The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Money Power

In truth, Joseph had long planned to establish a bank.

To reform a nation’s finances, a bank is an indispensable tool. Especially after the decline of the Royal Bank, France no longer had even a symbolic “central bank,” and the government’s control over financial matters was nearly nonexistent.

Moreover, the Industrial Revolution was on the brink of a breakthrough. This period required massive financial support to ensure industrial development proceeded unhindered.

For Joseph, opening a bank was a necessary move. However, according to his original plan, the timing was not yet ideal.

It is well-known that banks heavily rely on capital scale. A bank with a capital of one million livres, no matter how well-managed, would struggle to compete with a rival boasting ten million in capital.

Joseph’s plan was to wait until more of his resources could be monetized before making a major push into the banking sector.

However, the provocations posed by the current banks’ financial maneuvers, coupled with the looming risk of government debt default, prompted him to accelerate this process.

Fortunately, the profitability of the Paris Angel Company was exceedingly impressive, even surpassing his expectations, providing him with a solid foundation of financial confidence.

What remained was determining how to proceed.

The carriage moved slowly, and Joseph gazed out at the passing trees and pedestrians, mentally organizing the detailed plans for establishing the bank.

Although the banking industry in the 18th century was already thriving, in terms of financial history, it had just taken its first steps. Many of the sophisticated maneuvers later pioneered by financial magnates were yet to be invented. To Joseph, France’s financial sector was akin to the Americas in the eyes of Columbus—new and brimming with opportunities.

Within just over an hour, a comprehensive plan had already taken shape in his mind.

After repeatedly verifying the plan’s completeness and feasibility, he finally smiled with relief and instructed Eymond:
“Please send someone to inform Mr. Brent and have him meet me as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Three hours later, Joseph returned to the Palace of Versailles, where he found Brent already waiting. The diligent manager, eager to save time, had foregone a carriage and ridden on horseback directly.

Joseph began by commending Brent for his efficiency before summoning his personal architect, artist, carpenter, accountant, and others to his study. He then outlined their tasks:
“From now on, you have only one mission: to open as many Paris Angel franchises as possible in the shortest amount of time.”

He turned to Brent:
“You will oversee this endeavor entirely. All of my resources are at your disposal. Aim to open at least three stores in Paris within a week. Additionally, open a directly managed store in Reims.”

Brent’s expression turned serious. Although the glass walls, display counters, lighting, and even staff uniforms for the new franchise stores had been prepared as per the Crown Prince’s earlier requirements, the renovations for the walls, floors, and other elements would be extremely time-consuming. Completing multiple stores in just one week seemed an impossible task...

Joseph noticed Brent’s hesitation and smiled faintly:
“For the first franchise store you open, you’ll receive a bonus of 1,000 livres. For the second, 1,500 livres. Thereafter, each additional store will earn you an extra 500 livres.”

He then addressed the architect and the others:
“For the first store, each of you will receive a 500-livre bonus. Each additional store will increase the bonus by 200 livres.”

With the money power buff, everyone became a superhero!

Brent’s heart raced as he quickly calculated the potential rewards. If he managed to open three stores in Paris, he would earn 4,500 livres in just one week!

Four stores would net him 7,000 livres, five stores 10,000...

If he could open seven franchise stores and one directly managed store, his bonus would amount to a staggering 22,000 livres!

Enough to pay for his second villa!

He nearly shouted with bloodshot eyes:
“Rest assured, Your Highness! I swear to God I won’t let you down!”

Unable to contain his excitement, he waved to the architect, artist, and others:
“Don’t just stand there! Come with me!”

The group hastily bowed to Joseph and sprinted out of the Crown Prince’s chambers like they were in a 100-meter dash.

Outside the Palace of Versailles, Brent pressed 10 livres into the coachman’s hands and shouted:
“Quick! Back to Paris, now!”

The artist frowned, muttering as he calculated the potential bonuses:
“Three stores... 2,100 livres... All of them completed, 9,600 livres! Oh, my God! 9,600!!”

His heart skipped a beat, and his breathing quickened as he turned to the coachman and yelled:
“Mr. Brelbeau, show us your skills! Hurry!”

After the group left, Joseph quickly wrote a few lines on a piece of paper and handed it to Eymond, instructing:
“Follow this strategy and use all newspapers, salons, balls, and similar channels for promotion. You have a budget of 15,000 livres, and it must all be spent within a week.”

Eymond, puzzled by this peculiar request, glanced at the paper. It read:

**“On November 30th, Paris Angel Company shares will be officially available for purchase nationwide. We welcome your subscriptions.

Slogan: ‘When the winds of change blow, even pigs can fly. And the next wind is the Paris Angel!’”**

Below was a summary of the Paris Angel Company’s business model and performance data.

November 30th was exactly one week away.

Eymond bowed deeply and replied earnestly:
“Yes, Your Highness, I will do my utmost!”

Subsequently, Joseph ordered a servant to summon Count Morneau, Minister of Finance Brienne, and Count Robert to join him for dinner.

These three guests were invited for a particular reason—two of them were senior cabinet officials and close associates, while Robert, though nominally a State Councilor, was in reality the head of the King’s secret police, a key royal confidant with significant influence.

At the lavish dining table, Count Morneau glanced around and noticed the absence of the usual spectators who came to observe the Crown Prince’s meals. Sensing the occasion was unusual, he raised his glass with a smile:
“Let us toast His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The others quickly followed suit:
“To His Highness the Crown Prince.”

After a sip of fine wine, Count Morneau praised Joseph’s skillful handling of matters in the Netherlands before casually remarking:
“Your Highness, if you’ve taken the time to invite us old fellows amidst your busy schedule, it must be for something good, haha.”

Joseph smiled:
“You are all my closest confidants. In fact, I’d like to ask for your assistance.”

Count Brienne beamed:
“Your Highness, whatever you need, just give the order.”

Joseph dabbed his mouth with a napkin and adopted a serious expression:
“In truth, I am planning to establish a bank and would like to invite you to invest.”

The greater the ambition, the less room there is for selfishness.

By sharing the pie, Joseph ensured that anyone coveting it would face staunch opposition from those with vested interests.

As long as he retained control of the bank’s decision-making, sharing a portion of the profits was a trivial cost.

These three officials were merely the first batch of shareholders Joseph intended to recruit. More influential figures would follow. With such individuals endorsing the bank, its future would undoubtedly be smooth sailing.

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