Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Two days later.

Nine tycoons who controlled the Farmers-General of France gathered in Ford's villa—due to the urgency of the matter, only a few from around Paris could attend. However, they possessed over forty percent of the association's funds, sufficient to make decisions on significant matters.

At the conference table, Fankevich flipped through a newspaper and saw headlines like "Professor Niset States, Tax Farmers System Increases the Tax Burden on Common People," "Shocking, They Won't Let Your Taxes Decrease," and "Is It the Failure of the Tax System, or the Darkness of Human Nature?" He immediately slammed his fist on the table in annoyance.

These articles exposing the longstanding issues of the tax farmers system and analyzing how tax reform could reduce the tax burden were all commissioned by Joseph. Since tax reform was beneficial for the country and the public but not for the tax farmers, he naturally wanted to utilize public opinion to promote it properly.

Ford gestured for everyone to quiet down and said with a stern face,

"Damn Post Office Headquarters just caught fire, which makes the situation somewhat unfavorable for us."

Everyone fell silent.

They had previously spent millions of francs attempting to pressure the Royal Family through officials, but now the entire bureaucratic class had turned into the biggest supporters of tax reform—perhaps not sincerely, but the direction of public opinion had already been set.

Hope cleared his throat and said, "First, everyone whose subordinates have had contact with the arrested officials must leave the country immediately. Those officials could betray them at any moment."

Several nodded:

"Don't worry, they won't get caught."

"I've already made them leave."

A lender said nervously,

"I think the Royal Family is very determined to abolish tax farming, and if the government manages to gather enough funds, they might not renew the tax farming agreement next year..."

Hope raised his hand to interrupt him,

"With the financial condition of the French Government, they are unlikely to get 200 million francs. Of course, we must not be careless."

He looked toward Ford,

"We should give the government some illusions to numb them, making them relax about fundraising."

"What do you mean?"

"On one hand, let Viscount Lebron reduce the terms in the tax negotiation, such as increasing the total tax sum by 70 million francs from this year, and giving up taxes like transport and transit taxes, which are very important to the government. Essentially, we want the Royal Family to think that 'even abolishing tax farming wouldn't be better than conditions like this.'"

Viscount Bertrand represents the Tax Farmers Association in negotiations. Although it is only April, the negotiations for next year's tax amount have already begun and usually drag on until the end of the year.

Hope continued, "If necessary, we could even have Viscount Bertrand and Brian sign a preliminary agreement. By the end of the year, the association will find an excuse to revoke his representative status and renegotiate with someone else."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up, and they nodded and praised the idea.

Although the leader of the Tax Farmers Association was Viscount Ford, important decisions were mostly made under the shrewd direction of Hope.

"Mr. Charles," Hope then looked toward the elder in front of him, and gestured to the three people beside him, "On the other hand, you and Baron Morrel will secretly contact Brian, indicating that you can bypass the association and privately offer the French Government a loan of 150 million francs."

"Of course, you should appear very concerned about the interest and the added conditions, dragging the negotiations until the end of the year.

"As long as we get past October, the initiative will return to us. By then, it will be too late for the French Government to raise funds. For next year's financial expenditures, they will have to agree to let us continue tax farming."

Charles's eyes twinkled with amusement, and he promptly bowed, "Please leave that matter to me."

...

In the office on the second floor of Tuileries Palace.

Brian spoke cheerfully, "Your Highness, the Tax Farmers Association has clearly felt the official pressure and appears very humble in the tax negotiations.

"I heard from Viscount Bertrand's assistant that their bottom line for the tax farming might reach 540 million francs, and they might even return some industrial and trade-related taxes to the government."

Joseph also smiled, "Hmm, if that's the case, they are indeed very sincere."

Brian leaned forward mysteriously, "Your Highness, yesterday afternoon Charles and Baron Morrel came to see me, hinting that if the government cancels the tax farming system, they could provide substantial loans. They want 18% interest, but I think there might be room for negotiation."

"Very good, this makes us more confident about the tax reform," Joseph was very pleased, "Please continue negotiating with them and try to get the best terms."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will definitely bring you good news."

After Brian left, Joseph immediately signaled to Eman, "Please get the carriage ready, we are heading to the Paris Police Academy."

He had no hope for Brian's so-called negotiations. He knew well that his task was to disrupt the livelihood of the tax farmers, and those people would hardly compromise, especially with Jewish capital involved, aware of their historical actions and the devastating impact on the economies of the countries they operate in—they would never give up even the slightest benefit!

Therefore, the stance the tax farmers had now was likely for one purpose only, that was to stall for time.

One reason was to drag out the current strong political trend calling for the cancellation of tax farming, and another was probably to shrink the government's preparation time and shake its resolve.

Joseph got into the carriage with a smile on his lips. Stall for time? Great, he also wanted to buy some time.

If he could keep the tax farmers focused on the "negotiations" with Brian and prevent them from causing problems like "over forty senior officials opposing tax reform," he could spare himself the headaches and devote more energy to preparing for the tax reform.

This was bound to be a world where only Brian would be hurt—both sides were merely posturing, with only Brian believing he was engaged in a significant national matter, exhausting his mind and body. Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

Before long, Joseph's carriage stopped in the open space outside the Paris Police Academy.

As there had been no prior notification, officials like Frient didn't come out to greet him. Joseph did not head to the main campus but instead turned directly into the newly established School of Economics on the south side of the police academy.

Just as he saw the "Tax Collectors" training on the playground, Dean Clemont hurried out with some academy officials.

"We are honored by your presence at the School of Economics, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince," Clemont bowed as he greeted him, then gestured to the officials beside him, "Let the students assemble to welcome Your Highness!"

"Oh, don't interrupt their classes," Joseph quickly intervened, "I just came to see how the academy is operating."