I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 659: One goes down and the other goes up

Joseph was certain that loans to Caribbean countries were a sure bet.

Like the 5 million francs given to the newly formed Republic of Saint-Domingue, it was unlikely that they would be able to pay it off within 10 years, even without interest.

The high-level government composed of black and mixed-race people has no experience in governance, and there is no industry in the Caribbean. Therefore, these small island countries cannot develop on their own.

Let alone repaying the loan, we will be lucky if the national finances do not collapse.

Therefore, the loan could ultimately only be repaid by mortgaging the plantation or the like.

In this way, France seems to have given up on the colony of Saint-Domingue, but after a full circle, most of the sugar industry here will return to French hands.

Although the income is definitely not as much as before, and it will no longer be able to monopolize the colonial market in the future, at the same time, France has also saved a lot of investment in maintaining the colonies——

For example, there were hundreds of French officials before Saint-Domingue, as well as nearly 2,000 soldiers, and the salaries of these people alone were a lot of money. If there is a riot or something on the island, it will consume huge amounts of money.

But now, the black and mixed-race people on the island manage themselves, and even if they starve to death, they don't need the French government to pay for the aftermath.

Taken together, France's benefits from here will not be much less than before.

Moreover, blacks and mixed-race people will be grateful to France after gaining freedom and self-government - this kind of gratitude often becomes a tradition in these countries and will not change for centuries.

Later, Joseph also planned to help these newly established countries develop and impart administrative experience to deepen this gratitude. Of course, the experience imparted will certainly not be detrimental to France.

At the same time, because the black slaves in the Caribbean were basically kidnapped from West Africa by Britain, which had a monopoly on the slave trade, black people inherently had a deep hatred for Britain.

In addition, in order to maintain the colony this time, Britain sent a large number of troops to fight against the black power, which deepened this hatred.

It is foreseeable that Qiu Ying will become a tradition in these countries in the future.

Between this entry and exit, France has made a huge profit.

On top of everything else, Joseph has a bigger plan, which is to gradually create a "sugar franc"!

The meeting in the Santo Domingo Capitol continues.

Brissot said with a confident expression:

"As for Spain, I believe that you only need to use some diplomatic means to get them to give up their interference in Santo Domingo."

Auge immediately rubbed his hands in embarrassment:

"Mr. Brissot, you know, we don't have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs yet..."

As a colony, Saint-Domingue had no need for diplomacy before - when dealing with foreign relations, it just followed the orders sent by Paris. This resulted in the fact that after the new government was established, not even a single qualified diplomat could be found.

Brissot comforted him: "Your Excellency, President, there is no need to worry about this matter. I can negotiate with the Spanish on behalf of Saint-Domingue. Oh, and then I can also apply to the Palace of Versailles to send a diplomatic expert to assist you."

Auge and others were not dissatisfied at all about "interference in other countries' internal affairs". Instead, they thanked him profusely: "You are really helpful."

"Thank you, Mr. Brissot. I guarantee that the expert's salary will definitely be higher than when he was in Paris."

"Aha, now we also have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

The Minister of Justice of Santo Domingo stood up hesitantly and said:

"Mr. Brissot, there is a great shortage of justices in the Republic right now. Although this is a bit difficult, if you can send some judges from Paris, I swear that you will always remember your kindness."

"Actually, we also need a Minister of Industry, Mr. Brissot, you see..."

"There are also schools. There are only 4 ordinary schools in Santo Domingo, which is far from enough. Mr. Brissot, please..."

This is also what often happens in colonies.

In the past, they relied too heavily on the suzerain. After suddenly becoming their own ruler, they found that they couldn't get many things, so they habitually sought help from the original suzerain.

In fact, even in the 20th century, after India became independent, a large number of official positions in the government were still held by British people.

Brissot hurriedly signaled everyone to calm down, and then said to Auger:

"Your Excellency, you can first make statistics of your government's needs. I will then ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for instructions."

Auge was so excited that he couldn't help but salute:

"Thank you so much, Mr. Brissot, you are truly the patron saint of Santo Domingo!"

After talking about the new government, Brissot put on a serious expression again:

“I must remind you that Santo Domingo still faces a difficult battle.

“If the British Expeditionary Force cannot be defeated, everything today will be in vain.

"On the contrary, as long as you defeat the British this time, the French government will immediately recognize the Republic of Saint-Domingue."

Auger and others were immediately overjoyed - being recognized by a big country like France means that the new government has a solid foundation to gain a foothold in the international community!

…

A week later.

Juan Island, Havana City.

Brissot complained angrily to Juan Governor Cristóbal de Rojas:

"Damn the British, they ruined Saint-Domingue with their stupid battle plan!"

Marquis Rojas nodded with deep understanding:

"My army almost didn't make it back. Britain's mistakes caused the entire Caribbean region to get out of control.

"What I'm most worried about now is that the abolition movement will spread to Juan."

"This is indeed very dangerous." Brissot lowered his voice and said, "To be honest, Versailles is likely to give up Saint-Domingo in exchange for the safe return of captured soldiers to France."

"Oh, God!" Rojas nervously made a cross and frowned, "This is terrible! It seems that I must fully cooperate with the British. Although I don't like them, this is the only way to suppress those rioting blacks."

Brissot said earnestly: "I am worried about this, so I came to see you specifically. Out of the deep friendship between France and Spain, I can't watch Juan Island end up like Saint-Domingo."

"I don't quite understand what you mean."

"I remember that Juan's garrison had only more than 1,400 people."

"Yes, 1,430 soldiers. "

"To be honest, if those people from Saint Domingo come to Juan Island to incite abolitionist riots, your army may not be able to defeat them."

"And the British army..."

"Ha, they haven't even dealt with the blacks in Jamaica and the Bahamas. By the way, I heard that there are rebels in Barbados again."

Rojas' eyes showed panic:

"I'm afraid His Majesty is unlikely to send an expeditionary force to Juan."

At this time, Spain's national strength was weak, and it was indeed difficult to come up with the huge funds to organize a transatlantic military operation.

Brissot looked at the Spaniard seriously:

"If I were you, I would choose to contact those people in Saint Domingo."