Chapter 65: Master of Public Opinion
Dupont nodded vigorously, his eyes full of agreement: "Yes, Your Highness, this is indeed a disastrous treaty. After the tariffs were lowered, a large number of textile workshops in Lyon have closed, the steel industry is precarious, and thousands of workers are unemployed."
He spoke for a while longer, as an official from the mathematics society had already begun delivering the closing remarks on stage, announcing the end of the academic conference.
The attendees respectfully cleared a path, inviting the most esteemed Crown Prince to lead the way.
Joseph bid farewell to Lagrange and the other scholars, then turned and headed for the door.
Dupont hurried to catch up. He deliberated, then said, "Your Highness, the British had actually agreed in principle to a 'single tax scheme' during the negotiations back then. If we could restart the talks, France might secure more favorable terms."
He was one of the presidents of the French Chamber of Commerce, responsible for northern France, and also a major capitalist. The lowering of tariffs on industrial goods in France had a significant personal impact on him. Having encountered the Crown Prince, who was well-versed in Anglo-French technological and industrial affairs, he naturally seized the opportunity, determined to push for the treaty's revision, even if the possibility was minuscule.
Dupont had been fully involved in the Anglo-French trade negotiations. From his conversation with Dupont just now, Joseph understood that the main negotiators back then had been Comte de Vergennes, the Foreign Minister, and Calonne, the Minister of Finance.
Now, one of them had passed away, and the other had been dismissed due to the Tax Bill. This led to the suspension of negotiations, though the provisional Eden Treaty had been signed.
As things stood, the British had gained immense benefits from it and would certainly be unwilling to revise the treaty. At present, the only way out was to rapidly improve France's industrial strength and enhance its competitiveness.
So he stopped and told Dupont, "I will bring this matter up at the cabinet meeting and push for the earliest possible resumption of trade negotiations."
Dupont was overjoyed and bowed deeply: "Your Highness, you are the savior of countless French industries! You are truly magnificent!"
After Joseph emerged from Madame de Tencin's villa, a young man who had attended the academic conference, seemingly lost in thought, rushed heedlessly forward, head bowed.
Eman, quick-witted and agile, swiftly intercepted him.
The young man with a long, 'horse-like' face then realized he had nearly collided with the Crown Prince. Panic-stricken, he clasped his chest and apologized, "Oh, Your esteemed Highness, I did not mean to offend you."
Yet he spoke in English.
Joseph instinctively replied in English: "It's nothing, you didn't actually hit me."
The 'horse-faced' young man offered another apologetic smile, still speaking English: "You see, I was born in Birmingham, and when I get flustered, I tend to speak my native tongue."
Joseph replied courteously: "Birmingham is a fine place."
The 'horse-faced' young man beamed: "Thank you for the compliment. Oh, I just listened to your speech, and it seems you hold Britain in high regard."
Joseph simply assumed the man was trying to curry favor, so he casually offered a few praises for his homeland: "Indeed, Britain's industrial technology advances very quickly. 'That's true.'
"And they are very adept at international politics and diplomacy. 'Natural troublemakers.'
"They also have a very innovative spirit when it comes to cuisine. 'Dark cuisine.'"
"Furthermore, the British are very pragmatic and frugal. 'Old-fashioned and stingy.'"
Excitement flashed in the young man's eyes. Just as he was about to say more, Eman, standing nearby, gave a cold, dry cough.
The 'horse-faced' young man could only offer an awkward smile and bowed again: "I won't trouble Your Highness any further. Have a safe journey."
He watched Joseph depart, then immediately entered his carriage and headed straight for the British Embassy in France.
"Are you saying the French Crown Prince was speaking English with you the whole time?" Hartley asked, looking at his subordinate with some surprise.
"Yes, Mr. Hartley," the 'horse-faced' young man confirmed. "His English is very fluent, and he spoke highly of Britain. At the academic conference just now, he even publicly refuted remarks disparaging Britain."
He then recounted Joseph's words in detail.
Hartley immediately fell into deep thought. The French currently harbored considerable hostility towards Britain and disdained learning English. The royal family, in particular, preferred Latin. A Crown Prince who spoke English, then, was highly unusual.
All intelligence pointed increasingly clearly to one conclusion: the French Crown Prince must be very pro-British, or at least harbor great affection for Britain.
If Joseph knew his thoughts, he would surely burst out laughing. 'His English was a necessity for his graduate entrance exams. As for any affection for Britain? Don't be ridiculous. In his previous life, he utterly detested that "global meddler," and now he spent his days plotting how to deal with France's greatest enemy.'
Hartley ran his fingers along the armrest of his chair, increasingly convinced that he needed to establish contact with the French Crown Prince as soon as possible. He then took out paper and pen, wrote a letter, and instructed his subordinate to deliver it to a noblewoman at Versailles.
His subordinate took his leave. Hartley then recalled London's directive to sow discord between Prussia and France. He immediately ordered a servant to prepare his carriage and headed for the Palais-Royal.
...
The Duke of Orleans watched as his butler brought him the freshly delivered newspapers, and couldn't help but frown slightly.
In the French Courier, two full pages were dedicated to explaining the tax provisions of the Tax Bill, which had just been rejected by the High Court. From why this tax was necessary, to who would pay it, and what impact the tax would have on the nation, everything was laid out clearly in very simple language.
There were also special reports from journalists, detailing the origins and progression of the King's push for the new Tax Bill. However, they only covered up to the point where the bill, proposed by the former Minister of Finance Calonne, had been rejected twice for registration by the High Court. Clearly, there was more to come.
He picked up another newspaper, which contained similar content.
"Archbishop Brienne has finally gotten smart," the Duke of Orleans remarked with a smile.
Since Calonne proposed the new Tax Bill last year, the French government had continuously tried to enforce the bill through brute force. After encountering resistance, they began to make compromises, yet never realized the need to use public opinion to gain widespread support.
Only now had the Minister of Finance finally begun to build momentum for the Tax Bill in the newspapers.
To be honest, the new Tax Bill didn't overly affect minor nobles or commoners. Especially after this revision, it was almost entirely aimed at the grand nobility. If promoted effectively, it would certainly gain widespread support in France.
The Duke of Orleans tossed the newspaper aside, his face full of disdain. He and banking magnates were plotting to use the bill's rejection by the High Court to push for Brienne's dismissal. How could he allow Brienne to create public opinion?
"To think he could pressure the High Court with newspaper propaganda—Brienne is too naive," he scoffed, shaking his head.
After years of investment and political maneuvering, nearly half of Paris's newspaper industry and "pamphlet" printing were under his control. Coupled with the newspaper companies owned by the grand nobles allied with him, he practically dominated Paris's entire publishing and printing industry.
Now, his words dictated the direction of public opinion!
He was the master of public opinion!
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