The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Planning a Police Academy

Queen Marie curiously observed her son and smiled, “No wonder he suggested today that you take up the position of Assistant Minister of Finance. How exactly did you ‘convince’ him?”

Seeing Joseph respond with only a smile, she refrained from further questioning. After a moment’s thought, she mentioned two names: “Besançon, who has served as a trade coordinator in multiple provinces and led mounted police in suppressing smugglers. He has excellent capabilities in organization and management.

“Froyent, formerly a captain in the Flanders Regiment and once my personal guard, now responsible for recruiting new infantry soldiers. He is skilled in training and drafting regulations.”

She added, “I can vouch for their loyalty. As for who to use, that’s up to you.”

Joseph nodded, “Alright, I’ll get in touch with them and decide later.”

Unfamiliar with either of the two, Joseph had no choice but to seek the Queen’s help, being new to the political arena and lacking his own faction.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. By leveraging control over the police system, he could invest in establishing a police academy that would recruit students from among the commoners. This would serve two purposes: first, to train professional police officers, reducing the nobility’s influence over law enforcement, and second, to offer subjects like administration, commerce, journalism, and law, allowing him to select promising talent and cultivate a loyal base of his own.

A vivid scene emerged in his mind—a group of high-ranking government officials bowing to him in the future, respectfully addressing him as “Principal”...

Yes, from a political strategy perspective, the Whampoa model was indeed a successful one.

The sound of a door creaking open reached him from ahead. Looking up, Joseph saw that they had arrived at the dining room. The vast hall was already crowded with nobles who had come to observe.

Indeed, ever since Louis XV, all activities of the French royal family—including dining, sleeping, entertainment, and even childbirth—had been open for public viewing.

Joseph felt a headache coming on as Queen Marie pulled him to sit at a grand, luxurious table. The ceremonial officer struck the floor heavily with his staff, signaling the start of the meal. A melodious trumpet sounded, initiating the elaborate ritual for each dish. It involved multiple people handling the food and various ornate gestures before the dish finally reached the table.

Suddenly recalling something, Joseph leaned toward the Queen and whispered, “By the way, if the Minister of the Navy approaches you about cutting the shipbuilding program, just send him to me. I’ll handle convincing him.”

Queen Marie looked at her son in surprise. Truthfully, she had been troubled by this matter moments ago. The Marquis de Castries was a persistent and passionate individual who might pester her for a month if his budget were cut.

She nodded with satisfaction. Her son was now helping her solve problems—thank God!

...

Meanwhile, on the western staircase of the Palace of Versailles, the Minister of Justice turned to the Duke of Orléans and asked, “Judging by the Crown Prince’s actions, is he leaning toward England?”

The Duke squinted. “Perhaps that Austrian wench is behind this. If the fleet reduction causes Britain’s policies toward France to shift, it would put us at a disadvantage...”

A short distance away, in the square, Count Morneau and the Minister of the Interior, Niccolai, were walking side by side under the sun.

“At the very least, the Crown Prince seems to be firmly anti-Prussia,” said the Minister of the Interior.

“Anti-Prussia and anti-England makes him a hardliner. If he opposes neither, he’s a pacifist.” Niccolai sighed, “The worst-case scenario would be if he were anti-Prussia but pro-England. Let’s be clear, if France produced a monarch akin to Peter III, it would be an absolute disaster.”

He was referring to the former Tsar of Russia, who had idolized Frederick II of Prussia since childhood. Even when Russia had the upper hand against Prussia in war, he ordered the Russian army to retreat and signed an agreement highly unfavorable to Russia.

After today’s cabinet meeting, there were widespread concerns that the Crown Prince was an Anglophile.

Count Morneau shook his head slightly. “I’ve interacted with His Highness. He’s an exceptionally intelligent man. His proposal to reduce the navy is likely because warships are too costly, not because he wishes to curry favor with the British.”

“Let’s hope so.”

News from the cabinet meeting quickly reached the British ambassador’s office in France.

Ambassador Harriet, upon hearing that the French Crown Prince advocated halting all ship construction while maintaining a hardline stance against Prussia, pondered the matter for three full minutes. Then, he summoned a trusted aide and gave detailed instructions.

Once the aide departed, Harriet carefully composed a report on the matter and sent it to England.

...

The strictly regulated lunch, where every bite followed a precise protocol, finally ended. Louis XVI, full of enthusiasm, dragged Joseph to his workshop to showcase his latest creation—a brass safe he had crafted himself, which he presented as a gift. Only then was Joseph allowed to leave.

Upon returning to his chambers, he found Dr. Lamarck already waiting, speaking with Perna about the Crown Prince’s recent health condition. Although Joseph had his own dedicated physician, Perna insisted on monitoring his health daily.

Seeing Joseph return, Dr. Lamarck hurriedly stepped forward and bowed. “I’ve heard that Your Highness’s condition is under control—this is truly encouraging. I believe it must be the miraculous effects of salicin.”

Joseph smiled and returned the gesture. “And Dr. Perna’s care has been invaluable.”

Perna softly murmured from the side, “I haven’t obtained a medical license yet.”

“Perna’s skills surpass those of most doctors,” Dr. Lamarck praised his assistant and then produced a small glass vial, looking at Joseph with excitement. “Your Highness, Mr. Larsen and I have produced several batches of salicin with increasingly higher purity.”

Joseph accepted the vial and examined the pale yellow powder inside. “You are truly Europe’s finest biologist and medical scientist. The purity is exceptional.”

“Oh, no, I’ve done nothing. The purification process is all thanks to your guidance,” Dr. Lamarck modestly replied. Then, with a spark of enthusiasm, he continued, “I’ve been distributing salicin for free in the Pont Neuf area, and the results have been remarkable. I found it effective not only against pneumonia but also for fever caused by various illnesses. In just a few days, it’s saved seven or eight lives!”

After a brief hesitation, he hesitantly added, “Your Highness, Mr. Larsen and I were considering raising funds to produce salicin on a large scale. This medicine could save countless lives! What are your thoughts? Of course, half the profits would go to you.”

He then lowered his voice, “But, as you know, most of the poor suffering from illness cannot afford much...”

“Raise funds for medicine production?” Joseph shook his head. “If we involve investors, the production and sale of the medicine will be at their mercy.”

Dr. Lamarck was taken aback. “Then, Your Highness, what do you suggest?”

“I will fund the construction of a factory to produce salicin,” Joseph replied, recalling the destitute he had seen in the Saint-Antoine District slumped in alleyways. “Profits will be capped at 3%, and we can even accept willow bark in exchange for the medicine.”

Both Dr. Lamarck and Perna gazed at him with deep admiration. “Your Highness, you are truly compassionate. May the Lord bless you!”

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