I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 249: You have offended the Crown Prince and you still want to run away? (Please vote for me at the end of the month! There will be another update tonight!)

Mirabeau quickly walked into the Crown Prince's study, handed the hat to Emang, and then bowed to Joseph: "Your Highness, from yesterday to half an hour ago, a total of 41 people have written to Her Majesty the Queen or met directly. , expressed his opposition to the bill to abolish the privileges of the nobility.

He handed over a list as he spoke: "Most of them are relatively influential nobles."

Joseph took the list and gestured to the chair beside him with a smile: "Please sit down."

He glanced at the paper and nodded: "Well, it's pretty much what I expected. Most of them are people from the dignitary meeting. It's easier to deal with it this way."

The food crisis in the southern provinces this time was caused by the contributions of those at the Council of Dignitaries, and Joseph would naturally not forget them.

After dealing with the military before, he never involved other people, just to make them relax their vigilance.

Duke Mouchy, who had submitted the "forced palace" document signed by more than 20 generals to the queen, publicly called on the nobles to oppose the abolition of noble privileges in the past two days, showing a completely emboldened appearance.

Well, he was first on Mirabeau's list.

To put it bluntly, it was Louis XVI and the Queen who spoiled these nobles. They always thought that as long as their reputation was high enough and there were many people involved, the royal family would not do anything to them.

So this time they thought it would be the same as before, with the military bowing their heads to the royal family and them "peripheral" personnel being fine.

In fact, Joseph just felt that the crime of punishing them directly was not serious enough, so he probably ended up reprimanding and imposing a fine. So I have been holding them back.

The preparations are almost complete now, just in time to mix them up with the stubborn conservative forces in the Palace of Versailles.

Joseph put away the list and looked at Mirabeau calmly: "Have the arrangements been made for the western and southern provinces?"

The latter nodded: "Yes, Your Highness, we have sent enough manpower according to your instructions. The funds and books were also prepared half a month ago."

"Very good." Joseph smiled, "Then let's get started. The Police Intelligence Department will also fully cooperate with you."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Mirabeau bowed to signal, and suddenly remembered the Crown Prince's amazing plan, and he couldn't help showing hesitation: "Your Highness, is this move a bit too big?"

Joseph sighed inwardly, alas, you guys like Feiyang are not decisive enough in doing things and are full of compromise. If I hadn't been afraid that the Jacobins would be unable to contain them if they made a fuss, I would have sent Marat and Danton to take care of it.

He said seriously to Mirabeau: "With France's current situation, even if it has the same resources as Britain, it will never be able to win in industrial competition. What's more, our colonies and trade lines are far behind Britain.

"The old aristocratic forces are a huge resistance to industrial development. They occupy a large amount of land and labor, but do not contribute to the development of the country. We must use this rare opportunity to weaken them as much as possible.

"And ordinary methods are too slow. Only by using this method can we achieve quick results.

"You know, the Treaty of Eden can only protect our industry for three years. Not even three years, because once the British find that the situation is not good for them, they will probably tear up the treaty immediately. We must hurry up!"

Joseph knew very well that in order to complete the industrialization of the country, the capital aristocracy must gain the right to speak and become the backbone of the country. It was precisely because they took this step first that the British became the world's hegemon.

The torrent of the era from feudalism to capital cannot be stopped by anyone. Instead of letting those pure capitalists revolutionize the royal family, it is better to take the initiative to support the emerging forces among the nobility, that is, the capital aristocracy.

The capital aristocracy is naturally close to the royal family. In addition, everything in their hands is obtained by themselves, so they will naturally support the royal family in the future.

As for whether the concentration of royal power will seriously hinder the development of capital? Those are situations that only occur in history.

I have a 21st century brain, and I can implement various advanced reforms and policies much faster than those bourgeoisie who advance by groping, and I will not make detours.

It can even be said that the greater your power, the faster and more smoothly France's industry, technology and capital will develop.

Mirabeau was a little moved, and finally put away the idea of ​​compromise, stood up and stroked his chest: "Your Highness, I understand. I will never let anyone hinder the strength of France!"

Of course, the bottom reason why he served the crown prince so wholeheartedly was that he was a typical representative of the capital aristocracy. What the Crown Prince is going to do now will greatly promote the development of the country's industry and commerce, which is exactly what they want.

Mirabeau paused and then asked: "Your Highness, this bill only contains the abolition of noble privileges, but the 'Grain Production Decree' you mentioned before was not mentioned..."

Joseph smiled and nodded: "There are also the cancellation of local tariffs and the cancellation of toll gates in various places. These will be promoted in the future.

“But if you add all these contents at once, it will inevitably cause great resistance—not only the old aristocratic forces, but also the governors of the provinces will oppose it.

“So we only go up a little at a time, and when the opposition forces have no choice but to accept it, we go up a little more until all the goals are achieved.

"Oh, it's called the 'sausage slicing' tactic."

Mirabeau's eyes widened immediately. He really didn't know why the crown prince had so many cunning methods in his mind... Well, no, it should be an ingenious strategy.

"Praise for your wisdom, Your Highness." He bowed quickly and exited the study.

Joseph took out a plan to implement police reform nationwide. In the process of revising it, he saw Mirabeau coming back.

The latter saluted hurriedly, and then said in a hurry: "Your Highness, it seems that Duke Mouchy has persuaded the Count of Artois. The Count is currently in the Petit Trianon Palace."

Although the Count of Artois only has the title of earl, he is not an ordinary earl, but the biological brother of Louis XVI, with huge influence. He also has a name in history, that is, Charles X, the last king of the Bourbon dynasty [Note 1].

Joseph was not surprised by this. Count Artois had always been the most extreme conservative, and he would definitely oppose the abolition of noble privileges.

Artois had a very good relationship with Queen Marie, and his influence on this matter cannot be ignored.

Joseph thought for a while and said to Mirabeau: "We might as well help Duke Mouchy again. Find someone to persuade Princess Adelaide and let her also give advice to Her Majesty the Queen. You know, she will definitely not agree either. Abolish the privileges of the nobility.”

Marie Adelaide was the daughter of Louis XV and aunt of the current king.

Mirabeau blinked in confusion: "Are you serious?"

[Note 1] Charles X was forced to abdicate after the July Revolution, and his crown prince became king, Louis XIX. But Louis XIX announced his abdication only 20 minutes after taking the throne. Therefore Charles X is usually counted as the last king of the Bourbon dynasty.

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