I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 927 Gossip in the Palace of Versailles
After Brian and others carefully recorded the industrial development layout of the Rhineland, Joseph continued: “As for the wooden tracks, just build some inside the city.

"The main mining areas in the Rhineland are all close to the Rhine River. They can be shipped to Baden and Strasbourg first. Then they can be transported back to the country using the wooden tracks that have been built there."

It was only because Karl Friedrich was not here, otherwise he would have been so excited that he would have kissed Joseph's boots.

This is equivalent to turning Baden into a commodity distribution center for the entire Rhineland, and the income from the passing caravans will be enough to burst Baden.

In later generations, the small country in the Strait of Malacca did not have to do anything, and could become a developed country just by relying on the oil and water from the merchant ships passing through.

Brian and Mirabeau discussed quietly for a while, then turned to Joseph and said, "Your Highness, according to what you just said, it is roughly estimated that the Industrial Development Fund will have to invest 3 million to 5 million francs."

Mirabeau added: "When those coal mines are fully mined, it will probably cost more than 3 million."

Although Joseph felt that the number should not be too far off, he still took a deep breath when he heard it.

7 million francs! And it’s pure investment.

However, he also knew that this was a necessary investment for development, so he nodded and said:
"Archbishop Briand, please prepare a detailed plan for raising funds and submit it to me as soon as possible. Oh, let's set the total amount at 5 million francs."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Joseph then looked at the Director of the Tax Bureau, Fulco, and began to arrange the tax reform in the Rhineland.

At this moment, Joseph felt that all the nobles were looking at him, and then he heard the palace steward loudly say: "Your Highness, which song do you want to choose?"

Joseph breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew that it was time for him, the representative of the younger generation of nobles, to take the stage and lead the dance.

"Bach's Suite for Orchestra No. 1, thank you."

He gestured to the band, then looked towards the noble lady, and immediately received countless excited and passionate gazes.

He wanted to dance with Camelia, but her status was not suitable for such a formal occasion, so he could only take a few steps forward and extend his right hand to a girl who was about his age and a little plump:
"Dear Sophie, may I have the honor of asking you to dance?"

"Of course, my dear cousin." The girl immediately knelt down to return the greeting and raised her hand to place it on his.

She was the eldest daughter of Louis XVI's younger brother, Count Artois, and Joseph's cousin.

In the past, Joseph would invite his sister Therese to "save the day" in most occasions where dancing was needed.

The reason was that after he invited other noble ladies to dance, he would be harassed by those girls for a period of time.

But today his sister obviously had another dance partner, so he had to ask Sophie for help.

The brisk music of the Boule sounded, and Joseph and Sophie danced gracefully in the center of the Hall of Mirrors, with more than a dozen pairs of young nobles surrounding them to dance with them.

When Joseph turned around, he caught a glimpse of Therese and Prince Ludovica of Modena dancing closely together in perfect harmony.

Well, the two of them have been sticking together all this time, often attending various dances, so naturally they have become very skilled in working together.

Joseph thought to himself: It seems I have to help my sister arrange the wedding.

Yes, he had persuaded Queen Marie to accept His Royal Highness Ludovico, who came from a small country, as her son-in-law.

As the movement ended, Joseph and other nobles switched seats and came to a position closer to the edge. Then he heard Queen Mary turn her head and whisper, "Madam Adelaide, are you feeling unwell?"

Joseph looked over with some curiosity and saw his aunt, Madame Adelaide, Louis XVI's aunt, covering her face with a folding fan, her shoulders trembling slightly, as if she was crying.

"Oh, I'm fine. Thank you, Your Majesty." Lady Adelaide raised her head, took a deep breath, and looked at Princess Therese. "It's just that I see young people's love that is richer than honey, and I'm so envious that I can't breathe..."

Queen Mary turned around and hugged her with concern, whispering: "Oh, you don't need to be envious, you see, we all love you."

Joseph was a little puzzled. His aunt had been single all her life and was already over 60 years old. Why did she suddenly lose control when she saw Therese and Ludovico kissing each other?

Seeing that her cousin was distracted, Sophie followed his gaze and whispered, "Are you curious about Lady Adelaide?"

Joseph nodded.

My cousin immediately signaled with her eyes to the circle of foreign dignitaries nearby: "I guess she probably saw Count Moses."

Joseph looked into the crowd and found the middle-aged man, Moses Attojan, the former Austrian ambassador to France. Well, after the war between the two countries, they no longer appointed ambassadors to each other.

Count Moses has another identity, that is, he was the ambassador who escorted his mother to her wedding.

Because of this, his status in France was very special. Even when France and Austria were at war, he was still qualified to enter the Palace of Versailles.

A sneer flashed in Joseph's eyes. He knew what Mr. Moses was here for.

However, it seems a bit sinister that he didn't come to discuss this matter with me first, but instead went to fool my mother.

He immediately asked Sophie with some doubt: "But, what is the relationship between Lady Adelaide and Count Moses?"

"Don't you know?" Sophie said in a low voice, with gossip in her eyes, "Emperor Joseph II came to the Palace of Versailles twice, and Count Moses accompanied him throughout the trip."

Joseph blinked. How did this relate to the former Emperor of Shinra?

Seeing that he was still confused, Sophie continued, "You may have heard that Lady Adelaide was deeply in love with His Majesty Joseph II.

"She also tried to marry him after his wife died. However, he refused."

Joseph nodded. So, seeing Moses brought back some emotional memories?

He was about to say, "Mrs. Adelaide is quite infatuated," when he heard Sophie continue:
"Of course, some people say that her favorite was Franz Xaver, oh, the Prince of Saxony.

"Well, or maybe it was His Majesty Carlos III. But I don't think so. After all, the King of Spain had agreed to marry him at that time, but nothing happened."

Joseph sighed inwardly, thinking that the more likely possibility was that Louis XV was reluctant to give out a dowry worthy of his daughter's status, which was why Lady Adelaide remained unmarried.

After all, this great grandfather's five daughters were all unmarried...

He couldn't help but sigh for the tragic fate of this aunt.

Suddenly, he thought of someone and subconsciously looked at Lady Adelaide.

Perhaps, he could help Louis XV make up for her.

(End of this chapter)