Chapter 99: The Meeting of the Crown Prince

Sumiya felt the whole conference hall was filled with humiliation, and immediately trembled with anger, but he had to stand up angrily and walked out of the hall with a dark face.

When the golden door was closed again, Queen Marie sighed lightly and looked at Brian and said, "Archbishop Brian, who do you think is more suitable to succeed the Minister of Justice?"

Brian immediately said, "Your Majesty, the current court adviser Baron Breteuil is capable and loyal. He has studied law at the University of Paris. He can be appointed as the Minister of Justice."

This is also the result of Joseph and Brian's repeated weighing. Breteuil is good at communication and has good political ability.

And most importantly, he is the king's cousin and is very loyal to the royal family. Historically, when Louis XVI was preparing to escape from Paris at the most dangerous moment, he was running around for the king and never betrayed him.

Queen Marie nodded: "Please ask him to see me later."

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Joseph glanced at Foreign Minister Villepin without leaving a trace. The next target is him. After getting rid of Villepin, it will be equivalent to pulling out all the political teeth of the vicious tiger, the Duke of Orleans.

Brian picked up the document again and read:

"Second topic.

"In view of the fact that the High Court has given up the power of news review, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suggests that a press and publication bureau be established to manage news review matters."

The Duke of Orleans snorted coldly, lowered his head with a gloomy face and said nothing.

He had been defeated in the recent "pamphlet war", and now he has lost the power of news review. He will never be able to control public opinion again.

In the past twenty minutes, he first lost an important political ally, and then his hegemony of public opinion was shattered. Today's cabinet meeting is simply a nightmare for him.

"Well, this is good." Queen Marie nodded very happily.

Since she married to France, she has been constantly smeared by public opinion. Today, she can finally see the light.

Brian gestured to Monod: "The responsibilities of the Press and Publication Bureau are closest to domestic affairs, so I suggest that Count Monod be responsible for management. "

Monnot immediately stroked the queen's chest and said, "Your Majesty, I will make those vulgar and shameless articles disappear from the world completely!"

Queen Marie smiled with satisfaction, praised Mononot a few words, and immediately signed the document.

Brian continued: "The third topic.

"His Royal Highness the Dauphin submitted a report that after the signing of the Treaty of Eden, France's interests were greatly damaged, especially the textile and steel industries, which were almost unable to continue operating.

"So His Royal Highness suggested that the Anglo-French trade negotiations should be restarted as soon as possible and the content of the treaty should be revised to avoid further deterioration of the situation."

The Duke of Orleans felt that he had finally caught a chance to fight back, and immediately sneered: "Your Royal Highness is probably thinking too simply. Britain has gained a lot of benefits from the treaty, how could it agree to revise the treaty?"

Joseph glanced at him, bowed to the queen and said, "Your Majesty, I am absolutely sure that I can convince the British."

Before the queen asked a question, he added: "Even if it may not be negotiated, we should try it. After all, we will not lose anything. ”

All cabinet ministers except the Duke of Orleans, including Villepin, immediately agreed - they were either political allies of Joseph or stakeholders, how could they not agree?

Queen Marie also nodded slightly and asked: "Archbishop Brian, have you prepared for the specific negotiation terms?"

Brian immediately put a document in front of her: "Yes, Your Majesty, these are our established negotiation goals.

"The core content has two points: one is to strive for the UK to reduce the import tariffs on alcohol, including wine, beer and spirits to less than 10%."

The minister who learned about the content of the negotiation for the first time was full of expectations.

Alcohol, especially wine, is the mainstay of France's exports, but it is currently facing fierce competition from Spain, Tuscany, Venice and other places.

If the UK can really reduce the import tariffs on French alcohol alone, it will greatly improve the competitiveness of French wine.

Brian continued: "The second is to increase our import tariffs on industrial products to 25%, but then reduce them by 3% each year until they reach 5% in seven years."

The Foreign Minister immediately stood up to object: "5%? Absolutely not! This will completely deprive France's industry of protection!"

Joseph smiled and said: "Even at the current 12% tariff, our industry is no match for the British. It would be better to let those workshops take a breather and then change their business as soon as possible to reduce losses.

"Besides, only by significantly reducing tariffs on industrial products can the British reduce tariffs on alcohol."

He naturally would not mention the rapid improvement of France's industrial capacity, after all, there was Orleans.

The Queen looked at Brian hesitantly: "Archbishop, do you think so too?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. This is the most advantageous way for us at the moment." Brian was actually confused, but based on his absolute trust in the Crown Prince, he chose to support these terms.

"Other negotiations also include the establishment of a joint fleet to combat smuggling by Britain and France. "

Everyone was stunned when they heard this, thinking there was something wrong with their ears.

Britain and France formed a joint fleet together?

Why does it sound so magical?!

And this is the effect Joseph wants. The British will take this as a symbol of France giving up the maritime hegemony, and cracking down on smuggling is more beneficial to France.

Every year, British industrial products smuggled into France have dealt a heavy blow to France's industry - because smuggled goods are equivalent to zero tariffs, and the price is much cheaper than France's own production.

If this is negotiated, it is equivalent to using the British fleet to protect France's industry.

Britain gets face and France gets the inside, so why not do it?

Brian continued: "There is also a request for Britain to sell 1 million pounds of affordable wool to the port of Le Havre every year..."

Since the defeat of the Seven Years' War, France has lost a large number of overseas colonies, resulting in a shortage of wool, which is very unfavorable for the development of the textile industry.

Of course, Joseph is not sure whether the British will be so generous, but after all, everyone has a joint fleet, so why don't you British express your feelings? If there is no 1 million pounds, at least give 500,000 pounds.

After discussing the trade negotiations, Brian continued to read out the next topic: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suggested that the Patent Law and the Company Law be introduced..."

Because these two bills are urgently needed by the capitalist aristocracy to develop industrial industries, and they are not harmful to the old aristocracy and civilians, Queen Mary signed the documents very quickly and ordered them to be signed by His Majesty the King.

As for the High Court, not to mention that they have no reason to reject these two bills, even if they have, under the gaze of the Royal Supreme Court, they can only register the bills obediently.

Thanks: The big boss of the public official generously rewarded this book with 1,500 starting coins! The little author is very grateful! Muah!