Chapter 475: A Man of Integrity
The second floor of the Tuileries Palace.
Joseph watched as Brienne's figure disappeared from view, then turned his attention back to the annual financial report on the table. He couldn't help but sigh.
Although both industry and agriculture in France were experiencing significant growth, the nation's debt, which had briefly slowed its increase at the beginning of last year, had once again surged dramatically.
Last year, France's total revenue was 580 million francs, an increase of 70 million francs compared to the previous year. However, expenditures also skyrocketed to 540 million francs. Adding in nearly 100 million francs in fixed interest payments on the national debt, the deficit reached over 60 million francs!
As of the beginning of this year, France's total debt had reached a historical high of 2.25 billion francs.
Of course, this was still an improvement compared to the nearly 3 billion francs of debt France had in 1790. Moreover, last year's debt increase was mainly due to large-scale investments in North Africa, Luxembourg, and the Walloon region of the Southern Netherlands, particularly in infrastructure projects. These projects were not only expensive but also unlikely to yield immediate returns.
Additionally, the wars in North Africa, the Southern Netherlands, and Silesia were major money pits. According to the financial data submitted by Brienne, military spending alone exceeded 43 million francs last year!
This was despite Austria covering a significant portion of the costs for the latter two wars; otherwise, the figure would have been even more alarming.
Furthermore, the strategic grain reserves were heavily depleted due to last year's food shortages, requiring a substantial investment to replenish. Until 1795, Europe's climate was unstable, and although there hadn't been a famine as severe as the one caused by last year's hailstorm, small-scale crop failures were still common, making it essential to be prepared.
Nearly 10 million francs were spent on purchasing grain alone.
In summary, if it weren't for the wars and the need to stockpile food, the long-awaited balance between income and expenditure could have been achieved.
However, Joseph couldn't feel relieved at all.
He knew very well that his numerous reforms had been carried out at the expense of the nobility's interests, especially the old nobility. Their control over the nation's economy, various privileges, and feudal taxes had been almost entirely stripped away.
The only reason French society hadn't experienced major unrest was that Joseph had managed to placate the nobles with the profits from the "Industrial Development Fund" and the "Royal Fund."
But if these funds' profits were to fall short, the old nobility's dissatisfaction would likely accumulate and erupt, focusing their resentment on the royal family. Although it wouldn't lead to the reform's complete failure, as it had in Austria, it could still cause the country's development to stagnate or even regress for several years.
Among these concerns, the profitability of the Industrial Development Fund was particularly crucial.
According to Joseph's original plan, the profits from industrial investments should have exceeded 30%, leveraging the benefits of the Industrial Revolution. Once industrialization took root, this figure could have reached 200%!
Historically, Britain had used this boom to rise to global dominance as the Empire on which the sun never sets.
With such profits, it would have been entirely feasible to incorporate the old nobility into the broader national industrialization efforts, facilitating the transition from a land-based aristocracy to a capitalist nobility.
However, France's current industrial profitability was less than 10%, even after Joseph had employed numerous "cutting-edge technologies" to boost it.
Ultimately, France's social system was still rooted in feudalism. The tax system and administrative management severely hampered industrial development.
Joseph couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. "In truth, a thorough revolution would be the simplest and most effective solution."
The British had used the Glorious Revolution to establish a comprehensive political and economic model suited for industrial development.
Take the most troublesome tax reform, for example. Historically, France had solved the problem by simply eliminating all the tax farmers, reclaiming the taxes they collected for the state—brutal but effective. Yes, that was the work of the Jacobins.
Joseph, however, needed to achieve the same result while maintaining national stability—a task many times more difficult.
The key challenges in eliminating the tax farmers were twofold: money and personnel.
On the financial side, the ideal scenario would be for the tax farmers to lend the government the amount they previously paid in tax farming fees, receiving some interest in return. This way, the government could gradually repay this money with the taxes it collected in the future.
Of course, Joseph knew that the tax farmers were unlikely to agree to such a loan. After all, they would be losing their lucrative business, so why would they cooperate?
Therefore, the first step was to secure a large sum of money to support government expenditures—probably at least 200 million francs.
The second issue was personnel. Tax officials were the most prone to corruption; even Louis XIV had been forced to adopt the tax farming system due to rampant embezzlement.
Joseph took out the draft tax reform plan he had previously prepared from the drawer and began carefully revising it.
At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the door from outside. Eymard's voice came through: "Your Highness, Mr. Robespierre is here."
Joseph immediately smiled. "Please let him in."
The door opened, and a slightly plump young man with blond hair walked in with Eymard. He glanced nervously at Joseph and quickly bowed deeply. "It's an honor to be summoned by Your Highness, the esteemed Prince."
Joseph stood and gestured to the sofa. "I'm very pleased to see you. Please, have a seat."
After resolving the inheritance lawsuit in Chartres, Robespierre had decided not to join the Public Notary Investigation Bureau. Instead, he leveraged the influence of that case to become an intern prosecutor at the High Court of Paris.
Robespierre sat down, looking a bit uneasy, and quickly asked, "Your Highness, how may I be of service?"
Joseph cleared his throat and, in a very serious tone, said, "Mr. Robespierre, are you willing to fight for France, for His Majesty the King, and for all the people, without regard for the danger, even if it means facing great peril?"
He had prepared several opening lines, but in the end, he felt that this somewhat melodramatic one would suit Robespierre best.
Sure enough, Robespierre immediately stood up again, his face flushed with emotion, and firmly nodded. "Yes, Your Highness, I am willing to give my life for France!"
"Very well." Joseph continued, "You are the most noble, incorruptible person I know, so only you can take on this important responsibility."
Robespierre had never expected such high praise from the Prince and felt a bit dizzy. Without hesitation, he said, "Please give me your orders. I will not let you down!"
Maintaining a solemn expression, Joseph said, "I hope you will take up the position of Inspector in the newly established National Tax Bureau."
Joseph knew that if there was one incorruptible official in France, it would undoubtedly be Robespierre.
(End of Chapter)
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