Chapter 483: Deception and Strategy
Two days later, nine financiers who controlled the French tax farmers' association gathered at Fould's villa. Due to the urgency of the situation, only those from the Paris area could attend. However, these individuals controlled over 40% of the association's funds, enough to make critical decisions.
At the conference table, Van Kevich flipped through a newspaper and, upon seeing headlines like "Professor Nicet States: Tax Farming Increases Burden on the Common People," "Shocking: They Won't Let Your Taxes Decrease," and "A Failure of the Tax System or the Darkness of Human Nature," he angrily slammed the table.
These articles, exposing the flaws of the tax farming system and analyzing how tax reform would reduce the tax burden on the public, had been commissioned by Joseph. Tax reform was beneficial to the state and the people but detrimental to the tax farmers, so Joseph had strategically used the media to spread his message.
Fould motioned for silence, his expression dark. "That damn fire at the postal headquarters has made things difficult for us."
Everyone fell silent.
They had previously invested over a million francs, hoping to use the officials to pressure the royal family. But now, the entire bureaucratic system had become the strongest supporter of tax reform. Whether they genuinely supported it or not, the momentum in public opinion was undeniable.
Hope cleared his throat and said, "First of all, we need to get everyone who has been in contact with the arrested officials out of the country immediately. Those officials could implicate them at any time."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry, they won't be caught."
"I've already made arrangements for their departure."
One moneylender nervously added, "I believe the royal family is very determined to abolish the tax farming system this time. If the government manages to raise enough funds, they might not renew the tax farming contracts next year…"
Hope raised his hand to cut him off. "Given the current financial situation of the French government, it's unlikely they'll raise the 200 million francs needed. But we can't be complacent."
He turned to Fould. "We should create an illusion to mislead the government and make them relax their efforts to raise funds."
"What do you suggest?"
"On one hand, have Viscount Berlant lower the terms in the tax farming negotiations, such as proposing a 70 million franc increase in the total tax farming quota compared to this year, and giving up certain taxes that the government cares about, like transport taxes and transit fees. The goal is to make the royal family think that even if they abolish the tax farming system, they won't get a better deal."
Viscount Berlant was the tax farmers' association's negotiator. Although it was only April, negotiations for next year's tax farming quota had already begun, a process that usually dragged on until the end of the year before an agreement was signed.
Hope continued, "If necessary, we can even have Viscount Berlant sign a preliminary agreement with Brienne. Later, the association can find an excuse to withdraw his negotiating authority and appoint someone else to restart the negotiations."
Hearing this, the others' eyes lit up, and they nodded in agreement.
Although Fould was the official head of the tax farmers' association, major decisions were often made under the guidance of the cunning Hope.
"Mr. Charles," Hope said, turning to the elder statesman at the table and gesturing to the three men beside him, "On the other hand, you and Baron Morel should secretly approach Brienne and offer to bypass the association and privately lend the French government 150 million francs. Of course, you should be very particular about the interest rate and conditions, dragging the negotiations out until the end of the year."
"Once October passes, the leverage will shift back in our favor. By then, it will be too late for the French government to raise the funds they need, and they'll have no choice but to let us continue tax farming for next year's budget."
Charles' eyes twinkled with amusement, and he bowed slightly. "Leave it to me."
...
In his office on the second floor of the Tuileries Palace, Brienne looked pleased. "Your Highness, it's clear that the tax farmers' association is feeling the pressure from the government. They've adopted a very low posture in the tax farming negotiations."
"I heard from Viscount Berlant's assistant that their bottom line for the tax farming quota might be 540 million francs, and they might even return some taxes related to industry and trade to the government."
Joseph smiled. "If that's the case, they certainly seem sincere."
Brienne leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Your Highness, yesterday afternoon, Charles and Baron Morel came to see me. They hinted that if the government abolished the tax farming system, they could provide a large loan. They're asking for 18% interest, but I think there's room for negotiation."
"That's excellent. It gives us more confidence in the tax reform." Joseph appeared very pleased. "Please continue the negotiations and get the best terms possible."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll bring you good news."
After Brienne left, Joseph signaled to Eymard. "Please prepare the carriage. We're going to the Paris Police Academy."
Joseph had no illusions about the so-called negotiations. He knew that he was about to destroy the tax farmers' livelihoods, so there was no way they would compromise, especially with Jewish capital involved. He was well aware of the historical impact these groups had on the economies of their host countries—they would never willingly give up any profit.
So the tax farmers' current posture could only mean one thing: they were stalling for time.
They were likely trying to outlast the current wave of political pressure to abolish the tax farming system while simultaneously reducing the government's preparation time and shaking their resolve.
As he got into the carriage, Joseph smiled. Stalling for time? That was perfect, as he also wanted to delay.
If he could keep the tax farmers focused on their "negotiations" with Brienne and prevent them from stirring up more trouble like the "40 high-ranking officials opposing tax reform" incident, it would give him more time and energy to prepare for the tax reform.
This would inevitably lead to a situation where only Brienne ended up getting hurt—both sides would be deceiving each other, while Brienne believed he was engaged in a mission crucial to the future of the nation, exhausting himself in the process.
Before long, Joseph's carriage arrived at an open area outside the gates of the Paris Police Academy.
Since his visit hadn't been announced, Superintendent Friant and the other officials hadn't come out to greet him. Joseph didn't head to the main campus but instead turned directly into the newly established Economics Academy on the south side of the police school.
It wasn't until he had reached the training grounds, where the "tax collectors" were undergoing their drills, that the dean, Clément, hurried out with his staff to greet him.
"It's an honor to have you visit the Economics Academy, Your Highness," Clément said, bowing. He then signaled the academy officials, "Assemble the students to greet His Highness!"
"Oh, there's no need to disrupt their classes," Joseph quickly replied. "I'm just here to see how the academy is running."
(End of Chapter)
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