Chapter 519 -431 Bastille 2.0
The climate of the Indian subcontinent is favorable, with plenty of sunshine and rain, resulting in extremely high grain yields, along with an abundance of fruits and vegetables, so Indians generally don't have the habit of hoarding food.
However, Joseph knew that during the Third Mysore War, Sultan Tipu had twice suffered from not having reserve food supplies.
The British had besieged Seringapatam twice, and the city had quickly run out of ammunition and provisions.
The previous time, because the monsoon season had arrived early and flooded the British supply lines, Sultan Tipu had managed to escape the crisis by chance. However, the latter time, he was forced to take a risk and lead his troops out of the city to attempt a breakthrough, but British reinforcements continuously called in from Indian vassal states sealed off any escape, leaving him without success. Eventually, due to the depletion of food and fodder, he had no choice but to ask the British for peace, cede half of Mysore's territory, pay 3 million British Pounds in war reparations, and hand over two of his sons to the British as hostages in order to barely keep his position.𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
The East India Company used those 3 million British Pounds, which amounted to 75 million livres, to rapidly expand its military presence in the Far East, thereby laying the foundation to dominate the Indian subcontinent. Eight years later, Sultan Tipu was killed by the British Army, and the state of Mysore was extinguished.
In fact, at that time, a severe epidemic had broken out among the British forces, and if Sultan Tipu had held on for a few more months, they would likely have had to withdraw on their own.
...
Therefore, the first piece of advice Joseph gave to Sultan Tipu was to stockpile more grain.
With India's food production, it would suffice for the entire city of Seringapatam to eat for two or three years just by allocating some casually.
Yet Sultan Tipu was somewhat puzzled,
"Why hoard food?"
Lafayette said with a solemn expression,
"At the moment, Mysore may have achieved some victories, but don't underestimate the British because of this. They are powerful, and if they increase troop deployment, you could face a tough siege. "
Disdain flickered in the Sultan's eyes; both he and his father had defeated the British—that was during the first two wars of Mysore.
Nevertheless, he took Lafayette's words quite seriously, after all the latter had brought him a lot of advanced tactics, and the soldiers he trained were much stronger than those Sultan Tipu had trained himself.
Lafayette continued to explain the Crown Prince's battle plan,
"After that, you only need to wait for the rainy season.
"The British have come across tens of thousands of miles, and their supply lines are troubled. The monsoon will destroy their logistics, and that's when you can launch a counteroffensive. However, try not to engage directly with the British in combat; your primary target should always be their supply lines."
Britain's financial expenditure in waging war in distant India was enormous, and if their supplies continued to be destroyed, then financial pressure would force them to choose a ceasefire.
Lafayette added,
"Besides food, you should also be careful not to engage with British lackeys as much as possible.
"When it's absolutely necessary, you can directly offer them benefits in exchange for their withdrawal or neutrality. Especially for Hyderabad, even ceding some land to them is an option worth considering."
Britain's core strategy in India was to use Indians to exhaust each other, while they reaped the benefits.
While suppressing Mysore, the most powerful kingdom in the Indian subcontinent, they were also extremely vigilant about their own followers, especially Hyderabad, as it had once formed an alliance with Mysore and was not weak.
If attacking Mysore made Hyderabad stronger, wouldn't that mean their efforts were in vain?
Therefore, the British would certainly prevent Mysore from transferring benefits to Hyderabad, which would inevitably enrage Hyderabad.
As for how things would develop afterwards, Joseph couldn't be certain, but messing with the British would definitely be part of the plan.
As long as France didn't directly intervene in the war between Mysore and Britain—by then, all Frenchmen in Mysore, including craftsmen, had already evacuated—they would be abiding by the "non-intervention treaty," and the British would not be able to raise any objections.
However, Joseph could still offer Sultan Tipu some advice that would give the British an advantage, and that was enough to make the British furious.
…
Morocco.
Meknes.
Sultan Muhammad III looked at the French envoy, trying to appear as confident as possible,
"My Imperial Guard only went to help Algiers train soldiers, and although there were some misunderstandings with the French forces during that period, that was never my wish."
Count Saigul spoke with righteous indignation,
"You are right, it was just a misunderstanding. But His Majesty's soldiers did suffer casualties, and the Town of Tamire also sustained damage."
Muhammad III felt incredibly frustrated internally; his own Imperial Guard had suffered dozens of times more casualties than the French, and as for the Town of Tamire, his men had only glanced at it from a few miles away; how could that cause damage?!
However, the situation was stronger than people's wishes; not long ago, the British Ambassador suddenly stated that he "did not wish to see Morocco have friction with Tunisia" and cut off all aid.
While he did not fear the French, he also did not want to provoke this European power. In the end, it was because he had been swayed by the British to provoke the French actively.
"For these losses, I am willing to offer compensation."
Count Saigul, however, revealed a smile,
"Or you could also do me a favor that would offset the compensation."
In fact, the Moroccan Imperial Guard had barely engaged with the French forces before being frightened away by Moro's feint. The French losses were negligible.
Muhammad III asked with some caution, "How do you need my help?"
"It's simple, just use your caravan to transport some goods for me," Count Saigul said, "passing through the Ottoman Empire on the way to the Indian Peninsula."
"You will be responsible for gathering the goods, and the buyer will pay the full price. As for any items you can't acquire, you can purchase them from Spain."
"Just like that?" Muhammad III was somewhat surprised. Morocco and the Ottoman Empire had always been engaged in close trade, so this request seemed to bear no loss to him. He could even hand over the goods directly to Ottoman merchants in Basra, who would then transport them to India.
"Are you sure someone will pay?"
"Of course," Count Saigul said, "otherwise you can stop the transport immediately. As long as you help me with this for two years, any misunderstandings between our two countries will be wiped clean."
Muhammad III narrowed his eyes.
...
He knew the French were using his channels in the Ottoman Empire for smuggling, but if the so-called buyers really paid, and the demand was high, he could even make a profit.
"All right, I can give it a try."
France could completely stop supporting Mysore, but if the latter got supplies from the Ottoman Empire, England would never trace it back to France.
Count Saigul then smiled at Muhammad III and said in a deep voice:
"The most important thing is that these trades you conduct have nothing to do with France."
He wasn't afraid that Muhammad III would betray him to the British.
Firstly, the British had just tricked the Moroccans, who were now itching for revenge, so why would they go and inform? Secondly, the Moroccans had no evidence; even if they told the British, France would deny anything—there wasn't a single French person involved in the sourcing or smuggling channels.
If the Moroccans refused, then Count Saigul would turn to the Persians, getting supplies from Russia via the Caspian Sea and transporting them to India through the Gulf of Oman. However, the Persians would likely demand a cut, making them less cost-effective than the Moroccans. Fortunately, Muhammad III had agreed immediately.
After leaving Morocco, Count Saigul immediately headed north to Spain. He would seek to procure some weapons and materials like steel from Charles IV. This would not only be profitable for Spain but also put them in good favor with the French, and he believed they would not refuse.
…
January 12, 1790.
Paris.
A top-equipped light gray "gemstone" type horse carriage rushed through the crowd and then abruptly stopped at the edge of Bastille Square.
A servant hurriedly set down the carriage step and then opened the door.
Mr. Walsh, a wool merchant, jumped down from the carriage impatiently, complaining to his wife behind him:
"I said we should have taken the railcar, but you insisted on driving…"𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Looking at the throng on Bastille Square, he raised his voice:
"We've been delayed so long, there's no way to squeeze in now."
Mrs. Walsh, wearing the most fashionable dress of the season, followed down from the carriage, murmuring quietly:
"It's just a bank relocation, what's there to see. I heard the British pavilion is already set up, we'd be better off buying preview tickets and having a look there…"
Mr. Walsh cut her off:
"What does a woman know? The Crown Prince will surely announce some financial policies today that will affect everyone's business, of course, we have to come and see!"
A boy in his early teens, seeing Mr. Walsh's anxious expression, approached quickly with a bright smile and said:
"Sir, the Crown Prince has arrived, would you like to get a closer look?"
"Of course. Have you got a way?"
"Three livres."
Walsh immediately handed over three silver coins: "Quickly!"
The boy whistled towards the Bastille, and instantly about seven or eight children began jostling the people around them. A "path" quickly formed among them.
Walsh hurriedly pulled his wife through the crowd, making it all the way to a very close position in front of the Bastille's main gate.
The little boy, hearing the music rise up around him, waved to his companions:
"It's already started, there shouldn't be many more people coming. Now, let's go line up outside the 'Habitable' store."
"Alright, big brother Gilles," the children scrambled out of the crowd and hopped along behind him.
Walsh craned his neck to see and noticed that where the once dark and terrifying prison entrance had been was now hung with colorful ribbons, and several rows of court guards in red uniforms stood neatly in front of the steps, with a large group of reporters behind them. Beside them, the band was playing energetically, and by the looks of it, they very well might be the court orchestra.
And at the top of the prison's main entrance, a new large brass plate had been hung, inscribed with "Bank of France Reserve – Head Office."
As the ceremonial cannon roared, the music stopped instantly, and Joseph, in his brand-new blue and white cavalry uniform with a tricorn hat, briskly ascended the stage beneath the plaque, flanked by several officials.
The surrounding crowd immediately bowed their heads in salute, and Joseph smiled and raised his hand to gesture:
"Thank you all for attending the relocation ceremony of the Bank of France Reserve."
He turned and pointed towards the Bastille:
"I know that nobody used to like it here very much."
Laughter erupted from the people instantly.
"But from now on, I'm sure you will like it," Joseph declared loudly. "This will become the headquarters of the Bank of France Reserve.
"Additionally, the French Stock Exchange will occupy its western side.
"And its second floor will be the hall where the French Royal Insurance Company conducts its business."
He made a sweeping gesture: "There will be no more jail here, but a symbol of Paris' wealth!"
The crowd immediately erupted in cheers! Indeed, there was no French person who did not hate and loathe this prison.
Before, when Joseph was selecting a site for the French Stock Exchange, the idea of this location suddenly came to mind, and he decided to turn it into Paris' financial center.
Abolishing the notorious Bastille would definitely greatly improve the national sentiment towards the Royal Family.
Moreover, the prison had already lost its purpose. As a prison, it did not hold many prisoners, and its core function was actually to maintain the order in Paris. In the past, it had a large garrison of soldiers who could suppress any unrest in Paris from nearby. But now the security of Paris was in the hands of the police.
So, when Joseph proposed that the Bank of France Reserve buy this fortress, Queen Mary hardly hesitated before agreeing. The Marquis of Launay, the commander of Bastille, had previously received the Crown Prince's care during the Necker affair, and this time he was very cooperative with the relocation work as well.
Almost half a month ago, the guards and prisoners of the Bastille were all moved to a new location in the Southern Suburbs of Paris, and the name was also changed to "National Prison No.1."
On the stage, Joseph waited for the crowd's cheer to die down, then continued:
"Besides the relocation of the Bank of France Reserve and the Stock Exchange, there is another very important matter to be announced today."
He signaled to Finance Minister Brian, who eagerly stepped forward, cleared his throat, and spoke out:
"His Majesty the King has decided that from today onward, the banknotes issued by the Bank of France Reserve will become the official currency of France and will be renamed francs!
"One franc banknote is equivalent to one livre silver coin, equivalent to 0.3 grams of gold.
"The National Treasury Decree will guarantee the franc, and anyone who holds a franc banknote can exchange it for an equivalent value of gold at the bank at any time. Similarly, gold can also be exchanged for francs at the bank.
"Within the boundaries of France, no one is allowed to refuse francs, otherwise, they will be prosecuted. Livres, ecus, and other currencies will still be in circulation."
The crowd was immediately abuzz. Although the banknotes of the Bank of France Reserve had been circulating in many places, the formal establishment of their currency status still astonished everyone.
After all, just a few decades ago, John Law had flooded the market with banknotes during the Mississippi affair, causing many French people to go bankrupt overnight. Since then, people have been very resistant to banknotes.
Brian looked sideways at the Crown Prince, raised his hand to signal for silence, and then continued:
"In order to maintain the stability of the franc's value, the Royal Family, the Treasury Department, the Bank of France Reserve, and the French Chamber of Commerce will jointly establish the 'Currency Regulation Council,' with full authority to oversee the issuance of banknotes to ensure that there will be no oversupply."