Chapter 249: Offending the Crown Prince? And You Still Want to Run?
Mirabeau hurried into the Crown Prince's study, handed his hat to Eymond, and then bowed to Joseph. "Your Highness, from yesterday until half an hour ago, a total of 41 people have either written to the Queen or sought an audience to express their opposition to the proposal to abolish noble privileges."
As he spoke, he handed over a list. "Most of them are influential high-ranking nobles."
Joseph took the list and gestured to a nearby chair with a smile. "Please, have a seat."
He glanced at the list and nodded. "Hmm, just as I expected—most of them are from the Assembly of Notables. This will actually make things easier."
The Assembly of Notables played a significant role behind the scenes in creating the grain crisis in the southern provinces. Joseph had not forgotten their involvement. After dealing with the military, he had refrained from implicating others to make them lower their guard.
Recently, the Duke of Mouchy, who had been one of the ringleaders of the "petition" signed by more than twenty generals, had publicly rallied the nobility to oppose the abolition of noble privileges, acting as if he had nothing to fear.
Sure enough, Mouchy's name was first on Mirabeau's list.
These nobles had become so accustomed to being indulged by Louis XVI and the Queen that they believed their high status and large numbers would protect them from any real consequences. They assumed that since the military had already bowed to the Crown, they, the "peripheral" players, would be safe.
In reality, Joseph had merely waited to gather a bigger case against them. A direct confrontation would likely result in little more than a slap on the wrist and a fine, so he had been holding back to make sure they were caught in a bigger net.
Now that everything was ready, it was time to deal with them and the reactionary forces at Versailles in one fell swoop.
Joseph put the list away and calmly asked Mirabeau, "Are all the provinces in the south and west prepared?"
Mirabeau nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. Everything is in place, just as you instructed. Funds and pamphlets were prepared over two weeks ago."
"Excellent." Joseph smiled. "Then let's begin. The Police Bureau will fully cooperate with you."
"Yes, Your Highness," Mirabeau replied, bowing. However, he hesitated as he recalled the Crown Prince's bold plan. "Your Highness, isn't this move a bit too drastic?"
Joseph sighed inwardly. Ah, you Feuillants are too cautious and full of compromises. If I weren't worried that the Jacobins would go too far and lose control, I'd have sent Marat and Danton to handle this.
He addressed Mirabeau seriously: "Given France's current situation, even if we had the same resources as Britain, we wouldn't stand a chance in the industrial competition. And we're already far behind them in colonies and trade routes.
"The old nobility is a major obstacle to industrial development. They control vast amounts of land and labor but contribute nothing to the nation's progress. We must seize this rare opportunity to weaken them as much as possible.
"Ordinary methods would be too slow. Only by acting decisively can we achieve quick results.
"You're aware that the Eden Treaty only protects our industries for three years—if that. If the British find that the situation is turning against them, they might tear up the treaty sooner. We have to act quickly!"
Joseph knew that to industrialize the country, he had to empower the bourgeoisie and make them the backbone of the nation. The British had risen to global dominance by taking this very step first.
The tide of history from feudalism to capitalism was unstoppable. Instead of allowing the pure capitalists to overthrow the monarchy, Joseph planned to elevate the new nobility—the capitalists—from within the aristocracy.
The bourgeoisie had a natural affinity with the monarchy, and since their power would be bestowed by the Crown, they would inevitably support the royal family.
As for concerns that a centralized monarchy would hinder capitalist development—those were problems of the past. With a 21st-century mind and modern reforms, Joseph was confident that he could drive France's industrial, technological, and economic growth much faster and more effectively than those who had to figure it out on their own.
In fact, the more power he held, the faster and smoother France's development would be.
Mirabeau, visibly moved, finally abandoned his thoughts of compromise. Rising, he placed his hand over his heart and said, "I understand, Your Highness. I won't let anyone stand in the way of France's strength!"
Of course, the primary reason Mirabeau was so dedicated to the Crown Prince was that he was a quintessential bourgeois. What the Crown Prince was doing would greatly advance the nation's industry and commerce, exactly what the bourgeoisie wanted.
After a moment, Mirabeau asked, "Your Highness, the current proposal only addresses the abolition of noble privileges. You mentioned before a 'grain production law,' but it wasn't included…"
Joseph smiled and nodded. "Yes, and there's also the abolition of local tariffs and the removal of toll barriers across the provinces. All of these will be addressed in due time.
"But if we were to push all these changes at once, we'd face massive opposition—not just from the old nobility but from the provincial governors as well.
"So we'll introduce these reforms bit by bit. Once the opposition grudgingly accepts one, we'll move on to the next until all our goals are achieved.
"Oh, this is what's called the 'salami tactics.'"
Mirabeau's eyes widened. He had no idea how the Crown Prince came up with so many cunning... ahem, brilliant strategies.
"Your wisdom is unparalleled, Your Highness," he said, bowing deeply before leaving the study.
Joseph was reviewing plans to implement police reforms across the country when Mirabeau suddenly returned.
He bowed hastily, then said urgently, "Your Highness, it seems the Duke of Mouchy has convinced Count d'Artois. The Count is currently at the Petit Trianon."
Count d'Artois, despite his mere count's title, was no ordinary noble—he was Louis XVI's younger brother and wielded significant influence. Historically, he would become known as Charles X, the last king of the Bourbon dynasty[1].
Joseph wasn't surprised by this news. Count d'Artois had always been an extreme conservative and was bound to oppose the abolition of noble privileges.
Count d'Artois had a very close relationship with Queen Marie, so his influence on this issue couldn't be overlooked.
After a moment's thought, Joseph said to Mirabeau, "We might as well give the Duke of Mouchy a little help. Find someone to persuade the Duchess of Adelaide to speak with the Queen. You know she wouldn't support the abolition of noble privileges either."
Marie-Adélaïde was the daughter of Louis XV and the current king's aunt.
Mirabeau blinked in confusion. "Are you serious?"
Note:
Charles X: After the July Revolution, Charles X was forced to abdicate. His heir, Louis XIX, became king, but only for about 20 minutes before he too abdicated. Hence, Charles X is usually considered the last king of the Bourbon dynasty.
(End of Chapter)
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