Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Chapter 167: Chapter 152 Scheduled meeting with the French Minister of Industry_2

However, when it comes to taxation, with the participation of the Estates-General, the implementation efficiency would be greatly improved.

Mirabeau looked at Joseph and tested the waters,

"Your Highness, you know that the development of industry heavily depends on the market. Yet, the tariffs throughout France severely fragment the market. Perhaps, we could try to push for the abolition of tariffs to foster a unified domestic market?"

Joseph nodded,

"You are correct. However, there are many obstacles to abolishing local tariffs, especially since our finances can hardly provide support... I'll think of a solution."

At present, there were tariffs between the various regions of France. Products from other provinces had to pay tariffs to enter the local market. This did not have much of an impact in the agricultural era, but in the industrial era, which valued product sales and capital recovery, it became a significant barrier.

England gained a considerable advantage in industrial competition because it was the first to abolish domestic tariffs and take advantage of a unified market.

However, despite the fact that the abolition of local tariffs is indeed beneficial for the country, it is difficult to implement.

One of the most basic problems is that the finances of the provinces rely greatly on tariffs, and a sudden abolition would require the nation to subsidize the financial gap, otherwise the provincial governments wouldn't even have the money to operate.

But with France's current financial situation, let alone providing subsidies for the provinces, it's already a blessing from God that it hasn't collapsed.

This is also one of the reasons why Joseph is eager to expand overseas colonies — using the colonial markets to fill the gaps in the domestic market, and then using the earned money to gradually resolve the local tariff issues.

Mirabeau knew the local tariffs were not that simple; he was merely giving the Crown Prince a reminder.

Afterward, he delivered the last piece of good news — the potatoes purchased from Austria, the Southern Netherlands, and other places had arrived in provinces like Alsace and Lorraine in batches, and the previously exported grains from those areas had been largely replenished.

With this, Joseph's potato promotion plan could be considered successfully concluded. Although the sowing area this year was very limited, it opened the door to potato cultivation in France. It could be foreseen that in the coming years, as they taste the high yield of potatoes, more and more people would be willing to plant them.

However, this would subsequently lead to the problem of soil fertility loss — potatoes are a crop that requires a lot of nutrients. This is the next issue that needs to be addressed in Joseph's agricultural reform process.

After Mirabeau left, Joseph, watching his retreating figure, suddenly thought of getting something from Mono.

At the moment, Mirabeau and others are needed to contribute to France's industrialization process. If he could offer him a suitable government position, it would greatly improve his efficiency, thereby speeding up the pace of industrialization.

In addition, this would also bring the Capitalist Nobility to his side, strengthening his political influence.

From the perspective of historical trends, the Capitalist Nobility, representing the bourgeoisie, is the political core of the future, and the Old Nobility will eventually be overwhelmed by the tide of industrialization. It's time for him to make arrangements early on.

Thinking this, Joseph slightly furrowed his brows. To bring Mirabeau, a representative of the capitalist elite, into the Cabinet controlled by the Land Aristocracy would inevitably face considerable resistance.

All of this required careful planning on his part.

That night, at the gambling party organized by Queen Mary, Joseph, taking Mono aside to a corner of the hall, glanced at Clementine, who was betting at the dice table, and whispered, "I promised her a plethora of conditions, and finally convinced her. You can rest assured, she swears she won't mention to anyone about last night..."

In fact, last night Joseph asked Clementine if she had seen anyone coming out of Mono's room, the young girl claimed she only paid attention to the cat and didn't see anyone. As for her maid, since she had never been to the Palace of Versailles, she did not recognize Madame Saint Priest.

Mono hurriedly stopped the Crown Prince from continuing, checking that no one noticed them, then sincerely bowed to thank him, "You truly saved my life, I don't know how to thank you enough."

Joseph feigned a sigh, "You see, I have been busy recently researching how to better promote industrial development. Now I've agreed to accompany her for half a month, I'm afraid I won't be able to achieve anything."

Mono offered an apologetic smile, "I am truly bothering you."

"If the Industrial Planning Bureau could add more people, I would have more energy to spare for my cousin," Joseph feigned difficulty, "but as you know, the bureau is just a small department with limited staff."

Mono seemed to catch on to something, prompting, "Then how can we increase manpower?"

"Unless the bureau's level can be upgraded, the number of subordinate officials can only remain the same."

Mono immediately understood that the Crown Prince was asking for a "reward."

"What do you think would be an appropriate level for the Industrial Planning Bureau to be upgraded to?"

Joseph appeared to speak offhandedly, "If it could become the Ministry of Industry, then I could hold a position like Minister of Industry or something..."

Mono inwardly sighed. The Crown Prince still had his leverage from last night, and he had to offer this reward. Fortunately, the artisan sector wasn't making much money, there were many associated issues, and since the Crown Prince had already been managing it, it would not be too problematic to completely detach it from the internal administration system.

After thinking it over, Mono added, "Your Highness, I highly agree with your proposal. But for such a significant change as introducing a Minister of Industry, I alone don't have the final say."

Joseph smiled and said, "You just need to propose the motion at the Cabinet meeting, and I'll take care of the rest."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

After the serious conversation, Joseph, looking relaxed, took Mono to play cards, only to be suddenly startled by the exasperated shouting from the dice table, where Clementine was yelling, "I've lost twelve games in a row! Are you cheating?!"

The servant in charge of rolling the dice panicked and quickly bowed his head in defence, "Absolutely no cheating, please don't be angry..."

The little girl quickly suppressed her anger, stepped forward to take the man's arm, and cheerily stuffed a piece of candy into his hand, "Don't mind me, I was just blowing off steam. Here, have some candy, it's really sweet!"

Joseph watched with interest as the croupier's worry turned to joy, thanking the girl repeatedly, before continuing to oversee the gambling.

Clementine boldly bet 2 livres on high.

The dice cup was opened, revealing a 1, 3, 1—low.

The little girl, undeterred by her losses, bet 1 livre on low.

The dice cup was opened again, showing 5, 5, 6—high.

"I refuse to believe I can't win!" Clementine's face flushed with resolve as she continued to place bets.

What rotten luck this little miss had! Joseph shook his head, amused, and as he was about to walk away, a thought struck him.

Since she's on such a losing streak, maybe she can serve as a contrarian indicator!

Joseph immediately stepped forward. Seeing Clementine bet on low, he promptly took out 5 silver coins and bet on high.

The result was 4, 6, 5—high.

Amazingly accurate! Joseph looked at the little girl in surprise and collected 10 livres from the table.

Seeing her cousin come over and win, Clementine grew even more indignant and stubbornly bet another 2 livres on low.

Joseph promptly bet the 10 livres he just won on high.

The outcome was 6, 4, 3—high.

A light flashed before Joseph's eyes, realizing that he had discovered a treasure in the girl!

After considering, he still approached the little girl and advised, "You're still young, just have fun, don't bet too much."

"Thank you for caring, cousin, but I will surely win!" the little girl retorted, rolling up her sleeves and moving on to the next table.

Joseph shook his head helplessly and followed Clementine. She bet high, he bet low.

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At the baccarat table, she bet on the bank, and he bet on the player.

At the roulette table, she bet on odd, and he bet on even.

...

By the end of the evening, Joseph had won more than he lost, all thanks to the "Reverse Clementine Strategy." By the time the little girl had run out of steam and stopped playing, he had won over a hundred gold écus and a large pile of silver coins.

By Queen Mary's card table, a financially devastated Clementine clung to her aunt's hand and cooed, "Take me to Paris tomorrow, will you? I've lost all night long, you need to comfort my wounded heart."

Unable to resist her niece's pestering, the Queen laughed and summoned her son, instructing, "Jospeh, do nothing else tomorrow but take Clementine to have a good day out in Paris."

"Yes, Mother," said Joseph, nodding reluctantly, thinking of it as the "fee" for the evening's services provided by the little girl.

The little girl was overjoyed and immediately clung to his arm, pouting, "Cousin, I heard people say there's an 'Eden Amusement Park' built in the Tuileries Palace Garden, full of new and exciting things, will you take me there to play?"

Joseph gave a start and asked cautiously, "You're not afraid of heights, are you?"

[Note 1]: At this time in France, the local Estates-General varied greatly by region. For instance, a few regions like Brittany and Burgundy had Estates-General with some authority, determining some local governance policies, yet all were still under royal control. The Estates-General in most other regions were merely for show.