I Am the Crown Prince in France

“Another thing is that not long ago, Banco Lavelle and Banque Laborde suddenly wanted to terminate the loans they had cooperated with the government for a long time, almost causing the national debt to default.

Joseph said and looked at Fouche: "These two banks will only lose profits if they refuse loans, so there must be other reasons for them to do this. I need to know the inside story."

Fouche immediately leaned forward and said, "Yes, my subordinates will investigate as soon as possible."

“By the way,” Joseph added, “there are some clues that I think might be useful.

“When I wanted to serve in the financial system, the Duke of Orleans tried his best to obstruct it, and in the end Her Majesty the Queen had no choice but to let me go to the City Hall.

"Later, when I took over as Assistant to the Chancellor of the Finance, Archbishop Briand was worried about my inexperience and asked him to take charge of all financial affairs. However, the Duke of Orleans insisted that I be responsible for government loans."

"Then the bank refused to lend." Fouche's men, who were taking notes, paused. "It seems that we need to investigate the Duke of Orleans in detail."

He paused, looked at the words "Duke of Orleans" on the note, and frowned slightly: "Your Highness, the Duke of Orleans has many privileges. At present, the Police Intelligence Department is a department under the Police Bureau and only has the authority of the police. . You know, as a police officer, you are not allowed to interfere with matters at the Royal Palace."

"Please continue."

"My subordinates think that if the Police Intelligence Department can borrow some of the royal police's authority, at least the postal authority, then progress will be much faster."

Joseph gave him an approving look. In fact, he was also considering this matter, but Fouche thought of it with him.

"I'll figure this out."

He nodded to Fouche, and then emphasized: "However, the Police Intelligence Department cannot only rely on authority to obtain intelligence, and cannot become a simple replica of the royal police. Relying on intelligence skills and establishing a huge intelligence network is fundamental."

Fuchet immediately stroked his chest and lowered his head and said: "Yes, Your Highness!"

At night, a large gauze curtain was erected on the lawn on the north side of the Palace of Versailles. The melodious sounds of bagpipes and accordion floated, mixed with bursts of laughter, filling the air with relaxation and peace.

This is an open-air reception.

Joseph did not like to participate in such social activities. Usually it's just a place filled with gossip and lewd jokes. He showed his face and left quickly.

However, Robert, the head of the secret police, happened to be here today, so he stayed a little longer.

At a small table in the corner of the reception, Robert held the wine glass and said with a troubled expression: "Your Highness, you also know that there is really no precedent for this kind of thing. I'm afraid this will have to be done at a cabinet meeting..."

Joseph interrupted him with a smile: "Don't worry, I will report it to the king and queen. And the royal police have nothing to do with those cabinet ministers."

He had to inform the queen about such a major event as establishing an intelligence agency, otherwise he would run into the secret police during the mission and the two sides would not be able to fight.

"But……"

Seeing his evasive attitude, Joseph sighed in his heart - the secret police was the greatest authority in Robert's hands. Although there was a favor from giving him stocks last time, it seemed that it was not enough for him to give himself some privileges.

He had no choice but to take out the bait he had prepared in advance:

"Count Robert, actually I have always felt that the royal police have been treated unfairly."

Robert was startled, this topic was a bit far-reaching, and he couldn't help but wonder: "Your Highness, what are you talking about?"

Joseph said righteously:

"The Royal Police are always responsible for the safety of France and have made many great contributions to France, but so far they are only a small department under the Ministry of Police. This is so unfair!

“I believe that the Royal Constabulary should have become independent long ago and become a department alongside the Police Department, and should not even be under the jurisdiction of the Home Secretary!

"In fact, the royal police are under the direct command of His Majesty the King, and there is no need to have anything to do with the internal affairs system."

At this time, the French police and intelligence systems were still intertwined, and by convention they were both subordinate to the internal affairs system. In fact, until the Napoleonic era, the intelligence system was not completely separated from the police. Sometimes the intelligence chief would also be in charge of the police system.

As a result, the job level of the secret police is greatly restricted - as a subordinate department of the police department, you can't be higher than the police chief, right?

Robert's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this. If the secret police could be independent from the internal affairs system, wouldn't his position be transformed from the so-called "State Advisor" to "Intelligence Minister" or "Security Minister" and attend cabinet meetings? !

He quickly suppressed his excitement and asked:

"Did what Your Highness said mean Her Majesty the Queen, or..."

Joseph smiled and said: "Oh, it's the consensus between me and Count Mono."

Robert was a little surprised: the interior minister was the direct superior of the secret police in name only. If he agrees to the independence of the secret police, the resistance to this matter will be reduced by more than half. With the support of the crown prince, the chance will be even greater.

He looked at Joseph cautiously: "Did Count Monod make a promise to His Highness?"

"Not yet." Joseph shook his head, but said firmly, "I can guarantee that he will agree."

The funds for the secret police came from the king's private funds, and they were completely outside the jurisdiction of the internal affairs. In fact, it was very useless to Monod.

Many of Joseph's future fiscal revenue-increasing plans will involve domestic affairs, such as real estate development, public transportation, etc.

These projects are the real interests of the Home Secretary. Joseph can be sure that in the face of these interests, Mono will not hesitate to let go of a piece of useless money.

And Joseph wants to use these interests to maximize the leverage of political sectors for his own use.

Robert narrowed his eyes slightly, and his intuition from many years of intelligence work told him that the Crown Prince was not just talking casually.

He only hesitated for a moment, then raised his glass and showed a sincere smile: "Your Highness, the police department collects intelligence for the safety of France and to serve His Majesty the King. This is completely consistent with the goal of the royal police.

"I think in many ways we can work together and support each other."

Joseph also smiled: "For example, sharing some small permissions."

"That's right."

Joseph touched him lightly with his wine glass: "To your Excellency, the future Minister of Intelligence."

…

British Ambassador to France Hartley finally received a reply from London.

He opened the envelope with a letter opener, took out the code book he kept close to his chest, and carefully translated the contents of the letter.

The letter talked about a lot of his recent tasks, but the last two points made him pay special attention.

The first is to confirm as soon as possible the true attitude of the French Crown Prince towards Britain and whether he is as pro-British as the legend says. If there is, try your best to win over him and use him to influence France's policy towards Britain.

The second is to increase the French crown prince's dislike of Prussia as much as possible and strive to get him to take a tough attitude towards Prudeau.

The French Crown Prince's rejection of Prussia was very clear. He once said at a cabinet meeting that "there will be a war between France and Prussia." So as Blue Star's troublemaker, how could Daying not stir up trouble here?

Thanks to: Mr. Wang from the previous night for generously tipping this book! The young author is so grateful, hmm!