Chapter 87 Who Is a Friend? (Additional Chapter for Mr. Muqiu Jiuyue)

The carriage jolted for a long time and finally stopped after entering a large workshop in the town of Saint-Antoine.

Mirabeau got out of the car and smelled a pungent smell of chemicals.

He looked up and saw a row of "boiling pots" larger than stone mills in the distance. Yellow-white mist emitted, covering half of the workshop.

Under the work shed in front is a huge square pool with several wooden sticks hanging on it, and there seem to be wooden slats intertwined in between.

There were more than a dozen workers whose arms were red and swollen from the chemicals. They worked together to move something out of the pool, carefully placed it on a wooden frame that was as tall as one person next to it, and then returned to the pool to start stirring.

Mirabeau covered his nose and frowned. What was the crown prince thinking? They actually arranged the meeting place in the papermaking workshop...

He was complaining in his heart when he saw a middle-aged man with a big nose and wearing a black short coat coming over. He warmly touched his chest and greeted: "Oh, Count Mirabeau, I'm glad to see you here. . Although the smell is a bit unpleasant, I believe you will like it in a while. ”

Mirabeau smiled brightly and raised his hat in return: "Nice to see you too, Mr. Dupont."

He took a few steps forward and lowered his voice: "Where's that one?"

Dupont pulled him around the large pool and pointed to a wooden frame filled with mist: "Your Highness has been waiting for you for a long time."

Only then did Mirabeau see a young man standing on a wooden frame that was as tall as one person. His clothes were clearly different from those around him.

He curled his lips, moved his chubby legs, walked over quickly, bowed to the young man and said, "It's an honor to meet you, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Dupont was busy introducing: "Your Highness, this is Count Mirabeau."

Joseph turned to look at Mirabeau, one of the founders of the National Assembly during the French Revolution, an important politician in the current meeting of dignitaries, and a leader of the capital aristocracy. It is also a key point in his fight against the High Court.

He jumped down from the wooden frame and raised his hat to Mirabeau:

"Oh, great, you are finally here, Count Mirabeau."

The surrounding workers were separated by guards in plainclothes, but they did not hear the conversation between the three.

Mirabeau asked curiously: "Your Highness, what are you doing here?"

"Studying papermaking." Joseph smiled, "Would you like to take a look?"

Mirabeau spread his hands: "Oh, you asked me to ride a carriage for most of the day to come to this remote place, is it just to study papermaking?"

"Well, this is indeed one of the things we want to talk about."

"Look, I have no interest in making paper." Mirabeau smiled and said, "Why don't you tell me directly that you are here on behalf of Archbishop Briand?"

"Of course not, he doesn't know that I'm looking for you." Joseph said seriously, "I'm here to make friends with you."

Mirabeau nodded hurriedly and said: "Yes, you are my most noble friend."

Then he changed the topic: "Of course, the Duke of Orleans and the Duke of Seville are also my friends, so I can't..."

"No, I think you are mistaken. They are your enemies."

"Ah?" Mirabeau was stunned, thinking that your wooing methods were too cheap, and shook his head quickly, "No, no, we have a very good relationship."

Joseph said calmly: "They are the old aristocrats. And you are the capital aristocrats. You are natural enemies!"

"What, capital aristocracy?"

Joseph explained to him: "The so-called old nobility are those who own large areas of land and manor, and use food and land rent as their main source of income.

"The capital aristocrats are like you. Most of their family assets are in industry or trade, and their income depends on making profits."

Mirabeau nodded. He seemed to have heard similar theories: "But we are still friends."

"The focus of your conflict lies in the labor force and the demand for the environment!" Joseph said, "The old aristocracy needs labor force to farm the land. They hope that there will be manors everywhere and a few cities for them to enjoy.

"The capital aristocracy needs labor force to enter workshops or drive merchant ships. They hope that the more cities the better, and only a few manors can produce enough food.

"Your contradiction is irreconcilable. The old aristocracy is hindering your development, and you want to destroy the paradise of the old aristocracy!"

Mirabeau was stunned again and shook his head subconsciously: "No..."

Joseph smiled and said: "I know that you are now forming an alliance and want to gain more power."

Mirabeau was startled and waved his hands hurriedly: "No, it's not like that!"

Joseph interrupted him with a smile: "Suppose you bring down the royal family, of course this is impossible. Assuming that, what do you think will happen next?"

"What?"

"A fight to the death between the old and new nobles. To the death!"

Joseph thought to himself: I have read history. After the great fate, you slaughtered the old nobles until not even the dregs were left.

Mirabeau was silent. He carefully deduced in his mind and found that it was indeed what the crown prince said - without the king, the two forces would definitely fall into a fight until one party completely lost its strength and power.

When Joseph saw that his expression was loose, he began to bring in private goods: "The royal family will always need nobles to help them manage the country. From the royal family's perspective, the old and new nobles just develop in different ways."

Mirabeau murmured in fear: "I really don't understand what you are talking about?"

Joseph continued: "Only the royal family can help you remove the obstacles faced by the capital aristocracy!"

Joseph thought to himself, of course you can also rely on bourgeois destiny to eliminate it, but what can I tell you about this?

"Ah?"

"For example, the royal family can introduce the "Company Law."

"Including stipulating who is the representative of the company, oh, that is, the person who can exercise the company's power on behalf of the company.

"How to establish, split, merge a company...

"And how to issue, distribute, and transfer company shares...

"The scope and responsibility of company debts..."

A series of modern company concepts made Mirabeau's eyes widen - these are common sense in later generations, but in the early days of the Industrial Revolution, they were extremely valuable advanced experiences.

As a representative of the capitalist aristocracy, Mirabeau attached great importance to the development of industrial industries and was also very clear about the problems faced by France in this regard. It can be said that if there is such a law now, the production efficiency of workshops throughout France will be greatly improved!

Joseph glanced at his expression and continued: "There is also the "Patent Law."

"For example, you designed an efficient machine or a popular fashion, but it was copied by others before you made much money.

"Gradually, no one wants to innovate, but desperately lowers the cost of the old industry, and finally no one can make money.

"But if there is a Patent Law, after you apply for a patent for a certain invention, others can only use it by paying, otherwise they will be severely fined..."

Mirabeau's eyes suddenly lit up, this is exactly what he needs!

He really wants to invest money to improve the technology of his workshop, but he has been hesitant, just afraid of giving others a bargain.

If there is a Patent Law, he can quickly improve his competitiveness and even surpass the damn British!

Joseph continued to throw bait: "By the way, there are also Financial Law, Contract Law, etc..."

After he introduced the meaning of these laws, he looked at Mirabeau and said: "Do you think the old nobles will support the emergence of these laws?"

Before Mirabeau answered, he took the lead and said: "No!

"Only if the royal family promotes it, these laws can be quickly formed and help the rapid development of France's industry!"

Thanks: Gongmen Xiaoli, I am Piaomiao Holiday, Luoyingxiao, ZephyrArrow and several big guys for generously rewarding this book! I am so grateful to Tianhaishan, I love you guys!