I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 432 Bastille Version 2.0

The climate of the Indian peninsula is suitable, with abundant sunshine and rainfall, so food production is extremely high. In addition, fruits and vegetables are abundant, so Indians basically do not have the habit of hoarding food.

However, Joseph knew that during the Third Mysore War, Tipu Sultan suffered twice from not having food reserves.

The British besieged Salingabatan twice, and the city quickly ran out of ammunition and food.

The previous time, due to the early rainy season, the British army's logistics supplies were flooded, and Tipu Sultan escaped by luck. The next time Tipu Sultan had to take the risk and lead his army out of the city, trying to find a breakthrough, but the British continued to call in servant troops from the Indian princes to block it, so he always returned without success. In the end, because he ran out of food and grass, he had to sue for peace from the British, ceded half of Mysore's territory, paid a war indemnity of 3 million pounds, and handed over his two sons to the British as hostages. Saved his seat.

The East India Company used the huge sum of 3 million pounds, or 75 million livres, to rapidly expand its armaments in the Far East, thus laying the foundation for the unification of the Indian peninsula. Eight years later, Tipu Sultan was killed by the British army, and the country of Mysore was destroyed.

In fact, a serious plague broke out among the British army at that time. If Tipu Sultan persisted for a few more months, they would probably have to withdraw on their own.

So Joseph's first advice to Tipu Sultan was to stock up on more food.

With the grain output in India, if you allocate some randomly, it will be enough to feed the entire city of Salingabadam for two or three years.

Tipu Sultan was a little puzzled:

"Why hoard food?"

Lafayette looked solemn and said:

"At the moment, although Mysore has achieved some victories, don't underestimate the British because of this. They are very strong, and if they increase their troop investment, you will likely face a difficult defense battle."

Tipu Sultan's eyes flashed with disdain. Both he and his father had defeated the British - the first two Mysore Wars.

However, he still took Lafayette's words seriously. After all, the latter brought him many advanced tactics, and the soldiers he trained were much better than what he had trained himself.

Lafayette continued to describe the Crown Prince’s battle plan:

“After that, you just have to wait for the rainy season.

"The British come across tens of thousands of sea miles, and their supplies are very troublesome. The rainy season will destroy their logistics. At this time, you can launch a counterattack. But try not to fight head-on with the British, your primary target is always them logistics supplies.”

Britain's war in distant India consumes a lot of funds. If supplies are continuously destroyed, financial pressure will force them to choose an armistice.

Lafayette continued:

“In addition to food, you must also be careful not to fight with the British servants.

"As a last resort, you can directly give them benefits in exchange for them retreating or waiting and watching. Especially for Hyderabad, even ceding some land to them can be considered."

The core strategy of Britain in India is to use Indians to consume Indians and reap the benefits for itself.

While suppressing Mysore, the most powerful kingdom in the Indian peninsula, they were also extremely wary of their followers, especially Hyderabad. After all, it had an alliance with Mysore and was not weak in strength.

If Hyderabad became stronger because of the attack on Mysore, wouldn't their fight for a long time be in vain?

Therefore, the British will definitely prevent Mysore from transferring benefits to Hyderabad, which will inevitably anger Hyderabad.

As for how it will develop later, Joseph is not sure, but he must give eye drops to the British.

As long as France does not directly intervene in the war between Mysore and the British - at this time, all French people in Mysore, including craftsmen, have evacuated - it is complying with the "Non-Intervention Treaty", and the British can't fault it at all. come out.

However, Joseph could give Tipu Sultan some cheating advice, which was enough to make the British vomit blood.

…

Morocco.

Meknes.

Sultan Mohammed III looked at the French envoy and tried his best to appear confident:

"My Guards only went to help Algiers train soldiers. Although there were some misunderstandings with the French army during the period, this was by no means what I wanted."

Count Segur said righteously:

"You are right, it was just a misunderstanding. However, His Majesty's soldiers did suffer casualties, and the town of Tamirai was also damaged."

Muhammad III was extremely depressed. His own guardsmen died dozens of times more than the French. As for the town of Tamirai, his own people only glanced at it a few miles away. Can this also cause damage? !

However, the situation is stronger than the people. Not long ago, the British ambassador suddenly stated that he "does not want to see friction between Morocco and Tunisia" and suspended all assistance.

Although he was not afraid of the French, he never wanted to anger this European power. In the final analysis, it was because he was bewitched by the British and took the initiative to provoke the French.

"I am willing to provide compensation for these losses."

Count Segur smiled:

"Or you can do me some favors to offset the compensation."

In fact, the Moroccan Guards barely fought against the French army before they were frightened away by Moreau's suspicious tactics. French losses were minimal.

Muhammad III was a little wary and said: "How can I help you?"

"It's very simple, just use your caravan to help me transport some goods." Segur said, "From you to the Indian Peninsula via Ottoman.

"It's up to you to raise the goods, and the buyer will pay the full price. As for the goods you can't get, you can buy them from Spain."

"That's it?" Mohammed III was a little surprised. Morocco and the Ottomans have always had close trade relations, and this request does not cost them much. The goods could even be handed over directly to Ottoman merchants in Basra, who would transport them to India.

"Are you sure someone will pay?"

"Of course." Segur said, "Otherwise, you can interrupt the shipment immediately. As long as you help me transport goods for two years, the misunderstanding between our two countries will be wiped out."

Muhammad III couldn't help but narrowed his eyes.

He knew that the French were going to use their own channels in the Ottomans for smuggling, but if the so-called buyers really paid and the demand was relatively large, he could even make money.

"Okay, I can give it a try."

France can completely stop supporting Mysore, but if the latter obtains supplies from the Ottomans, Britain will not be responsible for France.

Segur looked at Mohammed III with a smile again and said in a deep voice:

"The most important point is that these trades you are conducting have nothing to do with France."

He was not afraid that Muhammad III would inform the British.

First of all, Britain had just cheated Morocco, and now Morocco hated them so much that they could not report the news. Secondly, the Moroccans do not have any evidence. Even if they tell the British, France will not admit it - from the source of goods to the smuggling channels, no French people are involved.

If the Moroccans don't do it, Segur will go to the Persians to get the goods from Russia through the Caspian Sea and ship them to India via the Gulf of Oman. However, most Persians will ask for some benefits, and the price/performance ratio is not as good as Morocco. Fortunately, Mohammed III agreed directly.

After leaving Morocco, Count Segur immediately went north to Spain. He would ask Carlos IV for supplies such as weapons and steel. This is not only a profit for Spain, but also a favor to France. I believe they will not refuse.

…

January 12, 1790.

Paris.

A top-of-the-line light gray "jewel"-shaped carriage sped past the pedestrians, and then stopped suddenly at the edge of the Bastille Square.

A servant hurriedly arranged the steps for getting out of the car, and then opened the door.

Mr. Walsh, the wool merchant, jumped out of the car impatiently, complaining to his wife behind him:

"I said you should take the rail bus, but you insist on driving here..."

He looked at the crowds of people on the Bastille Square and spoke louder:

"After being delayed for so long, I can't even squeeze in."

Mrs. Walsh, who was wearing the most popular dress of the season, got out of the car and whispered:

"This is just a bank move, what's there to see? It's said that the British Pavilion has been decorated. We might as well buy a preview ticket and go in to see what's going on..."

Mr. Walsh interrupted her:

"What do women know? Today His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will definitely announce some financial policies. This will affect everyone's business. Of course you have to come and see it!"

When a teenage boy saw Walsh's anxious look, he quickly came over and said with a bright smile:

"Sir, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived. Do you want to get a closer look?"

"Of course. Do you have any idea?"

"3 livres."

Walsh gave him three silver coins without hesitation: "Quick!"

The boy whistled in the direction of the Bastille, and immediately there were seven or eight children in the crowd squeezing the people around them. A "passage" soon appeared between them.

Walsh hurriedly pulled his wife in and got very close to the main entrance of the Bastille.

The little boy heard the sound of music all around and waved to his companions:

"It's already started. There shouldn't be many people coming. Now, let's go outside the 'Yiju' store to help line up."

"Okay, Brother Gille." The children got out of the crowd and jumped behind him.

Walsh craned his neck to look, and saw that the door of the formerly gloomy prison was covered with colorful ribbons. Several rows of palace guards in red uniforms stood neatly in front of the steps, and behind them were a large number of reporters. The band nearby is playing hard. Judging from their level, it was probably a palace band.

On the top of the main entrance of the prison, a huge brass sign was hung, which read "Bank of France - Head Office".

As a salute roared, the music stopped momentarily. Joseph, dressed in a brand new blue and white cavalry uniform and a three-cornered hat, walked quickly onto the high platform directly below the plaque, accompanied by several officials.

The crowd around him immediately bowed and saluted, and Joseph smiled and raised his hand to signal:

“Thank you all for attending the relocation ceremony of the Reserve Bank of France.”

He turned and pointed at the Bastille:

"I know, everyone didn't like it very much here before."

There was a burst of laughter.

"But you will definitely like it here in the future." Joseph said loudly, "This will become the headquarters building of the French Reserve Bank.

“At the same time, the French Stock Exchange will occupy its western side.

"And its second floor is the handling hall of the Royal Insurance Company of France."

He waved his arms: "This is no longer a prison, but a symbol of the wealth of Paris!"

The crowd immediately cheered! Yes, there is no French person who does not hate and loathe this prison.

Before, when Joseph was selecting the site for the French Stock Exchange, he suddenly thought of this place and decided to turn it into the financial center of Paris.

Destroying the notorious Bastille will definitely greatly increase the French people's favorability towards the royal family.

Moreover, this prison has long lost its meaning of existence. As a prison, there are not many prisoners held here. Its core function is actually to stabilize order in Paris. In the past, a large number of soldiers were stationed here. Once there was unrest in Paris, they could suppress it nearby. And now the security of Paris has been handed over to the police.

So after Joseph proposed that the Bank of France buy the fortress, Queen Mary agreed without much hesitation. The commander-in-chief of the Bastille, the Marquis de Launet, had previously received the Crown Prince's attention because of Necker's case, and he was very cooperative with the relocation this time.

More than half a month ago, the guards and prisoners of the Bastille moved to a new address in the southern suburbs of Paris, and the name was also changed to "National Prison No. 1".

On the high platform, Joseph waited for the people's cheers to stop and then continued:

"In addition to the relocation of the French Reserve Bank and the stock exchange, today there is another very important announcement."

He motioned to Finance Minister Brian on the side.

The latter hurriedly took two steps forward, cleared his throat, and said loudly:

“His Majesty the Great King has decided that from now on, the bank notes issued by the Reserve Bank of France will become the official currency of France and be renamed the franc!

“One franc note is equivalent to 1 livre silver coin, which is equivalent to 0.3 grams of gold.

"The national fiscal decree will guarantee the franc. Anyone holding franc banknotes can exchange it for gold of equal value at the bank at any time. Similarly, gold can also be exchanged for francs at the bank.

"No one in France is allowed to refuse francs, otherwise he will be prosecuted. Coins such as livres and Ecuadores will be circulated at the same time."

The crowd suddenly became excited. Although the banknotes of the Reserve Bank of France are already circulating in many places, the official confirmation of its currency status at this time still shocked everyone.

After all, decades ago, John Law issued banknotes indiscriminately due to the Mississippi Incident, causing many French people to go bankrupt overnight. Since then, people have been very resistant to paper money.

Brian glanced sideways at the Crown Prince, raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then continued:

"In order to maintain the stability of the currency value of the franc, the royal family, the financial department, the Reserve Bank of France and the French Chamber of Commerce will jointly establish a 'currency supervision meeting' to supervise the issuance of banknotes to ensure that there is no indiscriminate issuance."