Chapter 579: Settling Accounts, Every Single One
It's worth noting that Achard, conducting research at the French Academy of Sciences, received a generous salary. If he achieved significant breakthroughs, he could earn even more through patent laws.
Additionally, the Talent Committee provided him with a butler and maids—expenses he didn't even need to pay for.
Even with modest calculations, Achard's income far exceeded that of Marianne's fiancé, who made only 4,000 to 5,000 francs a year from his business.
More importantly, Achard's income was stable, unaffected by market competition or fluctuations. He also enjoyed significant social standing, frequently attending events at Versailles.
Taking a deep breath, Marianne Schumann mustered all her courage and stepped toward Achard's villa. Just as she was about to knock on the door, a gentle voice called out from behind her.
"Are you here to see Dr. Achard?"
She turned to find a strikingly beautiful young woman with elegant manners smiling at her from a short distance.
"And you are?" Marianne asked hesitantly.
"I am Dr. Achard's fiancée. You can call me Ariel," the young woman replied gracefully.
Marianne froze. She had hoped to rekindle her relationship with Achard by exploiting their past, but now the "real" fiancée had caught her in the act.
Hearing Ariel's polished aristocratic French and seeing her mesmerizing eyes and expensive silk gown, Marianne's face turned pale. She quickly lowered her head and fled, feeling utterly defeated.
Every second she lingered would only make her humiliation worse.
Inside the villa, the old butler opened the door after hearing the "mistress's" voice and rushed out to greet her.
Pointing toward Marianne's retreating figure, Ariel asked, "Mr. Yassen, do you know that lady?"
"Oh, I believe that's Miss Schumann," the butler replied.
Ariel tilted her head slightly and smiled politely. "Why did she leave so suddenly? I should have invited her in for a chat."
Elsewhere, Achard had been allocated 50 acres of experimental farmland on the outskirts of Paris and a research grant of 120,000 francs by the Academy.
In truth, agricultural research didn't require nearly this much money. The Prince's intention was for Achard to use this beet cultivation project as an opportunity to establish an agricultural breeding laboratory.
By the end of the year, scholars working on new varieties of wheat, corn, and potatoes would also join the laboratory.
Achard would share his newfound genetic knowledge with them, dramatically accelerating the improvement of France's agricultural output.
Eventually, this facility would serve as the foundation for the establishment of the French Agricultural University.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, Venio, followed the Prince's orders and traveled to northern France to promote beet cultivation among local farmers.
Although the current variety of beets contained only 8% sugar, farmers needed time to accept the crop, and sugar refineries could be built alongside this effort.
Once higher-sugar-content varieties were developed, the process could quickly expand, turning beet sugar into a powerful tool for undermining Britain's sugar industry.
For now, farmers still required subsidies to grow beets, much like during Napoleon's time. However, with Achard's expertise and advanced genetic theories, this dependency wouldn't last long.
If beet sugar content reached 12%, production costs could be reduced to 1 franc per 1.6 pounds of sugar.
Furthermore, refining sugar domestically would save significant transportation costs—shipping sugar across the Atlantic from the Caribbean was no small expense. Including refining, packaging, and sales costs, the price of beet sugar could rival that of Caribbean cane sugar.
At that point, Britain's sugar dominance would crumble.
Versailles Palace
Within Versailles, Joseph encouraged his mother to make beets a staple at every meal.
Fortunately, Queen Marie loved sweets and welcomed the addition without complaint.
Joseph also offered a 5,000-franc prize for a beet-themed cooking competition, with Queen Marie serving as the judge. The event was publicized among Versailles nobles, who rated the dishes.
Le Journal de Paris covered the contest in detail, ensuring widespread attention.
Soon, the beet craze spread from the palace to all of Paris. Demand for beets among citizens increased tenfold.
Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace
French Foreign Minister Talleyrand spoke righteously, his voice echoing through the hall: "The malicious fraud perpetrated by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce has caused mass bankruptcies among French factories! This has gravely endangered France's national stability, dragging our government's finances and tax system into chaos!"
Baron Thugut, Austria's Foreign Minister, hurried to respond, "Archbishop Talleyrand, this order scheme was purely the criminal act of Clystiel. Our country will ensure he is severely prosecuted..."
"Clystiel was the president of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, wasn't he?" Talleyrand interrupted. "Moreover, he was assassinated immediately after the scandal broke. This clearly indicates there are more powerful figures behind him.
"Given the scale of the fraud—over 30 million francs—I am inclined to believe that the Vienna Chamber of Commerce was involved. Clystiel alone couldn't have paid the deposits."
Thugut muttered under his breath, "The Vienna Chamber doesn't have that kind of money either..."
Ignoring him, Talleyrand turned to Emperor Leopold II. "Your Majesty, on behalf of His Majesty the King, I formally request your country compensate the affected French factories to the sum of 32.7 million francs and conduct a thorough investigation into the Vienna Chamber of Commerce to bring the criminals to justice."
Leopold silently cursed both Clystiel and the Dutchman a thousand times over. Thirty-two million francs equaled thirteen million florins—selling Vienna itself wouldn't cover it!
However, knowing Austria was in the wrong, Leopold attempted to calm the French outrage. "Archbishop Talleyrand, I assure you that all those involved will be prosecuted. But as for France's losses, you must understand that the Austrian government was unaware of this plot and simply doesn't have such funds."
Talleyrand knew Austria couldn't pay such a sum; his demand had merely been an opening gambit.
What followed was hours of negotiation. By late afternoon, Talleyrand still maintained his momentum. "His Majesty the King has shown great restraint in the Franco-Austrian alliance. At the very least, your country should permit the goods produced from these fraudulent orders to be sold in Austria, with an 80% reduction in tariffs."
Thugut immediately shook his head. "That would collapse our tariff system."
"Then allow sales in the Southern Netherlands and Tuscany with corresponding tariff reductions."
"Oh, Lord. Those small regions can't handle such disruptions..."
Leopold massaged his temples, exhausted. "A 30% tariff reduction for the Southern Netherlands and 18% for Tuscany—that's the most I can offer.
"As compensation, I will share an important piece of intelligence with you."
"The tariff reductions are too small," Talleyrand replied bluntly. "Additionally, both regions must accept francs for trade."
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