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Chapter 507: Let the Bandits Tremble, Mr. Robespierre!

Joseph was surprised to hear this. He had seen reports from the Intelligence Bureau detailing threats and attacks against the Tax Bureau, but he hadn't realized how serious the situation had become.

'These tax farmers are getting far too bold!'

His first instinct was to have the Intelligence Bureau and the police coordinate to let the attackers feel the iron fist of law enforcement, but then another thought occurred to him, and he frowned.

'Who exactly were Robespierre and his subordinates?'

'They were the "French IRS" he himself had built!'

'The IRS of later generations in America could arrest mob bosses that even the FBI couldn't handle. They could publicly apprehend congressmen and track down keyboard warriors online. They were ruthless.'

'And now, France's "IRS" was acting like a timid young wife, bullied by a group of thugs and forced to come to him for help...'

'How could this be allowed?'

It was crucial to remember that in an era that revered the law of the jungle, assaults on tax officials and organized tax resistance were common occurrences. If the tax department didn't project a certain "killing intent," they wouldn't be able to collect any taxes at all.

Joseph thought this, then looked up at Robespierre. "What are your plans for these egregious lawbreakers?"

Robespierre immediately responded, "I hope to dispatch more guards to the Tax Bureaus across the regions..."

Joseph raised a hand, cutting him off. "There will be no guards, but I can issue every tax official two pistols and a standard military saber. If necessary, you can even request cannons."

Currently, the standard equipment for the Tax Bureau was one Charleville 1776 Flintlock Musket per person, along with batons and shields. While this firepower was already formidable, it clearly wasn't enough to instill sufficient confidence in the tax officials.

Robespierre seemed a little taken aback. "Your Highness, but we are facing assassins..."

"So what? You are tax officials!" Joseph raised his voice. "You are tax officials who have undergone rigorous training at the Paris Police Academy, endowed with the authority to search, interrogate, and arrest!

"Whether they are assassins, bandits, or smugglers, they should tremble at the mere mention of your names, not dare to threaten or even attack you. Attacking a tax official is a serious crime. You've been issued weapons; you must learn to use them effectively!"

Hearing this, Robespierre felt a surge of hot blood course through him. The Crown Prince was right; he was a dignified tax official, dedicated to devoting everything to the interests of the nation and its people. To be intimidated by a group of thugs was a disgrace! What about his perseverance and convictions? Had they all vanished the moment danger appeared?!

Joseph saw the change in his eyes and continued to encourage him:

"You represent justice, the entirety of France, and you possess sufficient power to show those lawbreakers your might. Make them have nightmares at the mere thought of a tax official's reputation!

"Go forth. Tell me what weapons you need, and I will allocate them to you immediately, but not guards."

Robespierre immediately stood at attention and declared loudly, "Yes, Your Highness!"

After leaving the Tuileries Palace, he immediately returned to his office, tore up the speech he had prepared to appease his subordinates, and then rewrote a new one based on the Crown Prince's recent words.

Not long after Robespierre departed, Archbishop Brienne arrived at Joseph's office, saluting eagerly. "Your Highness, Berlant just came to me with a draft agreement, stating they would raise the tax farming fee to 540 million Francs and relinquish certain trade-related taxes, ready for immediate signing. However, as you instructed, I sent him away."

Joseph smiled upon hearing this. The Tax Farmers' General Assembly was clearly using both carrot and stick: intimidating government tax officials on one side, while offering a lucrative tax farming agreement on the other.

However, their actions showed that his "Void Accounting" strategy was clearly having an effect. The tax farmers' previous confidence in manipulating the government through tax farming fees was beginning to crumble.

The next step, dividing the Tax Farmers' General Assembly, could now be put into action.

He gave Archbishop Brienne some instructions, then summoned Fouché, ordering the Intelligence Bureau to investigate the forces behind those who attacked the Tax Bureau.

Most of these attackers were likely sent by the tax farmers. If he could find leverage against them, the resistance to tax system reform would be reduced even further.

...

Versailles Palace.

In the reception room of the Crown Prince's private chambers, Charles, one of the leading tax farmers, kept glancing anxiously at the door.

Three days ago, his assets in France had been temporarily frozen. The High Court's explanation was that the Intelligence Bureau was conducting an investigation into him.

Several banks and loan funds under his name were affected. Shareholders who had received the news were anxiously questioning him about what had happened.

Charles had tried every connection he had, but he still couldn't get a clear answer.

Finally, after spending several thousand Francs, a Captain from the Intelligence Bureau revealed to him that the investigation was being conducted at the Crown Prince's request.

So, he had rushed here in a panic.

It was over an hour before the Crown Prince finally returned.

Charles quickly rose, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. He was still trying to figure out how to subtly inquire about the asset freeze when the Crown Prince spoke first: "You're here to understand the Intelligence Bureau's investigation into you, aren't you?"

Charles froze, then immediately nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I have always conducted legitimate business. The Intelligence Bureau's unprovoked freezing of my assets will cause me immense losses."

"Legitimate business, you say?" Joseph drawled, prolonging his words. "You seem to have forgotten something."

"I swear, Your Highness, all my business is legal!"

"It seems I need to remind you." Joseph's face hardened. "You provided prolonged financial support to the Netherlandish Rebels, even continuing during the period when our army was engaged in conflict with them."

Charles's face instantly went pale with shock. France had declared war on the Netherlandish Rebels. According to the Crown Prince, what he had done amounted to the serious crime of aiding the enemy.

He waved his hands dismissively. "Your Highness, that's impossible. I have always invested in various royal families or governments; I would never be interested in the meager profits offered by rebels."

"Is that so?"

Joseph motioned for Eman to retrieve a document. Flipping through it, he read, "Your Charles-Boulton Bank in the Southern Netherlands provided a total of three loans to the rebel organization last year. It also assisted them in dozens of fund transfers with banks in the Netherlands and Great Britain."

Charles's eyes widened. "This... this is absolutely impossible!"

Joseph simply tossed the documents to him. "See for yourself."

Charles immediately saw the entries: Charles-Boulton Bank, Brussels branch, October 21st, loan of 37,000 Livres to Herlos Steel Company...

Charles-Boulton Bank, Ghent branch, December 1st, loan of 20,000 Livres to Ghent City Hall...

And there were many more records of loans and financial transactions that followed.