Joseph nodded, his own groundwork having been laid out for so long, was finally about to bear fruit, and he immediately smiled, “The purpose of establishing the French Brewing Technology Association is to pass on the new brewing technology to our members. The technology usage fee is 3% of the selling price per barrel.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was ecstatic. They had been worried that the Crown Prince would demand an exorbitant price, but it turned out to be only 3%. Knowing that just the quality improvement of wine brought by the new technology could double the selling price, 3% was almost like getting it for free.
Count of Torendal immediately asked, “Your Highness, what qualifications are needed to join the association?”
Joseph drawled, “That, I haven’t decided yet.”
Everyone was stunned.
Joseph then looked at Venio and others who had agreed to plant potatoes on a large scale a few days ago: “However, Mr. Venio, Viscount Clement, Mr. Mune, and others have already proven their loyalty to His Majesty the King through their actions. To commend this loyalty, I believe they will be among the first batch of members.”
Venio and others were overjoyed, never having thought that agreeing to plant potatoes to alleviate the famine among the people would result in such an unexpected windfall!
Other plantation owners, upon hearing “proven loyalty to the King,” couldn’t help but pause, but recalling the recent actions of Venio and others, they quickly found the answer—they had agreed to plant a large number of potatoes!
Baron Polutak pondered with his head down, knowing that as long as he could obtain the new winemaking technology, even if the potato yield was not much, the losses could be easily compensated for by the profits from wine. After all, the potato “seeds” were provided by the government, and the income from wine could at least double.
With this in mind, he immediately stepped forward and said, “Your Highness, I am willing to plant ten hectares of potatoes!”
Joseph looked at him and asked, “May I ask how extensive your vineyard is?”
“About forty hectares.”
“Plant potatoes on one hectare for every four of vines,” Joseph nodded slightly, “That roughly shows your loyalty.”
Baron Polutak was elated, “Your Highness, does that mean I can join the association?”
“Yes,” Joseph nodded, “The membership fee is calculated based on the size of the plantation, fifty livres per hectare per year.”
“Membership fee?” Polutak glanced unconsciously at Venio and others, and seeing no objection from Joseph, he quickly understood—they had a discount.
However, compared to the huge profits that the new brewing technology would bring, this membership fee was negligible. He immediately agreed without hesitation.
Seeing this, other plantation owners hurried to declare their intentions, jostling each other, “Your Highness, I can also plant thirty hectares of potatoes. Oh, I have a total of one hundred and twenty hectares of vineyards.”
“Your Highness, I am willing to plant twenty-five hectares…”
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“Your Highness, I’ll also plant fifty hectares…”
As for the “Land Tax Alliance,” it was long forgotten by them.
Joseph smiled and gestured for everyone to register their area with Eman and to sign the planting contract.
Watching the plantation owners eagerly sign up to plant potatoes, Venio suddenly remembered something and hurriedly approached Joseph, “Your Highness, Count Ledney and others are not aware of today’s events. Would you like me to inform them?”
He was referring to the few who had asked for leave and not attended the meeting Joseph had convened the next day.
Joseph sneered and shook his head, “Thanks for the reminder, but it’s not necessary. Not everyone can meet the qualifications to join the French Brewing Technology Association.”
The surrounding plantation owners, upon hearing this, felt a chill down their spines, but at the same time, they were relieved.
You see, if most of the wine cellars start using the new brewing technology, those without it will quickly lose their competitive edge and go bankrupt.
Fortunately, they hadn’t listened to Count Ledney that day; otherwise, their own wine workshops might also have been on the list of bankruptcies.