Chapter 475: The Incorruptible One
The second floor of the Tuileries Palace.
Joseph watched Brienne's retreating figure disappear, then looked at the annual financial report on the table, shaking his head with a sigh.
Although France's industry and agriculture were currently experiencing booming development, the growth rate of France's debt, after a brief dip early last year, had once again sharply increased.
Last year's total fiscal revenue was 580 million francs, an increase of 70 million francs from the previous year.
However, at the same time, expenditures had surged to 540 million, and with the annual fixed payment of nearly 100 million francs in National Debt interest, the deficit soared to over 60 million!
As of the beginning of this year, France's total debt had reached a historic high of 2.25 billion francs.
Of course, compared to France's nearly 3 billion francs of debt in 1790, the situation was already much improved. Moreover, last year's debt increase was primarily due to large-scale investments in North Africa, Luxembourg, and Wallonia in the Southern Netherlands, particularly in infrastructure construction, which was not only costly but also yielded no short-term returns.
Furthermore, wars in North Africa, the Southern Netherlands, and Silesia were also major money sinks. According to the financial data submitted by Brienne, military expenditure last year exceeded 43 million francs!
This was even with Austria covering a significant portion of the expenses for the latter two wars; otherwise, the figure would have been even more alarming.
This alone cost nearly 10 million francs for grain purchases.
Overall, had there been no wars and no need to stockpile grain, a long-awaited budget balance might have been achieved.
However, Joseph felt no relief whatsoever.
He understood clearly that his many previous reforms were built upon eroding the interests of the nobility. The Old Nobility, in particular, had seen their economic control, various privileges, and feudal rents almost completely stripped away.
The reason French society hadn't experienced major upheaval so far was that he had stabilized the nobility with the profits from the Industrial Development Fund and the King's Fund.
Should the returns from these funds prove insufficient, it would lead to discontent among the Old Nobility, and the accumulated resentment towards the monarchy would erupt. While it wouldn't necessarily result in reforms being abandoned halfway, as had happened in Austria, given that the Capitalist Nobility group had already gained some traction, it was entirely possible for national development to stagnate or even regress by several years.
Among these, the profitability of the Industrial Development Fund was particularly crucial.
Originally, according to Joseph's plan, leveraging the dividends of the Industrial Revolution, the return on industrial investments should have been over 30%, and once industrialization began to show initial results, that figure could even reach 200%!
Historically, Britain had used this surge to take off and become the "Empire on which the sun never sets."
With such profitability, integrating the Old Nobility into the broader scheme of national industrialization and achieving a transition from land-owning nobility to Capitalist Nobility was entirely feasible.
However, France's current industrial return rate was less than 10%, a figure only achieved thanks to Joseph's extensive "black technologies."
Ultimately, France's social system was still stuck in the feudal era; from its tax system to its administrative management, everything severely hindered industrial development.
Joseph couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile. "Actually, a complete revolution is the simplest and most effective solution."
The British, through their Glorious Revolution, established a complete set of political and economic models suited for industrial development.
Take the Tax System Reform, which was currently his biggest headache. Historically, France had simply executed all Tax Farmers and nationalized the tax revenue they collected, solving the problem in a simple, brutal manner. Yes, that was the work of the Jacobins.
However, Joseph had to achieve the same outcome while maintaining national stability, which increased the difficulty by countless magnitudes.
To abolish the tax farming system, there were two critical challenges: money and people.
Regarding money, ideally, the Tax Farmers would lend their collected tax revenues to the government as a loan, charging some Interest. This way, the government could gradually repay the sum using future tax receipts.
Of course, Joseph knew that the Tax Farmers would most likely not agree to lend money. After all, he was taking away their livelihood; how could he expect them to cooperate?
Therefore, he first needed to secure a large sum of funds to support government expenditures. An estimated 200 million francs would be the minimum required.
Second were the people. Tax officials were the most susceptible to corruption. During the reign of Louis XIV, tax corruption became so rampant that the tax farming system had to be adopted as a last resort.
Joseph retrieved the previously drafted tax reform planning document from his drawer and began to meticulously revise it.
Just then, Eman's light tap on the door was heard from outside. "Your Highness, Mr. Robespierre has arrived."
Joseph immediately smiled. "Please, show him in."
The door opened, and a slightly plump, blond young man entered with Eman. He glanced at Joseph with some nervousness, then immediately bowed with a hand to his chest. "It is an honor to be summoned by Your Royal Highness, the esteemed Crown Prince."
Joseph rose and gestured towards the sofa. "I'm delighted to see you too. Please, have a seat."
After resolving the Chartres inheritance lawsuit last time, Robespierre ultimately did not take a position at the Notary Investigation Bureau. Instead, leveraging the case's influence, he became an intern prosecutor at the Parlement of Paris.
Robespierre sat down, looking constrained, and quickly asked, "Your Highness, how may I be of service?"
Joseph immediately cleared his throat, speaking in a very grave tone. "Mr. Robespierre, are you willing to fight wholeheartedly for France, for His Majesty the King, and for all its people, even if it means facing immense danger without flinching?"
He had prepared several opening remarks, but ultimately felt that this particular, rather 'chuunibyo' one might be best suited for Robespierre.
Indeed, the latter immediately stood up again, agitated, and nodded forcefully. "Yes, Your Highness, I am willing to lay down my life for France!"
"Excellent," Joseph continued. "You are the noblest and most incorruptible man I know, and therefore, only you can accomplish this vital task."
Robespierre hadn't expected the Crown Prince to hold him in such high regard and felt a dizzying flush of emotion, immediately declaring without hesitation, "Please, Your Highness, command me as you wish! I will never let you down!"
Joseph maintained his solemn expression. "I want you to serve as the Inspector Commissioner for the newly established National Tax Bureau."
Joseph knew that if there was only one uncorrupt official in France, it would undoubtedly be Robespierre.
Comments