I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 733: Population Principles

South Bank of the Thames.

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the dock workers greeted each other, put down their work, gathered in groups of three or four in the sheltered area behind the warehouse, and began to enjoy their 20-minute tea break.

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find tea during tea breaks these days.

Most people were eating black bread, and the few workers who ate it drank tea that was barely sweet, which attracted envious glances from those around them.

Just then, a man in a relatively neat black short coat came among the crowd and began to talk to the workers in a low voice.

After a moment, he came over and patted Andy's father on the shoulder, glanced at the water in his glass, and sighed: "Scott, you haven't had a good time recently, have you?"

The latter glanced sideways, recognized that it was someone from the Dockworkers' Union, and nodded dejectedly.

The man in black looked in the direction of the supervisor and lowered his voice: "Damn it, sugar is already so expensive, and these black-hearted guys are still reducing our wages!"

Scott nodded again in agreement.

The man in black continued, "We are going to go on strike next Wednesday and protest together at Downing Street to demand the restoration of wages and lower sugar prices. This is a big deal, you must go with us."

Scott's eyes widened immediately and he stammered, "Well, I won't go... I'll be fired. If I lose my job, my family will starve..."

"What are you afraid of? Everyone will participate this time. Do they dare to fire everyone? Who will load and unload the cargo for the docked merchant ships?"

Scott still shook his head: “No, no, if it gets out of hand, I’ll be thrown into jail.”

A worker with bald spots on his head came over and said, "Scott, we must fight!"

"But……"

Alopecia whispered in his ear: "The day before yesterday, I saw Anna on Budd Street."

Scott was stunned. He knew very well where Budd Street was, but he still asked in self-deception: "What is she doing there?"

"Just, well, you know, there to attract customers."

Scott's face suddenly turned livid, and he thrust his fingers into his hair, letting out a low whimper.

His daughter gave him some money a few days ago, saying it was earned from mending clothes for others. He actually believed it. He didn’t expect it to be like this.

After a moment, he stood up suddenly and said to the guild members with red eyes: "Okay, I'll go!"

St James's Palace.

In the corridor, Sir Stuart hugged little Pete tightly and said in a very gentle voice: "My dear, you are the best and you will overcome everything."

Little Pete patted his back and nodded: "Now I feel much more at ease. Thank you for always giving me firm support when I need help the most."

"This is what I should do."

Sir Stuart released him and gestured to the back of the corridor: "Your Majesty has been in very good condition recently. Go quickly."

The fact that George III was able to return to the palace from Windsor Castle where he was recuperating was enough to prove that his illness was under control.

Of course, it wasn't cured by Dr. Willis's use of poisonous insects and beatings. Porphyria is like this, sometimes it gets better, sometimes it gets worse, and after a while, it will improve on its own.

Pitt the Younger walked into the door opened by the servant and saluted George III who was sitting in a chair reading a book: "Your Majesty, I am really happy to see that you have recovered your health."

George III glanced at him and said, "I know you have a lot of things to do. Just tell me what you want to say." "Yes, Your Majesty." Little Pitt bowed again, "To be honest, the situation is a bit tricky."

"Ah."

"Sugar prices are still rising sharply. We have to subsidize nearly one million pounds every month, but we still can't alleviate the sugar shortage. Unemployment is getting worse and people are making trouble everywhere. Trade is not going well either."

The king simply nodded: "What are your plans?"

Little Pete took a deep breath and said, "We must start in advance."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Prime Minister puffed out his chest and said, "We will unite at least five major powers and recruit more than 5 troops. Together with our navy, according to the Marquis of Wellesley, the war will be over within half a year."

"Then do it. I'll give you every support."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Little Peter said, "Before starting a war, I need to stabilize the domestic situation first."

"Please continue."

"The first thing is to increase taxes. We need to prepare sufficient funds for the war. And for this, I need you to help me pass the bill in Parliament."

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The Tories, to which Pitt the Younger belonged, currently controlled fewer seats in Parliament than the opposition parties. Tax increases have always been a focus of contention in the British Parliament. The Whigs were likely to reject his plan for a large-scale tax increase.

Although the British king does not participate in politics, he actually has great influence in Parliament.

George III nodded.

"Thank you for your trust." Little Pete bowed and continued, "In addition, I want to temporarily suspend the Habeas Corpus Act, prohibit all gatherings and public speeches, and arrest the leaders of radical organizations. There is also a bill for the Prevention of Illegal Associations of Workers to prevent workers from striking without authorization and using violence." [Note 1]

The Habeas Corpus Act was recently passed by the British Parliament, and the resistance of the Parliament to its suspension can be imagined. The latter bill will even provoke strong opposition from members of lower class in the House of Commons.

In peacetime, these things are a no-brainer.

And George III still nodded: "Okay, I understand."

He suddenly thought of something and asked little Pete, "Oh, do you know Reverend Malthus?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, he has profound knowledge of social management and human development."

George III raised the manuscript in his hand and said, "This is his new work, Principles of Population. It contains some very interesting theories.

"He believed that human beings always over-reproduce. When there are too many people in the world, they will be divided into different classes - some people are rich, educated and moral, and others are poor, miserable, ignorant and immoral.

“So, plague, famine, and war are all necessary, because they will limit the excessive population and help human society return to a state of balance. As for those at the bottom, there is absolutely no need to improve their situation. It is most beneficial to make them disappear.

“Perhaps you could get Reverend Malthus to give some speeches in Parliament, which would help reduce the pressure you face.”

"Thank you for your advice. I will definitely ask him for help."

Before little Pitt finished speaking, he heard a huge noise coming from outside St. James's Palace. He could vaguely hear people shouting slogans such as "lower the price of sugar" and "increase wages".

Little Pete hurried to the window and saw on the street ahead, thousands of people holding scarecrows and banners, beating drums and gongs and rushing towards 10 Downing Street.

[Note 1] These two control measures actually occurred in the UK in history. They just happened about ten years later than the time in the book. The British were very ruthless in their domestic affairs between the 18th and 19th centuries.

(End of this chapter)