Chapter 476 Developing Real Estate
Historically, Robespierre was too radical in doing things, but the fact that he can be called "the incorruptible" is enough to show his integrity.
After the Jacobins came to power, as the de facto supreme leader of France, he was indeed dedicated to the welfare of the people - at least he subjectively believed so - and never used his power for personal gain.
At the same time, he also has some plot against rich people.
Combining these characteristics, Joseph believes that he is the most suitable person to oversee the tax system.
Robespierre seemed relieved when he heard this, but also seemed a little discouraged: "Your Highness, although I have no experience in taxation, if you ask me, I will do my best to do this job. However, I I don’t think this is as risky as you described it before.”
"No, you obviously underestimate the danger of this position." Joseph said, "You will be threatened, intimidated, and even face violence. Of course, more likely to be bribery and bribery."
Seeing that Robespierre was still full of doubts, he told him in detail his plan to abolish the tax collector system and the interests involved: "Originally, all the tax revenue in the country had to go through the hands of these tax collectors. That’s a huge sum of over 500 million francs. They will do anything to keep this piece of fat.”
Robespierre became nervous, but still said firmly: "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will not be afraid of any threats."
Joseph nodded with satisfaction: "You will assist Count Fulco, oh, he is the newly appointed director of the tax bureau, to build the national tax system."
Fulco was the finance minister who came to power after Carlona was dismissed. He only served for three weeks before being replaced by Brian.
This man was very good at finance and loyal to the royal family, so Joseph made him the head of the tax system.
However, as an aristocratic bureaucrat, he had to have someone like Robespierre watching over him so that Joseph could rest assured.
Joseph continued to Robespierre: "You should be very familiar with tax laws, but you still need some training in financial and tax procedures.
"So you will then enter the Economics School of the Paris Police Academy for three months and get acquainted with your future subordinates there."
"Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your arrangement." Robespierre thought of something else and asked doubtfully, "Did you just say, police academy?"
"Yes, the police academy. You have to train your formation and command there. And after your subordinates take office, they are required to carry swords and muskets."
"..." Robespierre became even more nervous after hearing this.
Joseph then personally took the new tax bureau inspector to the Palace of Versailles to meet with the finance minister and the tax bureau director, to support this young man with no political qualifications.
It was already past 3pm when we left the Palace of Versailles.
After Joseph entered the city of Paris by carriage, he suddenly remembered the matter of raising funds, and immediately said to Eman: "Please go to the Palais Royal first. I want to see the 'Garden of Stars'."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The so-called "Garden of Stars" is a real estate project near the Royal Palace, promoted by the popularity of the World Expo.
Joseph didn't pay much attention to this place before. It wasn't until he returned from Silesia that he realized that the sales situation didn't seem to be very good.
Now is the time when money is needed, and big moneymakers like real estate must hurry up. Joseph got off the carriage outside the "Garden of Stars" and looked up at the community that was originally the garden of the Royal Palace.
This is one of the earliest areas in Paris to install gas lighting. Next to it is the West Palace of the Royal Palace, which has been developed into a commercial area. It has complete supporting facilities such as hospitals and schools. Logically speaking, the sales situation should be very good.
After all, the "Palace Garden" at the Tuileries Palace was sold out almost instantly, and he learned from Brian's report that not even a fifth of it was sold.
The sales manager of "Starry Garden" soon learned that the Crown Prince was here and hurriedly brought a group of subordinates to greet him.
After he saluted, Joseph talked to him about the sale of the house.
"Yes, you are right. There are many rich nobles." The sales manager hunched over and followed Joseph, "But after all, this place is much more expensive than the house in the Palace Garden."
The price tag of "Palace Garden" is 60,000 francs, and the actual transaction price is around 70,000, while the price tag of "Garden of Stars" is 100,000 francs. Generally, it can be sold at a discount of 95,000 francs.
The sales person in charge continued: "Everyone thinks that gas lamps will be installed in the palace garden sooner or later, and prices may be reduced here, so they are all waiting..."
Joseph frowned. Real estate is the same no matter what era it is. Buy up and not buy down. This creates an expectation of price reduction. No wonder it is unsaleable.
He thought briefly and ordered the person in charge: "Please choose the most conspicuous house and hang my badge.
"Then advertise it in the newspaper, saying that there are only 10 houses left in 'the most expensive and luxurious residential area in Paris'. Remember, it is not an advertisement, but to find a reporter and write a news report, emphasizing that only the most valuable Only people with high status can live here, and the price of the house will never drop.
"Everyone who comes to buy a house from now on will be lotteryd first. Only if they win can they make a purchase. The price will increase by 1,000 francs every month, and there will be no counter-offering."
"Lottery?"
"It's a kind of lottery, but the form should be more varied, such as making some small balls with numbers written on them for house buyers to touch. Only if you touch numbers with a certain pattern three times can you be eligible to buy."
The sales person in charge was stunned: "Your Highness, but what if the buyer has no patience and leaves..."
"Just let them go." Joseph smiled and said, "Afterwards, you can have someone use the name of the manager of the Garden of Stars to sell numbers privately to people who want to buy a house but did not get a number. Each number is 2,000 francs."
Just kidding, there are just over a hundred houses, and rich people from all over France and even Europe are eyeing this place. In later generations, those "hunger marketing", "concept marketing" and the like are casually used, but it is strange that they cannot be sold.
Less than a quarter of the area of the Royal Palace Garden has been used, and a second phase of the project will be built later. If they are all sold, the net profit will reach 20 million francs!
The next step is to develop the open space near the Louvre, develop the open space between the Palace of Versailles and Paris, and even the woodland behind the Palace of Versailles can be used to build residential communities.
There are tens of thousands of nobles crowded into the Palace of Versailles, and the per capita housing area is so small. It is time to improve the living environment for everyone.
In the past, I spent so much energy on fashion weeks and world expositions, and spent money on installing gas lamps, trying desperately to improve Paris's reputation. Wasn't it just to use real estate to earn interest?
(End of chapter)