I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1178 A Different Christmas (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader Lin Jia Er Shi)

Joseph smiled and said, "No, not only should we not raise interest rates, we should lower them..."

"Ah? But that would sell even less, Your Highness."

Joseph glanced at the officials of various ranks present and simply instructed Godan: "Please make preparations according to the plan to sell 130 million francs of government bonds."

The finance minister nodded in surprise: "Yes, Your Highness."

The French government currently owes less than 14 billion francs in foreign debt, with very low interest rates and virtually no repayment pressure, giving it considerable room to borrow—according to a previous report from the Ministry of Finance, France's debt ceiling is around 27 billion francs. As long as it remains below this figure, a fiscal deterioration is unlikely.

Yes, France's debt repayment capacity has improved significantly now—it was already unable to repay a debt of 20 billion euros back then.

This is also why Joseph was willing to raise funds using government bonds.

He knew very well that France's emerging capitalists and Italy's old aristocracy were both incredibly wealthy, and could easily buy 1 million francs worth of government bonds. The challenge was getting them to part with their money.

In fact, his method is nothing more than the "truth" in the financial world—buying high and selling low.

In addition, telling a good story triggered a buying frenzy.

Doubling sales should be achievable.

He then, amidst the puzzled gazes of the officials, concluded his financial planning and began discussing with the Foreign Minister how to handle places like Santo Domingo and San Louisiana in the event of war.

Since it was a general mobilization meeting, Joseph only made general arrangements and the meeting adjourned around 6 p.m.

Each department was then to develop a detailed plan according to his instructions. This was the real beginning of preparations for war.

After Joseph, along with the King and Queen, walked out of the meeting hall with the officials bowing their heads in farewell, Queen Mary immediately looked at her son and said, "Thank the Virgin Mary for sending you to us. If your father and I were to deal with this situation, we would certainly be at a loss."

She didn't say anything at the meeting, but she was actually extremely anxious—that was 60 enemy troops! Fortunately, her son remained very calm, which gave her some confidence.

“We have something to do for you,” Queen Marie Antoinette said after a moment’s thought. “I have 350 million francs. You can use it to buy some cannons or reward the soldiers or something.”

Louis XVI immediately replied, "I also have more than 300 million francs."

Queen Mary turned to her husband: "Which royal estate did you sell? Or the hunting grounds?"

She knew her husband didn't have much cash on hand, and the only way to come up with millions was to sell some property.

Louis XVI smiled shyly: "These are the proceeds from my patents, as well as dividends from the Industrial Development Fund."

This "master craftsman" developed 12 patents while helping his son manufacture weapons and forging presses. He earns over 100,000 francs annually from patent licensing.

Looking at their anxious yet concerned expressions, Joseph suddenly felt that as long as they were there, he could even take on the whole of Europe single-handedly.

He didn't stand on ceremony with his parents and was about to thank them for their financial assistance when he suddenly remembered his plan to sell government bonds. He immediately thought, "Perhaps you can use this money to buy government bonds."

"Buy government bonds?"

"Yes, that's how you'll do it then, and then..."

After having dinner with the King and Queen, Joseph returned wearily to his palace. Remembering the steam warships, he instructed Emmanuel, "Please prepare the carriage. We will depart for the Brest shipyard tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Your Highness."

“Your Highness, you’re back?” Alexandra’s voice came from the doorway. The girl then floated in lightly and curtsied to Joseph. “You must be very tired after a long day of meetings.”
"By the way, you seemed to have said you were going somewhere?"

The Crown Princess will soon be 15 years old, and she is now slightly taller than Joseph's chin.

"I need to go to Brest to take care of some things." Joseph felt the girl massaging his forehead and squinted his eyes in comfort.

“Oh? So far away?” Alexandra exclaimed in surprise. “Aren’t you going to have Christmas dinner with me, the King, and the Queen?” “Christmas?” Joseph then remembered that Christmas was in three days and could only shake his head helplessly. “I will be attending Midnight Mass at Brest Cathedral.”

The Crown Princess pursed her lips and said, "Wait for me a moment." Then she turned and ran out.

She quickly returned, panting, and solemnly handed the gift to Joseph: "This is a Christmas present for you. May God bless you with eternal peace."

Joseph looked down and couldn't help but chuckle.

Alexandra brought a large apple and a cardboard box.

Yes, this is a legend he promoted in the past to boost holiday spending—that if you give apples and small gifts to relatives and friends at Christmas, God will bless them with peace.

As for why he gave apples—for good luck and protection—he didn't explain, and no one asked. Anyway, French apples don't ripen until the end of October, so they can be stored until Christmas.

"Thank you so much." Joseph placed the apple on the table and then opened the box in the girl's hand.

Inside was a pair of black, exquisite silk gloves, adorned with extremely intricate lace trim.

"This is something I knitted for you. I hope you like it."

“Of course, it’s beautiful. I love it.” Joseph put on the gloves; they fit perfectly, were thin and comfortable.

He then remembered that he should give his wife a gift in return. But he had been so busy lately that he had completely forgotten about Christmas and hadn't prepared anything.

Yes, apples are readily available, and my bedroom is always stocked with various fruits.

As for the accompanying gifts...

Joseph patted his forehead. Okay, that's it.

"Oh, I also have a gift for you. Please wait a moment."

He turned and went into the bedroom, picked out the best-looking apple, then emptied the jewelry box on the table and stuffed something inside.

As Alexandra took the item he offered, her right hand immediately sank down—the jewelry box was much heavier than she had expected.

She eagerly put down the apple, opened the box, and saw a deerskin pistol holster inside, with a dark gun barrel protruding from the top.

"This is... a pistol?"

Joseph nodded: "The most powerful pistol in the world."

Immediately, the Crown Princess's cheers echoed down the corridor: "It can really fire six bullets in a row? Oh, and it has rifling, so it must be incredibly accurate!"

She leaped and hugged Joseph's neck, giving him a hard kiss on the cheek:
"Darling, I love you so much! This is absolutely the best gift in the world!"

"Ah, watch out! The gun is loaded!"

……

1798 1 Month 4 Day.

Three days before the Orthodox Christmas, the Russian army expedition to India also left its homeland and entered Bukhara.

Count Palen glanced at his pocket watch by the light of the torch beside him; it was not yet 3 a.m.—the time when people are most sleepy.

He looked up at the Gatchina Palace, which resembled a colossal beast in the night sky, and gestured to the people behind him: "Count Zubov, good luck to you!"

(End of this chapter)