Chapter 21: Chapter 21 The Unfathomable Crown Prince
“The key to this battle lies with Wilhelmina,” Joseph had already considered this issue, “As long as the Patriot Party delays a little longer, we make good use of Wilhelmina and deploy some troops along the France-Prussia border, Prussia should withdraw its forces.”
“As for the specific plan, I will submit it to Marquis Saint Priest in an official document.”
Queen Mary nodded, “Good, I will decide whether to continue the support based on the Minister of War’s opinion.”
Just at this moment, Louis XVI, who had been largely inconspicuous, suddenly said, “There’s no need for treasury funds, I will personally contribute 600,000 livres to support the Patriot Party.”
Having said this, he gave Joseph an affirming smile.
Brian immediately breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to Louis XVI, “Thank you for your Majesty’s generosity.”
“With this money from your Majesty, the treasury can temporarily suspend the allocation of funds to the Patriot Party. We will decide whether to continue the support based on the situation in the Netherlands two months later.”
He turned to Queen Mary, “Your Majesty, would this be acceptable to you?”
The Queen nodded, “Good. Let’s continue to the next matter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Brian looked somewhat apprehensively at the Crown Prince, worried he might cause another stir, but fortunately, Joseph didn’t say much more about the subsequent reduction plans, and most of them passed smoothly.
Afterward, the Cabinet meeting discussed some miscellaneous matters and was nearing its end.
Queen Mary, signing the last two documents without looking up, asked Brian, “Archbishop Brienne, I’ve heard that there are some complications with the tax legislation.”
She was referring to the new tax reform bill that the government had been actively pushing since the beginning of the year, the main points of which included: imposing land taxes on the nobility just as on the common people; freedom of grain transport and trade; abolition of corvée; increasing the stamp duty, and so on.
Of course, the aim was to increase state revenues and bridge the gap in the treasury. If implemented, it would actually benefit the general populace.
However, the tax reform had met with unanimous opposition from the aristocracy and had not been able to pass for half a year. For this reason, the previous Finance Minister had been dismissed in disgrace.
Brian nodded his head gravely, “Your Majesty, the new bill is being stalled by the High Court. The information I’ve received indicates that they are likely to reject the bill.”
According to French law, the tax reform bill needed to be registered in the High Court and then signed by the King to officially take effect.
However, French courts were firmly controlled by the aristocracy, and this bill, which touched upon their interests, was stalled in the registration process, thus preventing its implementation.
Queen Mary’s voice carried a tinge of weariness, “You know our financial situation; the tax legislation must be implemented as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost!”
Joseph shook his head silently; he knew that according to original historical trajectory, Brienne had never managed to get the bill passed. Eventually, Louis XVI, in a state of desperation, followed the advice of some hardliner and stripped the High Court of many powers, exiled the stubborn judges, replaced them with a fully empowered court controlled by the Royal Family, and forced the bill through.
However, the aristocracy immediately took advantage of this to incite public opinion, painting Louis XVI as a tyrant who disregarded the law, which sparked a tax resistance movement throughout all of France, leading to financial chaos in the country.
Louis XVI, without any public support, could not contest these accusations and ultimately had to recall the exiled judges and restore the powers of the High Court. Subsequently, the High Court terminated the recently implemented tax reform bill.
The worst impact of this was that the aristocracy confirmed that the King could not defeat them, and they became even more arrogant and domineering. Left with no other option, Louis XVI commenced the Estates-General, hoping that the commoners would support him against the nobility.
As for the outcome, that was the aristocracy using the Estates-General to foment revolution, not anticipating it would coincide with the Great Famine of France in 1788, which was then followed by an escalation of the crisis and the eruption of the French Revolution…
Joseph thought to himself as he looked at Brienne, isn’t trying to get the aristocracy to accept a tax bill that requires them to pay more like asking a tiger for its skin?
To undertake tax reform, the nobility must first be sternly reminded of the power of the monarchy, ensuring their compliance in paying taxes.
Furthermore, control over public opinion must be firmly in our hands. The nobility are adept at distorting the truth and stirring up public sentiment to disrupt the nation for their own gain. Only by allowing the people of France to hear the government’s voice and understand the truth can they avoid being exploited by the nobles.
He took a deep breath. Having taken his seat as the assistant to the Finance Minister, he had made the first step. However, to alter the course of history, he would inevitably face many obstacles. Stubborn nobles, the Church, capitalists—all who dared to challenge him would receive no mercy from him!
“That will be all, the meeting is adjourned,”
The voice of Queen Mary interrupted Joseph’s contemplation. He rose with the other ministers, paid his respects to the King and Queen, and prepared to leave.
“Joseph, do not leave just yet,” Queen Mary called out to him.
Joseph had no choice but to return and sit down.
After the other ministers had left the council chamber, the Queen then smiled at him and said, “Joseph, you’ve done very well with the police reform. The Saint Antoine District has obviously become the safest area in Paris.”
She paused, and sighed, “However, this police reform must come to an end.”
“Why is that?”
The Queen spoke earnestly, “After your reforms, the police salaries have become too high, and the city bears the burden. You used your own money to pay the police forces before, but the city hall simply cannot afford this. The security of the common citizens must still rely on civilian patrols.”
But Joseph did not hesitate to say, “Security is of utmost importance. I believe, not only should it not be terminated, but it should also be promoted throughout all of Paris and indeed all of France!
“As for the matter of money, you need not worry. With my involvement… ahem, participation in financial management, the treasury will soon be replenished.”
Queen Mary looked at her son with interest and asked, “Where do you plan to get the money from?”
Joseph was momentarily at a loss, thinking to himself that steam engines, blast furnace steelmaking, rubber, mining, cement, and even armaments, any one of these could earn tens of millions of livres.
But I can’t tell you that…
After a moment’s hesitation, he chose a few areas that the Queen would find acceptable: “For instance, finance, real estate, luxury goods, in short, I am confident about it.”
Queen Mary frowned, feeling somewhat uncertain, and after some thought, she said, “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll give you six months. If you can resolve the issue of police salaries, then you may continue with the police reforms; otherwise, everything must revert to its original state.”
“Very well. I don’t think it will take six months.”
On the side, Louis XVI checked the time and said to the mother and son, “It’s almost lunchtime. No work should delay lunch.”
He took them both to the royal dining room, and as they walked through the corridor, Joseph remembered something and asked Queen Mary, “Mother, do you have anyone in mind for the Director of Paris Police?”
“Director of Police Services? You’ll have to ask Count Mono about that.”
“Hmm, he will accept my recommendation.”
The Queen was taken aback but quickly understood the implication, “Are you using Gizo’s matter to pressure him?”
“Absolutely not,” Joseph said candidly, “I’m just helping him to feel at ease.”