I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 690 Claude Sharp

Lord Marquis pointed at Bailly and said, “Just when the Caribbean saw a drop in sugarcane production, France saw a large-scale increase in sugar beet production. Isn’t this just too much of a coincidence?
"You must be planning to destroy the Caribbean sugar supply so that you can sell your beet sugar at a high price! Yes, now a pound of sugar is selling for 1 shilling and 4 pence! You are making a fortune!

"What else do you have to say?"

Bailey suddenly burst into laughter: "You are really humorous, Mr. Envoy.

"Why don't you do the math yourself?
"We have lost 5 million francs in Saint-Domingue, and our beet sugar production is only 2 million pounds per month, with a profit of less than 3 million francs per year.

"Do you think our country will be like a mindless bull, crashing into everything just to incur losses?"

He is bullying other countries because of the information asymmetry.

First of all, France did not suffer such a great loss in Saint-Domingue. The 5 million francs were calculated on the assumption that no sugar was produced at all. In fact, even if there was war damage, the production could at least reach % to % of the previous level.

Secondly, the scale of beet cultivation in France is far from saturated. As long as it achieves profitability, it will not be difficult to double it in the future. In addition, the price of sugarcane is still rising. Now the annual profit is 3 million francs, and in a few months it may be 4 million or 5 million.

Finally, Joseph's biggest goal was actually the sugar franc! So even if he really lost some money, as long as he could greatly increase the influence and circulation of the franc, this deal would definitely be worthwhile.

“This…” Lord Marquis was stunned.

The tide turned, and representatives from various countries glared at him again.

Bailly took advantage of the victory and pursued the enemy: "As for the losses, our country has sent two expeditionary forces to quell the Saint-Domingue rebellion, which cost a lot."

In fact, Joseph only asked the so-called "expeditionary force" to deliver equipment to Auger, which consisted of only a thousand regular soldiers, so the cost was extremely low. The two "dispatches of troops" only cost about 3 million francs.

In comparison, the United Kingdom sent Brand to lead an expeditionary force of 4000 to the Caribbean, spending more than 40 pounds, or more than 1 million francs.

"Our second expeditionary force had stabilized the situation in Saint Domingo, but at this time, General Brand of the United Kingdom asked us to transfer troops from Saint Domingo to help them quell the rebellion in the Bahamas. As a result, as soon as our army left, Auger took the opportunity to occupy the Magua Fortress, causing the situation in Saint Domingo to completely get out of control.

"I have reason to suspect that Britain has always been colluding with the Saint-Domingue rebels to destroy our colonies!"

"You, what you said is not true!" Marquis said angrily, "General Brand has already found out that your Galissonnier colluded with the black rebels and exposed our flank to the blacks, which ultimately led to our army's defeat!"

It is simply impossible to keep a war completely secret on such a large battlefield with tens of thousands of soldiers involved.

Brand only captured a few black officers, and quickly interrogated them to find out that they had all received orders not to attack the French army.

Only then did he realize that he had been tricked by the French.

Baiyi sneered disdainfully: "This is just a meaningless slander!"

Marquis waved his fist and said, "I have a witness!"

"Who?"

"An officer of the Bahamian rebels!"

Before Bailly could speak, representatives from other countries started laughing.

Nigger's testimony?
What a joke!
In their minds, the niggers were barely even human beings, so how could they use their testimony to accuse French officers?

Bailey waited until the surroundings quieted down before continuing, “As for our country’s sugar production from beets, that was a complete accident.

“Before, our country didn’t even know about this technology. It was only when a Bavarian scholar came to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to sponsor his research that we planted some.

"The cost of refining sugar from beets is extremely high, and Your Highness is still losing money." As for the exact cost of making sugar from beets, only the French Minister of Agriculture has detailed data. Isn't it up to Bailly to say whatever he wants now?

Marquez was completely stunned.

The French were so insidious! He knew that France was behind this, but no one believed it. Instead, they all believed that it was Britain that manipulated the Saint-Domingue abolition movement, but it went too far and eventually affected the entire Caribbean.

Even the Dutch and Portuguese envoys looked at him with extreme dissatisfaction at this time.

After all, these two countries also had colonies in the Caribbean, and they also suffered heavy losses in this abolition storm.

Ultimately, this high-profile "European Special Sugar Conference" failed to achieve any results and ended abruptly.

In fact, Bailly drafted a statement condemning Britain, but only Spain was willing to sign it. Other countries, considering their huge trade with Britain, chose to forget about it, so they gave up in the end.

However, this special meeting did give French beet sugar a great free advertisement. Just one week later, the volume of transactions on the Paris Futures Exchange soared by 35%.

Even sugar futures contracts for a year later are almost sold out.

Overnight, franc banknotes were sought after by all merchants - they were easier to carry than gold and silver coins, and could be used to buy scarce sugar at any time. There was no reason not to accept them!

Under the influence of merchants, ordinary people gradually began to accept francs...

Palace of Versailles.

In the Crown Prince's study, Joseph frowned slightly as he listened to Bailly's report on the meeting in Frankfurt.

He could foresee that the rise in sugar prices would deal a huge blow to Britain.

If Britain wants to resolve this crisis, it can only rely on launching foreign wars to divert conflicts, unless it takes the initiative to lower the export price of sugar cane.

The price definitely cannot be reduced.

The franc is currently experiencing a rapid explosion in value. Last month, the French Reserve Bank exchanged more than 10 million francs worth of banknotes. All this money went into the hands of foreigners, which meant that they recognized the credit of the franc.

Wouldn't it be self-destructive to lower the price of sugar at this time?

Therefore, it is estimated that the British will speed up the process of launching a war.

Anyway, this battle is inevitable.

After all, there can only be one hegemon in Europe.

There is no way that Britain, the current hegemon, will sit idly by and watch France challenge its position.

The huge profits earned from sugar cane this time will also increase France's chances of winning future wars.

As soon as Bailly left, Berthier came right after.

Joseph smiled and greeted the Chief of Staff. "I just wanted to talk to you about accelerating preparations for war. Oh, what are you doing here?"

"Your Highness, last time you asked me to try to use the 'Ship Owner Communication Mode' for military command." Berthier said, motioning behind him, "In fact, Mr. Claude Chap has already submitted a similar invention to the General Staff, and it has more advanced functions."

(End of this chapter)