I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 476 Real Estate Development
Historically, Robespierre was a little too radical in his actions, but the fact that he was called "incorruptible" is enough to show his integrity.

After the Jacobins came to power, as the de facto supreme leader of France, he was truly wholeheartedly dedicated to the welfare of the people - at least that was what he believed subjectively - and never used the power in his hands for personal gain.

At the same time, he also has some hatred towards the rich.

Taking all these characteristics into consideration, Joseph believes that he is the most suitable person to supervise the tax system, no doubt about it.

Robespierre seemed relieved but also a little discouraged when he heard this: "Your Highness, although I have no experience in taxation, I will do my best to do this job if you ask me to. However, I don't think it will be as... risky as you described before."

"No, you obviously underestimate the danger of this position." Joseph said, "You will be threatened, intimidated, and even face violence. Of course, there is a greater possibility of bribery and buying off."

Seeing that Robespierre was still puzzled, he told him in detail about his plan to abolish the tax farmer system and the interests involved: "Originally, all the taxes in the country had to pass through the hands of these tax farmers, which was a huge sum of more than 5 million francs. In order to keep this piece of fat meat, they would do anything."

Robespierre then became nervous, but still said firmly: "Your Highness, please rest assured that I will not be afraid of any threats."

Joseph nodded with satisfaction: "You will assist Count Fulco, oh, he is the newly appointed Director General of the Taxation Bureau, to build a national taxation system together."

Fulcot was the emergency finance minister who took office after Calonne was dismissed. He served for only three weeks before being replaced by Briand.

This man was very good at finance and was loyal to the royal family, so Joseph made him the head of the tax system.

However, as an aristocratic bureaucrat, Joseph could only feel at ease if he had someone like Robespierre watching over him.

Joseph continued to Robespierre: “You should be very familiar with tax laws, but you still need some training in finance and tax procedures.

"So you will study at the School of Economics of the Paris Police Academy for three months and get to know your future subordinates there in advance."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your instructions." Robespierre thought of something else and asked in confusion, "Did you just say, the police academy?"

"Yes, the police academy. You will also be trained in formation and command there. And your subordinates will all carry swords and muskets after they take office."

"..." Robespierre became even more nervous after hearing this.

Joseph then personally took the new Inspector General of the Tax Bureau to the Palace of Versailles to meet with the Minister of Finance and the Director General of the Tax Bureau, in order to support this young man who had no political qualifications.

It was already past 3pm when we came out of the Palace of Versailles.

After Joseph entered the city of Paris by carriage, he suddenly remembered the matter of raising funds, and said to Emmanuel, "Please go to the Royal Palace first. I want to see the 'Garden of Stars'."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The so-called "Gardens of Stars" is a real estate project near the Royal Palace, which was promoted by taking advantage of the popularity of the World Expo.

Joseph hadn't paid much attention to this place before, but when he came back from Silesia, he realized that sales didn't seem to be very good.

Right now, money is needed, and big money-makers like real estate must be seized. Joseph got off the carriage outside the "Starry Garden" and looked up at this community that was originally the Royal Palace Garden.

This was one of the earliest areas in Paris to install gas lamps. Next to it is the West Wing of the Royal Palace, which has been developed into a commercial area. It is equipped with complete supporting facilities such as hospitals and schools. Logically, sales should be very good.

After all, the "Royal Garden" at the Tuileries Palace was sold out almost instantly, and he learned from Brian's report that not even one-fifth of it was sold here.

The sales manager of "Starry Garden" soon learned that the Crown Prince had arrived, and hurriedly came to greet him with a group of his subordinates.

After he had paid his respects, Joseph talked to him about the sale of the house.

"Yes, you are right. There are many wealthy nobles here." The sales manager bent over and followed Joseph. "But the houses here are much more expensive than those in the Royal Gardens."

The marked price of the "Palace Garden" was 6 francs, but the actual transaction price was around 7. The marked price of the "Starry Garden" was 10, but it usually had to be discounted to 9 francs before it could be sold.

The sales manager continued, "Everyone thinks that the Royal Palace Garden will install gas lamps sooner or later, and the price here may drop by then, so everyone is waiting..."

Joseph frowned. Real estate is the same in every era. Buy when prices are high and don't buy when prices are low. This creates an expectation of price reduction. No wonder it is unsalable.

He thought for a moment and told the person in charge, “Please choose the most conspicuous house and hang my badge there.

"Then put an ad in the newspaper saying that there are only 10 houses left in 'Paris's most expensive and luxurious residential area.' Remember, this is not an advertisement, but a news report that emphasizes that only the most prestigious people can live here and that the houses will never be reduced in price.

"After that, all those who come to buy a house will have to draw lots first. Only those who win the lot can buy it. The price will increase by 1 francs every month, and no bargaining is allowed."

"Lottery?"

"It's a lottery, but in a more diverse form, such as having small balls with numbers on them for buyers to touch. Only those who touch numbers with a specific pattern three times are eligible to buy the property."

The sales manager was stunned: "Your Highness, but what if the buyer loses patience and leaves..."

"Just let them go." Joseph smiled. "Afterwards, you can have someone sell numbers privately in the name of the 'Starry Garden' manager to people who want to buy a house but didn't get a number. Each number costs 2 francs."

Just kidding, there are only a few hundred houses, but the rich people in France and even Europe are eyeing this place. It would be strange if they can't sell it if they just do some "hunger marketing" and "concept marketing" in the future.

Less than a quarter of the Royal Palace Gardens have been used, and a second phase of the project will be built later. If all the gardens are sold, the net profit can reach 2 million francs!

The next step is to develop the vacant land near the Louvre, the vacant land between the Palace of Versailles and Paris, and even the woodland behind the Palace of Versailles can be used to build residential communities.

There are tens of thousands of nobles crammed into the Palace of Versailles, and the per capita housing area is so small, it’s time to improve everyone’s living environment.

Before, I spent so much effort on organizing Fashion Week and World Expo, and spent money on laying gas lamps, trying hard to improve the status of Paris. Wasn't it all for the purpose of collecting interest from real estate?

(End of this chapter)