Chapter 385 Farmers
Joseph knew that the British also wanted to observe what kind of reaction the land redemption plan just announced in France would cause, trying to find leverage from it.
However, he had made adequate preparations for this, so how could he leave an opportunity for the British to take advantage of him.
Eman knocked on the door and came in. He stroked his chest and said, "Your Highness, the carriage is ready."
Joseph nodded, went downstairs and got into the carriage, speeding towards Versailles. If nothing else, those old nobles should be in mourning now, and he must go there as soon as possible to stabilize the situation.
…
Lance.
Zesfield Village.
The small church in the village was packed with people, and there were more people queuing with their heads down outside. Even when the church in Reims City held a large mass here before, it had never been so crowded.
Father Jolly rubbed his shoulders tiredly and said in a gentle voice to the seven farmers who were kneeling in confession in front of them:
"Okay, you have repented to God devoutly, and your sins will be forgiven. Now you all get up. Mr. Mari, please invite the people behind you to come in..."
The farmers kneeling on the ground still stubbornly shouted:
"No, please let me stay a little longer. My sin is so great. I was seduced by those foreign spies and participated in the damn riot... Oh, I even cursed the king. What a bastard I am, Your Majesty the King. It is so great, it is..."
His poor vocabulary could not express his mood at all, he just repeated "great" and "long live the king" over and over again.
The people beside him also said similar words and prostrated themselves on the ground with all their strength, as if His Majesty the King was right in front of them.
Yes, after learning about the land redemption plan officially announced by the government, farmers all over France were boiling. No, it was more than boiling. It was burning with joy, shock, gratitude and a new life, burning all over. village.
The redemption plan stipulates that all French people can obtain a piece of cultivated land of no more than 30 acres with a fee equivalent to eight years of land output and annual tribute.
This amount can be paid yearly and does not have to be paid in one lump sum. Moreover, the government will also provide subsidies for the redemption costs based on the time it takes to cultivate the land. In the past, when the yield was high during farming, subsidies could also be obtained.
Generally speaking, if a tenant farmer who has cultivated a certain piece of land for more than 20 years has a yield per mu that exceeds 30% of the average level of surrounding land, the government will subsidize an amount equivalent to 30% of the redemption fee!
In addition, families that purchase no more than 30 acres of land per capita can obtain loans from the French Agricultural Bank after approval by the parish church. In order to facilitate the land redemption, Joseph took the lead in investing in the French Reserve Bank and attracted a large number of After local government funds, this bank was established mainly for agricultural affairs.
The interest on this loan was so low that any sharecropping family could make the first payment for their land and gain immediate access to farmland.
Of course, this loan will not be disbursed to farmers, but will be used directly to pay redemption fees on schedule. The loan repayment period can be extended to 15 years. Farmers do not have to worry about redemption money. As long as they farm well in the future, they will basically have no financial pressure.
As for purchases exceeding 30 acres per capita, a 20% "handling fee" will be levied.
After exceeding 100 acres per capita, not only the handling fee will increase to 33%, but also half of the entire redemption amount must be paid in cash at one time, and must be paid within 4 years.
These redemption conditions are simply several times better than the best-case scenario imagined by farmers before!
Especially under the influence of rumors that the redemption period was 50 years and had to be paid in one lump sum, the farmers simply felt that His Majesty the King was as kind and loving as God.
They are not afraid of hard work. As long as they can see hope and live a life without being overwhelmed by the high ransom money, they are very satisfied.
But now, it only takes 8 years for them to own land that truly belongs to them like the noble lords before.
All of this is granted to everyone by His Majesty the Great King, the benevolent "savior" Louis XVI.
Those farmers who participated in the riots before did not need others to criticize them, their own conscience would make them miserable. So, they came to the church collectively in an attempt to alleviate the sins of their souls with God. Father Joly reluctantly dragged the farmers in front of him up one by one, which almost exhausted his strength as he was over fifty years old. After breathing for a while, he kindly comforted these ten people:
" Even God has forgiven you, and your merciful Majesty the King will certainly not blame you again.
"If you want to wash away the guilt in your heart, then come to the church from time to time and pray devoutly for His Majesty the King."
The farmers immediately nodded vigorously:
“You are right, I will come to pray for Your Majesty every day from now on!”
"I will come every day too. I will always be loyal to Your Majesty!"
"And I……"
When they were pushed out of the confessional by Mr. Mari, the seven people who had been waiting for a long time immediately crowded in. In order to improve efficiency, Father Jolly could only use the single confessional in this way.
The peasants who walked out of the confessional heard someone speaking outside the church, and enthusiastic neighbors told them that it was people who had been deceived by Saint Just, venting their anger.
When the farmers heard this, they were immediately angry. It was that Saint Just who looked so sanctimonious, but lied to everyone that the government was going to implement the 50-year redemption plan and incited everyone to cause trouble!
It’s so abominable and despicable!
Several people curiously came near the speaker and listened to him denounce the dangers of "liberals" to France.
A farmer said to the person next to him in confusion:
“What is a liberal?”
A farmer who had seen the world explained to him:
"Oh, I heard Baron Guy say that people like Saint-Just are called 'liberals'. They want to overthrow His Majesty the King."
"These bastards! Whoever dares to disrespect His Majesty the King, I will not spare him!"
"That's right! If I see those so-called liberal guys in the future, I will report it to the Mounted Police."
"What liberals? What they bring is not freedom at all, but lies and deception!"
Joseph did not expect that after this incident, France's radical liberals would become street rats. At least among the peasantry, they would no longer have any market.
Soon, the farmers' talk turned to Dutch spies.
"These shameless guys," someone said bitterly, "may God punish them!"
"My relatives in the city told me that more than 130 spies who were caught were all sentenced to death."
"Great! They deserve it!"
"I heard that His Majesty the King is at war with the Dutch."
"Really? Then I have to let my second son join the army."
"I'll let my son go too!"
"Humph, I have five sons..."
(End of chapter)