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Chapter 398: Queen Mary's Birthday Gift

Joseph knew better than anyone that historically, London had made gas streetlights its calling card, elevating Britain's prestige and attracting talent and investment from around the world.

Of course, this was also built upon Britain's own wealth and excellent investment environment. However, there was no doubt that London's gas streetlight project significantly accelerated Britain's development.

Now Joseph was determined to bring this major hot topic to France!

He continued to paint a grand vision for Queen Mary, saying, "You can imagine, Paris, which would normally fall dormant after dark, will now be vibrant under the glow of gas lamps. People will still be active outdoors after nightfall, shops will extend their operating hours by several hours, leading to higher incomes.

"At the same time, crimes like theft and robbery committed under the cover of night will significantly decrease under the illumination of the streetlights.

"Paris will become more prosperous, safer, and full of attraction!"

He also had some other advantages of the gas streetlights that he hadn't mentioned to Queen Mary.

For instance, once these were implemented on a large scale, the cost of lighting would be far lower than candles and oil lamps, allowing more people to use lights and improving their quality of life.

Furthermore, cheap, high-brightness lighting would greatly extend factory operating hours. In layman's terms, it would allow workers to put in overtime.

The same factory, the same workers, yet my output could be 30% higher for no additional cost. The resulting production and cost advantages would be no less significant than a major technological innovation.

Of course, this would inevitably lead to health problems for the workers, which would require government legislation to address. Otherwise, given the ruthlessness of capitalists in that era, they would surely make workers toil for 24 hours a day.

Finally, gas lamps required large-scale gas refining, which would boost the coal industry, and the resulting Coal Tar would, in turn, drive organic chemistry.

That was why Joseph placed such importance on this industry, inviting the Queen to attend the inaugural ceremony. Once Paris was fully covered with gas streetlights, he planned to seize the opportunity to host a "World's Fair," elevating Paris to the pinnacle of European metropolises in one fell swoop!

Queen Mary, hearing that a mere lamp could be so significant, immediately agreed. "All right, my dear," she said, "I will certainly attend your ceremony."

"Thank you! You truly are the best mother in the world!" Joseph picked up a pastry from nearby and fed it to Queen Mary.

The Queen chuckled as she chewed, her eyes glancing at a script nearby. She was a theater enthusiast, not only loving to watch plays but also frequently performing on stage herself. This script was for the second part of Battle Through the Heavens, which her troupe was soon to perform.

Queen Mary suddenly recalled the events of last night, and a brilliant idea immediately sparked in her mind.

She looked at Joseph and smiled. "My dear, the leading man in my troupe has been ill lately. Well, I think you would be the best replacement. Just look at my Crown Prince, more handsome and dashing than any actor in the troupe!"

Upon hearing this, Joseph instantly felt as if he'd donned a mask of agony. Not only did he dislike acting, but rehearsals and performances would consume a great deal of time, and he still had a mountain of matters to attend to.

However, his mother had just agreed to attend the inaugural gas streetlight ceremony for him. Refusing now would seem rather ungrateful...

"Uh..." Joseph hesitated, "Then let's agree, just one performance..."

He was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly spotted the script's title, and his heart clenched. 'Oh no!' he thought. 'Battle Through the Heavens? If I'm the male lead... does that mean I'd be playing Hunter Shaw?!'

Such a chuunibyou character, I'd probably die of embarrassment before even finishing the first act...

He immediately shook his head. "This won't do. Next time there's a different script, I promise I'll perform."

But Queen Mary caught his arm. "My dear," she pleaded, "won't you even help your helpless mother?"

"It's not that, it's mainly this script..."

"My birthday is coming up soon," Queen Mary said, delivering her final blow. "This play is meant to be performed on my birthday. Consider it helping me fulfill a birthday wish."

Joseph felt a headache coming on. His mother had put it like that; he had no choice but to agree...

He nodded, resigned. "Fine, then."

"Wonderful, my dear!" Queen Mary embraced him tightly. "I'll invite all the nobles from Versailles to come and watch. I'm sure you'll give a spectacular performance!"

"Invite all the nobles?"

Joseph couldn't help but be taken aback. He knew his mother was exaggerating; no single theater could hold that many people. However, those invited by Her Majesty the Queen would undoubtedly be nobles of considerable status and influence.

'Hmm, so this is an opportunity,' he thought to himself. 'Even though the production lines for Soda Ash and Casein Glue aren't built yet, it doesn't stop me from getting some pre-promotion in for Particleboard Furniture and soda beverages.'

The most prestigious nobles of Versailles would all be gathered there, and they were sure to create a huge ripple effect.

During the period before the products were officially launched, he could also run a wave of scarcity marketing. Once the products truly hit the market, wouldn't they sell like crazy?

'Oh, and I'll have Mother help endorse them too.'

As this thought crossed his mind, the bitter expression on his face instantly vanished. He smiled, looking at Queen Mary. "Dearest Mother, I've figured out what to get you for your birthday. It's some truly wonderful furniture..."

...

North Africa.

Tunisia.

Manuel Jacques de Chanel stepped off the gangplank, and his heart immediately settled. The constant rocking at sea had nearly been the death of him.

After a moment, his servant Victor led his prized Gallic Horse from the transport ship. The poor horse seemed to have suffered from seasickness too, foam still clinging to its mouth from vomiting.

"Alright, the hardship is over!" Chanel took the reins, powerfully raised both arms, and exclaimed, "Tunisia will bear witness to the arrival of its hero!"

He glanced at the hundreds of accompanying nobles behind him and instructed his servant, "Mathew, go buy some top-quality oats nearby. 'Feinu' needs a good recovery. I'll go inquire about the assembly point."

Mathew, however, extended his hand piteously. "My lord, I only have 1 Livre and 6 Sous left. I'm afraid that won't buy much..."

Chanel frowned. To secure a fiefdom in North Africa and bring honor to his family, he had funded his own journey to Tunisia to join the army. Indeed, ever since the Crown Prince's last speech, it had become fashionable at Versailles for young nobles to go fight on the front lines. Whenever noble ladies met young men, they would ask, "Why haven't you gone to win glory with your sword?"

Reluctantly, Chanel pulled out ten silver coins and handed them to his servant. "Go on. Pay attention to the quality; don't let anyone trick you with inferior goods."

From the moment he left Paris until his arrival here, he had already spent 140 Livres.