I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1330 As long as the thinking changes

In fact, the “Prussian-Austrian reparations bonds” previously issued by France in the German region raised a large amount of funds, and after paying for expenses such as soldiers’ pensions, there were still about 4 million francs left.

With the added promotion of railways during the World Cup, the French National Railway Company raised nearly 8 million francs from the private sector.

But this money must first be invested in the construction of railways in France, especially the railway from Paris to the industrial area of ​​Lyon, which is crucial to whether French textiles can defeat British goods.

If it weren't for the fact that international railways are related to French diplomacy, the Ministry of Finance wouldn't even want to squeeze out 2 million.

“In terms of importance, the medium-term is still the highest priority…” Joseph Iron frowned and muttered to himself as he flipped through the investment plan.

Tresagae, however, was hesitating about something else.

After a long while, remembering the pleading look on his distant brother-in-law's face and his wife's nagging all night long, he finally steeled himself and took half a step forward, carefully saying:

“Your Highness, there’s also… Mr. Obholser has requested permission to build a railway to Bern. They’re willing to contribute 400 million francs… Of course, that’s far from enough, but they’re only offering money, not any shares…”

Joseph didn't react immediately: "Oberholzer?"

The Minister of Transport hurriedly replied, "He is the Speaker of the Swiss Parliament, Your Highness."

Joseph almost laughed: "Switzerland is going to build a railway too? How far is Bern?"

Switzerland has a population of only 170 million, and its wealthiest city, Geneva, is about the same size as the southern mountains of France, yet it has also joined the railway frenzy.

Tresag said awkwardly, "It's 160 kilometers from Lyon, Your Highness."

Joseph did the math and estimated the total cost to be 2800 million francs.

He glanced at Tresage and said irritably, "How about this, I don't want any shares, let the Swiss invest."

Tresagae lowered his head, thinking to himself that he shouldn't have brought it up, and could only force a smile and say:

“Your Highness, you know they are not like the people of Milan; they certainly can't afford that much money…”

Joseph was about to continue pondering which route to choose when he suddenly had an idea. He looked up at the Minister of Transport and asked, "You mean Milan can afford to build the railway from Nice to Milan?"

“Well,” Tresaga had just said casually, then quickly added, “the nobles of northern Italy are very wealthy and should be able to scrape together tens of millions of francs. However, most of them are probably unwilling to contribute to the railway we control…”

Joseph suddenly stood up, slapping his arm excitedly, and said, "Then give them all the shares!"

Joseph had also fallen into a fixed mindset, always thinking about gaining control of the railroad.

He suddenly realized that there was no point in France wanting control of these foreign railways.
Will Italy ban French vehicles from passing through? Or will Nassau and Hesse refuse entry to French military trains?
Totally impossible!
The planned railway lines are not built in the colonies; they mainly connect France's "back gardens." So it doesn't matter who manages them.

For France, the most important thing is that industrial goods can be sold to various places via these railways, and this is not a problem at all under the framework of the Iberian-Apennine Common Market Agreement and the Stuttgart Trade Agreement.

"Not only is no investment required, but some patent fees are even charged."

Theresa Gué was taken aback: "Charge?" "That's right. And we'll make them compete to pay." Joseph suddenly felt a "change of perspective, a whole new world opened up," "By the way, the Karlsruhe World Expo will be held early next year. You can showcase the 'latest railway construction solutions' there and publicly announce that any country can purchase the complete railway technology, with our country providing technical support and patent licensing."

"As for where they want to build the railway, let them decide, as long as the end connects to our railway network."

"Yes, the French railway company's road construction teams also need to expand their scale as soon as possible."

There's no need to keep railway construction technology a secret; it can be given away for free to countries in the "backyard." Countries that receive French technology will certainly implement it according to French technical standards, thus ensuring the interconnectivity of the European railway network.

Meanwhile, France, with its steelmaking technology and advanced forging machines, will be able to produce rails at a cost and quality unmatched by any other country. Exporting rails, bolts, signal lights, and similar products will generate substantial profits in the future.

Once the railways in various countries are completed, trains will need to be purchased from France, which will generate another source of income.

No, even the patent technology for trains can be transferred, as long as the money is right.

No matter who builds the train assembly plant, the lion's share of the profits will still go to the French United Steam Engine Company.

This will also promote the continuous iteration and upgrading of French train technology.

What? Some countries have the blueprints but don't have enough skilled workers to build them?
French National Railway Company (SNCF) offers a complete "turnkey" service.

Joseph then summoned Mirabeau and senior executives of the French National Railway Company, giving them detailed instructions on how to develop the concept of a "complete solution".

As dinner time approached, the group left one after another.

Joseph was about to head to the banquet hall with Alexandra when Berthier strode over and bowed to him, saying, "Your Highness, we received news yesterday afternoon that two Polish army groups and an infantry division, totaling 65,000 men, have crossed the Pyati River and recaptured Brest."

"Marshal Koschushko plans to launch an attack on the Russian forces in Pinsk in five days."

Joseph simply nodded calmly. The Polish operation plan was precisely formulated by the French General Staff.

Currently, the Russian forces in eastern Poland mainly consist of the Miloradvich Army Corps of over 17,000 men and the Kutuzov Army Corps of 30,000 men who have been resting and reorganizing in Kiev.

With the Polish army's current level of weaponry and equipment, its experience gained from previous battles against the French in Austria, and the support of various resistance forces within Poland, it was capable of defeating these Russian troops.

In fact, Kutuzov had long anticipated that the Polish army might launch an attack and had twice requested reinforcements from St. Petersburg, but the Russian military's sluggish work style meant that no reinforcements had arrived by this time.

Now, even if Alexander I wanted to send reinforcements to Poland, he couldn't.

Berthier continued, "If nothing unexpected happens, the Persian army of Ali Shah should be attacking Zanjan at this time, and they have nearly 4 soldiers."

"The Ottoman army is moving a little slower; they are currently still marching in Zangizur."

Although the Ottomans were slow to act, they still dispatched an army of 7.

Once this force reaches the south of Tabriz, there will be no Russian troops there that can stop them.

In other words, Russia is being fiercely attacked from both the west and the south by more than 17 troops!
(End of this chapter)