Chapter 156 Two Princes Trading Company

"Well, fried lamb chops, beetroot truffle soup, toast.

Alexei casually ordered a few dishes to the waiter next to him, and then looked at Joseph and said, "I'm curious, what do you mean by 'things that have nothing to do with politics'?"

"Give me a cup of black tea without milk, spices and sugar."

Joseph sent the waiter away and smiled, "For example, do some business or something. If you have your own business in Paris, then Her Majesty the Queen will not recall you to Russia because of concerns about your character - oh, please forgive my words."

Do business? Alexei blinked and felt that it seemed to make sense. No one would associate a businessman who was busy making money with the throne of St. Petersburg. This is indeed a good way to stay away from politics, and it can also get rid of the image of a dandy to a certain extent.

In fact, Alexei's descendants did just that. In order to stay away from politics, they started doing business and eventually established Russia's largest sugar company.

However, Alexei shook his head again immediately: "Thank you for your advice, Your Highness. But I don't know how to do business at all. Now Her Majesty the Queen has to subsidize me tens of thousands of rubles every year. I don't want to lose more money to her. "

"No, I believe you can make money." Joseph smiled, "and make a lot of money."

"Your Highness, forgive me for being frank, I'm afraid this is difficult to achieve. I know my ability."

Joseph sniffed the fragrance in the teacup brought by the waiter, and glanced at the illegitimate son: "It's not as difficult as you think. All you need is a good partner."

"Partner?"

Joseph pointed at himself with a small spoon: "For example, me."

Alexei was surprised: "You mean, you want me to do business with you?"

Joseph nodded: "We can invest together and set up a trading company specializing in trade between France and Russia. "

He said this not on a whim, but had planned to do so long ago.

In fact, France and Russia had signed a trade agreement the year before last, but on the one hand, France's finances were tight, and on the other hand, there were not many goods that the two countries could offer to each other that were of interest - France did not have much to export to Russia except wine and enlightenment ideas. At the same time, France's main export goods, such as flax, oil, and wood, were not in high demand in France.

This led to the lukewarm trade volume between the two sides.

However, both countries also wanted to significantly increase the trade volume between them.

For Russia, it has always been worried that it is too dependent on trade with Britain, and it wants to change the trade structure, such as increasing the proportion of France in trade to reduce the risk of being controlled by Britain.

As for France, if it can increase the trade volume with a big country like Russia, it will definitely greatly improve its financial situation.

But intentions are always just intentions. Historically, until Emperor Na came to power and Russia joined the anti-French alliance, the trade between the two countries did not improve much.

This is also the situation that Joseph wants to reverse, and he has the corresponding means.

Historically, France did not have much demand for Russian goods, because the French textile industry was crushed by the British. But now, under the guidance of Joseph, the French textile industry will challenge the British, so a large amount of textile raw materials will be needed, and flax is one of them. As for cotton, wool and the like, they will have to find a way in North America and Australia in the future.

At the same time, Britain's flax is extremely dependent on Russia - Russian goods account for about 80% of its flax consumption. If France consumes a large amount of Russian flax, it will inevitably cause a shortage of British flax, which will lead to an increase in the price of its flax textiles.

It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

On the other hand, France's industry will usher in an explosive growth period, and industrial products are in urgent need of a market to sell. Russia has a population of more than 30 million, and such a large market must have the participation of French products.

Originally, Joseph planned to wait for Talleyrand to contact the Russians first, and then promote trade.

And today he happened to meet Alexei, and he felt that this might be a more suitable opportunity.

"Don't worry about the business, we can find professionals to manage the company. "Joseph said, "I will provide some merchant ships as my capital. These ships will fly the Russian flag and enjoy your "armed neutrality" policy to avoid British interference.

"And you have people buy flax, oil, and perhaps iron in Russia as your capital.

"After these things are shipped to Marseille, they will be loaded with French wine, textiles, and later there may be paper, machinery and other goods, and returned to Crimea. "

The so-called "Declaration of Armed Neutrality" is the Russian trade policy announced by Catherine II in 1780. The main content is "Russia is a neutral country, and ships can sail freely between ports and along the coastlines of belligerent countries. Unless they carry wartime contraband, belligerent countries shall not impose restrictions."

This policy has been recognized by Britain. Therefore, Alexei's "Russian ship" can transport goods, and even if there is a dispute between Britain and France, normal trade can be guaranteed.

In addition, Joseph has a hidden trick here.

He had read the Anglo-Russian trade agreement before. According to the terms of the agreement, Russian merchant ships can transport goods from the East to Europe, and the British fleet cannot stop them. At the beginning, the British thought that Russia had no presence in the East, so they agreed without much thought, but this point can be used by him in the future through his and his illegitimate son's trading company.

Alexey thought for a moment and said hesitantly: "Your Highness, I must admit that your proposal is very perfect.

"It's just that there are already many people conducting such trade between France and Russia. I don't think we can be more competitive than them."

Joseph smiled and nodded. Alexey was indeed a smart man, not the playboy he acted like. From this point of view, working with him will not disappoint.

“First of all, the current trade volume between France and Russia is far from enough.

“If I remember correctly, more than three hundred merchant ships sail from the UK to Riga every year [Note 1]. And only one-tenth of this number sail from Lyon to the Black Sea [Note 2].

"To tell you the truth, France will begin to carry out industrial reforms, and the demand for Russian goods will increase significantly, especially flax. In this case, the existing merchant ships will not be enough."

Alexey nodded slightly. It turned out that the French Crown Prince had inside information. In this case, this business could really be done.

Joseph leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Also, I can give you a discount on tariffs. I guarantee that the discount will not be low."

"Are you serious?"

"certainly."

Joseph was confident enough to get this tariff concession from the cabinet. He didn't even need to lower tariffs, he just had to turn a blind eye to his trading company.

This will not only win over the Russians, but also reduce the raw material costs of the French textile industry and increase competitiveness due to the reduction in flax import tariffs.

At the same time, this would also reduce the trade links between Britain and Russia and increase the cost of British linens.

He continued: "At the same time, you can use your connections in Russia to get some cheaper flax, oil and other goods. In this way, we can reduce costs on both sides. Are we afraid of losing profits?"

Alexei was overjoyed. If he could export a large amount to France at low tariffs, it would greatly improve Russia's trade dependence on Britain. This is something the Queen has wanted to do for more than ten years but has not been able to do it! If I put these achievements in my brother's name, it will definitely change my mother's attitude towards my brother [Note 3]!

He clasped his hands excitedly and said: "Your Highness, I think your proposal is very feasible. I will try my best to lower the purchase price of the goods."

Joseph smiled and bowed: "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you, Count Bobulinski."

At the dinner table, the dishes Alexei ordered had been cooling for a long time, but he didn't even think of eating them.

Joseph had another hot dish brought up and signaled to the bastard: "I think it's time for you to enjoy your dinner."

After Alexei finished eating, the two discussed some details of the trading company, finally finalizing the cooperation.

The main reason why Joseph wanted to bypass the Russian government and set up such a trading company was to avoid lengthy trade negotiations. The efficiency of negotiations in this era is not high at all, especially since Russia and France are far apart. Once the negotiators on both sides encounter disagreements, it will take more than two months to return home to ask for instructions.

So he directly used this private operation model to start trade between the two countries first. When the trade volume increases and the two sides have market dependence, it will be much easier to negotiate a trade agreement.

In addition, this can be regarded as a disguised form of control over the import of some raw materials, allowing those capitalists to be more obedient.

At around ten o'clock in the evening, Alexei said goodbye to Joseph, but stood there looking at his leaving figure from a distance, feeling a sense of unreality in his heart.

What kind of young man is this, who suddenly appears in front of him, uses a trading company to solve his predicament, and at the same time gives Russia a big gift.

He didn't quite believe the rumors about the French crown prince, who presided over police reform, greatly improved the security situation in Paris, and planned this grand fashion week. He just thought that the officials had taken care of everything, and then put the credit on the crown prince.

After tonight's contact, he was convinced that the previous rumors about the crown prince were true, and his conversation and wisdom were even better than the rumors said.

Alexey suddenly felt a little regretful. If his brother Paul had this wisdom, then he would not have to stay away from his hometown for so many years, anesthetizing himself with alcohol and women, and dressing himself up as a useless playboy.

…

While Joseph and Alexey were discussing the trading company, an auction was going on in the lobby on the first floor of Fashion Week.

Those participating in the auction were all dignitaries from various countries, including many members of the royal family. Queen Mary, who had just given a brief speech for Fashion Week, was also pulled by her niece and sat in the loft on the second floor.

The items auctioned during Fashion Week are mainly expensive dresses, luxury goods and the like.

None of these things caught the Queen's eye at all. She was currently thinking about the conversation she had with Louis XVI at noon.

It was after lunch, and she casually chatted with her husband about her son's fiancée.

At that time, she thought that her niece had won the heart of the crown prince, but the king told her that he had talked with his son and that neither Clementine nor Maria might be a satisfactory fiancée for him.

She looked at the lively and lovely niece beside her with some distress. God, how could Joseph not like her?

For a moment, she really wanted to tell her son directly like other kings and queens, Clementine is your future wife. But she really couldn't bear to see her son feeling lost or unhappy.

Or maybe wait a little longer... The queen sighed in her heart. The prince and Clementine were still young. Maybe if they were allowed to have more contact for a while, he would fall in love with his beautiful and lovely cousin.

At this moment, the auctioneer below said in a melodious voice: "The next lot is this precious "Star Wishes". It comes from a famous designer..."

The queen was thinking about her own thoughts when she saw Clementine standing up next to her. Her big blue eyes looked at the lot without blinking, and she murmured excitedly: "He is wearing it, yes, that one!"

The queen smiled and shook her head. It was difficult for a little girl to resist the attraction of beautiful jewelry. When she was young, she would be as excited as she was when she saw the jewelry she liked.

But she didn't notice that the lot was almost exactly the same as the one worn by the prince in the painting "Son of God"!

God is my witness, this is definitely not Joseph's jewelry. He has never even seen this necklace.

That was entirely because Mrs. Lebrun, the painter, accepted a sponsorship from a jeweler and painted the necklace provided by the latter into the painting. But to be honest, this dazzling necklace with a large number of diamonds forming a galaxy pattern does match Joseph's image very well.

After the auctioneer quoted the reserve price of 80,000 livres, Clementine did not hesitate to signal the maid beside her, who immediately raised her right hand.

Before the auctioneer had time to respond, a woman's voice came from a box on the east side: "90,000."

Clementine puffed up her cheeks immediately. Someone actually dared to snatch her cousin's necklace from her, and increased it by 10,000 livres at a time!

She signaled to the maid again, who raised her hand.

The auctioneer immediately signaled to her side: "The guest here bids 91,000 livres."

It was still the same voice as before: "100,000."

The little loli raised the price again.

The woman in the east box continued to add the integer: "110,000."

Clementine was anxious, put her hands on her hips, and shouted angrily: "120,000!"

Humph, did you think I wouldn't add 10,000?

The woman on the east side said without hesitation: "140,000."

"You! You raised it again!" the little girl continued to shout, "160,000!"

"180,000."

"200,000!" Clementine quoted the price angrily, and then turned to the maid and said, "Who is that person? Why are you making things difficult for me!"

The maid leaned against the railing of the second-floor box and half of her body was out. Finally, she saw a person sitting there in a red dress, long brown hair, and a pair of gentle brown eyes through the gap in the curtain in front of the east box.

She immediately shrank back, covered her mouth in surprise, and leaned close to Clementine's ear and said: "Miss, it seems to be the princess of the Two Sicilies."

"Ah——" The little girl bit her lip. If it was her, she couldn't lose!

"Two hundred and fifty thousand!"

[Note 1]: Riga is a port in Sweden and a transit point for British-Russian trade. The Riga government will collect trade commissions between Britain and Russia.

[Note 2]: Since Russia took control of Crimea, French-Russian trade can pass through the Mediterranean, through the Dardanelles controlled by the Ottomans, to the Black Sea, and dock and unload in Crimea.

[Note 3]: Because Catherine II hated her husband Peter III, who worshipped Prussia to the extreme (she launched a coup to overthrow her husband's rule and ascended the throne as empress), she also disliked her eldest son Paul, who was very similar to her husband. During this period, she showed several times that she wanted to depose Paul's throne and pass it directly to her eldest grandson. There were also ministers who supported the illegitimate son Alexei to replace Paul as the crown prince. In short, Paul was worried about his crown prince until the last second before Catherine II died.

Thanks to: Taizi Dongming 233, Xin Ru Piao Ye, and Shuyou 20210621185415959 for their generous donations to this book! The author will always love you! Muah!