I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1069 The Future of Gold Mines

Bailly finished talking about the sales situation and finally said, "However, at present, there has been a situation of private sale of gold mining tools in California, which has caused us to suffer a considerable loss - probably more than 7 francs."

Joseph looked down at the situation in California mentioned in Bai's report.

Because the gold mines on the west coast of North America are so widely distributed and require a huge amount of manpower to mine effectively, the Spanish government adopts a licensing system.

Anyone who pays a regular licensing fee can pan for gold within the designated area.

Of course, Spanish whites had lower licensing fees and greater rights, such as being able to set up camps, purchase farmland, and hunt.

The mestizos, that is, mixed-race people, and indigenous Mexicans not only had to pay more, but were only allowed to pan for gold, and had to rely on the white camps for accommodation and food.

This allowed the Spanish whites to take advantage of the convenience of controlling the camp and secretly sell tools to the gold diggers - the gold diggers' pockets were full of gold grains, causing prices in California to soar, and five or six gold grains could only be exchanged for a shovel - they naturally did not want to miss the huge business opportunity. Since last month, people have been smuggling tools for sale.

Joseph couldn't help but shook his head.

The Spanish always like to do this stupid racial hierarchy - they use the "Gasta system" to rule in Mexico, with Spanish whites at the top, followed by the Mestizos, then the Mexican indigenous people, and blacks at the lowest level.

This racial system directly led to continuous uprisings by the Mestizo people, who made up the majority of the population, to resist the exploitation of the Spanish government.

Joseph knew that in a decade or so, Mexico would see an unprecedented independence movement. Eventually, the Mestizos led the indigenous people to overthrow Spanish rule and establish the United Mexican States.

Right now, the Spanish government has introduced a large number of mestizos and Mexican natives to California to pan for gold, but it still uses the tactics of racial exploitation. Perhaps an uprising will break out here earlier than in mainland Mexico - after all, the huge profits from the gold mines can make people ignore the fear of death.

Spain, which owned the world's largest silver mines in America and the most colonies in the world, was able to play itself into the position of a second-rate European country at any time. This was purely its own fault.

Joseph naturally could not save the Spanish Empire from decline, nor was there any need to save it, but he had to preserve France's interests in California as much as possible.

Bai looked at him and suggested, "Your Highness, I have already protested to the Governor of California. However, I think if we want to see any real results, we may have to offer some bribes to the California Anti-Smuggling Team..."

The so-called anti-smuggling team is not responsible for searching for smugglers, but is a department specifically used to prevent people without a license from mining gold privately.

Joseph thought for a moment and shook his head, "Those who steal and sell gold mining tools will pay more money to bribe them."

He then asked, "How many Spanish are there among the gold miners in California now?"

Bai was stunned for a moment and said uncertainly: "I haven't done any statistics, Your Highness, but it should not exceed 1 people. After all, there are less than 3 Europeans there."

These 3 people included women and children, as well as a large number of officials and garrison troops. There were definitely less than 1 men who were able to go out to work.

Joseph smiled and said, "That is to say, most of the gold prospectors are Mestizos and indigenous Mexicans."

"Indeed, Your Highness."

"If you want others to protect your interests, the best way is to tie their interests to yours." Joseph said, "Let's skip the Spaniards and go directly to the Mestizos."

Although there are many indigenous people in Mexico, most of them have no ideas of their own and basically follow the mestizos when encountering problems. Therefore, the mixed-race people are the key.

Bai asked hurriedly, "What do you mean?" "You select some of the most influential mestizos and make them agents for products such as gold mining tools and tough pants.

"When our boats dock, we sell them the goods at a fixed price, and they sell them to the gold diggers."

Baiyi's eyes suddenly lit up.

If the mestizos were allowed to act as agents, the Spanish would be infringing on their interests by secretly selling tools to the gold diggers. The mestizos had a large number of people, and it was difficult for the Spanish to escape their surveillance.

These agents can even send people to check the tools of gold diggers at any time, and report immediately if they find that they are not sold by themselves. In this way, who would dare to buy tools from other channels?
The reason why Joseph did this was, firstly, to prevent illegal sales, and secondly, to make friends with the Mestizos.

Even if the Mestizo uprising succeeds and achieves independence in the future, these agents will still be France's subordinates and will inevitably safeguard France's interests - which are also their own interests.

Joseph continued, "In addition, please send someone to negotiate with the Governor of California and tell him that we want to set up a patrol team in the mining area to protect the nearby warehouses from theft. Only more than a hundred people are needed.

"Well, you can offer some bribes to the Governor."

Baiyi said doubtfully, "Your Highness, if we want to prevent theft, we can hire mestizos."

Joseph smiled and said, "The patrol team is going to help the agent deal with the Spanish, so they have to be our people."

Bailey understood immediately.

The Spanish would definitely use their status to pressure the mestizo agents. With the French patrols, the mestizos could report to them the Spanish who were stealing and selling tools.

Afterwards, the inspection team will deal with violators according to the agreement between France and Spain.

All problems have been solved!
He bowed to the Crown Prince sincerely and said, "Yes, Your Highness. I will personally select the members of the inspection team."

……

North Africa.

Maijana, east of Algiers.

Kuroglu looked at the dusty officer in front of him, got angry, and kicked him to the ground.

This was the third time in the past half month. After Muklari fled to Annaba, he kept sending small groups of troops back to Mejiana to attack his logistics convoy.

The mountains of Mejana were already difficult to get supplies from. These attacks made his food supply even tighter. Currently, the soldiers can only eat 60% of their usual rations.

If this continues, he will most likely be forced to withdraw to Mitiga due to lack of logistical supplies.

His position in the parliament was not stable. He had established some prestige by conquering Mzab, but he was once again attacked by the navy because he failed to quell the rebellion of the Kabyle tribe for a long time.

"Muklari must be eliminated." Kuroglu looked at the mountains to the east and clenched his fists. "Let Yunus come to see me."

(End of this chapter)