent standardized management.
He quickly realized, 'Where would those two or three hundred displaced people go?'
There was only one answer: they would have no choice but to migrate to the large cities to seek a livelihood. Furthermore, with the aid of the Agricultural Services Consulting Company, ordinary farming families would no longer need every member to work the fields to guarantee a steady yield. Considering the challenge of acquiring more than 2 hectares (approximately 5 acres) of land per person, idle family members would similarly flock to urban centers to find work.
As these individuals streamed into the cities, factory labor would become exceptionally abundant, effectively dissolving one of the most significant constraints on industrial expansion.
These urban dwellers, in turn, would need to purchase all their daily necessities, thereby creating an enormous consumer market.
Having foreseen these developments, Mirabeau ran his calculations repeatedly. He concluded that investing in large-scale farms at this juncture would yield less profit than strategically positioning himself in labor-intensive industries like textiles and steel.
Consequently, he merely acquired some land suitable for speculative investment, intending to offload it the moment its value appreciated. The bulk of his capital, however, he committed to an automated loom factory in Lyon, while a smaller portion was allocated to a coal mine in the Southern Netherlands.
Indeed, the latter investment was actually made at the Crown Prince's suggestion. Despite the region being embroiled in ongoing conflict, Mirabeau placed greater faith in His Royal Highness's judgment.
In truth, Mirabeau had overlooked a critical detail.
Joseph had anticipated land speculation as early as six months prior. Having witnessed the real estate frenzy of the early 21st century, he was intimately familiar with the ploys major corporations employed to flip land. Thus, he had intentionally embedded a critical clause within the "Grain Yield Act."
Any land designated by the government as arable, upon its purchase, immediately obligated the new owner to achieve a specified yield. Even if the land was subsequently sold, if the minimum yield was not met during the harvest season, all landholders during that planting season would bear joint liability.
This, of course, did not apply in cases of natural disaster.
Therefore, Monsieur Mirabeau would soon discover that immediately upon acquiring land, he would be compelled to sow crops, failing which he would face substantial fines until the High Court forcibly auctioned the property!
While the Capitalist Nobility meticulously pondered how to maximize their profits through shrewd investment, nearly half of the nobles gathered among the petitioners outside the Petit Trianon still appeared tightly strung. Some had even crumpled their "King's Fund Application Forms" into tight balls and cast them to the ground.
These were the "annual spenders" among the aristocracy—nobles who lived beyond their means. Perhaps it was due to insufficient land and limited annual tribute, or perhaps their lifestyles were simply too extravagant, but in any case, they possessed no disposable income. Many even relied on loans to maintain their existence. The upkeep of formal attire for myriad occasions, the support of illegitimate children, and participation in routine salons, hunts, or gambling all demanded substantial sums of silver. For the nobles of Versailles, these were considered fundamental aspects of their very lives.
Moments later, a tall nobleman, his curly hair noticeably unkempt, pushed through the crowd heading to subscribe to the fund. He advanced a few steps and loudly addressed the Crown Prince, who stood on the dais:
"Your Royal Highness," he declared, "land rent is a traditional right of the nobility, an honor granted to our forebears by the old king. You cannot simply abolish it so easily!"
Instantly, a chorus of agreement rose from the surrounding crowd:
"Exactly! We demand our traditional rights, not some fund!"
"Those annual tributes were inherited from my father; they are owed due respect!"
Joseph merely regarded these individuals with a detached expression. He had long anticipated such an outcry and had already prepared contingency plans.
These nobles, those who refused to subscribe to the King's Fund, represented the poorest and, consequently, the least influential faction. Nevertheless, their potential to destabilize the nation if left destitute could not be ignored.
After all, an imperial civil servant named Li in the East had directly overthrown an entire empire under similar circumstances.
Joseph cleared his throat softly, his sharp gaze fixing on the tall nobleman who had first spoken out. "Perhaps you still recall how your ancestors obtained their fiefdoms?" he stated, his voice devoid of warmth.
The nobleman was visibly taken aback by the sudden question, stammering, "Yes, yes..."
Joseph pointed at him, his demeanor commanding:
"It was they who followed the King's armies, who, with exceptional valor and unwavering courage on the battlefield, earned their rightful glory!"
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