I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1050 North American Continent, France is back!
Count Floridablanca frowned and said, "Your Highness, our country will find a way to deal with the North American issue. But Louisiana is also an important interest of our country."

Joseph nodded: “Yes, it is very important there.

"You should also know the American westward strategy. Once they break through the Mississippi River defense line, they will quickly expand westward, from Texas to Tamaulipas and all the way to Mexico."

The expressions of the Spanish officials suddenly became serious.

The French Dauphin was right. There was nothing defensible west of Louisiana if the Americans continued their advance westward to the Sierra Madre.

And that was the wealth center of the empire - the gold and silver mines in Mexico supported more than 60% of Spain's fiscal revenue. If it was lost, Spain would collapse instantly.

Count Floridablanca and Gombos and others looked at each other, their eyes full of confusion.

Strengthening the defense of North America meant giving up Portugal, which was within reach. At present, except for the western coastal area of ​​Portugal, nearly 70% of the land had been occupied by the Franco-Spanish coalition. As long as Coimbra was captured, Lisbon would be within reach. At present, the Franco-Spanish coalition had the upper hand there.

But the Americans would certainly not stop their westward expansion, which would eventually threaten the empire's financial lifeline.

They didn't want to give up either side, but the empire simply didn't have the ability to hold on to both sides at the same time.

In fact, without France's help, they couldn't even save one side.

Joseph glanced at Carlos IV and said at the right time: “I came here this time to actually help you.

"If France took over Louisiana, it would provide a strong barrier against Mexico.

"I can also promise that France will never seek to colonize Florida or Texas. At the same time, all the interests of the Spanish in Louisiana will be preserved.

“This will be a situation that is best for both of us.”

Count Floridablanca and the others looked at each other again.

Gombos suddenly smiled brightly: "Oh, by the way, the ball is about to start. Your Majesty, would you like to change into the new dress?"

Carlos IV was stunned for a moment, then nodded quickly: "Yes, let's change clothes first. We can talk about the rest after the dance is over."

Joseph knew that such a big thing could not be finalized in one afternoon, so he smiled and said, "I am looking forward to the dance tonight. Emmanuel, please prepare my dark blue dress."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Carlos IV and the French Crown Prince left, Count Floridablanca immediately said, "Although this will increase France's influence in North America, it is not completely unacceptable."

To be honest, Spain ran Louisiana in a mess. The number of immigrants never exceeded 1, and the land brought almost no profit.

Only the Port of New Orleans could collect some tolls from American merchant ships, but the port did not dare to open the door to allow American ships to enter and exit, for fear that frequent trade would make the east bank of the Mississippi River prosperous, and Louisiana would be even more difficult to defend.

Gombos nodded: "In fact, given our current relationship with France, France's presence in North America is beneficial to us."

Compomanes said: "If we can exchange this colony for enough funds, it may be worthwhile. Although our financial situation is not bad for the time being, I don't know how long the Portuguese battlefield will take."

The Spanish government has spent more than 60% of the money it "squeezed" from the last church reform, and as the finance minister, he had to start worrying.

Gumpos added: "But we should retain some interests in the Port of New Orleans. Our trade in Florida still depends on it."

His words were echoed by everyone.

In fact, they didn't even consider that Florida is a piece of fat meat located close to the southern coastline of the United States. How could Americans not be interested in it?
Historically, after the Americans defeated the Indian Creek tribes that stood between the United States and Florida, they immediately began to infiltrate Florida with immigrants. More than a decade later, General Andrew Jackson led the militia to occupy Pensacola. Seeing that it had lost control of Florida, Spain signed the Adams-Onís Treaty with the Americans and sold it for $500 million.

A group of Spanish officials were discussing Louisiana affairs until the end of the ball.

However, they had reached a preliminary consensus at this time that selling Louisiana to the French was indeed more in line with Spain's interests.

For the following period of time, Joseph and Carlos IV spent their days hunting, watching operas, and attending banquets, and they really enjoyed their vacation.

The French Deputy Foreign Minister, Count Ségur, started negotiations with Count Floridablanca and others.

A week after Joseph arrived in Madrid, Ségur placed before him preliminary terms for the sale of Louisiana.

"Your Highness, the Spanish want unlimited storage rights in the port of New Orleans and free passage on the Mississippi River.

"It is demanded that our country not give Louisiana to any other country without the consent of Spain.

“No agreement may be signed with the United States that is detrimental to Spanish interests…

"Close the Mississippi River border to Americans, prevent Americans from entering Texas..."

Segur briefly explained the Spanish conditions, and finally glanced at the crown prince's face, and said nervously: "Finally, they need our country to pay 350 million escudos to compensate for their previous investment in Louisiana."

He added hastily, "About 3800 million francs, Your Highness."

Joseph smiled and nodded.

3800 million was much lower than his price. In history, when the Spanish sold 18 square kilometers of Florida to the Americans, they asked for 500 million francs.

According to this ratio, Louisiana, which covers more than 200 million square kilometers, is worth about 5500 million francs.

Although most of Louisiana is uninhabited, the offer of more than 3 million is considered very reasonable.

But even though it was a reasonable price, Joseph had no intention of paying a large sum of money to buy the land. His psychological price was - free.

Not only do they want to get it for free, but they also have to earn enough money to build the Mississippi River defense line.

It was a sunny Wednesday morning, not cold at all, a good day for doing business.

The French Crown Prince and the Spanish King sat together again, listening to their ministers confirm the terms of the transfer one by one.

When Count Floridablanca said "350 million escudos in compensation," Joseph raised his hand to stop Segur from speaking and smiled, "A very reasonable request."

He glanced at Carlos IV and said, “But I have a better suggestion.

“I can replace that money with something else.”

The King of Spain cooperated: "It's very exciting. What is it?"

Joseph looked around at everyone and said word by word: "A huge gold mine worth at least 3 million escudos!"

(End of this chapter)