I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 483: Virtual and Submissive
Two days later.

Nine tycoons who controlled the French Tax Farmers Association gathered in Forde's villa. Due to the urgency of the matter, only these few people from around Paris came. However, they had more than 9% of the funds of the association, which was enough to make decisions on major matters.

At the conference table, Borore was flipping through the newspapers and saw articles such as "Professor Nice said the tax farmer system increased the amount of tax paid by ordinary people", "Shocked, they don't allow your taxes to be lowered", and "Is it a failure of the tax system, or the darkness of human nature?" He slammed the table in anger.

These articles exposing the malpractices of the tax farmer system and analyzing how tax reform can reduce the amount of tax paid by the people were all written by Joseph. Tax reform is beneficial to both the country and the people, but only disadvantageous to the tax farmers, so he naturally had to use public opinion to promote it.

Ford motioned for everyone to be quiet, and said with a gloomy face:

"The damn Post Office caught fire, which made the situation a little unfavorable for us."

Everyone was silent.

They had previously spent millions of francs in an attempt to use the power of officials to put pressure on the royal family, but they did not expect that the entire bureaucracy has now become the biggest supporter of tax reform - perhaps they do not really support it, but the direction of public opinion has been formed.

Hope coughed lightly and said, "First of all, everyone should ask all the subordinates who have had contact with the arrested officials to leave the country immediately. Those officials will betray them at any time."

Several people nodded:

"Don't worry, they won't be caught."

"I've already asked them to leave."

A lender said nervously:
"I think the royal family is very determined to cancel the tax package this time. If the government raises enough funds and does not renew the tax package agreement next year..."

Hope raised his hand to interrupt him:

"Given the financial situation of the French government, it is unlikely that they can get 2 million francs. Of course, we cannot take it lightly."

He looked at Ford:

"We should give the government some illusions to lull them into a relaxed attitude about fundraising."

"what do you mean?"

"On the one hand, we want Viscount Berlant to lower the terms in the tax package negotiations, such as increasing the total tax package by 7 million francs compared to this year, and giving up taxes such as transportation tax and transit tax that the government cares about. In short, we want the royal family to think that 'even if the tax package is abolished, it will not be better than this condition.'"

Viscount Berlant is the negotiating representative of the General Association of Tax Farmers. Although it is only April now, the negotiations on the tax amount for next year have already begun, and it usually takes until the end of the year to sign a contract.

Hope continued, "If necessary, we can even get Viscount Berlant and Brian to sign a letter of intent. By the end of the year, we can always find an excuse to revoke his status as a negotiating representative and replace him with someone else to renegotiate."

When everyone heard this, their eyes suddenly lit up and they all nodded in praise.

Although Viscount Ford was the head of the General Association of Tax Farmers, most important decisions were made under the leadership of the shrewd Hope.

"Mr. Charles," Hope looked at the old man in front of him again, and then gestured to the three people beside him, "On the other hand, you and Baron Morel and others will go to contact Brian secretly and say that you can bypass the General Assembly and privately provide a total loan of 1 million francs to the French government.

"Of course, you have to show that you care a lot about interest and additional conditions, and drag the negotiations until the end of the year." "As long as October passes, the initiative will return to our side. By then, it will be too late for the French government to raise funds again. In order to pay for next year's fiscal expenditure, they will have no choice but to agree to let us continue to cover the taxes."

A smile flashed in Charles' eyes, and he immediately leaned forward and said, "Please leave this matter to me."

……

In an office on the second floor of the Tuileries Palace.

Brian said with a cheerful look: “Your Highness, the Tax Farmers Association has obviously felt the pressure from the authorities and is being very humble in the tax negotiations.

"I heard from Viscount Berlant's assistant that their tax collection bottom line is likely to reach 5 million francs, and they can even return some taxes related to industry and trade to the government."

Joseph also smiled: "Well, if that's the case, they are indeed very sincere."

Brian leaned forward again and said mysteriously, "Your Highness, Charles, Baron Morel and others came to me yesterday afternoon and hinted that if the government abolished the tax farming system, they could provide a large loan. They only want 18% interest, but I think there should be room for negotiation."

"Very good. This will give us more confidence in tax reform." Joseph seemed very happy. "Please continue to negotiate with them and try to get the best terms."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will definitely bring you good news."

After Brian left, Joseph immediately signaled to Emand, "Please prepare the carriage. We are going to the Paris Police Academy."

He had no hope for Brian's so-called negotiations. He knew very well that what he was going to do was to destroy the jobs of the tax farmers. How could those people compromise? Especially since there were Jewish investors involved, he knew very well what those people had done in history and the devastating impact on the economies of their countries. They would never give up any of their interests!
Therefore, the attitude adopted by the tax farmer now can only have one purpose, which is to delay time.

Firstly, it is to delay the current political trend strongly calling for the abolition of the tax package, and secondly, it is supposed to shorten the government's preparation time and shake the government's resolve.

Joseph got into the carriage with a smile on his face. Delaying time? Very good, I just wanted to delay time.

If the tax farmers could focus on the "negotiations" with Brian and avoid such annoyances as "more than 40 senior officials jointly oppose tax reform", they would have fewer worries and could devote more energy to the preparations for tax reform.

This is destined to be a world where only Brian is hurt - both sides are playing hypocritical games, and only he thinks he is doing something important that concerns the future of the country and is working hard for it.

Soon, Joseph's car stopped in the open space outside the Paris Police Academy.

Since they had not been notified in advance, Friant and other officials did not come out to greet them. Joseph did not go to the main campus, but turned directly into the newly built School of Economics on the south side of the police academy.

It was not until he saw the "tax collectors" training on the playground that the dean Clement hurriedly led people to greet them.

"It is an honor for you to visit the School of Economics, Your Royal Highness." Clermont bowed and then signaled to the school officials beside him, "Let the students gather to welcome Your Royal Highness!"

"Oh, don't disturb everyone's class." Joseph stopped him, "I just came to see how the college is running."

(End of this chapter)