The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: The Chief of Police and the Director of Education

"You've done an excellent job!" Joseph said approvingly as he looked at Froyent. "Continue recruiting students. Additionally, select those with outstanding abilities and ambition to form an 'elite class' for focused training."

"Also, although the police academy is newly established and can make do for now, it must not remain this way. Accelerate the construction of new facilities and procure training equipment and supplies. Oh, follow the standards of the Paris Military Academy—only better, not worse. I'll allocate 250,000 livres for this initially..."

Froyent’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing the amount. Such a significant sum wasn’t merely for building a police training school; it was enough to establish a proper military academy!

As if testing Froyent's endurance, Joseph continued, "This is the initial construction cost. I plan to invest over a million in total. Once completed, the enrollment scale should exceed 3,000 students."

Froyent swallowed hard and quickly replied, "Yes! Yes, Your Highness!"

Joseph casually added, "By the way, everyone has worked hard during the preparatory phase of the academy. Take 5,000 livres from the budget to reward the academy’s management, including yourself."

"Yes! Thank you, Your Highness!"

The speed of the police academy’s progress had exceeded expectations, and this reward was well-deserved.

Currently, the academy had just opened, with all instructors, administrative staff, and even those overseeing construction totaling only around 20 people. The reward was equivalent to half a year’s salary for each person.

Upon hearing this, Besançon’s eyes were filled with envy. Previously, he thought Froyent was merely a supervisor of the police academy. However, it was clear now that this was no ordinary academy. Froyent’s future prospects might rival his own as the Chief of Police.

Besançon thought to himself that he must work tirelessly in the police system to surpass Froyent.

...

The general manager of the Ravelle Bank, Etienne, arrived at the Palace of Versailles just after 10 a.m.

Having dealt with France’s financial system for over a decade, he was very familiar with the place.

Before long, he located an ally within the fiscal department and, finding a quiet corner, whispered, "Viscount Léon, the national debt is about to mature. Why does the treasury seem so unconcerned?"

Viscount Léon glanced around before replying in a low voice, "As far as I know, the Crown Prince has secured a loan from a 'French Reserve Bank.' The loans from Ravelle Bank and Laborde Bank are temporarily unnecessary."

Etienne frowned deeply, racking his brain but unable to recall any French Reserve Bank. Suspicious, he asked, "Are you sure about this?"

"Are you questioning me?" Viscount Léon said with some displeasure, his face darkening. "I saw the loan agreement with the French Reserve Bank myself. How could I be mistaken?"

Etienne was struck as if by lightning.

The short-term loan in question amounted to 6 million livres, with Ravelle Bank and Laborde Bank each responsible for half. It was a vital business for Ravelle Bank, contributing over 300,000 livres in annual interest revenue—a critical segment of the bank’s operations.

If this business was taken by another party, he would undoubtedly be punished!

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Etienne recalled the previous agreement between his bank and the Duke of Orléans: Ravelle Bank would delay the loan until the last minute. When the Crown Prince was left with no other options, the Duke’s representatives would step in, and the bank would immediately release the funds.

But things were not going as the Duke of Orléans had planned...

Damn it, it must be that French Reserve Bank! Etienne’s eyes burned with fury. It must be a recently established, rule-ignorant bank! Once this matter was over, he vowed to make them pay.

But first, he needed to reclaim this loan deal. Quickly thanking Viscount Léon and offering him some benefits, Etienne rushed to the Minister of Finance's office, already planning to reduce the loan interest rate to 17%. If that wasn’t enough, he’d go as low as 16%...

...

Besançon and Froyent, having finished their reports on police matters, were about to leave when a fiscal assistant entered and bowed. "Your Highness, Etienne, the general manager of Ravelle Bank, requests an audience to discuss a loan."

Joseph’s expression darkened at the mention of Ravelle Bank. He said coldly, "There's nothing to discuss. Send him away."

The assistant hesitated before adding, "Your Highness, Mr. Etienne said that, to show his sincerity, he’s willing to lower the interest rate to 17%."

Joseph smirked. "Sincerity? He must have heard about the French Reserve Bank. Now he’s panicking? Too late!"

The French Reserve Bank was, of course, the bank Joseph was establishing. Although it hadn’t officially opened, he had already drafted agreements with the French government.

He instructed the assistant, "Tell him—and Laborde Bank as well—that their services will no longer be needed for this loan."

After a pause, he continued, "When you return, investigate all existing government collaborations with these two banks. Draft a proposal to transfer all their loans to other banks. The proposal will be named the 'Risk Reduction Financing Plan.'"

The assistant’s eyes briefly flashed with surprise, but he quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

...

Besançon, ever observant, noticed Joseph’s displeasure when Ravelle Bank was mentioned. He silently committed this to memory.

After leaving the Crown Prince’s quarters, he immediately approached the fiscal assistant to inquire further.

Although the matter involved fiscal secrets, the assistant, recognizing Besançon as the newly appointed Chief of Police in Paris, was forthcoming and explained the situation.

Upon learning that the two banks had attempted to hinder the Crown Prince, nearly causing a debt default, Besançon’s eyes narrowed.

The Crown Prince had personally promoted him to Chief of Police and entrusted him with the critical task of police reform. Loyal and grateful, Besançon was utterly devoted to Joseph.

Now, someone dared to obstruct the Crown Prince? Though Joseph, magnanimous as ever, chose not to retaliate, Besançon, as his loyal subordinate, would not let it slide!

Ravelle Bank and Laborde Bank? They would pay for this!

...

Meanwhile, Etienne staggered out of the Palace of Versailles, utterly dejected. He had just been informed that the 6 million-livre loan was no longer under Ravelle Bank’s purview. Worse, the government might terminate all future collaborations with the bank.

Providing large, short-term loans to the government had been one of Ravelle Bank’s core businesses—high-interest, low-risk transactions. Previously, the French government, as impoverished as a church mouse, was always at the mercy of the banks. But now, inexplicably, the situation had changed.

Etienne’s face was ashen. If this development proved true, he wouldn’t just lose his job. The furious shareholders of Ravelle Bank might sell him into lifelong servitude in Haiti!

Shivering at the thought, Etienne realized the situation had spiraled beyond his control. He had no choice but to return to Paris and report the matter to the bank’s board of directors.

...

With the support of the readers, the author has been fortunate enough to reach the third round of recommendations for this new book. Thank you all for your support!

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