I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 994 The Crown Princess is Here (Please give me double the monthly ticket)
Godan stood up and said: "Your Highness, considering our country's current debt situation, I think we can issue a batch of 'special government bonds'.

"With a scale of 5 million francs, a term of 10 to 20 years, and an interest rate of 6% to 8%, there should be many people willing to subscribe."

With the prestige established by France's defeat of the anti-French alliance and its current development momentum, even though the interest rate on government bonds is relatively low, there will still be many investors pursuing stable income willing to buy them.

Joseph nodded and said, "Please prepare a plan for issuing government bonds and submit it to me later. However, 5 million francs is far from enough."

Currently, there are only 1 million francs left in the Industrial Development Fund's account, plus 4 million in national debt, which is still a drop in the bucket for the huge industrial development plan.

Joseph knew very well that the train had not yet been developed.

Once the train revolution began, the huge investment in laying railways would almost drain the country's entire capital.

Just like the United States in the early 19th century, the construction of two railroads almost led to national bankruptcy.

Therefore, it is not only about raising funds for the "Industrial Development Plan", but also about finding ways to plan financing channels and prepare for future funding needs.

As an excellent financier, Godin immediately replied: "Your Highness, we can also sell stocks of the United Steam Engine Company, the Paris Pharmaceutical Factory and other companies.

“To be honest, the Paris Stock Exchange is not functioning as it should.

"Companies like this with good profitability can attract a large number of investors in a short period of time."

Yes, due to France’s strict restrictions on the stock market, there are currently only 7 listed companies on the Paris Stock Exchange, and people’s enthusiasm for investing in the stock market is not very high.

Godan's words reminded Joseph. Indeed, when it comes to industrial investment, the stock market is definitely the most convenient tool.

Not only the Paris Stock Exchange, but also the Netherlands Stock Exchange. Although the small country of the Netherlands is not good at fighting, its financial capital dares to challenge the United Kingdom.

Joseph then thought that the Italian nobles also had a large amount of gold coins. If they could be attracted to invest in France, the total amount would be at least 70 to 80 million francs.

It’s just that the financial market in Italy is very backward. Except for Venice and Genoa, many countries don’t even have a smooth banking system.

Suddenly, an idea brightened up in his mind. The backwardness of the financial market might not be a bad thing. He could use the name of "Iberian-Apennine Common Market" to help them build a financial system.

First, establish a group of banks in major cities, and eventually connect them all to the French Reserve Bank system...

No, this will definitely cause other countries to feel repulsive.

Then we can set up a "Mediterranean Bank" in which all countries in the common market can invest and the board of directors will be managed by people sent by each government.

Then the banks of various countries will be incorporated into the Mediterranean Bank system.

Of course, as the initiator and largest shareholder of the Mediterranean Bank, the French central bank certainly has the greatest say on the board of directors.

This will also make it easier to settle franc banknotes in various Italian countries, killing two birds with one stone.

With the support of the banking system, we can then push forward the establishment of a stock exchange.

Stock exchanges no longer need to be set up everywhere, which makes it easier to concentrate capital. Investors in Italy and other countries can quickly obtain market information through the Chap signal machine and use encrypted signatures to buy and sell stocks - historically, France also used this method to trade stocks during the reign of Emperor Napoleon.

As for the location of the stock exchange, they could choose between Genoa and Milan. The former had a developed economy, while the latter had a dense population. Joseph then told Godin, "We need to have multiple routes in parallel.

“List the ironworks of Wallonia and the potash fertilizer plant of the Palatinate in Amsterdam. List the textile mills of Lyon and the shipping company of Marseille in Italy.”

Godan was stunned for a moment, and said carefully: "Your Highness, Italy can only conduct private equity transactions."

“Yes,” Joseph nodded, “so we need to build a financial system there first.”

He told the Deputy Minister of Finance about his plans for northern Italy, and finally said: "Send people to Milan and Genoa to conduct investigations respectively, and then write a report and give it to me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

In this way, the cabinet meeting continued until it was almost dinner time. Finally, Joseph announced a recess due to the protest of his stomach and would continue tomorrow.

The cabinet's "cows and horses" were already exhausted. Upon hearing this, they stood up, saluted, and watched the crown prince walk out of the conference hall.

As soon as Joseph stepped out of the golden gate, he saw his mother's maid, Countess de Berninac, walking quickly towards him from the left side of the corridor.

The maid had obviously been waiting here for a long time. She looked relieved as she stepped forward and saluted: "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen asked me to ask you to try on the dress. Her Majesty personally revised it with Baron Candice several times before deciding on the style that will fully showcase your handsomeness and temperament."

Joseph was a little confused during the meeting, and subconsciously asked: "Dress? What dress?"

"Well, you see, you were so busy with France that you forgot that your fiancée was coming," said the Countess de Berninac. "That's the dress you're going to wear when you meet Her Royal Highness the Princess of Russia."

Joseph immediately slapped his forehead, he was so busy that he forgot about this matter.

Alexandra will arrive in Paris the day after tomorrow, and according to etiquette, I have to go to pick her up.

He then thought about how he was really engaged to that cute little girl, and he felt like laughing. She seemed to be only 11 years old. But to be honest, he was only seven or eight years older than her, which was not a big difference.

Joseph followed Countess de Berninac to the Petit Trianon. As soon as he got downstairs, he remembered something and told Emmanuel, "Please tell the ministers to postpone tomorrow's meeting."

Welcoming the fiancée is definitely a big event for the royal family. Various etiquette procedures and clothing usually take about a week to prepare.

He certainly won't be available for meetings these days. Well, the Italian people's desire to invest in France's high-end industries will also have to be postponed.

1794 9 Month 18 Day.

East side of the new district of Paris.

Hundreds of French palace guards in red uniforms stood in neat rows on both sides of the King's Avenue.

As the court band played vigorously, two white "Jewel VII" carriages slowly drove over.

In the carriage in front, Alexandra, who was wearing a gorgeous light purple long dress and a wide-brimmed peacock feather hat, sat upright. Through the gap in the window, she saw the French king and queen under the canopy in front of her. She was so nervous that her heart was pounding.

Then, her eyes fell on the handsome figure in a dark blue long coat who had appeared in her dreams recently.

(End of this chapter)