I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1426 A Busy Holiday

Talleyrand hurriedly said:
"Your Highness, Naples has also sold more than 6 tons of wheat to Britain."

"As you know, this year's grain harvest along the Mediterranean coast has been bountiful, which would normally have kept wheat prices low."

"According to estimates from the Department of Trade, if Britain were to receive another 26,000 tons of affordable wheat, the price of bread in the country would drop by 7% to 9%."

Joseph turned to look at him: "Do you remember why we drove up food prices in Britain?"

"This forced the British treasury to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on 'bread subsidies'."

"That's just a side effect. The core objective is to drive up inflation in Britain," Joseph added. "Imported inflation."

Talleyrand asked, puzzled, "But you just seemed to be saying that you wouldn't stop Selim III from selling wheat at a low price to the British?"

Joseph nodded calmly: "There are more ways to drive up inflation, but targeting the pound directly is more effective."

"what do you mean?"

"This effect can be achieved as long as Constantinople insists that the British pay in gold coins."

Talleyrand blinked. Although he didn't understand the reasoning at all, since His Highness the Crown Prince had said so, it must be right.

He then hesitated, saying, "Your Highness, the Ottoman Empire is currently facing a very tight budget, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to persuade them to reject the pound sterling."

Without hesitation, Joseph cited a tactic used by a later Western empire to launch financial attacks against smaller nations:

"First, we need to use all available channels to publicize the depreciation of the pound. Then, rating agencies will downgrade the rating of pound banknotes."

Talleyrand was even more perplexed: "Your Highness, the Security Bureau and the Ministry of Trade should not be aware of the specific situation regarding the pound sterling..."

Joseph thought for a moment and said, "Based on the inflation rate in London in recent years, remember to find some famous economists and write their papers as technically as possible, the kind that ordinary people can't understand."

"By the way, we need to remove subsidized products like sugar and bread."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Joseph continued, "Secondly, I will have the Department of Trade announce that our country is considering no longer accepting pound sterling banknotes in all trade with Britain."

"Finally, you sent someone to Constantinople to privately inform them that the French Reserve Bank was going to increase its 'issuance reserves,' at which point the purchase price would be significantly higher than the market price."

The so-called "issuance reserve" refers to the gold reserves held by central banks in gold-standard countries to support the value of paper currency before it is issued. Central banks typically increase their gold reserves secretly to prevent stimulating gold price increases.

France's economy has been growing strongly in recent years, so it's only natural for the French Reserve Bank to inject paper money into the market; no one would doubt that.

Talleyrand immediately understood, smiled, and nodded, saying:
“I will help Mr. Ziadin calculate how much money they will lose if they accept the pound notes.”

Yusuf Ziadin is the Ottoman Grand Vizier who took office at the end of last year.

Joseph then instructed: "As for the two Sicilies, if they also demand that England settle in gold, then ignore them. Otherwise, try to stop their cargo ships in the Mediterranean."

"Yes, Your Highness."

As they talked, they arrived at the carriage parked in the marble courtyard.

Queen Mary, disguised as a guard, was excitedly preparing to go over and greet her son when she saw the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chief of the General Staff, and others get into the Crown Prince's car without hesitation.

She pouted and muttered to the maidservant, who was also dressed in men's clothing, "Don't these gentlemen know that disturbing someone's holiday is very impolite?"

The maid glanced at the high-ranking members of the Senate, too frightened to speak, and almost lowered her head to her chest.

Well, Countess de Berninacus wanted to stay at Versailles to "keep her in the dark," so Queen Marie Antoinette could only take one "new lady" with her this time.

In the Crown Prince's carriage, Berthier began his report:
"Your Highness, last month the Ottoman and Persian armies achieved great victories near Tbilisi."

"Currently, Mustafa has nearly surrounded the southwest flank of Tbilisi. At the current rate, they are very likely to capture it before the end of the year."

Joseph was somewhat surprised: "Is there something wrong with the Russian army?"

Based on the combat capabilities of the Ottoman army, it would be considered fast if they could capture Tbilisi by the middle of next year. Therefore, Joseph judged that the Russians' logistical supply shortages might have given them an opportunity.

Lavallet, standing nearby, added, "Your Highness, according to the intelligence we have gathered, the Mustafa Legion gained a battlefield advantage using a large number of sophisticated heavy artillery pieces."

"And not long ago, Mysore reported that only one ship of weapons and equipment that our country was providing to them had arrived in Manjaghar."

"Constantinople reports that another ship sank in a storm in the Gulf of Oman."

Joseph's face immediately darkened: "The Security Bureau needs to verify this matter as soon as possible."

"Will this affect Mysore's combat readiness?"

Lavalette said, “Your Highness, after the Mysore army advanced to the south of Gidradurga, they set up camp there.”

“Recently, the Maratha Alliance has been embroiled in internal strife, and Tipu Sultan may want to wait until they are exhausted before launching a war.”

Before Joseph could say anything, Berthier frowned and said, "This isn't like Tip's style. He used to be a big fan of taking the initiative."

"Right now, the East India Company's army has not yet completed its assembly, which should be the best time to launch an attack. He should at least occupy Bellari first."

Joseph instructed Lavallet: "Please find out the situation in India as soon as possible."

"In addition, send another batch of weapons to Mysore. Have people keep an eye on the Ottoman transport ships."

At this point, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes. The Ottomans had recently been selling cheap wheat to the British and even dared to "steal" French aid supplies; they were really getting a little too cocky.

Perhaps it's time to make a move in Egypt.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Lavalette replied, then continued, “Your Highness, there is one more thing. Due to the reforms implemented by Franz II, our presence in Vienna has been severely weakened.”

"Specifically, organizations such as the 'Constitutional Research Society' and the 'Vienna Students' have almost been disbanded, and even the core members of the Stilz Society have decreased by more than 70%."

Joseph had only seen the report on the reforms being implemented in Vienna, but it didn't mention the details. He nodded and said:
"Please elaborate on their reform measures."

"Yes, Your Highness."

This time, it was Talleyrand who answered. As the foreign minister, he had studied the matter most thoroughly.

After speaking for more than twenty minutes, Talleyrand finally said:
"That's about it, Your Highness. It should be said that their measures regarding taxation, law, industry, and serfs are quite comprehensive."

　Thank you to ninolsy, sleepy Kailin, and book friend 202306257772_AC for their generous donations! Wishing you all a prosperous and healthy Year of the Horse, and happiness every day! Mwah!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)