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Chapter 77: Making Trouble

Hartley mentally calculated: at this rate, French tariffs would drop below 10% in less than five years. French industry would never recover!

Once tariffs fell to 5%, France would practically become a British colony, a dumping ground for goods.

Suppressing his excitement, he hid his trembling hands behind his back and stated, "I will report this to Parliament. However, I personally believe your suggestion is very beneficial!"

'Joseph also breathed a sigh of relief internally: if tariffs remained at their current level, French industry would soon be overwhelmed by British goods.'

A 25% tariff, however, would give various workshops a chance to breathe. Once he established a political foundation, he would begin to push France's Industrial Revolution.

'He possessed the technology and concepts of later generations. If, after seven years, he still couldn't make French industry surpass Britain's, he might as well buy a block of cheese and smash his head in.'

Once France completed an 'enhanced' Industrial Revolution, it would be France dumping goods on a Britain with extremely low tariffs!

Having subtly guided the discussion on industrial matters, it was time for Joseph to collect his interest: "Mr. Ambassador, France has made significant concessions on industrial tariffs. So, regarding agricultural products, shouldn't Britain also make a gesture?"

Hartley immediately nodded and affirmed, "That's not a problem. The tariffs on wine can still be negotiated."

During the last trade negotiations, what the French cared about most was wine exports. They even exchanged the majority of their industrial goods market for Britain's wine market.

Joseph smiled faintly, "Actually, besides wine, we also have some breweries in Normandy. And it seems we have some spirits as well. It would be best if the tariffs on all these alcoholic beverages could be lowered to below 10%.

"Oh, and luxury goods, yes, luxury goods. Perhaps you've heard, I have some luxury goods businesses. If you could facilitate that, I would be most grateful..."

Hartley thought for a moment, then nodded and agreed, "I will certainly convey your wishes to Parliament."

French beer quality was quite ordinary, and spirits had even fewer sales. The British market could certainly be opened to them. The luxury goods market wasn't too large either. Compared to the immense profits from industrial goods, these were barely even a fraction.

"I'm delighted we've reached a consensus," Joseph stated. "Both sides should expedite the reopening of trade negotiations."

Hartley suddenly thought of another question: "Your Royal Highness, what you just said, is that your personal opinion, or does it represent..."

"It represents only my opinion. However, I believe these will also be the terms proposed by the French negotiating delegation."

Hartley nodded, raised the wine glass from the table, and gestured to Joseph: "To prosperous Anglo-French trade!"

'He thought to himself: Given the Crown Prince's political influence alone, it would likely be difficult for him to completely control the negotiation content. I must advise Parliament to mobilize Britain's resources in France to help him achieve this.'

'Even if it couldn't be settled in the short term, as long as the French Crown Prince had this idea, a new treaty would eventually be signed.'

Joseph raised his glass and lightly clinked it with Hartley's, just as he heard Hunter Shaw on stage declare loudly, "Thirty years east of the Seine, thirty years west of the Seine! Do not insult a young man because of his poverty!"

The impassioned and stirring words prompted all the spectators to rise to their feet, applauding vigorously. Some were even moved to tears.

"Then I won't disturb your enjoyment of this splendid drama." Hartley took the opportunity to stand, bowed, and departed.

'He was already calculating in his mind: if the negotiation terms proposed by the French Crown Prince could all be achieved, he, as a meritorious minister, might just contend for the next Prime Minister position.'

As for his initial objective for this trip, the matter of promoting the shipbuilding treaty, it had long slipped his mind entirely.

...

The next day.

The Conference Hall of the East Wing of the Palace of Versailles was where the first cabinet meeting would be held after the Tax Bill had been rejected by the High Court.

Joseph entered the main doors of the golden hall and tucked away the few pages of reports he held.

That was Fouché's newly delivered investigative report. It mentioned that they had found the former Commissioner of Police, Guizot's mistress, a woman named Anna.

After Guizot's arrest, Anna had fallen into destitution. Eventually, under the enticement of a Police Intelligence Bureau spy, she revealed that Guizot and Similion had once discussed at her residence disturbing the Saint-Antoine district to cause trouble for the Crown Prince.

The key point was that during Guizot's and Similion's conversation, it was mentioned that if anything went wrong, a "big shot" would help clean up the mess.

After Guizot was arrested, Anna had visited him. Guizot told her to find the Paris Municipal Commissioner Le Verber, saying he would find a way to help him.

Although there was no conclusive evidence, it was essentially confirmed that Le Verber was the person behind Guizot.

Le Verber's political faction belonged to the Duke of Orleans's clique. He himself had no direct conflict of interest with Joseph. From this, it could be deduced that the mastermind was likely the Duke of Orleans!

Furthermore, Fouché also discovered that before Joseph assumed the role of Assistant Minister of Finance, the Duke of Orleans had attended a banquet hosted by the Banking Guild, where he openly urged various banks to deliberately delay a 6 million Livre loan to the government.

Since many people had attended the banquet, this information was relatively easy to obtain.

Therefore, all these incidents were the Duke of Orleans's doing.

Joseph's gaze turned cold. 'He had to find a way to eliminate this menace, otherwise, there was no telling what other mischief he might stir up in the future!'

Soon, Queen Marie arrived at the conference hall. Everyone bowed respectfully. The cabinet meeting officially began.

Brienne, as Chief Minister, was about to summarize the important matters of late, as was customary, when he saw Soumial, the Keeper of the Seals, and the Duke of Orleans exchange glances. Then Soumial suddenly stood up and declared loudly:

"Archbishop Brienne, at this moment, for France, the most important matter is to advance the Tax Bill. I imagine everyone is waiting for you to report on its progress."

Brienne's expression immediately darkened. It was Known to All that the High Court had rejected the bill. For the Keeper of the Seals to specifically ask about this here was clearly a provocation and an insult.

He suppressed his anger and muttered, "The High Court has refused to register it. However, I have adjusted the bill's clauses and will resubmit it to the High Court."

Soumial smiled faintly, "The bill you submitted last time severely targeted all nobles. That's why it was rejected. How do you plan to adjust it this time? Will it target the army, or directly the Royal Family?"

"You!"

Soumial pressed on, "To my knowledge, the High Court has reached a consensus and will refuse to cooperate with you. In other words, any future bills you submit are sure to be rejected."

As he spoke, he looked towards Queen Marie and raised his voice, "Your Majesty, I believe that for the sake of France's financial stability, the Minister of Finance should be replaced to ensure the Tax Bill can pass as soon as possible."

Before the Queen could respond, Vergennes, the Foreign Minister, rose and placed a hand on his chest: "I second Count Soumial's suggestion. The national treasury is on the verge of collapse. Archbishop Brienne should be held accountable for this."