Chapter 437: Catherine II's Repayment
Tuileries Palace, second floor.
Joseph couldn't help but smile as he reviewed the exposition's statistical report, freshly compiled by Bailly.
He had initially intended to use the World Expo, coupled with the installation of gas streetlights in Paris, as an opportunity to promote France.
Yet, unexpectedly, even before the exposition concluded, the total value of commercial orders had already reached over six million francs.
This figure only included contracts signed in the business hall; Bailly estimated that, with private transactions factored in, the total amount likely exceeded ten million francs.
Nearly seventy percent of these orders were for French goods. As the host nation, France had the most thoroughly prepared exhibition halls and its product promotions were highly successful, so the large influx of buyers came as no surprise. - řΑňöβΕѕ
While many of these orders might not ultimately materialize, even if six or seven out of ten were fulfilled, it would significantly boost the sales of French industrial products.
After all, this was merely an exhibition, and buyers were still approaching the products with a trial mindset.
The true surge in sales for French industrial goods would come once these products entered European markets, gained local acceptance, and established stable demand.
Once the capital recirculated, forming a virtuous cycle of production, sales, funding, and research and development—and with Joseph's guidance for France's industrial growth—it was highly probable that France would emerge victorious in the competition of the First Industrial Revolution.
However, Joseph also observed from the exposition that other European nations were increasingly prioritizing industrial development. Beyond Britain, the trailblazer of the Industrial Revolution, both the German States and the various Italian nations had already turned their attention to the coal and steel industries and were beginning to explore steam engine technology.
There was no helping it; Europe's sphere was limited. If one country developed something good, others would quickly follow suit. Historically, after Britain ignited the Industrial Revolution, other major European powers also launched their industrialization processes. Even Austria, the slowest to act, was only twenty years behind Britain.
Thus, Joseph dared not slacken in his efforts to foster France's industrial growth.
The world of this era adhered to the law of the jungle—powerful nations showed absolutely no mercy to weaker ones. Especially when the strongest nation currently was Britain, a country with 'troublemaking' etched into its very genes.
France had to become strong enough to counter the inevitable hostility and subversion from the British, so the pace of industrialization needed to accelerate.
Joseph handed the expo's statistical documents back to the Minister of Commerce and instructed:
"Please do your best to support the factories associated with these orders, especially those in the textile, steel, and chemical industries. If you encounter any difficulties, report them directly to me."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
Bailly bowed slightly, discussed some matters regarding the expo's closing ceremony with Joseph, then rose and departed.
Berthier, who had been waiting for some time, nodded to the Minister of Commerce, then quickly entered the Crown Prince's office, bowed to Joseph, and said:
"Your Royal Highness, word arrived from Vienna at noon: Lefebvre's Legion has reached Brno. The Royal Guard Legion's forces in Silesia are expected to complete their assembly within five days."
Joseph nodded. "Please relay my orders to the Guards Corps through the General Staff Headquarters: the entire army is to rest and recuperate temporarily within Austrian territory. I will depart for Silesia immediately after the exposition concludes."
Berthier exclaimed, a hint of surprise in his voice:
"Your Royal Highness, you're going to Silesia?"
After all, in his mind, France's campaign in Silesia was primarily a show of force towards Austria; there was no need for the Crown Prince himself to attend.
"Yes," Joseph affirmed with a nod. "We will be engaging in some fierce battles there, so I must be present on the front lines."
Seeing the confusion in Berthier's eyes, Joseph chuckled:
"Currently, the border between Prussia and Austria is almost unchanged from before the war. This makes it easy for them to negotiate a truce.
"However, if Prussia loses a portion of Silesia, do you think they would still accept that outcome?"
Berthier immediately realized the implication and quickly said:
"Your Royal Highness, in that case, we would be facing an army of 120,000 Prussians."
"You must have faith in the soldiers of France," Joseph replied. "Moreover, we will face such major battles sooner or later, and it's beneficial for the army to gain experience as early as possible."
Joseph knew very well that as long as the German States couldn't unite, Britain alone would be unable to pose a serious threat to France on the European continent. Therefore, it was crucial to keep the Silesian hotspot inflamed.
...
Russia.
Saint Petersburg.
Catherine II looked at the French Minister of Foreign Affairs before her, surprised.
"Are you saying that France plans to invest heavily in Donbas and send people there for development?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Talleyrand affirmed with a bow. "This is a plan personally devised by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. Three companies have already confirmed their investment, and one of them is the Sirk Steel Company, currently France's highest producer. You may have heard of it."
Catherine II had not yet received a reply from her ambassador to France regarding whether France approved of a Franco-Russian marital alliance. She had initially assumed France would maintain a policy of distance from Russia, so she was surprised when the French Crown Prince immediately presented such a significant gift.
'Were the French perhaps not entirely satisfied with Alexandra's lineage, but still wished to strengthen relations?'
She dismissed the thought from her mind and then asked Talleyrand:
"So, what does His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, hope to gain in return?"
Talleyrand smiled with utmost sincerity:
"Your Majesty's friendship is the greatest return for France.
"Oh, and in truth, His Royal Highness believes that coal or iron ore is highly likely to be discovered in the Donbas region, so developing it would bring immense benefits to both our nations."
Joseph knew that real-world diplomacy couldn't be like a television drama, where one could buy a barren plot of land from another country at a low price, quietly dig up resources, and then secretly transport them home.
Such an approach would only lead others to feel cheated, while also coveting the immense profits from the resources, inevitably escalating to broken agreements and mutual animosity.
'It was better to tell Catherine from the outset: "I'm convinced Donbas has coal and iron ore, but right now it's barren land. You name your price, and if resources are truly found later, don't feel short-changed." '
The Russian Tsaritsa smiled and nodded:
"I can grant His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, the mining rights to twenty thousand desiatinas of land in the Donbas region, in response to his goodwill."
One desiatina was slightly over one hectare, making twenty thousand desiatinas an incredibly vast area.
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