Johanssen
patreon
Chapter 184: The Dawn of French Finances
🕑 Added 2025-01-09 21:16:21 +0000 UTCChapter 184: The Dawn of French Finances
The joint fleet noticed the pirate ships trying to escape, but this didn't surprise them much. They maintained their course, gradually shrinking the pirates' space to maneuver.
The oars on the pirate ships were rowing frantically, almost lifting out of the water as they tried to break free from the encirclement closing in from both the east and west. But suddenly, a tall warship appeared on the southern horizon, flying the blue flag adorned with the fleur-de-lis.
It was the Clédaie, a 42-gun frigate.
Although the galleys had a slight speed advantage in the gentle winds of the Mediterranean, the joint fleet's formation was flawless. The Clédaie only needed to wait leisurely in its position while the other ships of the fleet quickly closed in from the other directions.
Finally, the desperate pirates were forced to engage the Clédaie. The outcome was inevitable—on the third broadside, the Clédaie's 28-pound cannonballs shattered the pirate ship's main mast and blew off the entire bow.
The slightly larger pirate ship attempted to break away but was hit by a cannonball from the Clédaie that snapped seven oars on its port side.
Caught off guard, the rowers kept rowing, causing the ship to veer sharply 60 degrees to the left due to the unbalanced thrust.
By the time the pirate ship managed to correct its course, two of the joint fleet's frigates had already closed in from behind.
The Dutch frigate Walrus opened fire first. As the Constellation, the ship Charles was on, caught up, just about to unleash its firepower, the pirate ship suddenly erupted in a massive explosion, its ammunition magazine hit.
And just like that, the battle was over.
Charles went up to the deck, feeling the hot breeze tinged with the smell of burning wood and gunpowder. He saw pirates screaming and jumping into the sea, flailing in the water like fish caught in a net.
The scene brought back memories of when pirates had boarded the Golden Wheat. A surge of anger welled up inside him as he grabbed a nearby sailor's rifle. After checking that it was loaded, he aimed at one of the pirates below and fired.
Soon, the victorious horns sounded across the fleet.
As Charles cursed at the burning pirate ship, Captain White's voice came from behind him, "Well done, lad, you've really made a difference this time."
...
At the Palace of Versailles, Queen Marie used to dread cabinet meetings, as they often brought bad news, especially about the seemingly endless financial deficit.
But today, she had been looking forward to the cabinet meeting ever since finishing breakfast.
The day before, she had read Brienne's report, revealing that through a series of operations with the Industrial Development Fund, the national debt had significantly decreased.
This debt problem had plagued France for over a century, ever since the time of Louis XV, and now, under her diligent governance, there was finally hope for a solution!
She first visited the Royal Workshop, where she found Louis XVI, with dark circles under his eyes, tinkering with a loom. She made him change into formal attire before dragging him to the meeting hall.
The cabinet ministers were already waiting there. Clearly aware of the good news, they all seemed energetic, except for Duke Orléans, who sat there looking dejected.
After the ministers had paid their respects to the King and Queen and taken their seats at the Queen's signal, Brienne excitedly announced, "Today, I bring you great news.
"Thanks to the blessings of the Lord and the diligent governance of our magnificent King and Queen, France's debt has significantly decreased over the past month!"
As he spoke, he took out a document and opened it, "As of three days ago, the national debt has been reduced by 1.3 billion livres, leaving only 2.11 billion livres."
He paused, looking around at the others, his voice filled with excitement, "Moreover, the annual interest on the debt has decreased from 180 million livres to less than 100 million livres.
"At this rate, France's finances will soon be balanced!"
France's current annual revenue was 510 million livres, with nearly 430 million livres spent on debt interest. This meant that only an additional 20 million livres in revenue was needed to achieve a balanced budget for the first time!
Everyone immediately stood up, bowing toward Louis XVI: "Long live the King!"
"Long live the Queen!"
Though Duke Orléans echoed their words, his heart bled. He knew all too well how the national debt had been reduced—by draining the funds of thirteen banks!
His closest allies in the banking sector had suffered massive losses, and with Marquis Lido and the others now aligning with the Crown, his influence in the banking guild had plummeted.
Suddenly feeling a tightness in his chest, he realized that without control over the nation's finances, he had lost any chance of defeating the Crown.
As the others continued to praise the King and Queen, Duke Orléans collapsed back into his chair, drained of energy. He sighed inwardly, accepting that his family's century-old ambition was now beyond his reach. All he could do was focus on raising his son, Philippe, and hope for better days in the future...
The discussion on finances lasted nearly an hour before they moved on to the next topic, still eager for more.
Brienne pulled out another document and addressed the ministers, "His Majesty has signed a decree establishing a new position in the cabinet, the Minister of Industry, responsible for overseeing, managing, and investing in the nation's industries."
He gestured toward the gilded doors of the hall. Two guards opened them, and in walked Count Mirabeau, dressed in a deep blue coat and carefully groomed.
Brienne continued, "On the Prince's recommendation, Count Mirabeau will assume the role of Minister of Industry."
Although Brienne was initially hesitant about this appointment, as Mirabeau had no significant family background and was a nouveau riche, he eventually accepted Joseph's suggestion. Mirabeau, known for his expertise in industrial development, could greatly advance France's industrial sector.
And now, with industry as France's greatest potential source of revenue growth, if Mirabeau could bring French industry even halfway to the level of Britain's, it could increase annual revenue by tens of millions of livres, truly balancing the budget.
As Finance Minister, Brienne would be remembered in history, his reputation perhaps even surpassing that of Cardinal Richelieu, as France's greatest minister.
So, he accepted Joseph's proposal, allowing a rising noble like Mirabeau to become the first Minister of Industry.
After a brief ceremonial appointment, Mirabeau took his seat at the far end of the table.
At that moment, a court official quietly entered the hall, handing a report to the Marquis de Castries, the Minister of the Navy.
The marquis quickly scanned the report and smiled as he turned to the King, bowing: "Your Majesty, we have more good news. A week ago, our fleet sank one Barbary pirate ship and captured another."
(End of Chapter)
Friends, if you want to read chapters in advance, subscribe to my patreon.
You can also buy the book if you are only interested in reading the novel.
