I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 387 Chips and Investment

Joseph waved his hand very impressively: “Start by instructing farmers how to farm more efficiently.

“Provide them with livestock, seeds, farm tools, and fertilizers. You can imagine how many farmers there are in the country, and how big a deal this will be.

"At the same time, the company can also organize craftsmen to build water conservancy and rent irrigation machinery for farmers. Don't worry about money. The Agricultural Bank of China will gather a large number of farmers and sign collective loan agreements with them.

"When the grain harvest is good, the company will purchase the surplus grain from farmers and transport it to more favorable markets on a large scale. The huge transportation volume will greatly reduce transportation costs. Nowadays, many big cities have built wooden tracks, which will make transportation Cheaper.

“I call it – Agricultural Services Consulting.

"Compared with collecting the small annual tribute that farmers are reluctant to pay, such a company will gain greater benefits!"

The nobles present obviously did not expect to be able to operate in this way, and they immediately started talking among themselves. The members of the capital aristocracy that Mirabeau had already placed in the crowd immediately acted as commentators, making the surrounding old aristocrats nod their heads.

However, someone soon raised questions: "Your Highness, although the company you mentioned has excellent prospects, it will also require a huge investment, which is simply not something we can afford."

"You are right." Joseph shouted loudly, "So, His Majesty the King established a 'King's Fund' to cooperate with the French Agricultural Bank and specialize in investing in agricultural service consulting companies."

He opened his arms to the nobles present: "And you, as long as you spend some money to subscribe for the fund, you can enjoy the continuous dividends. Of course, you can also raise your own funds and set up an independent company.

"As for farming technology and publicity to farmers, the church will provide support to each company."

Archbishop Beaumont on the side immediately touched his chest and signaled: "The church will fully cooperate."

Joseph continued: “In terms of water conservancy, the King’s Fund signed a large-scale purchase agreement with the steam engine company to obtain pumps, mill drivers and other equipment at the lowest price.

“In terms of sales, the strategic grain depot will sign a supply agreement with the King’s Fund, and even part of the freight can be paid in advance.

"I can assure you that the income will definitely be several times or even ten times greater than your annual tribute!"

The eyes of the nobles in front of the Little Trianon Palace suddenly lit up. This is definitely a good business! In the past, annual tribute could only be collected from tenant farmers, but this agricultural service consulting company can even earn money from own farmers.

Moreover, with the King's Fund and the church responsible for managing the company, I can still live in the Palace of Versailles as before and not have to worry about anything, just get dividends every year.

Immediately, servants who had been prepared took stacks of fund subscription applications and distributed them to the nobles present.

Joseph continued: "In addition to the generous dividends, you will no longer have to be looked down upon by those farmers, and you will no longer be called a 'vampire' by them behind your back. There will no longer be liberals pointing fingers at your lives and saying anything." 'Extravagant', 'degenerate' and so on - you all make your money through business, and you spend every penny wisely!"

Now even more nobles were moved.

Although these nobles cling to feudal privileges for their own benefit, in this era when Enlightenment ideas are affecting all of Europe, they subconsciously feel that they are "parasites" and "mistakes left over by history."

Now that there is an opportunity to rely on "business" to allow the whole family to continue to live a good life, they are naturally happy to participate.

When they looked down at the King's Fund subscription application form in their hands, they saw that the lowest level only cost 200 livres, and they felt relieved. Most of these nobles are not wealthy, and maintaining the dignity of the nobles requires a lot of expenses. Many people are worried that they really can't afford it if they cost several thousand livres.

After carefully reading the "Agricultural Service Consulting Company Operation Instructions" distributed with the application, many nobles wrote down the subscription amount on the application and then stamped their personal seals.

Joseph watched people continue to gather towards the fund staff, with a smile on his lips.

Who said that benefits must be provided to the nobles in order for them to accept the land redemption plan? Not only will he not be able to take out the benefits, but he will also receive a start-up fund for agricultural reform from the nobles!

As for whether this kind of agricultural service company will harm the interests of farmers when it grows bigger?

nonexistent. Not to mention that the vast majority of nobles are just waiting for dividends and will not be involved in company operations at all. It is equivalent to all agricultural service companies being controlled by the royal family. Even if there are nobles who raise funds themselves and establish companies, they must be under the framework of the King's Fund. to function properly.

Whether it's a church stalling for a few weeks on your composting, breeding, or the like, or a strategic grain depot refusing to accept your grain, you can get private companies to do their bidding in no time.

Even in the worst case scenario, Joseph can set maximum and minimum purchase prices through legislation to protect farmers' basic livelihood.

Of course, the little money these old nobles invested in the King's Fund alone was not enough to initiate nationwide agricultural reforms.

Joseph glanced towards Mirabeau and others without leaving any trace, and several of the most influential capital aristocrats immediately bowed respectfully in response.

The bulk of the King's Fund was raised by nearly a hundred capital aristocrats, and with the Agricultural Bank of China replenishing the funds, there was no shortage of funds even without the subscription of the old aristocrats.

A nobleman beside Mirabeau tilted his head with a happy expression and whispered: "Honoré, how big a manor do you plan to build this time? 1,000 hectares?"

"Haha, not that much." Mirabeau smiled and waved his hand, "What about you? My dear Francis?"

"About 1,000 hectares. I only have enough money to buy this much. I heard that Viscount De Lasco plans to buy 5,000 hectares, and he mortgaged his tannery for this."

"That's really a big deal." Mirabeau nodded, "But it's worth investing in the manor now. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's agricultural reform will soon begin, and this area has broad prospects."

This is why the capital nobles are willing to invest heavily in the King's Fund.

In the land redemption plan formulated by Joseph, the provision that per capita purchase of more than 100 acres of land will receive high handling fees and require half of the fees to be paid in one lump sum is actually the biggest benefit to the capital group.

The high cost basically discouraged ordinary people from buying large amounts of land with loans. The old nobles lost their feudal rent and taxes and dared not invest large sums at will. Only the capital nobles could take over hundreds of hectares of large estates.

Joseph knew very well that in this special era at the end of the 18th century, large-scale land annexation was beneficial to the development of industry.

And this could just be used as a bargaining chip to exchange the investment enthusiasm of the capital nobles.