I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1228 Counterattack against Russia
Joseph immediately gestured to Emmanuel: "Please bring Mr. Teresague back to us."

Then he looked at Talleyrand: "Then the war reparations will be signed for ten million francs. However, the money from the Milan and Genoa banks must first be paid to Sardinia, and then Sardinia will hand it over to us. Of course, Colonel Joubert will send soldiers to supervise this process."

"Please remember that our country will always be a staunch defender of order and rules."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Before long, the Minister of Transport, who had not yet left the Palace of Versailles, returned to the Crown Prince's reception room.

When he learned that the Verdun-Trier railway line had received funding, he was overjoyed: "That's wonderful, Your Highness. Now almost all those 'free Russian workers' will have jobs."

Joseph nodded: "Please submit the project budget proposal to the Ministry of Finance as soon as possible, and apply to the General Staff for the requisition of prisoners of war."

“Yes, Your Highness.” Tresagay thought for a moment, then tentatively suggested, “This line should only require an investment of a little over 5 million francs. If there is more funding, continue extending the railway to Cologne…”

Joseph was almost amused by the minister's "insatiable greed" and immediately kicked him out.

Watching Teresague's retreating figure, Joseph couldn't help but sigh, "The railroad is truly a wonderful thing."

If military spending were not a priority, building the railway to Cologne would have generated enormous economic benefits.

Cologne is the largest trade, economic and financial center on the lower Rhine River, surrounded by numerous coal mines, and is also an important military stronghold.

In the entire North German region, Cologne's economy ranks fourth, only behind Marburg, Berlin, and Potsdam in Upper Hesse.

Thinking of this, Joseph couldn't help but chuckle.

In fact, the railway lines from Paris to Lyon, Lyon to Marseille, and Paris to Bordeaux have all generated extremely high economic returns.

But we have to eat one bite at a time. Where do we find so much money right now to fully roll out railway construction?
As he was pondering this, Emmanuel knocked on the door and entered with a major.

The latter stepped forward, bowed, and handed a document to Joseph: "Your Highness, the General Staff is inquiring about the disposal of Suvorov's remains."

Joseph opened the document and saw that the General Staff had two main opinions.

First, Suvorov's body should be transported back to Paris for display to boost public morale. Second, in accordance with tradition, it should be returned to Russia.

Joseph smiled, picked up his pen, and signed the document: "Of course it must be sent back, and a grand handover ceremony must be held. Tell the Russians that their marshal was sent by the Allied forces to rescue the Prussians, but Blücher refused to cooperate, resulting in his death in battle."

……

St. Petersburg.

The Winter Palace.

“That’s roughly it, Your Majesty,” Count Arakcheev said, bowing his head. “However, Blücher’s army was later besieged by the French in Glarus.”

"The Marshal's remains have now been transported to Klagenfurt."

Alexander I clenched his fists tightly, but his face showed no obvious emotion.

He didn't care about the 5 Russian soldiers—he could easily provide that many—but the loss of equipment for tens of thousands of elite troops, as well as the fierce general Suvorov, made him extremely resentful.

Moreover, he had only recently been crowned, and the setbacks in overseas wars would inevitably affect his prestige.

He needed to make amends with a victory as soon as possible. He knew very well that Russia tolerated his coup and patricide because it believed he could lead Russia to strength.

If he cannot do it, he will likely face the same fate as his grandfather and father.

He calmly looked at Arakcheyev: "Where is the Korsakov Legion?"

"You must have just passed through Vienna, Your Majesty."

Alexander I nodded: "Tell him to fight the war the way he believes is right, and not to always be manipulated by those Germans."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Furthermore, have the Military Commission dispatch another 25,000 soldiers, under the command of General Kutuzov, to Western Europe immediately."

Count Arakcheyev hurriedly advised, "Your Majesty, it will be difficult for us to send so many troops abroad again..."

“Get the British to provide aid,” Alexander I said coldly. “Tell them this is reparations for the Suvorov Legion!”

He's already at the table, so he absolutely can't afford to lose. And to win more chips, he has to raise the bet.

The triumphant Tsar was unaware that a domestic economic storm was quietly brewing.

In the offices of the Donbas Coal Company in Yekaterinoslav, in southwestern Russia, bordering Crimea.

Viscount Olivier frowned at the "coal merchant" before him, and after a long while, he said in a low voice, "I am honored to serve Your Highness, but if I were to arbitrarily raise prices, it would certainly arouse suspicion from the Russians..."

"As you know, there are many people in St. Petersburg who covet my property. These people are extremely ruthless, and I absolutely cannot give them an excuse."

"Moreover, the British are unlikely to raise prices with me. Although their coal production in Krasnoyarsk is not high, it can still influence market prices."

Due to their early investment, two French companies, led by Viscount Olivier, controlled the best coal and iron mines in the Donbas region.

Later, in an attempt to counter French influence, the British also invested a lot of money here, but they only obtained the leftover ore, and the output never reached a quarter of that of the French company.

Mr. Belmont, the "coal merchant," smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that. Just do as 'that person's' instructions. Even if the prices of coal and iron don't fluctuate at that time, he will still keep his promise."

"Oh, don't worry, everything is within the rules, the Russians won't find anything wrong with you."

Viscount Olivier hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded vigorously: "Yes, Your Highness... I will listen to that person."

He knew that deliberately causing fluctuations in coal and iron prices would certainly result in losses for him, but His Highness the Crown Prince promised him that his factory in France would be granted a free license to the latest steelmaking technology.

It is said that this new technology is 50 to 100 times more efficient than crucible steelmaking, and the quality of the steel produced is far superior. It doesn't even require coal!
It is foreseeable that this new technology will completely eliminate crucible steelmaking, and the profits involved will be unimaginably high.

Although his company in Nancy only accounted for a third of his total wealth, he couldn't stay in Russia forever. Once he had made enough money, he would eventually return to France.

Therefore, the Kirk Steel Company was his true core industry. For this reason, he could completely accept the losses suffered by the Russian company.

Belmont then handed a piece of paper to Olivier and instructed, "We have channels in Moscow and Perm. If you need any publicity, please let me know."

(End of this chapter)