Chapter 524 Money ability, activate! (Please give me a monthly ticket!)
With such a scale, it is indeed impossible to fill one-third of the trade gap in France.
Joseph looked confident, looked around the crowd and said:
"What if I inject 20 million francs into the Trade Federation?"
The room suddenly fell silent.
Even though these political and business tycoons have all seen the world and are even rich themselves, the figure of 20 million francs still makes their heads buzz.
What is this concept?
Having 500,000 francs is enough to build a large caravan - one that can affect the trade volume of a large city.
Last year, the total profit of all caravans in France was estimated to be only 50 million to 60 million francs.
In one fell swoop, the Crown Prince invested half a year's profits of the caravans across the country!
Immediately, several people swallowed their saliva, and their eyes began to light up with excitement.
Generally speaking, with sufficient funds, it takes two months to prepare a large caravan, and then gradually become familiar with the market and start normal operations.
But right now, the funds are not only sufficient, they are simply a luxury! It's a serious overflow!
If each caravan invests more than 100,000 francs in recruiting people, the framework can be put up almost overnight - as long as the wages are high enough, employees from other caravans will come to join them overnight.
You can even directly acquire other caravans. There are many caravans who would be willing to sell themselves for a 20% premium.
After allocating a few thousand francs to advertise in the city, hire people to spread word of mouth, and have the royal family and the government to endorse the credit, those factories suffering from a backlog of goods will definitely choose the trade alliance's caravan without hesitation.
In this case, if 20 million francs are spent, the size of the existing trade alliance can be doubled within a week at most, and the market can be quickly occupied.
Dupont nodded subconsciously: "If you invest so much money, quickly restoring trade routes will not be a problem!"
As a cabinet minister, Mirabeau was quite aware of the country's financial situation and said with a worried expression:
"Your Highness, if so much money is mobilized, the finance side may not be able to bear the pressure..."
Just kidding, after the tax reform, next year's government operating funds have not been collected yet. If we spend another 20 million, the government may have to close down next year.
Joseph said calmly: "Don't worry about money, I will take care of it.
"Please Mr. Bai build the trade alliance as quickly as possible, and others contact their respective caravans to sign the agreement to join."
He didn't even ask the caravan whether it was willing to join the trade alliance. Considering the astronomical investment of 20 million, anyone who refused must have lost their mind.
As for the funding issue, he plans to borrow 20 million from the Royal Insurance Company first. Insurance companies are now experiencing booming sales and abundant liquidity, and they are looking for places to invest everywhere.
As for how to repay this huge sum of money in the future?
Of course the tax collectors came to pay it back.
After causing such a big thing, do they still want to escape unscathed?
Originally, each family could just buy 10 million francs of government bonds to get rid of the problem, but these greedy guys insist on being stubborn, so now let's change it to a fine of 10 million francs!
Along the way, they can also use their money to integrate the domestic trade system, improve the level of caravan management, and speak with one voice in foreign trade, thus greatly enhancing trade competitiveness.
Mirabeau and others did not expect the Crown Prince to spend 20 million francs so lightly. They wanted to persuade His Highness to be more cautious, but saw that Joseph had already turned to the Chief of Police, Viscount Besançon: "Please leave immediately. Go to Marseille and stare at the order of the port for yourself.
"Once someone incites a strike without reason, he will be arrested immediately. We must ensure that the port of Marseille can operate normally."
The top leader of the police station immediately stood at attention and said loudly: "Yes, Your Highness!" Then, there was some hesitation in his eyes, "Your Highness, if those people are making a big fuss..."
"You are allowed to shoot at any time." Joseph said without hesitation, "However, try not to hurt ordinary porters and crew members."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Besancon suddenly seemed confident.
Joseph looked at the assistant manager of Gemini Branch again:
"Mr. Volante, you also followed the Viscount of Besançon to Marseille. When you got there, you spread the news that a large number of urgently needed goods from the Gemini Company will arrive at the port in the near future. At that time, porters, trackers, and port stewards will be given extra time. Pay 20% of wages.
“If trouble really starts in the port, you can just keep increasing this amount until the wage is doubled.
"At the same time, you need to contact the captains of other ships arriving at the port privately and ask them to increase their wages accordingly. We will pay the extra expenses."
"Yes, Your Highness." Volante bowed and saluted, "I will definitely satisfy you."
Joseph took out a remittance slip from the drawer, signed his name, stamped it, and handed it to Volante: "Please go to the French Reserve Bank to confirm that the Marseille branch can pay 1.5 million francs at any time. If that doesn’t work, bring the money directly from Paris.”
After he assigned the tasks vigorously and resolutely, Mirabeau and others all took their orders and left, carrying out the tasks separately without any delay.
On Joseph's side, he summoned Marat again and ordered him to send out men to keep an eye on the funds he allocated this time.
After all, the amount is too large, and it has to be spent in a short period of time using unconventional means. It is difficult to avoid the idea of taking advantage of others.
At present, he can only think of people like Mara who can withstand the temptation of money.
…
A week later.
Robespierre came to the Tuileries Palace with a sinister expression, straightened his collar, and strode towards the second floor.
Behind him were three men from the State Administration of Taxation, each holding a wooden box filled with reporting materials.
Not long after, Joseph looked at the documents spread out on the table, his face gloomier than Robespierre.
These are the tax collectors’ accounts that the State Administration of Taxation recently found to be problematic based on complaints from the public.
This is no longer just a matter of accounts, it is simply appalling!
Robespierre spoke in a low voice: "Leonault's family originally had 47 acres of land, inherited from their ancestors. Their family almost never defaulted on taxes.
"Until the tax collector Jacques-Ettore de Poca suddenly levied taxes in advance, and the cold spring that year caused the wheat to mature late, 18 farmers in the village went bankrupt. Including the annual tribute farmers who abandoned their tenants, there were more than 30 farmers in total. Every household gave up their land, and eventually Boka obtained most of the land in the village..."
Joseph looked at the information about Leonor in his hand, anger welling up in his eyes. It shows that Leonor's second son suffered a miscarriage during the incident, and his mother also died of illness the following year after leaving the village.
Robespierre continued: "Lecornu, the tax collector of Stian Town, set the tax payment location at a hunting villa 10 miles away from the town after continuous heavy rains four years ago..."
(End of chapter)