Chapter 153 Appointment of French Minister of Industry

Mono stood up nervously, moved to Joseph's side, and whispered:

"Ah, Your Highness, you are my best friend! You must not tell anyone about this..."

Originally, finding a lover was not a problem nowadays, and some "enlightened" aristocratic couples would even introduce lovers to each other.

But Count Monod loves to pursue excitement in this regard-the mistresses he finds are all extremely difficult.

Such as Countess Messaye. She was her husband's true love. A short-sighted noble once wanted to pursue her, but Messaye broke his arm.

Another example is the Marchioness of St. Priest who ran out just now. The Marquis was extremely controlling and forbade any man to come near her. Her first lover was swindled by Saint Priest and thrown into the Caribbean as a coolie.

However, both ladies were captured by the cowardly Mono.

Of course, Mono was also afraid of their husbands' wrath. Although he was not worried about being tricked by them due to his status, he was afraid that he would be thrown into a duel with his gloves in front of him - with his 170-pound body, he would basically be a fixed target in sword duels.

Therefore, this matter is a bit troublesome today.

Joseph had heard anecdotes about the minister of war cleaning up his wife's lover. Seeing Monod's expression, he immediately realized that he had been hit by a pie.

He immediately nodded sincerely: "Don't worry, my greatest advantage is that I can keep secrets."

"Thank you so much..."

Before Monod finished speaking, he saw the Crown Prince motioning to Clementine, who was busy looking for the cat in the next apartment, and lowered his voice: "But, as you know, my cousin, she loves to chat with people very much. "

The Home Secretary suddenly panicked and wanted to ask her to keep it secret, but was stunned - how could he tell such a thing to a little girl? Besides, she doesn't necessarily buy her own fault.

He turned to look at Joseph pitifully: "Your Highness, please help me one more time! You are her brother. She must listen to you."

Just as he was talking, Clementine's soft voice came from the side: "Cousin, Mr. Beard is not here! Let's go to the next room quickly."

Joseph patted Mono on the shoulder and said solemnly: "I'm going to try, but it may not work. Just wait for my news."

After saying that, he turned around and left under Mono's panicked eyes.

The search for the cat lasted for more than an hour. After alarming nearly half of the nobles in the Palace of Versailles, Joseph and others finally saw Mr. Beard in Princess Therese's drawing room.

At this moment, it was lying on the back of the princess's Chartreuse cat in high spirits, trying to do something great for the cat.

Clementine cheered and called "Dear Mr. Beard" dotingly. She stepped forward and picked up the cat without any reason. Regardless of its anger and desperate struggle, she turned around to thank everyone and said to Taylor. I apologize.

Then, she was scratched by Mr. Beard for the first time in her life...

At 10 o'clock the next morning, Joseph yawned and got up reluctantly.

Last night, he followed the little loli to toss around until about 3 o'clock in the morning before falling asleep.

Of course, the gains are not small. He was just thinking about what he could "knock" out from Mono when he saw Eman walking over quickly, bowing and saying:

"You are awake, Your Highness. Count Mirabeau has been here for a while."

"Okay, I understand." Joseph quickly changed his clothes, washed briefly, and went to the living room.

"Nice to meet you, Your Majesty the Crown Prince!" Mirabeau came up to him with a face filled with joy, and saluted with his hands on his chest, "I have brought you some good news."

"Oh? What's the good news?" Joseph smiled and said, "Please sit down quickly."

Mirabeau sat down and said:

“First of all, our paper mill has completed trial production and officially started production.

"The first batch of paper made three days ago, a total of 20,000 pounds, was of very good quality and was sold out immediately! Pre-orders have now been queued for five months. It is estimated that from next month, the monthly profit will It can reach one hundred thousand livres!”

"Thank you for your hard work." Joseph nodded with a smile. He didn't care much about the paper mill. Mirabeau and others were taking care of it. Unexpectedly, the progress was going smoothly.

However, he was not surprised by the booming sales - paper of the same quality only sold for two-thirds of the price, so it was inevitable that it would be snapped up. As for profits, they will definitely continue to grow as production capacity increases.

Mirabeau rubbed his hands and said:

"I only did what I was required to do, mainly because of your new technology. Oh, by the way, the papermaking workshop in Lyon has also started construction and will be put into production in three or four months."

He talked excitedly about building a factory and recruiting craftsmen, and then told another good news:

"Your Highness, the core area of ​​Nancy's industrial development zone has basically been completed. There are now seventeen or eight workshops there, and there are a lot of people. You should really go and see it. Oh, and there is also your 'French Union Steam Engine' company'. Its factory is the largest in the entire development zone."

The core area of ​​the industrial development zone is actually to find a place near a water source, level the land, widen the roads, and add a wall. As for the implementation of supporting facilities such as banks, schools, hospitals, etc., they will be built slowly, and it will not affect the settlement of workshops anyway.

"The three-level meeting in Nancy also passed the tax reduction plan for the development zone." Mirabeau has always maintained an enthusiastic state, "Of course, they will definitely agree. The development zone will soon bring prosperity to Nancy "

Joseph knew that the three-level meeting he was talking about was completely different from the three-level meeting at the time of the Great Order. At this time, the local three-level conference was an administrative auxiliary organization that integrated the opinions of all parties. It could only meet with the permission of the king, but the results of the meeting may also be vetoed by the government. 【Note 1】

On the other hand, in the area of ​​taxation, if the three-level conference is involved, the implementation efficiency will be much improved.

Mirabeau looked at Joseph and tentatively said:

"Your Highness, you know that the development of industry depends very much on the market. But the current tariffs in various parts of France have seriously fragmented the market. Perhaps we can try to promote the elimination of tariffs and unify the domestic market?"

Joseph nodded:

"You are right. However, there are many obstacles to abolishing local tariffs, especially the difficulty in providing financial support... I will find a way to do this."

At present, there are tariffs between various places in France. Products from other provinces must first pay tariffs before entering the country. This did not have much impact in the agricultural era, but became a serious obstacle in the industrial era, which valued product sales and repatriation of funds.

The UK took the lead in abolishing domestic tariffs and taking advantage of the unified market, thus gaining considerable advantages in industrial competition.

However, while eliminating local tariffs would indeed be beneficial to the country, it would be difficult to implement.

One of the most basic problems is that a large part of the provincial finances depends on tariffs. After the sudden cancellation, the fiscal gap will have to be subsidized by the state, otherwise the provincial governments will not even have the money to operate.

But with France’s current financial situation, let alone subsidizing the provinces, it’s God’s blessing that it can survive.

This was one of the reasons why Joseph was eager to expand overseas colonies - using the colonial market to fill the vacancies in the domestic market, and then using the money earned to gradually solve local tariff problems.

Mirabeau knew that local tariffs were not that simple, and he just reminded the crown prince.

Then, he told the last good news - potatoes purchased from Austria, the Southern Netherlands and other places have been shipped to Alsace and Lorraine provinces in batches, and the local grain shipments have basically been filled.

At this point, Joseph's potato promotion plan has come to a successful conclusion. Although the sowing area this year is very limited, it has opened the door to potato cultivation in France. It is foreseeable that in the next few years, after tasting the benefits of high potato yields, more and more people will be willing to grow potatoes.

However, this then brings about the problem of lack of soil fertility - potatoes are a very fattening crop. This was also the next problem to be solved in Joseph's agricultural reform process.

After Mirabeau left, Joseph looked at his back and suddenly thought of what he wanted to "knock" from Monod.

Mirabeau and others are now needed to contribute to France's industrialization process. If he can be given a suitable government position, his efficiency will be greatly improved and the speed of industrialization will be accelerated.

In addition, this can also use the capital aristocrats for their own use and enhance their political power.

From the perspective of historical trends, the bourgeoisie represented by the capital aristocracy will be the core of politics in the future, and the old aristocracy will eventually be swept away by the tide of industrialization, and it is time for them to make arrangements early.

Thinking of this, Joseph frowned again. If you want to send Mirabeau, who represents the property aristocracy, into a cabinet controlled by the land aristocracy, you will inevitably face great resistance.

This all requires careful planning on your own.

That night, at the gambling party convened by Queen Mary, Joseph pulled Mono the cat in the corner of the hall, glanced at Clementine who was placing bets on the dice table, and whispered: "I promised her a lot The conditions finally convinced her. You can rest assured, she vowed never to mention last night to anyone..."

In fact, when Joseph asked Clementine if she saw anyone coming out of Mono's room last night, the little girl said she was only paying attention to the cat and didn't see anyone at all. As for her maid, because she had never been to Versailles, she did not know Mrs. Saint-Priest.

Mono hurriedly stopped the crown prince from talking and saw that no one was paying attention. Then he sincerely thanked him: "You really saved my life. I don't know how to thank you."

Joseph pretended to sigh: "You see, I have been busy studying how to better promote the development of the industry recently. Now that I have agreed to play with her for half a month, I'm afraid I can't do anything."

Mono smiled apologetically and said, "It's really troublesome for you."

"If the Industrial Planning Bureau can increase its manpower, I can save more energy to accompany my cousin." Joseph said in a dilemma, "But you know, the Planning Bureau is only a small department with limited staff."

Mono seemed to hear something and asked: "Then how can we increase the manpower?"

"Unless the level of the Planning Bureau can be upgraded, there are only so many officials under it."

Mono suddenly understood that the Crown Prince wanted "reward".

"What level do you think the Industrial Planning Bureau should be changed to?"

Joseph seemed to say casually: "It would be great if it could be turned into the Ministry of Industry. I can also be the Minister of Industry or something..."

Mono sighed in his heart. His Highness still had the handle last night, so he had to get the reward. Fortunately, there is not much money to be made from the handicraft industry, and there are still many things to do. In addition, it was basically handed over to the Crown Prince before, so it would be okay to completely separate it from the internal affairs system.

He thought for a while and then said: "Your Highness, I completely agree with your suggestion. It's just that for such a big thing as adding a new Minister of Industry, it doesn't count even if I say it."

Joseph smiled and said, "You just need to propose a motion at the cabinet meeting, and I will handle the rest."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

After finishing the business, Joseph took Mono to play cards with a relaxed look, but suddenly heard Clementine's angry shout from the dice table: "We have lost twelve games in a row! Are you cheating?!"

The servant who was responsible for shaking the dice was so scared that he lowered his head and explained: "Absolutely, absolutely no cheating, don't be angry..."

The little girl quickly put away her anger, stepped forward to hold the man, and smiled and stuffed him a candy: "Don't mind, I just said something angry. I will treat you to candy, look, it's sweet!"

Joseph looked at it with interest, and saw that the dealer turned from worry to joy, thanked him repeatedly, and then continued to preside over the gambling.

Clementine generously bet on 2 livres of big.

The dice cover was opened, 1, 3, 1 small.

The little girl fought again and again, and bet on 1 livre of small.

The dice cover opened, 5, 5, 6 big.

"I don't believe I can't win!" Clementine blushed and continued to bet.

This little girl's luck is really bad. Joseph smiled and shook his head. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly had an idea.

Since she is so unlucky, maybe it can be used as a reverse indicator!

Joseph immediately stepped forward and saw that Clementine bet on small, and immediately took out 5 silver coins to bet on big.

Open, 4, 6, 5 big.

It's really accurate! Joseph looked at the little girl in surprise and took 10 livres from the table.

Seeing that her cousin won right away, the little girl was even more unconvinced, and bet 2 livres on the small on the spot.

Joseph immediately bet the 10 livres just now on big.

Open, 6, 4, 3 big.

Joseph's eyes lit up, and he didn't realize that you are a treasure girl!

He thought about it, and then stepped forward to persuade the little girl, "You are still young, just have fun, but don't bet too much."

"Thank you for your concern, cousin, I will definitely win!" The little girl rolled up her sleeves and walked to the next table.

Joseph shook his head helplessly and followed Clementine. She bet big, he bet small.

At the baccarat table, she bet on the banker, he bet on the player.

At the roulette table, she bet on single, he bet on double.

...

In the middle of the night, Joseph relied on the "reverse Clementine strategy" to win more and lose less. When the little girl finally gave up and stopped playing, he had won more than 100 gold ecu and a lot of silver coins.

At Queen Marie's card table, Clementine, who had lost badly, pulled her aunt's hand and said coquettishly: "Take me to Paris tomorrow. I have lost all night. You have to comfort my wounded heart."

The queen was pestered by her and called her son with a smile, saying: "Joseph, don't do anything tomorrow, just take Clementine to Paris for a good day."

"Okay, mother." Joseph nodded helplessly, thinking that it would be the "wages" of the little girl tonight.

The little girl was overjoyed and immediately came up to hold his arm, pouting and said: "Cousin, I heard from others that a 'Garden of Eden Amusement Park' was built in the Tuileries Garden, which is full of novel and fun things. Can you take me there to play?"

Joseph was stunned and asked carefully: "Um, are you afraid of heights?"

[Note 1]: The local three-level conferences in France at this time were very different in different regions. For example, the Estates General in a few regions such as Brittany and Burgundy had certain powers and would decide on some local governance policies, but they were also under the control of the royal power. In most other places, the Estates General were just a formality.