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Chapter 690: Claude Chappe

Lord Marques pointed at Bailly and declared, "Sugarcane production in the Caribbean Sea has just plummeted, and suddenly France's sugar beet production is booming? Isn't that a little too coincidental?"

"You must have deliberately orchestrated the destruction of the Caribbean sugar supply to sell your sugar beet at exorbitant prices! Indeed, a pound of sugar is now selling for 1 shilling and 4 pence! You're making a fortune!"

"What possible defense could you have?"

Bailly suddenly burst out laughing. "You are truly humorous, Mister Special Envoy."

"Why don't you do the math yourself?"

"My country lost 50 million francs in Santo Domingo, and our sugar beet production can only yield 2 million pounds per month, with annual profits less than 30 million francs."

"Do you truly believe my nation would act like a brainless brute, destroying everything just to incur losses upon itself?"

He was clearly taking advantage of the information asymmetry among the other nations.

First, France hadn't actually suffered such significant losses in Santo Domingo. The 50 million franc figure was calculated assuming no sugar production whatsoever. In reality, even with war damage, at least thirty to forty percent of previous production levels could still be achieved.

Second, France's sugar beet cultivation was far from saturated. Once profitability was established, it would be easy to expand production severalfold. Moreover, sugarcane prices were still rising. While profits were currently 30 million francs annually, they could easily reach 40 or 50 million in a few months.

Finally, Joseph's ultimate goal was actually the Franc-backed sugarcane trade! So, even if there were some monetary losses, as long as it significantly boosted the Franc's influence and circulation, the venture would be absolutely worthwhile.

"This..." Lord Marques was stunned.

The tide had turned, and the representatives of other nations glared at him once more.

Bailly, pressing his advantage, added, "As for losses, my country dispatched two waves of expeditionary forces to quell the Santo Domingo rebellion, incurring immense expenses."

In reality, Joseph had merely sent the so-called "expeditionary forces" to deliver equipment to Ogé. Only a little over a thousand regular soldiers were involved, so the costs were extremely low. Both "deployments" together cost only around 3 million francs.

In contrast, Britain had sent General Bland with 4,000 expeditionary troops to the Caribbean Sea, spending over 400,000 pounds sterling, which amounted to over 10 million francs.

"My nation's second expeditionary force had already stabilized the situation in Santo Domingo. It was at this very moment that Britain's General Bland requested our Santo Domingo troops to help them suppress the Bahamas rebellion. No sooner had our forces departed than Ogé seized the opportunity to capture Fort Magua, causing the situation in Santo Domingo to spiral completely out of control."

"I have every reason to suspect that Britain has consistently colluded with the Santo Domingo rebels to undermine our colonies!"

"You—what you're saying is not true!" Marques fumed. "General Bland has already discovered that your Galissoniere colluded with the black rebels, exposing our army's flank to them, which ultimately led to our devastating defeat!"

On such a vast battlefield, in a war involving tens of thousands of soldiers, complete secrecy was simply impossible.

Bland had only captured a few black officers, but he quickly interrogated them and discovered they had all received orders not to attack French troops.

It was then that he realized he had been outmaneuvered by the French.

Bailly scoffed dismissively. "That is nothing but baseless slander!"

Marques brandished his fist. "I have witnesses!"

"Who?"

"Officers from the Bahamas rebels!"

Before Bailly could even respond, representatives from other nations began to laugh.

'Testimony from black rebels?'

'What a joke!'

In their perception, black people were barely even considered human, so how could their testimony be used to accuse French officers?

Bailly waited for the surroundings to quiet down before continuing, "As for my country's sugar beet production, that was entirely unforeseen."

"Before, my nation wasn't even aware of this technology. It was a Bavarian scholar who came to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, seeking sponsorship for his research, which led to us cultivating some."

"The cost of refining sugar from beets is extremely high, and His Highness is still operating at a loss."

As for the exact cost of sugar beet production, only the French Minister of Agriculture had the detailed figures. For now, Bailly was free to say whatever he pleased.

Marques was utterly bewildered.

The French were too cunning! He knew perfectly well that France was behind this mischief, yet no one believed him. Instead, everyone was convinced that Britain had manipulated the Santo Domingo abolition movement, which had backfired spectacularly and ultimately affected the entire Caribbean Sea.

Even the Special Envoys from the Netherlands and Portugal now looked at him with extreme displeasure.

After all, these two nations also had colonies in the Caribbean Sea, and the abolitionist storm had caused them similarly heavy losses.

Ultimately, this grand "Special European Sugar Conference" concluded without achieving any results, ending rather abruptly.

In fact, Bailly had drafted a statement condemning Britain, but only Spain was willing to co-sign. The other nations, considering their massive trade relations with Britain, chose to overlook the matter, and so the statement was eventually dropped.

However, this special conference inadvertently provided excellent free publicity for French sugar beet production. Just one week later, trading volume on the Paris Futures Exchange surged by 35%.

Even sugarcane futures contracts for a year out were almost sold out.

And Franc paper currency was suddenly coveted by all merchants overnight—easier to carry than gold and silver coins, and readily usable to purchase highly sought-after sugarcane, there was absolutely no reason not to accept it!

Influenced by the merchants, the common populace also gradually began to accept the Franc...

Versailles Palace.

In the Crown Prince's study at Versailles Palace, Joseph listened to Bailly's report on the Frankfurt conference, a slight frown on his face.

He could foresee that the rising sugar prices would deal a severe blow to Britain.

Currently, for Britain to resolve this crisis, they would either have to proactively lower their sugarcane export prices or resort to initiating foreign wars to divert attention from their internal issues.

Lowering prices was certainly not an option.

This was precisely the period of rapid expansion for the Franc. Last month alone, the French Reserve Bank exchanged millions of francs in paper currency, and all of that money went into foreign hands, effectively granting the Franc international credibility.

'Lowering sugarcane prices now would only undermine the market's enthusiasm, wouldn't it?'

Therefore, it was likely that the British would accelerate their preparations for war.

In any case, this war was inevitable.

After all, Europe could only have one hegemon.

Britain, the current hegemon, would absolutely not stand by and watch France challenge its position.

The enormous profits gained from sugarcane would also give France an added advantage in the coming war.

No sooner had Bailly departed than Berthier arrived.

Joseph smiled and greeted the Chief of the General Staff, "I was just about to discuss accelerating our war preparations with you. Oh, is there something you needed here?"

"Your Highness, regarding your last instruction for me to try applying the 'ship communication mode' to military command," Berthier said, gesturing behind him, "in fact, Mister Claude Chappe here had already submitted a similar invention to the General Staff Headquarters, and its functionality is even more advanced."