The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: The King Is the Most Outstanding Craftsman

Joseph marveled inwardly at his sister’s tenacity for life. Suffering from anemia and undergoing bloodletting twice a month, she had managed to survive until now…

Princess Thérèse, however, asked in confusion, "Why is this? What did Monsieur Baptiste do wrong?"

"He hasn’t done anything right…"

Joseph suddenly recalled the message delivered by Dr. Lamarck two days ago: tocopherol had been successfully extracted. His heart stirred with the thought.

He had initially intended to use vitamin E—tocopherol—as an ingredient for cosmetics. However, this substance also seemed to have therapeutic effects for pathological anemia and could even boost immunity.

It was perfect for Princess Thérèse.

Combined with some iron supplements, her anemia could likely see significant improvement.

As for the iron supplements, Joseph thought Dr. Lamarck could synthesize some ferrous sulfate.

Creating it was simple—just heating iron with diluted sulfuric acid, then filtering the precipitate.

Joseph earnestly instructed Thérèse:
"From now on, never undergo bloodletting again. It seriously damages your health. Additionally, I’ve created a remedy that should help alleviate your condition. I’ll have someone deliver it to you tomorrow."

"Really? You truly have such a remedy?" Thérèse's face lit up with delight.

In truth, she had long wanted to abandon the practice. No young lady would willingly bear scars on her arms.

Joseph nodded.

"Oh, dear Joseph, you’re a genius!"

Just as she was speaking, Thérèse felt a wave of dizziness. She quickly excused herself from the group and, supported by her maid, left the ballroom to rest.

As Joseph considered the dosage of vitamin E and ferrous sulfate for his sister, another thought occurred to him: why not market this as a health product in the Paris Angel Trading Company stores?

Vitamin E also had anti-aging properties and could help regulate women’s menstrual cycles. Combined with iron supplements for anemia, it would undoubtedly become a "woman’s best friend!"

This product could drive noblewomen into a frenzy.

Recalling a popular oral tonic from the future, Joseph’s eyes sparkled as he murmured,
"I’ll call it 'Dame’s Delight Elixir'!"

Nearby, the noble young ladies, who had been waiting impatiently, seized the opportunity as the princess left. They crowded around the Crown Prince, trying every tactic—from coquettish glances to graceful postures—to capture his attention.

Joseph felt overwhelmed and was about to seek help from Perna when a noblewoman in her thirties approached, carrying a glass of wine and some pastries.

He instinctively picked up a glass of red wine. The noblewoman curtsied gracefully and smiled.
"Your Highness, may I have a few moments of your time?"

Nearby, Eymond quickly whispered a reminder:
"Your Highness, this is Madame Éric."

Realizing she was not a servant, Joseph nodded politely.
"What may I do for you?"

The young noblewomen glared at Madame Éric, enraged by her audacity to approach so quickly.

Unperturbed, Madame Éric addressed Joseph,
"Your Highness, you may know that my late husband had a business associate who greatly admired you."

She handed Joseph an envelope, adding,
"This may seem presumptuous, but he wishes to discuss a matter with you. Of course, whether to meet him is entirely up to you. However, he mentioned that you would not regret meeting him."

Opening the envelope, Joseph saw it contained a theater ticket.

Madame Éric leaned closer and whispered,
"Your Highness, this is from Ambassador Hartley of Britain."

The British Ambassador? Joseph narrowed his eyes slightly. What could he want with me?

He recalled Dupont’s earlier mention of the Anglo-French Eden Treaty and thought, regardless of Britain’s intentions, it wouldn’t hurt to meet and feel him out.

Joseph waved the envelope lightly and smiled.
"Please tell him I’ll be there."

After enduring the ball until it finally ended, Joseph returned to his chambers, exhausted, only to find the King’s valet waiting at his door.

"Your Highness," the valet bowed, "His Majesty invites you to his workshop. He has a surprise for you."

Intrigued, Joseph followed him to the royal workshop. Before he could even bow to Louis XVI, the king eagerly dragged him to a pitch-black machine.

Joseph immediately recognized it as a printing press.

Louis XVI signaled to a plate engraver nearby, who quickly fixed a prepared stone plate onto the press, placed several sheets of paper on the iron frame above, brushed on ink, and pulled down a long lever to press the sheets.

When the lever was lifted, the paper now bore an intricate image of Versailles.

Without pause, the engraver removed the printed sheet and repeated the process, producing another print in quick succession.

Within a minute or so, he had printed five sheets, only then pausing to reapply ink and reload paper.

Louis XVI looked at Joseph with a triumphant smile, clearly awaiting an outpouring of praise.

"My dear father, you’ve already completed the modifications for the lithographic press?" Joseph exclaimed in surprise. "In just three days…"

The engraver, noticing Joseph’s lack of recognition, cautiously interjected,
"Your Highness, His Majesty has invented an automatic paper feeder."

Pointing to a rake-like lever on the paper frame, he explained,
"Previously, we had to align the paper manually for each print. Now, this allows us to print five sheets in succession, dramatically increasing speed!"

Joseph stared at Louis XVI, his eyes wide. A man famous for holding the guillotine’s patent had not only adapted the press for stone plates but significantly improved its efficiency!

This innovation would substantially reduce the time and cost of printing.

"Beyond admiration and reverence, I truly have no words left to offer," Joseph declared, clutching his chest dramatically. "You are undoubtedly the most remarkable king I’ve ever known!"

He silently added, In mechanical engineering, at least.

Louis XVI beamed and rubbed his hands together.
"If the springs are further refined, it could print ten to twenty sheets at a time."

He eagerly began explaining the mechanics:
"When the lever is pulled, it activates the paper-feeding mechanism, pushing the sheets forward…"

As Joseph observed the intricate machinery, an idea struck him—perhaps he didn’t need to wait for the craftsmen at the Charleville Arsenal to develop the next-generation rifle. He could start right now.

Deciding to make the most of the king’s engineering brilliance, Joseph asked about the plate engravers. Upon learning they were proficient in crafting stone printing plates, he instructed Eymond to have guards escort them to the Paris News headquarters immediately.

Louis XVI also sent his assistant, the famed locksmith Monsieur Florent, to assist with modifying the printing press at the newspaper office.

Once the craftsmen departed, Joseph leaned closer to Louis XVI and spoke in an enticing tone:

"My dear father, I have a design for a sophisticated rifle. Only someone with unparalleled skill could create it.

"Would you, perhaps, be interested in giving it a try?"

Louis XVI’s eyes lit up instantly…

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