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Chapter 46: Commissioner of Police and Head of Studies

"You've done an excellent job!" Joseph praised, looking at Friant. "Continue to recruit cadets. Also, identify those with outstanding aptitude and ambition, separate them into an 'elite class,' and give them specialized training.

"Furthermore, while the police academy is still in its initial stages and we can make do, it absolutely cannot remain this way. Prioritize building new dormitories and purchasing training equipment and gear. Oh, you are to adhere to the standards of the Paris Military School—it should be better, not worse. I'll allocate 250,000 livres to you to start with..."

Friant's heart leaped at the figure. Such a large sum wasn't just for building a school to train small-time police officers; it was nearly enough for a proper military academy!

Joseph, however, seemed to be testing his heart's resilience as he continued, "This is for the initial construction costs. I plan to invest a total of over 1 million livres. Once everything is complete, the enrollment scale should exceed 3,000 cadets."

Friant swallowed hard, quickly responding, "Yes! Yes, Your Royal Highness!"

Joseph then added as if an afterthought, "Oh, and everyone has worked hard during the police academy's preparatory phase. Allocate 5,000 livres from the budget as a reward for the academy's management, including yourself."

"Yes! Thank you, Your Royal Highness!"

The police academy's preparations were progressing much faster than anticipated, and this certainly warranted a reward.

The academy had just opened, and all the instructors, administrative staff, even those managing the dormitory construction, amounted to only about twenty people. This reward was equivalent to half a year's salary for each of them.

Bessanson's eyes were filled with envy upon hearing this. He used to think Friant was merely in charge of a police academy, but now it seemed this was no ordinary academy. Friant's future development would likely be no less promising than his own as Commissioner of Police.

He secretly mused, 'From now on, I need to work my absolute hardest. In the police system, I must surpass Friant.'

Étienne, the General Manager of Laville Bank, arrived at Versailles Palace just after 10 AM.

He had dealt with the French treasury for over a decade and was very familiar with its operations.

It didn't take long for him to find an acquaintance within the financial system. He led him to a secluded corner and quietly asked, "Vicomte de Léon, that national debt is almost due, yet the treasury doesn't seem to be in any hurry?"

Vicomte de Léon glanced around and whispered, "From what I understand, a 'French Reserve Bank' has loaned money to the Crown Prince. So, the loans from Laborde Bank, and yours, are temporarily no longer needed."

Étienne frowned deeply, racking his brain, but couldn't recall any bank named the French Reserve Bank. He immediately looked suspicious. "Is your information accurate?"

"Are you questioning me?" Vicomte de Léon seemed displeased, his face darkening. "The loan agreement with the French Reserve Bank is already prepared. I saw it with my own eyes. How could it be wrong?"

Étienne felt as if he'd been struck by lightning.

This short-term loan amounted to 6 million livres, split equally between Laville Bank and Laborde Bank. It would contribute over 300,000 livres in interest to Laville Bank annually, making it a crucial part of the bank's business.

If this business was snatched away by someone else, he would certainly be punished!

Sweat beaded on his brow in his anxiety. He recalled the previous agreement between the bank and the Duke of Orleans—Laville Bank would delay the loan until the last minute, and when the Crown Prince was desperate, the Duke of Orleans's people would step in, and the bank would then immediately release the funds.

'Why is this different from what the Duke of Orleans said?' he wondered.

'Damn it, it must be that French Reserve Bank!' Fire seemed to flare in Étienne's eyes. 'It must be a newly established small bank that doesn't understand the rules!'

'Once this matter is over, I'll definitely make them pay!'

'But first, I have to get this loan business back!' With that thought, Étienne quickly thanked Vicomte de Léon, promised him some benefits, and hurried towards the Finance Minister's office, already planning in his mind, 'Lowering the interest rate to 17% should be enough to sway the Crown Prince. If that doesn't work, I'll go down to 16%...'

Bessanson and Friant had finished reporting on the police system's affairs and were about to bid farewell to the Crown Prince when Joseph's assistant from the financial department arrived. He bowed and said, "Your Royal Highness, Monsieur Étienne, the General Manager of Laville Bank, requests an audience. He says he wishes to discuss the loan with you."

Joseph's face instantly darkened upon hearing "Laville Bank." He said coldly, "There's nothing to discuss. Please ask him to leave."

The assistant hesitated, then added, "Your Royal Highness, Monsieur Étienne said that to demonstrate his sincerity, he is willing to lower the loan interest rate to 17%."

Joseph chuckled. "Sincerity? He must have heard about the French Reserve Bank. Now he knows to be anxious? Too late!"

The French Reserve Bank was, of course, the bank he was currently setting up. Although the bank had not yet been officially established, it didn't prevent him from drafting a contract with the French government in advance.

He told his assistant, "Please inform him, and that Laborde Bank as well, that they won't be needed for this loan in the future."

He paused, then continued, "After you return, investigate what other collaborations the government has with these two banks. Help me devise a plan to transfer all loans involving them to other banks. Hmm, let's call the plan 'Reducing Financing Risk Initiative.'"

Surprise flashed in the assistant's eyes, but he immediately bowed and said, "Yes, Your Royal Highness."

Bessanson, being meticulous, silently took note when the Crown Prince mentioned Laville Bank with a clearly displeased expression.

As he left the Crown Prince's chambers, he immediately caught up with the assistant and asked what had happened.

Although it concerned financial secrets, once the assistant learned that Bessanson was the new Commissioner of Police for Paris, he immediately became more polite and explained the situation in broad terms.

When Bessanson heard that two banks were clearly trying to trip up the Crown Prince, almost causing His Royal Highness to suffer a debt default, he narrowed his eyes.

He had been personally promoted by the Crown Prince to the position of Commissioner of Police for Paris and entrusted with the crucial task of police reform. Grateful for this trust, he was naturally fiercely loyal to the Crown Prince.

'Right now, someone dares to cause trouble for the Crown Prince. His Royal Highness is magnanimous and won't bother with them, but as a direct subordinate of the Crown Prince, I absolutely cannot let this go!'

'Laville Bank and Laborde Bank? You will pay for this!'

Meanwhile, Étienne was walking out of Versailles Palace, utterly dejected—he had just been informed that not only would the 6 million livres loan business no longer involve Laville Bank, but the government might even terminate all future collaborations with his bank...

One of Laville Bank's core businesses was providing large, short-term loans to the government, which had high interest rates and virtually no risk. However, the French government used to be as poor as a church mouse, always having to beg banks for loans. Who knew why it had suddenly become so assertive this time?

Étienne's face was ashen. If this matter became official, it wouldn't just be a matter of losing his job; angry shareholders of Laville Bank might even sell him off to Haiti for a lifetime of forced labor!

At that thought, he shuddered, but the situation had completely spiraled out of his control. He could only grit his teeth and rush back to Paris to report the matter to the bank's board of directors.