I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1383 A Great Achievement

After Emmanuel closed the door to the reception room, Archbishop Beaumont immediately continued with a fawning expression:

“Your Highness, as I said, that ‘Pious French Clergy’ only incites people to cause trouble. If this continues, the daily operations of the church will be affected.”

He glanced at the Crown Prince's expression, then lowered his head and coughed lightly.

Archbishop Chartres, standing nearby, hurriedly said, "Your Highness, especially Father Grenier, is always attacking us in public. I implore you to persuade him to stop this behavior..."

Joseph smiled and nodded: "You're right. I even think that the 'Order of Pious France' has no reason to continue existing."

Beaumont and the others were overjoyed. It seemed that listening to Archbishop Brian's advice and using "allowing the redemption of church land" to block the reformists' claims was definitely a good move!
Joseph suddenly changed the subject: "However, because of what happened to Dean Reyer recently, Father Grenier suggested to me that the priesthood should oversee the church's finances."

Rhee was the vice-abbot of the Saint-Germain-de-Presse Monastery.

Joseph originally intended to wait for Robespierre to gradually uncover the loopholes in the church's tax system before taking steps to control the church's assets. However, Sorel suddenly delivered a great gift—Rye's secret ledger.

Now the plan can be started ahead of schedule.

Archbishop Beaumont's heart tightened, and he hurriedly swore an oath: "Your Highness, Grenier and his gang are only after the church's administration."

"I swear in the name of God that I will thoroughly investigate the misappropriation of church assets and give you a satisfactory answer!"

Joseph thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said:

"Let's set up a 'Church Asset Management Committee'. From now on, any use of church assets will require the approval of this committee."

"Oh, of course, the committee members are elected by the church."

"In that case, Father Grenier and the others will have nothing to say."

Yes, you can see how much His Highness the Crown Prince cares about the church.

"After that, I announced the dissolution of the Pious French Clergy."

The archbishops and others exchanged glances, seemingly unconcerned; the most important thing was to resolve the reformists, this major threat.

So Bomon bowed and said, "As you wish, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Little did they know that the Crown Prince's "decision to elect within the church" referred to a general election that included all lower-ranking clergy.

Furthermore, any future use of church assets will require the approval of more than 90% of the committee members.

Anyone who has conducted a large-scale vote knows that this pass rate is impossible to achieve.

In other words, the church's assets will essentially be locked up in the industrial development fund.

Having successfully eliminated the reformists created out of thin air by the crown prince, Bomon and his accomplices were about to rise and take their leave when they heard the crown prince say again:
“Oh, and one more thing. I think it’s very beneficial for Father Grenier to propose that the Treasury be responsible for paying the priests’ salaries.”

Archbishop Beaumont immediately became anxious: "Your Highness, the affairs of the Church are very complex. If the Ministry of Finance gets involved, it will definitely create chaos..."

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him, and then said, "I am prepared to push for the formation of two houses."

"There are still some uncertainties, namely the church's seat in the Senate and the eligibility of clergy to participate in the House of Representatives elections."

Bomon's heart skipped a beat.

I had heard rumors that the Crown Prince wanted to establish a parliament, and it turns out the rumors were true.

The bicameral legislature will inevitably become the administrative center of France, and the church must secure a place in both houses!
He hurriedly and cautiously said, "Your Highness, the Church has a long-standing tradition of providing ministers for the royal family, and it will continue to serve the royal family in the Senate." Joseph nodded: "I intend to reserve 10 of the 80 seats in the Senate for the Church."

His gaze swept over the people present: "You, Archbishop Chartres, and Archbishop Tours will all serve as the first elders."

The archbishops were overjoyed.

The Crown Prince is essentially granting them access to the heart of French power!
If you can become an official, who would want to be a charlatan?

Look at how successful Brian and Talleyrand are now; they will have a similar status in the future!

In reality, the Senate would inevitably have to reserve a place for the Church, an organization with enormous influence.

Moreover, based on previous political practices in France, once members of the church enter the administrative system, they generally follow the lead of the royal family.

Right now, Joseph wants to use what he's supposed to give to the church in exchange for the conditions he wants.

Before Beaumont and the others could respond, he seemed to lose focus and steered the conversation back to the previous topic: "You see, the Ministry of Finance's responsibility for the salaries of clergy has many advantages. First, they can be paid together with civil servants, using the same process, which is more efficient..."

Bomon and the others exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

After that, they will enter the Senate in glory, and their families will also become famous.

Therefore, it is not unacceptable to "sell out" some of the church's interests.

They could easily use what His Highness just said—that priests can run for parliament—to quell discontent within the church.

After the archbishops expressed their loyalty and took their leave, Joseph breathed a sigh of relief.

Through a series of maneuvers, he managed to smoothly complete the basic reforms of the church without causing social unrest.

The church will no longer possess enormous wealth.

The fact that priests' salaries are paid by the government will quickly turn them into civil servants, eventually transforming them into "community administrators".

With this, all the old-fashioned problems that had hindered France's development have been swept away.

He spent more than a decade avoiding the bloodshed of the French Revolution and achieving the revolutionary results it brought about.

Although most of the nobles and clergy were retained, these people would gradually be integrated into the process of national industrialization, their identities would become blurred, and they would eventually become citizens of the new era.

Yes, of course, most importantly, his efforts enabled him, his parents, and his relatives to survive.

In the days to come, we can travel together, laugh together, care for each other, and support each other.

Together they witnessed France rise to the top of Europe under his leadership, and until the last moment of their lives, they could still smile and look into each other's eyes.

"Your Highness, it's almost time for dinner."

Alexandra's voice came from outside the door.

Joseph took a deep breath, smiled, and walked towards the door.

Yes, I still have a lot to do, such as leaving my children a France that is so powerful that it is invincible!

Three days later, Father Grenier received orders to become a priest in Zwebrücken, Rhineland. He would spend four or five years there gaining experience before becoming the archbishop of a diocese.

(End of this chapter)