Capítulo 86: Chapter 86: Who Are Friends?
Chapter 86: Who Are Friends?
The carriage jolted for quite some time before finally coming to a stop inside a large factory in the town of Saint-Antoine.
Mirabeau stepped out of the carriage, immediately hit by the strong smell of chemicals.
He looked up and saw a row of "boiling pots" larger than millstones in the distance, emitting yellowish-white vapor that enveloped half of the factory.
Ahead, under a large shed, there was a massive rectangular pool of water with several wooden poles suspended over it, with planks seemingly interwoven between them.
About a dozen workers, their arms red and swollen from exposure to the chemicals, were carefully lifting something out of the pool and placing it on a wooden rack taller than a man. Then they returned to the pool to stir it again.
Mirabeau wrinkled his nose in distaste, thinking, What is the Prince up to? Why arrange a meeting in a paper factory...?
As he was mentally complaining, a middle-aged man with a large nose and wearing a black jacket approached warmly, pressing a hand to his chest in greeting, "Ah, Count Mirabeau, it's a pleasure to see you here. The smell is indeed unpleasant, but I believe you'll come to appreciate this place shortly."
Mirabeau returned the greeting with a bright smile, tipping his hat, "It's also a pleasure to see you, Mr. Dupont."
He took a few steps closer, lowering his voice, "And the Prince?"
Dupont led him around the large water tank, pointing to a wooden platform shrouded in vapor, "His Highness has been waiting for you for quite some time."
Mirabeau then noticed a young man standing on the wooden platform, his attire distinctly different from those around him.
He pursed his lips and quickly walked over, bowing to the young man, "It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
Dupont quickly introduced them, "Your Highness, this is Count Mirabeau."
Joseph turned to look at Mirabeau—the creator of the French National Assembly during the Revolution, a significant figure in the influential Assembly of Notables, and a leader among the bourgeoisie. He was also a key figure in Joseph's strategy against the High Court.
Jumping down from the wooden platform, Joseph tipped his hat in greeting, "Ah, you're finally here, Count Mirabeau."
The surrounding workers were kept at a distance by plainclothes guards, ensuring they couldn't overhear the conversation between the three men.
Curious, Mirabeau asked, "Your Highness, what are you doing here?"
"Studying papermaking," Joseph replied with a smile. "Would you like to take a look?"
Mirabeau spread his hands, "Oh, you had me ride for hours just to study papermaking?"
"Well, it's part of what we need to discuss."
"You see, I have no interest in papermaking," Mirabeau chuckled, then continued, "Why don't you tell me straight, are you here on behalf of Archbishop Brienne?"
"Of course not. He doesn't know I'm meeting you," Joseph said seriously. "I'm here to be your friend."
Mirabeau quickly nodded, "Yes, you're my most esteemed friend."
Then, shifting his tone, he added, "Of course, the Duke of Orléans, the Duke of Sévère—they're also my friends, so I can't..."
"No, I think you're mistaken. They are your enemies."
"Ah?" Mirabeau was taken aback, thinking this attempt at flattery was rather clumsy. He quickly shook his head, "No, no, we get along very well."
Joseph calmly explained, "They are the old nobility, and you are part of the bourgeoisie. You are natural enemies."
"What, bourgeoisie?"
Joseph elaborated, "The so-called old nobility are those who own vast lands and estates, with most of their income coming from agriculture and rents. The bourgeoisie, on the other hand, like you, have most of their wealth in industries or trade, earning profits rather than rents."
Mirabeau nodded, having heard similar ideas before, "But we're still friends."
"The core of your conflict lies in labor and your needs from the environment!" Joseph continued. "The old nobility want the labor force to work the land, desiring estates everywhere, with just a few cities for their leisure. The bourgeoisie, however, need labor in factories or on merchant ships. They want more cities, with just a few estates to produce food. Your conflict is irreconcilable. The old nobility obstruct your growth, while you threaten to destroy their paradise!"
Mirabeau was stunned once again, shaking his head reflexively, "No..."
Joseph smiled, "I know you've formed alliances to gain more power."
Mirabeau was startled, hastily denying it, "No, it's not like that!"
Joseph interrupted with a smile, "Imagine if you succeeded in toppling the monarchy—though that's impossible—what do you think would happen next?"
"What?"
"A relentless battle between the old and new nobility. One that won't end until one side is completely destroyed!"
Joseph thought to himself, I've read the history. After the Revolution, you wiped out the old nobility completely.
Mirabeau fell silent, thinking carefully. He realized that without the King, both sides would indeed be locked in a deadly struggle until one was completely wiped out.
Seeing the shift in Mirabeau's expression, Joseph decided to push further, "The monarchy will always need the nobility to help govern the country. To the monarchy, the difference between the old and new nobility is simply a matter of different development paths."
Mirabeau muttered in slight fear, "I truly don't understand what you're saying..."
Joseph pressed on, "Only the monarchy can help the bourgeoisie remove the obstacles in their path!"
Of course, Joseph thought, they could also use a bourgeois revolution, but he certainly wouldn't mention that.
"Ah?"
"For example, the monarchy could introduce a 'Company Law.'
"It would include who is the representative of a company, meaning who has the authority to act on behalf of the company.
"How companies are established, divided, or merged...
"How company shares are issued, distributed, and transferred...
"The scope and responsibility of corporate debt..."
These modern business concepts left Mirabeau wide-eyed—these were common knowledge in later times, but during the early days of the Industrial Revolution, they were incredibly valuable and advanced ideas.
As a representative of the bourgeoisie, Mirabeau was very focused on developing industry and was well aware of the challenges France faced in this regard. He knew that if such a law were enacted, it would significantly boost the efficiency of all workshops in France!
Seeing Mirabeau's interest, Joseph continued, "There's also 'Patent Law.'
"For example, if you invent a highly efficient machine or a popular fashion design, you might barely make any profit before someone else copies it.
"Over time, no one would want to innovate anymore; they'd just focus on cutting costs in old industries, until no one is making any money.
"But if there's a Patent Law, once you register a patent for an invention, others would have to pay to use it, or they'd face heavy penalties..."
Mirabeau's eyes lit up—this was exactly what he needed!
He had long wanted to invest in improving his workshop's technology but had held back out of fear that others would benefit from his innovations.
But with a Patent Law, he could quickly gain a competitive edge, even outperforming the damned British!
Joseph kept adding bait, "And there's also 'Financial Law,' 'Contract Law,' and so on..."
After explaining the significance of these laws, Joseph asked Mirabeau, "Do you think the old nobility would support these laws?"
Before Mirabeau could answer, Joseph did so himself, "They won't! Only the monarchy can push these laws through, allowing France's industries to develop rapidly!"
(End of Chapter)
Friends, if you like any novel, you can buy the preview using my code: 112024,
you can save up to 30% off, the promotion ends until November 30th
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Johanssen10
Johanssen10 Friends, if you like any novel, you can buy the preview using my code: 112024,
you can save up to 30% off, the promotion ends until November 30th
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder