Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Revolt
Hartley silently calculated in his heart: According to this method, France’s tariffs would drop below 10% in less than five years. France’s industry would never be able to turn over a new leaf!
Once the tariffs were reduced to 5%, France would almost become like England’s colonies, a dumping ground for goods.
He suppressed his excitement, hid his trembling hands behind his back, and said, “I will report this to Congress. However, I personally believe that your suggestion is very beneficial!”
Joseph also breathed a sigh of relief: If the tariffs stayed at the current level, France’s industries would soon be overwhelmed by English goods.
A 25% tariff would allow the workshops to catch their breath. Once he had a political base, he would start to push for France’s Industrial Revolution.
With the technology and concepts from a later era, if he couldn’t surpass England in industry within seven years, he might as well buy a block of cheese and use it to knock himself out.
Once France completed an enhanced version of the Industrial Revolution, then it would be France that dumped goods into a tariff-weakened England!
Having bamboozled the industrial aspect, Joseph was ready to collect his interest: “Mr. Ambassador, France has made substantial tariff concessions in industry. So, in terms of agricultural products, shouldn’t England also make a gesture?”
Hartley immediately nodded and said, “That’s no problem, wine tariffs are still negotiable.”
In the last trade negotiations, what the French people were most concerned about was the export of wine, actually exchanging much of their industrial goods market for England’s wine market.
Joseph smiled and said, “In fact, in addition to wine, we have some beer workshops in Normandy, and I think there are some spirits as well. The tariffs on these beverages would be best reduced to below 10%.
“Oh yes, luxury goods, there are also luxury goods. Perhaps you’ve heard that I have some luxury goods industries; if you could accommodate them, I would be most grateful…”
Hartley pondered briefly then nodded: “I will definitely convey your thoughts to Congress.”
The quality of French beer was quite average, and spirits had even less sales volume, so they could completely open the English market to them. The luxury goods market wasn’t too large either. Compared to the huge profits in industrial goods, these were mere trifles.
“I’m glad we could reach a consensus,” said Joseph, “We must both work to expedite the resumption of trade negotiations.”
Then Hartley recalled another concern: “Your Highness, what you just mentioned, are these your own thoughts, or do they represent…”
“Only my opinion. However, I believe that they will also be the terms presented by the French negotiating delegation.”
Hartley nodded, lifted the glass on the table, and signaled to Joseph: “To the flourishing trade between England and France!”
But inwardly he thought: With just the Crown Prince’s political influence, it would be difficult to control the content of the negotiations entirely. I must suggest to Congress to mobilize England’s resources in France to help him achieve this.
Even if it couldn’t be agreed upon in the short term, as long as the Crown Prince of France had such intentions, a new treaty would sooner or later be signed.
Joseph raised his glass to clink with his gently, just as they heard Hurter Xiao on stage loudly proclaim: “Thirty years east of the Seine, thirty years west of the Seine! One should not mock a young man for his poverty!”
The passionate words made all the audience stand up, applaud vigorously, and even moved some to tears.
“Then, I won’t disturb your enjoyment of the wonderful play,” said Hartley, rising to his feet, bowing, and taking his leave.
In his mind, he was already calculating: if all the negotiation terms mentioned by the Crown Prince of France could be met, he might be able to contend for the position of the next Prime Minister as a distinguished contributor.
And as for his predetermined objectives for this trip, the sales of shipbuilding treaties, those were long forgotten.
…
The next day.
In the east hall meeting room of the Palace of Versailles, the first Cabinet meeting after the tax legislation had been rejected by the High Court was about to be convened.
Joseph walked into the golden entrance of the hall and tucked away the several pages of the report he was holding.
It was an investigation report just delivered by Fouche. It mentioned that they had found Gizo’s mistress, a woman named Anna.
With Gizo’s arrest, Anna had become impoverished. Eventually, under the inducement of a spy from the Police Affairs Department, she revealed that Gizo and Similion had discussed disrupting the Saint Antoine District to cause trouble for the Crown Prince at her place.
The key point was that in the conversation between Gizo and Similion, it was mentioned that if anything went wrong, a “high-up” would help clean up.
After Gizo’s arrest, Anna had visited him. Gizo had asked her to seek out Paris Municipal Commissioner Levebelle, saying he would find a way to help him.
Although there was no concrete evidence, it was basically certain that the person behind Gizo was Levebelle.
And Levebelle’s political faction belonged to the Duke of Orleans’s camp. He himself had no conflicts of interest with Joseph. Thus, it could be deduced that the mastermind behind the scenes was the Duke of Orleans!
Furthermore, Fouche had discovered that before Joseph took on the role of Assistant Finance Minister, the Duke of Orleans had attended a banquet hosted by the Banking Guild and openly asked the banks to delay the government’s loan of 6 million livres as much as possible.
Since many people attended the banquet, this news was not difficult to obtain.
Thus, all the trouble was brewed by the Duke of Orleans.
Joseph’s eyes were cold. He must find a way to eradicate this scourge; otherwise, he couldn’t tell what kind of mischief he would create for himself in the future!
Soon, Queen Mary arrived in the conference hall. Everyone bowed respectfully. The Cabinet meeting officially began.
Brian, as the Chief Minister, was about to deliver the customary summary of important matters that had occurred recently, but he saw Justice Minister Somiare and the Duke of Orleans exchange a glance, and then Somiare suddenly stood up, raising his voice:
“Archbishop Brianne, at this moment, the most critical issue for France is advancing the tax legislation. I think everyone must be waiting for you to introduce the progress of this matter.”
Brian’s expression immediately darkened. The High Court’s rejection of the legislation was common knowledge, and the Justice Minister’s pointed question here was clearly a challenge and an insult to him.
Suppressing his anger, he responded in a deep voice, “The High Court has refused to register it. However, I have revised the provisions of the legislation and will submit it to the High Court again.”
Somiare smiled, “The legislation you previously proposed heavily targeted all the nobility, which is the reason it was rejected. How do you plan to adjust it this time? Target the military, or go directly after the Royal Family?”
“You!”
Somiare continued, “As far as I know, the High Court has reached a consensus to refuse to cooperate with you. In other words, any legislation you submit in the future will surely be rejected.”
As he spoke, he turned toward Queen Mary, raising his voice, “Your Majesty the Queen, I believe that for the sake of the financial stability of France, we should replace the Finance Minister to ensure the tax legislation can be passed as soon as possible.”
Before the Queen could say anything, Foreign Minister Vilran stood up and placed his hand over his heart, “I agree with Count de Simeon’s suggestion. The nation’s finances are on the verge of collapse, and Archbishop Brianne should take responsibility for this.”