I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1239 Preparing for the decisive battle
Viscount Montpellier awaited the Crown Prince's reprimand and even prepared himself for dismissal.

However, what he heard was, "You did a great job. You found a way to significantly increase production despite the labor shortage. I will consider awarding you a medal after the war is won."

Montpellier was both surprised and delighted: "You...you're serious? But these women..."

"They are great, just as great as all the other workers here!"

Joseph deliberately raised his voice: "Everyone who has contributed to France, whether on the front lines or in the factory, whether poor or rich, whether a man or a woman, is a true hero!"

Everyone in the workshop turned to look at him, especially the female workers dressed in men's clothing and wearing felt hats.

Joseph looked at the female worker who had just fallen: "Did you know that the Crown Princess also opened a bakery in Paris? She goes there every day to knead dough or to collect money."

"You don't need to feel embarrassed about working here at all; it's the people who look down on you who should feel that way."

"Many of these young women had been with the army for several years, and they saved the lives of countless soldiers in field hospitals."

"And now, you are also here making weapons for the soldiers to defeat the enemy."

“Every time you lift those guns, you are driving another nail into the coffin that holds the enemy’s corpse. You and every worker here have made a tremendous contribution to our country! Salute to you, madam!”

Kahn stood there, feeling he had so much to say, yet he didn't know what to say.

The next moment, tears welled up uncontrollably, her whole body trembled slightly, and she bowed deeply to the Crown Prince.

The plump girl shouted, "Thank you, Your Highness the Merciful Crown Prince!"

The other workers immediately joined in, excitedly shouting, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

"Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Long live France!

Viscount Montpellier was finally relieved. Once the workers' shouts subsided, he quickly signaled for everyone to go back to work.

He then pointed to the drilling machine behind him and said to Joseph, "Your Highness, in fact, these female workers are doing just as well. Michelle's skills in operating the drilling machine even surpass those of many men, and they only charge male workers 35% of their wages."

Joseph frowned: "How much of a man's workload can a female worker do?"

Montpellier paused for a moment, then said, “About 40% to 70%, Your Highness. But there are also those who do well, such as Michelle and David, who are almost on par with the male workers.”

Joseph asked with some doubt, "The female workers here all have very unique names."

"Ah, it's to reduce trouble, so they all took men's names when they entered the factory."

“There’s no need for that. Using their own names is a basic form of respect,” Joseph said. “Besides, their wages are too low. You should assess their workload first. If they do the same work as the male workers, they should at least receive 70% of the male workers’ wages.”

He also knew that equal pay for equal work was impossible in this era, and that paying female workers the same wages as male workers would definitely cause strong dissatisfaction among male workers.

It was already commendable that a large number of women were able to enter factories during the war; other aspects can be improved gradually in the future.

France has already taken the first step in the Industrial Revolution, and its demand for labor will inevitably increase. This is a situation that all European countries will face; whoever has more labor will have a greater advantage.

If France can be the first to include women in the workforce, it will significantly enhance its competitiveness.

Furthermore, if both husband and wife in a household can earn income, their purchasing power will increase. This increased purchasing power will expand the French market, thereby promoting a positive cycle of production and sales.

In the industrial age, the market was even more important than technology and resources.

Montpellier quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness, I will certainly pay qualified female workers more wages."

He was secretly delighted; with the Crown Prince's approval, he could recruit more female workers. The output of the arsenal would then increase further.

Joseph continued, "In a while, I will have Mr. Denico send someone to interview you, mainly to report on the ordnance factory's contribution to the war effort."

"You need to introduce the female workers' situation during this period, such as their work ability and how much they are paid. You can prepare in advance."

Viscount Montpellier's mouth was practically stretched to his ears with a grin, and he immediately bowed repeatedly, saying, "Yes, Your Highness, I will certainly not let you down."

After inspecting the percussion cap production workshop, Joseph then spoke with Montpellier about the relocation to Namur.

Namur is currently France's largest coal and iron ore center. In comparison, Charleville's iron production is simply insignificant.

In fact, most of the raw materials for the ordnance factory currently come from Namur. Relocation will significantly reduce transportation costs.

It wasn't until dusk that Joseph took a carriage back to Moriton Estate where he was staying.

The next morning, just as Joseph was preparing to head to Verdun to inspect the supply depot—France's largest frontline supply base—Emanuele quickly came to greet him: "Your Highness, General Berthier and General Moreau have arrived."

Joseph was somewhat surprised: "How did they track us all the way here?"

He received a message from the Sharp signal tower last week informing him that the main force of the Allied forces had withdrawn from northern Italy, so the main force of the Morro Legion was subsequently recalled to the country, and the officers of the General Staff also returned.

"Let them in."

Before long, Berthier, Moreau, and Victor entered the manor's drawing room and bowed to the Crown Prince with their hands on their chests.

Berthier took a document from his briefcase and respectfully placed it in front of Joseph, saying, "Your Highness, based on the current battlefield situation, the General Staff has formulated the next operational plan. Please review it."

Joseph flipped to the top file: "You came all this way for something, didn't you?

Berthier quickly replied, "Actually, we have some different opinions on the next steps."

Now, it's quick to travel north from Paris by train. They left Paris yesterday at noon, arrived in Verdun in the afternoon, and then took a train to Charleville.

Joseph nodded: "Please tell me."

“Yes, Your Highness,” Berthier said. “After the Allied forces withdrew from Italy, we were still unable to accurately grasp the movements of their main force.”

"According to the Security Bureau's speculation, Archduke Karl's legion has already passed through Bohemia and is currently likely near Dresden."

"We estimate that the coalition's next target will be Baden, Mainz, or Cologne, with a total force of around 30."

"Our army currently has fewer than 14 troops along the Rhine River, including 5 newly recruited soldiers."

(End of this chapter)