Chapter 432: Bastille 2.0
The climate on the Indian subcontinent is favorable, with abundant sunshine and rainfall, leading to high agricultural yields. With plentiful fruits and vegetables, Indians generally don't have the habit of stockpiling food.
However, Joseph knew that during the Third Mysore War, Tipu Sultan suffered twice from a lack of food reserves. The British besieged Srirangapatna twice, and both times, the city quickly ran out of supplies.
The first time, Tipu was lucky as the monsoon arrived early, flooding the British supply lines and allowing him to escape. The second time, however, he had to risk a sortie to find a breakthrough, but the British kept reinforcing their lines with local Indian troops, leaving Tipu with no success. Eventually, with his supplies exhausted, he had to negotiate peace with the British, ceding half of Mysore's territory, paying £3 million in war reparations, and handing over his two sons as hostages to barely retain his throne.
The East India Company used that £3 million—equivalent to 75 million livres—to rapidly expand its military presence in the Far East, laying the groundwork for its eventual domination of the Indian subcontinent. Eight years later, Tipu Sultan was killed by British forces, and the Kingdom of Mysore was destroyed.
In reality, a severe plague had already broken out among the British troops at that time. If Tipu had held out for a few more months, the British might have been forced to withdraw.
So, Joseph's first piece of advice to Tipu Sultan was to stockpile food.
With India's agricultural output, it would be easy to gather enough supplies to sustain the entire city of Srirangapatna for two or three years.
But Tipu Sultan was puzzled. "Why should we stockpile food?"
Lafayette, with a serious expression, explained, "Mysore has had some recent victories, but do not underestimate the British. They are very powerful, and if they increase their military presence, you may face a tough siege."
Tipu Sultan's eyes flashed with disdain. He and his father had both defeated the British before, during the first two Mysore Wars.
However, he respected Lafayette's opinion, especially since Lafayette had introduced many advanced tactics, and the soldiers trained under him were far superior to those Tipu had trained himself.
Lafayette continued with the Prince's strategy: "Then, all you need to do is wait for the monsoon season. "The British come from over ten thousand miles away, and their supplies are a logistical nightmare. The monsoon will destroy their supply lines, and that's when you strike back. But avoid direct confrontation with the British; your primary target should always be their supply lines."
Warfare in faraway India was extremely costly for Britain. If their supplies were constantly disrupted, financial pressure would force them to seek a ceasefire.
Lafayette added, "Besides food, you should avoid engaging the British's local allies unless absolutely necessary. In such cases, consider offering them incentives to withdraw or remain neutral. You might even consider ceding some land to Hyderabad."
Britain's core strategy in India was to use Indians to fight Indians while they reaped the benefits. While weakening Mysore, the strongest kingdom on the subcontinent, they were also wary of their allies, especially Hyderabad, given its past alliance with Mysore and its considerable strength.
If weakening Mysore made Hyderabad stronger, the British would have fought for nothing. So, the British would likely oppose any concessions Mysore might make to Hyderabad, which could anger the latter.
As for how things would develop afterward, even Joseph couldn't be sure. But he was determined to create trouble for the British.
As long as France didn't directly intervene in the war between Mysore and Britain—at this point, all French citizens, including artisans, had been evacuated from Mysore—France would be adhering to the Non-Intervention Treaty, and Britain wouldn't have any grounds to complain.
However, Joseph could still offer Tipu Sultan some strategic advice, which would be enough to frustrate the British.
…
Morocco. Meknes. Sultan Mohammed III tried to maintain his composure as he spoke to the French envoy, "My Janissaries were only helping train the Algerian troops. Although there was some misunderstanding with the French forces during this time, it was never my intention."
Count Ségur replied sternly, "You're right, it was a misunderstanding. However, soldiers of His Majesty the King did suffer casualties, and the town of Tamara was also damaged."
Mohammed III was deeply frustrated. His own Janissaries had suffered far more losses than the French, and as for Tamara, his men had only passed by a few miles away—how could that cause any damage?
However, the situation was beyond his control. Recently, the British ambassador suddenly expressed that he "didn't want to see any friction between Morocco and Tunisia" and halted all aid. Mohammed III wasn't afraid of the French, but he also didn't want to anger this European power, especially since it was his own fault for being misled by the British and provoking the French.
"I'm willing to offer compensation for these losses," he conceded.
Count Ségur smiled, "Or you could do me a favor, which would offset the compensation."
In truth, the Moroccan Janissaries had barely engaged the French forces before being scared off by Moreau's feint. France's losses were minimal.
Mohammed III was cautious. "What kind of favor?"
"Simple," Ségur replied. "Just use your trade caravans to transport some goods for me. From here, through the Ottoman Empire, to the Indian subcontinent.
"You'll gather the goods, and the buyers will pay in full. If you can't find certain items, you can purchase them from Spain."
"That's all?" Mohammed III was surprised. Morocco had always had close trade relations with the Ottomans, so this request posed no loss to him. He could even deliver the goods to Ottoman merchants in Basra, who would then ship them to India.
"You're sure someone will pay for the goods?"
"Of course," Ségur assured him. "If not, you can immediately halt the shipments. Help me transport goods for two years, and our nations' misunderstanding will be resolved."
Mohammed III narrowed his eyes.
He knew the French were using his Ottoman connections to smuggle goods, but if the buyers truly paid and the demand was high, he could even profit from it.
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
France could officially cease supporting Mysore, but if Tipu Sultan obtained supplies through the Ottomans, the British would have no grounds to blame France.
Ségur then smiled and added, "One important thing: this trade has nothing to do with France."
He wasn't worried about Mohammed III tipping off the British.
First, Morocco was furious with Britain for the recent betrayal, so there was no chance they would warn them. Second, the Moroccans had no evidence. Even if they told the British, France would deny everything—no French were involved in the supply chain.
If the Moroccans refused, Ségur had a backup plan to approach the Persians, obtaining supplies through the Caspian Sea from Russia and transporting them to India via the Gulf of Oman. However, the Persians would likely demand some benefits, making it less cost-effective than using Morocco. Fortunately, Mohammed III agreed to the plan.
After leaving Morocco, Count Ségur headed north to Spain, where he would seek Carlos IV's help in providing weapons, steel, and other supplies. This arrangement would not only profit Spain but also earn France's goodwill, making it unlikely for them to refuse.
…
January 12, 1790. Paris.
A luxurious light gray "Gem" carriage sped through the crowd and came to a sudden halt near the Bastille Square.
A servant quickly set up the steps and opened the door.
Mr. Walsh, a wool merchant, eagerly jumped out of the carriage, complaining to his wife behind him, "I told you we should've taken the rail carriage, but you insisted on driving…"
Seeing the crowd filling Bastille Square, his voice grew louder, "We've wasted so much time; we can't even get close now."
Mrs. Walsh, dressed in the latest fashionable gown, followed him out, muttering softly, "It's just a bank moving. What's the big deal? I heard the British pavilion is already set up. We might as well buy a preview ticket and go see that…"
Mr. Walsh cut her off, "What do you know? Today, the Prince will definitely announce some financial policies that will affect everyone's business. Of course, we have to be here!"
A boy of about ten, noticing Walsh's anxious expression, quickly approached with a bright smile, "Sir, the Prince has already arrived. Would you like to get closer?"
"Of course. Can you make that happen?"
"Three livres."
Walsh didn't hesitate to hand over three silver coins. "Hurry!"
The boy whistled toward Bastille Square, and seven or eight other children began weaving through the crowd, creating a "path."
Walsh hurriedly pulled his wife through, reaching a spot very close to the Bastille's main entrance.
The boy heard music start to play and signaled his companions, "It's starting. There probably won't be many more people coming. Let's head over to the 'Livable' store and help with the queue."
"Okay, Gilles!" The children squeezed out of the crowd, hopping along behind him.
Walsh craned his neck to see. The once gloomy and terrifying prison was now adorned with colorful ribbons. Several rows of palace guards in red uniforms stood neatly on the steps, with a large crowd of reporters behind them. A band played energetically nearby, likely the royal orchestra based on their skill level.
Above the prison's main entrance, a huge brass plaque had been hung, reading "Banque de Réserve de France—Head Office."
Amid a series of cannon salutes, the music suddenly stopped, and Prince Joseph, wearing a brand-new blue and white cavalry uniform and a tricorn hat, quickly stepped onto the platform below the plaque, accompanied by several officials.
The crowd immediately bowed, and Joseph smiled as he raised his hand, gesturing for silence.
"Thank you all for coming to the Banque de Réserve de France relocation ceremony," he began.
He turned to the Bastille. "I know, many of you didn't like this place before."
The crowd burst into laughter.
"But I'm sure you'll love it now," Joseph continued loudly. "This will become the headquarters of the Banque de Réserve.
"The French Stock Exchange will occupy its west wing.
"And on the second floor will be the offices of the French Royal Insurance Company."
He raised his arm, "This is no longer a prison but a symbol of wealth for all of Paris!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Yes, no French citizen didn't despise and loathe this prison.
Previously, when choosing a site for the French Stock Exchange, Joseph suddenly thought of this place and decided to transform it into Paris's financial center.
By abolishing the infamous Bastille, Joseph would undoubtedly improve the monarchy's standing among the French people.
Moreover, the prison had long since lost its purpose. Despite its reputation, the Bastille held few prisoners and served mainly to stabilize Parisian order. In the past, many soldiers had been stationed there, ready to suppress any unrest in the city. But now, Parisian law enforcement was the responsibility of the police.
So, when Joseph proposed that the Banque de Réserve purchase the fortress, Queen Marie Antoinette almost immediately agreed. The Bastille's commander, Marquis de Launay, who had been aided by the Prince in Necker's case, was also very cooperative in the relocation.
Over half a month ago, the Bastille's guards and prisoners were moved to a new location in the southern suburbs of Paris, which was renamed the "National First Prison."
On the platform, Joseph waited for the cheers to subside before continuing, "Today, besides the relocation of the Banque de Réserve and the Stock Exchange, there is another very important announcement."
He gestured to Finance Minister Brienne.
Brienne stepped forward, cleared his throat, and announced loudly, "His Majesty the King has decided that, effective immediately, the banknotes issued by the Banque de Réserve will become France's official currency and will be renamed the franc!
"One franc will be equivalent to one livre in silver coins, equal to 0.3 grams of gold.
"The national fiscal decree will guarantee the franc. Anyone holding franc banknotes can exchange them for their equivalent value in gold at any time. Similarly, gold can be exchanged for francs at the bank.
"Throughout France, no one may refuse francs as payment, or they will face prosecution. Livres, écus, and other coins will remain in circulation alongside the franc."
The crowd was in an uproar. Although Banque de Réserve banknotes were already widely circulated, the official confirmation of their currency status still shocked everyone.
After all, just a few decades ago, John Law's Mississippi bubble burst, causing countless French citizens to lose their fortunes overnight. Since then, people had been wary of paper money.
Brienne glanced at the Prince, then raised his hand to quiet the crowd before continuing, "To maintain the stability of the franc, the Royal Family, the Ministry of Finance, the Banque de Réserve, and the French Chamber of Commerce will jointly establish the 'Currency Oversight Council,' which will have full authority to supervise the issuance of banknotes, ensuring that there is no overissuance."
(End of Chapter)
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