Paris.
Palace of Versailles.
Bailly, the French Minister of Trade, hesitated before handing the signed documents to his assistant and then looked at the opposite Finance Minister: "I'm not questioning the Crown Prince, but doing this could have a significant impact on us... Is it really worth it?"
"Undoubtedly, it is worth it." Godan glanced at his pocket watch and gestured toward the door, "Care to join me for tea? The Mediterranean sugar-frosted cake is quite popular lately, my treat."
Bailly nodded, stood up, and thought of the document he just signed, sighing: "I need to seize the time to enjoy more tea while I can, as by next month, it might become unaffordable."
The orders he handed to his assistant demanded that all government trade channels immediately purchase tea at a 5% premium over the market price and increase it by 3% each week.
For this plan, the Ministry of Finance has allocated 7 million francs, with expected losses around 900,000.
