Chapter 768: America's Little Schemes
Joseph never actually expected America to truly honor the alliance treaty and declare war on Britain.
Considering America's economic dependence on Britain, the country would collapse within three months of war. Furthermore, given America's meager combat strength, if they were to truly join as France's ally, France would likely have to divert troops to rescue them.
Therefore, as long as America, an important source of raw materials and a modest sales market, could be stabilized, it was perfectly acceptable to France.
Jefferson bowed to Baron Focard, speaking with excitement:
"Thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his broad-mindedness and understanding of America's difficult situation.
"Rest assured, my country will strictly adhere to the principles of neutrality..."
Focard immediately smiled:
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince always hopes for America to remain prosperous and strong. Therefore, you absolutely cannot relax when it comes to trade revenue."
"Trade revenue?" Jefferson paused, perplexed. "What do you mean?"
Jefferson immediately understood. This was a demand for America not to help Britain overcome its sugar shortage with low-priced sugar. The "market price" for sugar — wasn't that just the price on the Paris Agricultural Futures Exchange?
He forced a strained smile:
"You see, with our country's meager sugar cane production, it's simply not enough to influence the British market."
Focard didn't beat around the bush and waved his hand:
"However, the sugar cane your country procures from the Caribbean Region can certainly do that."
Joseph knew very well that with French merchant ships unable to reach the Caribbean Sea, American smuggling vessels were the only outlet for all plantations in the Caribbean Region.
If they were truly forced not to sell to the Americans, they would very likely end up selling directly to the British.
Jefferson grimaced awkwardly, then said with a stiff resolve:
"But... our country's trade needs with Britain severely restrict sugar prices..."
Focard knew that America wanted to use low-priced sugar cane to gain entry for more of its goods into the British market.
He declared loudly, "With all due respect, America needs to be much tougher!"
Jefferson's face showed a bitter expression. The meaning was clearly, 'It's beyond my power.'
With America's small stature, how could it dare to be tough with Britain? Moreover, Britain had previously given the Caribbean Sea colonies to America precisely in exchange for low-priced sugar. America certainly didn't dare to breach that agreement.
Seeing his expression, Focard leaned in closer and whispered, "Hoard the stock and sell sparingly."
"Huh?"
Before Jefferson could react, Hamilton, the American Treasury Secretary, standing nearby, had his eyes light up:
"You are truly a master of trade."
It was a simple principle: Britain had no idea how much sugar America was smuggling in from the Caribbean Region.
Once sugar prices dropped, America could simply tighten its hold on supplies, telling Britain that the sugar had run out, and the price would naturally climb.
And they wouldn't even need to significantly reduce sales.
A 20% reduction in market supply could lead to a 40% price increase!
They only needed to make the British believe that North American sugar cane was slightly cheaper than France's.
This way, they would satisfy French demands without hindering their own profits. What's not to like?
As for any secret agreement with the British?
A joke! America and Britain were enemies.
Just look at the painting in Northwest Square, depicting the little girl massacred by the British. Every conscientious American citizen would surely agree with the government's decision!
What Hamilton didn't realize was that his decision at this moment would directly push sugar prices in London from four times higher than the previous year to six times higher.
Jefferson and the Treasury Secretary exchanged a brief look, then informed the French Special Envoy that they, in principle, agreed to the demand for a price limit on sugar products sold to Britain.
Ah, it was a minimum price limit.
Baron Focard continued:
"Besides the price of sugar, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also requests America to pledge to sell products such as cotton, timber, and oil to France according to French demand, at prices no higher than those offered to Britain."
Jefferson's face showed a puzzled expression:
"Our country is very eager to maintain exports to France, but as you know, the British Navy has blockaded our coast."
Focard smiled faintly. "American merchant ships simply need to unload their cargo in Genoa."
Genoa, a neutral port in southwestern Italy, was very close to Toulon, France, and could be reached by land in a few days.
Hamilton frowned:
"Mr. Special Envoy, if I'm not mistaken, Sardinia has chosen to side with Austria."
Between France and Genoa lay Sardinia's Nice province.
Focard nodded. "You needn't worry about that. We will pay in Genoa and then find a way to transport the goods back to France."
He was actually somewhat curious himself: how did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince intend to secretly transport such bulk goods right under Sardinia's nose?
He, of course, didn't know that Joseph had no intention of transporting them secretly at all. Instead, he had faith in Napoleon.
Sardinia would soon be a French occupied territory. Then, couldn't convoys move freely?
As for later, once the French Navy secured naval supremacy in the Mediterranean Sea, American merchant ships would be able to dock directly in Marseille.
At that point, if the British Navy dared to completely blockade the Strait of Gibraltar, preventing any merchant ships from entering the Mediterranean Sea, Joseph would actually be somewhat eager.
Because that would mean cutting off trade between America, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and a host of other nations with countries along the Mediterranean coast. He wondered if Britain would be able to appease all of them.
The Americans had no objections to unloading in Genoa; as long as they were paid, it was merely a matter of traveling a few hundred extra nautical miles.
A week later, Baron Focard and Jefferson, representing their respective nations, secretly signed a package of agreements concerning diplomacy, trade, and other matters.
At Philadelphia Harbor, Focard waved farewell to the Americans on shore. The *Cloud* hoisted its sails and slowly drifted out to sea.
His assistant, standing beside him, sighed and said:
"Ultimately, the Americans still evaded their obligations as an ally. At a time when we needed allies the most."
Focard simply smiled, then turned and walked toward the ship's cabin:
"I believe that since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince authorized us to proceed this way, he must have his own plans."
He had no idea that his words would prove prophetic. At this very moment, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, another NGO, the "United States Veterans' Home," was bustling with activity.
This was a charitable organization dedicated to helping veterans who had fought in the American War of Independence but had not received their settlement funds, enabling them to sustain their livelihoods. Its funding primarily came from the *American News* newspaper and a mysterious wealthy patron.
"...Finally, Mr. Brunet turned to shield us from the British Cavalry, saving our lives," a 40-year-old American veteran recounted, wiping tears from his eyes. "I never saw him again after that. May he rest in eternal peace in heaven."
The more than thirty veteran representatives around him also looked sorrowful. RаṇőběṢ
For the past few hours, they had been reminiscing about the old days when American and French soldiers fought together against the British.
The speaking veteran clenched his fist:
"We must find a way to repay our French friends!"
An employee of the Veterans' Home responded:
"France also needs everyone's help right now."
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