The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Offending the Crown Prince—Do You Still Want to Escape?

Count Mirabeau walked briskly into the Crown Prince's study, handing his hat to Eymond before bowing respectfully to Joseph. “Your Highness, from yesterday until half an hour ago, 41 individuals have either written to Her Majesty the Queen or sought an audience to oppose the proposal to abolish noble privileges.”

As he spoke, he handed over a list. “Most of them are influential grandees.”

Joseph took the list and gestured toward a nearby chair with a smile. “Please, have a seat.”

Glancing at the list, he nodded. “Hmm, just as I expected. Most of them are members of the Council of Notables. This will simplify matters.”

The recent crisis involving the southern provinces’ grain shortage had much to do with the interference of the Council of Notables, a fact Joseph had not forgotten.

After dealing with the military faction earlier, he had deliberately refrained from involving other groups, allowing them to lower their guard.

Take, for instance, the Duke of Mouchy, who had previously submitted a “palace petition” to the Queen signed by more than twenty generals. Over the past two days, he had been openly rallying the nobles to oppose the abolition of noble privileges, acting with complete impunity.

Indeed, the Duke of Mouchy topped Mirabeau's list.

Ultimately, these attitudes were the result of Louis XVI and the Queen indulging these nobles for too long. They believed that as long as their prestige was high enough and they acted collectively, the royal family would not touch them.

This time, they assumed it would play out as before—where the military would yield to the royal family, leaving the peripheral participants unscathed.

In reality, Joseph had merely held off addressing them directly because the accusations against them were insufficiently severe. At worst, they would face reprimands and fines. So, he had been holding back for a larger move.

Now, with preparations complete, it was time to sweep away both the Council of Notables and the entrenched conservative forces at Versailles in one fell swoop.

Joseph set the list aside and calmly asked Mirabeau, “Are the western and southern provinces all arranged?”

Mirabeau nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. We have deployed sufficient personnel according to your instructions. Funds and documents were also prepared over a fortnight ago.”

“Excellent.” Joseph smiled. “Then let’s begin. The Police Department will fully cooperate with your efforts.”

“As you command, Your Highness.”

Mirabeau bowed but hesitated briefly, showing signs of doubt. “Your Highness, isn’t this action a bit too drastic?”

Joseph sighed inwardly. Ah, you Feuillant types, so indecisive and prone to compromise. If it weren’t for the risk of the Jacobins causing uncontrollable chaos, I’d have sent Marat and Danton to handle this.

He addressed Mirabeau sternly: “Given France’s current state, even if we had the same resources as Britain, we could never win in industrial competition. What’s more, our colonies and trade routes are significantly behind Britain’s.

“The old noble class is a major obstacle to industrial progress. They control vast lands and labor but contribute nothing to the country’s development. This rare opportunity must be used to weaken them as much as possible.

“Incremental methods are too slow. Only with this approach can we see quick results.

“You know as well as I do that the Eden Treaty only protects our industries for three years—possibly less. If the British find the treaty unfavorable, they may tear it up immediately. We must act swiftly!”

Joseph understood that to achieve national industrialization, it was essential to empower the capitalist nobles as the nation’s backbone. Britain had achieved world dominance by taking this very step.

The transition from feudalism to capitalism was an unstoppable historical trend. Rather than letting pure capitalists overthrow the monarchy, Joseph preferred to actively elevate the emerging forces within the nobility—the capitalist nobles.

This class was naturally aligned with the monarchy. Everything they possessed came from the royal family’s support, ensuring their loyalty in the future.

As for concerns that centralized royal power might hinder capitalism? That was a historical phenomenon.

With a 21st-century mind, Joseph could implement reforms and policies far more efficiently than the trial-and-error approach of early bourgeois governments. No detours were necessary.

In fact, the greater his authority, the faster and smoother France’s industrial, technological, and capitalist development would proceed.

Mirabeau was visibly moved. Finally, he abandoned his compromising thoughts and rose, pressing a hand to his chest. “Your Highness, I understand. I will ensure no one obstructs France’s prosperity!”

Of course, his loyalty stemmed primarily from being a classic example of a capitalist noble. The Crown Prince’s actions would greatly advance the nation’s industrial and commercial growth—precisely what Mirabeau desired.

After a brief pause, Mirabeau added, “Your Highness, the current proposal only addresses the abolition of noble privileges. However, the ‘Grain Production Act’ you previously mentioned has not been included…”

Joseph smiled and nodded. “We will also abolish local tariffs and dismantle regional toll stations. These measures will follow in due course.

“But if we bundle everything together now, the opposition will be overwhelming—not just from the old nobility but also from provincial governors.

“Therefore, we will introduce reforms incrementally. Once the opposition has reluctantly accepted one step, we’ll proceed to the next until all our objectives are achieved.

“This strategy is known as the ‘salami slicing’ tactic.”

Mirabeau’s eyes widened in astonishment. He couldn’t fathom how the Crown Prince’s mind contained so many… ingenious stratagems.

“Praise your wisdom, Your Highness,” he exclaimed, bowing deeply before exiting the study.

Joseph retrieved a draft of nationwide police reforms and began making revisions. Before long, Mirabeau returned in a hurry.

After a quick salute, he said urgently, “Your Highness, it seems the Duke of Mouchy has persuaded the Duke of Artois. The Duke is currently at the Petit Trianon.”

The Duke of Artois, despite his title, was no ordinary duke. He was Louis XVI’s younger brother and wielded considerable influence. Historically, he would go on to become Charles X—the last king of the Bourbon dynasty.

Joseph was unsurprised. The Duke of Artois had always been an extreme conservative and was sure to vehemently oppose the abolition of noble privileges.

His close relationship with Queen Marie Antoinette made his potential impact on the matter impossible to ignore.

After some thought, Joseph said to Mirabeau, “Let’s give the Duke of Mouchy a little extra help. Send someone to convince Madame Adelaide to speak to Her Majesty the Queen. You know she is also against abolishing noble privileges.”

Marie Adélaïde was the daughter of Louis XV and the current king’s aunt.

Mirabeau blinked in confusion. “Are… are you serious?”

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