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Chapter 508: Desperate Charles

Charles looked at the Crown Prince with a puzzled expression and protested, "Your Royal Highness, these are all legitimate businesses. How could I be funding rebels?"

"Please turn to the last page."

Joseph gestured to the document in his hand, "Herlos Steel Company was responsible for transporting weapons from the Netherlands to the rebels and for repairing firearms.

"The Ghent City Hall, moreover, had long been managed by the rebel council and had provided substantial logistical supplies to the rebels.

"And that Mr. Kooliford was consistently assisting the rebels with..."

Charles's face fell. He hurriedly explained, "Your Royal Highness, I—I had no idea of their connection to the rebels. My bank was merely conducting normal lending operations."

Joseph naturally knew that Charles likely had no direct connection to the Brabant Uprising. However, at the time, Van der Noot's forces had seized control of most of the Southern Netherlands, and with three banks there, Charles would have found it difficult to avoid financial dealings with them.

And the outcome was precisely as he had expected. The Intelligence Bureau quickly uncovered several connections between Charles's banks and the rebel army. Now that the Southern Netherlands had returned to Austrian rule and Wallonia was under French administration, investigating these matters was no arduous task.

In fact, for Charles, the transactions detailed in the document had all resulted in significant losses. For instance, Herlos Steel Company went bankrupt after the rebellion failed, and the tens of thousands of livres in loans had vanished into thin air.

"I am very willing to believe you," Joseph said, seemingly trying to reassure Charles. "As long as you genuinely had no knowledge, the High Court will soon lift the freeze on your assets."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Royal Highness." Charles hurriedly rose and bowed. He then asked anxiously, "How long will that take?"

"That depends on the Intelligence Bureau's investigation progress. If they work quickly, perhaps a month or two will be enough to prove your innocence. However, the rebels destroyed a lot of documents before surrendering, so it's also possible that it could take half a year, or even longer, without yielding any results."

Charles almost burst into tears. "Your Royal Highness, you must help me prove that I truly have no connection to the rebels!"

Although he had started his business in the Southern Netherlands, he later shifted the focus of his operations to France. After all, the market here was larger and the profits higher.

A full sixty percent of his assets consisted of funds entrusted to him by other nobles for management, and these funds required interest payments at all times. Not to mention being unable to access his funds for half a year, even two months would cause him painful losses.

Furthermore, he had to consider the situation of his banks. Once news of his assets being frozen spread, it would inevitably lead to a run on the banks by depositors—'Who knows if the owner of Charles-Boulton Bank has committed some serious crime? It's definitely safer to withdraw your money first.'

The last thing any bank owner wanted was a bank run; that practically guaranteed bankruptcy.

Joseph said calmly, "You should trust the Intelligence Bureau, or perhaps you could pray for them to find evidence quickly."

"No, please, you must help me..."

"I'm sorry, but there's truly nothing I can do about this," Joseph said. He then stood, indicating it was time for Charles to leave. "Let's conclude our discussion here today, Mr. Charles. I still have matters regarding the Tax System Reform to attend to."

Charles's heart tightened at his words. How could he still not understand why the Intelligence Bureau was targeting him?

Tax Farmers always went to great lengths to obstruct the government's Tax System Reform. He himself had previously pretended with Morrel to offer Archbishop Brienne a loan, delaying the government's fundraising efforts. Now that the French government had secured enough funds to operate for the first half of next year, it had gained confidence and was ready to punish him.

He hurriedly turned to face Joseph, bowing his head. "Your Royal Highness, the government is about to undertake Tax System Reform, and it's quite possible that there will be a shortage of funds during this period.

"And while the Intelligence Bureau conducts its investigation, my assets simply sitting idle would be a waste. Perhaps I could offer a loan to the Minister of Finance, to help him navigate the phase of tax system changes more smoothly."

Joseph maintained an indifferent expression, waving a hand. "I have reviewed Archbishop Brienne's report. The funds for the Tax System Reform have been fully secured; there's no need for you to trouble yourself."

Charles urgently said, "Your Royal Highness, unforeseen circumstances are bound to arise during Tax System Reform. With more funds at Archbishop Brienne's disposal, he would be able to handle them more easily.

"I am willing to provide a low-interest loan of 12 million francs to contribute to the government's Tax System Reform. This would also serve to prove that I have no connection to the Southern Netherlandish Rebels, and I only hope the Intelligence Bureau's investigation can proceed a little faster."

Joseph let out a breath. "Then I will ask Archbishop Brienne if he still requires a loan."

He had previously instructed the Intelligence Bureau to investigate; Charles's annual tax farming income was approximately 10 million francs. Adding another 2 million francs, this would essentially be all the funds the man could produce.

Charles felt as if he had been granted a great pardon. He quickly bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness. I will go invite Archbishop Brienne to come..."

...

Reims.

At 6:30 PM, two young tax officers walked out of the Tax Bureau, preparing to return to their lodging.

However, just as they rounded the street corner, two dark figures quickly followed behind them.

The taller tax officer seemed to sense movement. He turned his head just as he saw a wooden club swinging towards his head.

He hurriedly yanked his companion while desperately trying to dodge backward. But he was still a fraction too slow. The club struck his cheek fiercely, sending him sprawling to the ground, his head spinning.

On the other side, the slightly shorter tax officer was pulled off balance. The attacking club grazed past his ear and struck his shoulder.

The hooded assailant behind them immediately swung his club and came after him. He snarled, "Leave the Tax Bureau, or I'll break your..."

However, a sudden, loud bang drowned out all other sounds.

The assailant's body seemed to be struck by a massive hammer, and he instantly flew backward.

The other assailant was about to continue beating the taller tax officer, but was startled by the loud sound. He turned to look and saw his accomplice's chest covered in blood, lying motionless on the ground, clearly having been shot.

He then spotted the pistol in the shorter tax officer's hand. Terrified, he instantly dropped his club and turned to flee, a trembling voice escaping his throat: "Y-you killed him..."

The tax officer endured the pain in his shoulder, discarded the empty pistol, then drew another from his right hip. He flipped the safety, pulled back the flintlock, and aimed at the fleeing assailant before pulling the trigger.

Another boom rang out. Blood blossomed on the back of the fleeing hooded man, and he violently pitched forward, his eyes filled with disbelief—'I only meant to rough him up, and he just shot me point-blank...'

The shorter tax officer lowered his pistol, stating coldly, "By law, attacking a tax officer is grounds for immediate lethal force!"