Chapter 523: Activate Cash Power!
With a scale like this, trying to fill a third of France's trade deficit was indeed pure fantasy.
Joseph, however, looked utterly confident as he swept his gaze across the room and declared:
"What if I inject 20 million francs into the Trade Alliance?"
A sudden silence fell over the room.
Even these political and business magnates, seasoned and immensely wealthy, still found their minds reeling at the mention of 20 million francs.
What kind of sum was that?
500,000 francs was enough to establish a large merchant fleet—one capable of influencing a major city's trade volume.
In the past year, the total profit of all French merchant fleets was estimated to be only around 50 to 60 million francs.
The Crown Prince had just poured nearly half a year's worth of profit from the entire nation's merchant fleets into this!
Conventionally, with ample funding, it would take about two months to prepare a large merchant fleet before it could gradually familiarize itself with the market and begin normal operations.
But now, this capital was more than just ample—it was extravagant! A massive surplus!
If an additional 100,000 francs or more were invested per fleet for recruitment, the framework could be established almost overnight—as long as the wages were high enough, employees from other merchant fleets would flock to join, even overnight.
They could even directly acquire other merchant fleets. Many would be willing to sell themselves for a 20% premium.
Allocating a few thousand more francs to advertise in their respective cities and hire people to spread word-of-mouth, with the royal family and government backing their credit, factories suffering from stockpiled goods would undoubtedly choose the Trade Alliance's fleets without hesitation.
In that case, with 20 million francs invested, within a week at most, the existing Trade Alliance could expand exponentially and quickly dominate the market.
Dupont subconsciously nodded and said:
"If this much capital is invested, rapidly restoring trade routes won't be a problem!"
Mirabeau, as a cabinet minister, was quite familiar with the nation's financial situation, and his expression was fraught with worry as he said:
"Your Highness, if so much money is moved, the treasury might not be able to bear the pressure..."
It was no laughing matter. After the Tax System Reform, next year's government operating funds hadn't even been fully secured yet, and now another 20 million francs was being withdrawn; the government might have to shut down next year.
Joseph said calmly, "Don't worry about the money; I will handle it.
"Monsieur Bailly, please establish the Trade Alliance as quickly as possible, and the rest of you, contact your respective merchant fleets to sign agreements to join."
He didn't even ask if the merchant fleets would be willing to join the Trade Alliance, because with an astronomical investment of 20 million francs at stake, anyone who refused would surely have lost their mind.
As for the funding issue, he planned to borrow 20 million francs from the Royal Insurance Company first. The insurance company was currently experiencing booming sales, had ample liquid funds, and was actively seeking investment opportunities.
As for how to repay this massive sum later?
Naturally, the tax farmers would be the ones to pay it back.
After causing such a huge commotion, did they still expect to escape unscathed?
Originally, each of them buying 10 million francs worth of National Debt would have settled the matter, but these insatiable fellows insisted on being stubborn, so now it would be a 10 million franc fine instead!
Incidentally, their money could also be used to integrate the domestic trade system, improve the management level of merchant fleets, speak with one voice in foreign trade, thereby greatly enhancing trade competitiveness.
Mirabeau and the others hadn't expected the Crown Prince to so casually throw out 20 million francs, and were about to urge His Highness to be more cautious, when they saw Joseph had already turned to the Viscount of Besançon, the Police Bureau Chief:
"Please depart for Marseille immediately and personally oversee order at the port.
"Should anyone incite a strike without cause, arrest them immediately. It is imperative to ensure the Port of Marseille operates normally."
The head of the Police Bureau immediately stood at attention and declared loudly, "Yes, Your Highness!" However, a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes. "Your Highness, if those people cause a great deal of trouble..."
"You are authorized to open fire at any time," Joseph said without hesitation. "However, try not to harm ordinary porters and sailors."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Besançon immediately gained confidence.
Joseph then looked at the Gemini Company's assistant manager:
"Monsieur Volant, you will also accompany Viscount of Besançon to Marseille. Once there, spread the word that the Gemini Company will have large quantities of urgently needed goods arriving at the port soon, and at that time, porters, haulers, and port supervisors will receive a 20% wage increase.
"If the port truly starts to cause trouble, you are to continuously raise this amount, even until wages are doubled.
"At the same time, you must privately contact the captains of other arriving ships and have them also increase wages, with the extra costs covered by us."
"Yes, Your Highness." Volant bowed. "I will ensure your satisfaction."
Joseph then took a remittance slip from his drawer, signed his name, stamped it, and handed it to Volant:
"Please first confirm with the French Reserve Bank that the Marseille branch can pay out 1.5 million francs at any time. If not, then bring the money directly from Paris."
After his swift and decisive allocation of tasks, Mirabeau and the others each received their orders and departed, executing them without a moment's delay.
Joseph, for his part, then summoned Marat and instructed him to dispatch agents to monitor the funds he had allocated every step of the way.
After all, the sum was truly enormous, and it had to be spent quickly through unconventional means, making it hard for those handling it not to consider taking advantage of the situation.
Currently, the only people he could think of who could withstand the temptation of money were Marat and his people.
...
A week later.
Robespierre, with a grim expression, arrived before the Tuileries Palace, adjusted his collar, and strode towards the second floor.
Behind him were three subordinates from the General Tax Bureau, each carrying a wooden box filled with investigative reports.
Before long, Joseph looked at the documents spread across the table, his face even grimmer than Robespierre's.
These were all problematic tax farmer accounts that the General Tax Bureau had recently uncovered based on public complaints.
This was no longer just about financial discrepancies; it was absolutely appalling!
Robespierre recounted in a low voice, "The Léonore family originally owned about seven and a half acres of land, inherited from their ancestors. Their family had almost never defaulted on taxes.
"Until the tax farmer Jacques Étore de Boca suddenly began collecting taxes early, and a cold spring that year led to a late wheat harvest, 18 farming households in the village went bankrupt. Including Annual Tribute Farmers who abandoned their tenancy, a total of over 30 households relinquished their land, and Boca eventually acquired most of the village's land...'"
Joseph looked at the file on Léonore in his hand, his eyes blazing with fury. It stated that Léonore's second son was stillborn during the incident, and his mother had died of illness the year after they left the village.
Robespierre continued, "'Four years ago, after continuous heavy rains, the tax farmer Leconnu of Stianne Town set the tax collection point at a hunting villa 5 kilometers outside the town...'"
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