“This will require the purchase of a large number of potatoes to serve as ‘seed potatoes.'” Joseph caressed the pattern on the teacup and looked towards Mirabeau, “Currently, the government can only provide one million livres, while a total of five million are needed. I also don’t have that much money on hand for the moment, so I was hoping to borrow some from you.”
Joseph knew that after investing in the paper mill, Mirabeau might not have much money left either, but he had extensive connections and was on good terms with many of the capitalist nobility, so he could help by reaching out on his behalf.
“Oh, of course, rest assured, I can mortgage the shares of the paper workshop or ‘The Angel of Paris’ as collateral.”
Mirabeau said, “Your Highness, you can only buy potatoes in a few provinces such as Alsace and Lorraine. Are you saying we need to procure them from places that far away?”
“That’s right.”
Mirabeau first nodded, “Your Highness, I can figure out a way to get the money for you.”
Since the tax reform incident, he and the Crown Prince had become entangled in mutual interests, so naturally, he wanted to do his part for His Highness.
But then he frowned and said, “However, what I’m going to say next might upset you, but I feel obligated to remind you.”
“Please, feel free to speak your mind.”
“There’s only a little over a month left before the wheat sowing season, and given the efficiency of those government officials… you should know, purchasing millions of livres worth of potatoes, they will need at least three weeks. That leaves hardly enough time for transportation and sowing.”
At these words, Joseph was taken aback, admitting to himself that he had indeed been careless and failed to take into account the terrible efficiency of the bureaucratic system.
After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, “Thank you for the reminder, Count Mirabeau. Perhaps, I need to make a personal visit to Lorraine.”
“With me overseeing them, their actions will surely be much faster.
“Additionally, I would like to take the opportunity to survey Nancy, in preparation for establishing an industrial development zone there in the future.”
“You are doing so much for France.”
Mirabeau praised him, and then, recalling the new term he had just heard, asked curiously, “Your Highness, what is this ‘industrial development zone’ you mentioned?”
Joseph set down the teacup and explained, “It’s an area designated where the government provides support to attract people to set up workshops, thereby promoting industrial development.
“Oh, for instance, workshops in the industrial development zone might receive tax cuts, be free from administrative officials’ interference in production, receive rewards for new technologies, abolish the guild system, and so on.
“At the same time, the government will also build a host of supporting facilities in the development zone. For example: banks, schools, hospitals, and even apartments.”
Mirabeau’s eyes suddenly bulged. This was precisely the business environment he had longed for! Not to mention the tax cuts alone, which could entice countless individuals to set up factories.
And then there was the detestable guild system.
Currently in France, no matter what kind of workers you wanted to hire, you had to get permission from the relevant guilds. Jobs that were originally quite simple, that anyone could do, had to go through corresponding guilds that would collect dues from the workers and in turn extort the workshops.
As for the exploitation and harassment by government officials, this too was a continual headache for all workshop owners.
If these detrimental influences could be eliminated, the profits and efficiency of the workshops would see a significant increase.
He immediately exclaimed with excitement, “Your Highness, this idea of yours is truly wonderful! Industrial development zones, they are exactly what France’s industry needs at the moment!”
He suddenly felt a wave of emotion, as the French Government had always only valued agriculture and exploited and neglected industry. Only the young Crown Prince sincerely wished to promote industrial development!
Mirabeau suddenly thought of something, looked at Joseph, and said in surprise, “Your Highness, you just mentioned that you want to establish an industrial district in Nancy? Excuse my boldness, but that place is quite remote and lacks any significant industry; perhaps setting up the district in Lyon would be more appropriate.”
Joseph nodded, understanding that from Mirabeau’s perspective, what he said was entirely correct. Although the Lorraine region was rich in coal and iron deposits, they had not yet been developed. It wasn’t until after the industrial revolution in the 19th century that Nancy, the capital of Lorraine, became one of the cores of France’s heavy industry.
“Count Mirabeau, what do you think is the foundation of industry?”
Mirabeau blurted out, “It should be the textile industry. Mining, shipbuilding, and the like are also important, but none have the development potential of the textile industry.”
Seeing that the Crown Prince remained silent, he laughed and said, “Your Highness, surely it’s not the wine industry…”
Joseph smiled as well, then picked up his teacup and said, “If industry is a plant, then whether it’s textiles or shipbuilding, these are all the stems and leaves above ground, while only coal and iron are the roots beneath.”
In his heart, he silently added that in the future, it would be iron and petroleum, but that was still far off.
“Coal? Iron?” Mirabeau blinked, “But the trade volume for these two isn’t much.”
Joseph smiled and said, “Coal and iron together make the steam engine. This is the true foundation of industry!”
Mirabeau laughed as well, “Your Highness, you do jest. The steam engine? That thing isn’t very useful, it’s costly, and breaks down easily.”
“No, technology is always progressing.” Joseph said, “The old Newcomen steam engine could only pump water, and its actual efficiency was less than that of two diligent children.
“Now, the steam engine can pump water from a mine 90 meters deep, something humans definitely cannot do.
“I dare say, the performance of steam engines will continue to improve dramatically. Whoever masters the steam engine will have the initiative in industry.”
“…” Mirabeau appeared unconvinced.
Joseph continued, “You’ve heard of the automatic loom newly invented by the British, haven’t you?”
Mirabeau nodded, “Yes, Your Highness, but that is powered by water wheels.”
“That’s just temporary. In fact, the British are already researching replacing water wheels with steam engines. Once they succeed, the efficiency of the textile industry will increase tenfold or even more.”
Mirabeau sat up straight, visibly becoming tense.
Yet, Joseph gave him a glimpse into even broader prospects for the application of steam engines: “Aside from the textile industry, the advancements brought about by steam engines in forging and stamping are even more noteworthy.
“The stamping machines driven by steam engines are several times more powerful than the current waterwheel stamping machines, and they will become even more powerful in the future, while their speed is dozens of times faster. What’s most valuable is the tremendous improvement in precision.
“If we have reliable steam-powered stamping machines, not to mention armor, bearings, carriages, and such, just using them to produce chandeliers, agricultural tools, even forks and knives, would significantly reduce costs and multiply product quality. Though these items are small, collectively they can bring in astonishing trade income.”
He then solemnly said, “If, however, other countries take the lead in mastering steam engine technology, we will face a very difficult situation.”
In history, it was England that broke through with the steam engine, initiating the industrial revolution and building The British Empire.