Chapter 482: Pretend to be Polite and Compliant
Two days later.
Nine financiers controlling the General Assembly of Tax Farmers in France gathered at Fould's villa. Due to the urgency of the matter, only those residing near Paris were present. However, they commanded over forty percent of the Assembly's capital, sufficient to make decisions on significant issues.
By the conference table, Van Kiewicz flipped through a newspaper. Seeing headlines such as "Professor Nice States: Tax Farming System Increases Taxes for Ordinary People," "Shocking: They Don't Want Your Taxes Lowered," and "Is it a Failure of the Tax System or the Darkness of Human Nature?", he slammed his hand on the table in a fit of pique.
These articles, which exposed the accumulated knowledge of the tax farming system and analyzed how Tax System Reform could reduce the public's tax burden, were all commissioned by Joseph. Since Tax System Reform benefited the nation and its citizens while only harming the Tax Farmers, he naturally leveraged public opinion to promote it vigorously.
Fould gestured for silence, his face grim.
"The damned General Post Office caught fire, which has made the situation somewhat unfavorable for us."
Everyone fell silent.
They had previously invested millions of francs, attempting to exert pressure on the royal family through official channels. To their surprise, the entire bureaucratic class had now become the greatest supporters of the Tax System Reform. Perhaps their support wasn't entirely genuine, but the tide of public opinion had clearly turned.
Hope cleared his throat and said, "First, everyone must ensure that any subordinates who have been in contact with the arrested officials leave the country immediately. Those officials could expose them at any moment."
"Don't worry, they won't be caught."
"I've already arranged for them to leave."
A moneylender expressed his nervousness.
"It seems the royal family is very determined to abolish tax farming this time. What if the government manages to raise enough funds and doesn't renew the tax farming agreement next year...?"
Hope raised a hand, interrupting him.
"Given the financial state of the French government, it's highly unlikely they can secure 200 million francs. Of course, we mustn't let down our guard."
He looked at Fould.
"We should create some false impressions to lull the government into a sense of security, making them relax about fundraising."
"What do you mean?"
"On one hand, have Viscount Berlant lower the terms in the tax farming negotiations. For instance, propose an increase of 70 million francs in the total tax farming amount compared to this year, and relinquish tax categories that the government values greatly, such as transportation taxes and transit taxes. In short, make the royal family believe that 'even canceling tax farming wouldn't yield better conditions than these.'"
Viscount Berlant was the negotiating representative for the General Assembly of Tax Farmers. Although it was only April, negotiations for next year's tax farming amount had already begun, typically dragging on until the end of the year before an agreement was signed.
Hope continued, "If necessary, we can even have Viscount Berlant sign a letter of intent with Brienne. Then, by the end of the year, the General Assembly will find an excuse to revoke his representative status and appoint someone new to restart negotiations."
Upon hearing this, everyone's Eyes Lighting Up, and they nodded in approval.
Although Viscount Fould was the head of the General Assembly of Tax Farmers, many crucial decisions were made under the guidance of the cunning Hope.
"Mr. Charles," Hope then turned to the elder gentleman before him, and then gestured to the three people beside him. "On the other hand, you, along with Baron Morrel and the others, should discreetly approach Brienne and indicate that you can bypass the General Assembly and privately offer a total of 150 million francs in loans to the French government.
"Naturally, you'll need to appear very particular about the Interest and additional conditions, dragging the negotiations out until the end of the year.
"Once October passes, the initiative will return to us. By then, if the French government wants to raise funds, it will be too late. To cover next year's financial expenditures, they'll have no choice but to agree to let us continue tax farming."
A smile flickered in Charles's eyes, and he immediately bowed. "Please leave this matter to me."
...
In an office on the second floor of Tuileries Palace.
Brienne's expression was pleased. "Your Royal Highness, the General Assembly of Tax Farmers has clearly felt the pressure from the government and is taking a very conciliatory stance in the tax farming negotiations.
"I've heard whispers from Viscount Berlant's assistant that their bottom line for tax farming could reach 540 million francs, and they might even return some tax categories related to industry and trade to the government."
Joseph also smiled. "Indeed, if that's the case, they are showing considerable sincerity."
Brienne leaned forward, appearing conspiratorial. "Your Royal Highness, yesterday afternoon, Charles and Baron Morrel, among others, came to see me. They hinted that if the government abolishes the tax farming system, they could provide a large loan. However, they want 18% Interest, though I sense there might be room for negotiation."
"Excellent. This gives us even more confidence in the Tax System Reform," Joseph said, clearly delighted. "Please continue to negotiate with them and secure the best possible terms."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness, I will certainly bring you good news."
After Brienne departed, Joseph immediately signaled Eman. "Please prepare the carriage. We're going to the Paris Police Academy."
He held no hope for Brienne's so-called negotiations. He knew perfectly well that he was trying to smash the Tax Farmers' rice bowl; how could those people compromise? Especially with Jewish capital involved, he understood their historical actions and their devastating impact on local economies. They would absolutely never give up even the slightest bit of profit!
Therefore, the Tax Farmers' current posture could only have one objective: to buy time.
Firstly, to outlast the current strong political tide calling for the abolition of tax farming. Secondly, it was likely to compress the government's preparation time and shake its resolve.
Joseph entered the carriage, a faint smile playing on his lips. Buying time? Excellent. He, too, wanted to buy time.
If the Tax Farmers focused all their attention on their "negotiations" with Brienne, and caused fewer "40 high-ranking officials oppose Tax System Reform" incidents, he would have fewer headaches and more energy to devote to preparing for tax reform.
This was destined to be a world where only Brienne would be hurt. Both sides were merely Pretending to be Polite and Compliant, while only he believed he was engaged in a grand endeavor crucial to the nation's future, continually to Rack One's Brains.
Before long, Joseph's carriage stopped in the open space outside the Paris Police Academy.
As no prior notice had been given, Friant and other officials did not come out to greet him. Joseph did not proceed to the main campus but turned directly into the newly built School of Economics on the south side of the Police Academy.
It was only after he had already spotted the "tax officials" training on the sports field that Clemont, the dean, hastily led others out to greet him.
"It is a great honor for Your Royal Highness to visit the School of Economics," Clemont bowed, then gestured to the academy officials beside him. "Gather the students to welcome His Royal Highness!"
"Oh, please don't disrupt their classes," Joseph quickly interjected. "I'm just here to observe the academy's operations."
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