I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 476 Real Estate Development

Historically, Robespierre was a little too radical in his actions, but the fact that he was called "incorruptible" was enough to show his integrity.

After the Jacobins came to power, as the de facto supreme leader of France, he was indeed wholeheartedly working for the welfare of the people - at least he thought so subjectively - and never used his power for personal gain.

At the same time, he also had some hatred of the rich.

Combining these characteristics, Joseph believed that he was the most suitable person to supervise the tax system, no one else.

Robespierre seemed to be relieved and a little discouraged when he heard this: "Your Highness, although I have no experience in taxation, if you ask me, I will do my best to do this job. However, I don't think it seems to be as... full of risks as you described before."

"No, you obviously underestimate the danger of this position." Joseph said, "You will be threatened, intimidated, and even face violent means in the future. Of course, more likely to be bribed and bought."

Seeing that Robespierre was still full of doubts, he told him in detail about his plan to abolish the tax farmer system, so that and the interests involved: "Originally, all the taxes in the country had to go through the hands of these tax farmers, which was a huge sum of more than 500 million francs. They would do anything to keep this piece of fat meat."

Robespierre became nervous, but still said firmly: "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will not be afraid of any threats."

Joseph nodded with satisfaction: "You will assist Count Fulco, oh, he is the newly appointed director of the tax bureau, and build a national tax system together."

Fulco was the finance minister who took office as an emergency after Calonna was dismissed. He only served for three weeks before Brian took over the position.

This person is very good at finance and is loyal to the royal family, so Joseph made him the head of the tax system.

However, as an aristocratic bureaucrat, he must have someone like Robespierre around him to keep an eye on him, so that Joseph can feel at ease.

Joseph continued to say to Robespierre: "You should be very familiar with tax laws, but you still need some training in finance and tax procedures.

"So you will go to the Economics School of the Paris Police Academy for three months and get familiar with your future subordinates there in advance."

"Yes, Your Highness, follow your arrangements." Robespierre thought of something again and asked in confusion, "You just said, the police academy?"

"Yes, the police academy. You will also train in formation and command there. And your subordinates will all carry swords and muskets after taking office."

"..." Robespierre became more nervous after hearing this.

Joseph then personally took the new Inspector of the Tax Bureau to the Palace of Versailles to meet the Minister of Finance and the Director of the Tax Bureau, as a platform for this young man with no political qualifications.

It was already past 3 pm when they came out of the Palace of Versailles.

After Joseph entered the city of Paris by carriage, he suddenly remembered the matter of raising funds, and said to Emman: "Please go to the Royal Palace first. I want to see the "Garden of Stars". ”

“Yes, Your Highness. ”

The so-called "Garden of Stars" is a real estate project near the Royal Palace, which is promoted with the popularity of the World Expo.

Joseph didn't pay much attention to this place before, and it was not until he came back from Silesia that he realized that the sales situation seemed not very good.

Now is the time when money is needed, and real estate, a big money-maker, must be seized.

Joseph got off the carriage outside the "Garden of Stars" and looked up at the community that was originally the Royal Palace Garden.

This is one of the earliest areas in Paris to install gas lamps. Next to it is the West Palace of the Royal Palace, which has been developed into a commercial area. It has complete supporting facilities such as hospitals and schools. Logically, the sales situation should be very good.

After all, the "Palace Garden" at the Tuileries Palace was sold out almost instantly, and he learned from Brian's report that not even one-fifth of it was sold here.

The sales manager of the "Garden of Stars" soon learned that the Crown Prince had come, and hurriedly brought a group of his men to greet him.

After he saluted, Joseph talked to him about the problem of house sales.

"Yes, you are right, there are many wealthy nobles. "The sales manager followed Joseph with his back bent, "But this place is much more expensive than the house in the 'Palace Garden' after all."

The price of the "Palace Garden" is 60,000 francs, and the actual transaction price is around 70,000, while the price of the "Starry Garden" is 100,000, and it usually needs to be discounted to 95,000 francs to be sold.

The sales manager continued: "Everyone thinks that the Palace Garden will install gas lamps sooner or later, and the price here may drop by then, so everyone is waiting..."

Joseph frowned. Real estate is the same in any era. Buy when it goes up and don't buy when it goes down. This has formed an expectation of price reduction. No wonder it is unsalable.

After a little thought, he told the manager: "Please choose the most conspicuous house and hang my badge.

"Then advertise in the newspapers that there are only 10 houses left in the "most expensive and luxurious residential area in Paris". Remember, it's not about being a GG, but about getting reporters to write news reports, emphasizing that only the most prestigious people can live here, and the house prices will never drop.

"After that, all those who come to buy a house must first draw a number, and only those who win the lottery can buy it, and the price will increase by 1,000 francs every month, and no bargaining is allowed."

"Drawing a number?"

“It’s a lottery, but the form is more diverse, such as making some small balls with numbers written on them for the buyers to touch. Only after touching the numbers with a specific pattern three times, you are eligible to buy.”

The sales manager was stunned: “Your Highness, but what if the buyer loses patience and leaves…”

“Just let them go.” Joseph smiled, “Afterwards, you can have someone sell numbers to people who want to buy a house but didn’t draw a number in the name of the ‘Starry Garden’ manager, 2,000 francs per number.”

Just kidding, just over a hundred houses, the rich people in France and even Europe are eyeing this place. It would be strange if the “hunger marketing” and “concept marketing” of later generations were not sold.

Less than a quarter of the area of ​​the Royal Palace Garden is used, and the second phase of the project will be built later. If all are sold, the net profit can reach 20 million francs!

After that, the vacant land near the Louvre will be developed, the vacant land between the Palace of Versailles and Paris will be developed, and even the woodland behind the Palace of Versailles can be used to build a community.

There are tens of thousands of nobles crammed into the Palace of Versailles, and the per capita housing area is so small, it is time to improve the living environment for everyone.

Previously, I spent so much energy on fashion week, the World Expo, and spent money on laying gas lamps, trying to improve the status of Paris, isn't it just to collect interest from real estate?