"Grain Task Force"

Joseph returned to his office, and while his mind was still racing, he recalled the PowerPoint presentations his mentor had made in his previous life to "fool" clients, and began to write them down on a piece of paper:

Title: Paris Fashion Week Plan. 👊😂 ☹🍭

Table of contents--

I. Prospects and Feasibility.

II. Business Operations.

III. Detailed Project Planning.

VI. Profit Model.

The next morning, Eman had someone retrieve the architectural layout plans of the Tuileries Palace from the City Hall.

Joseph rubbed his sore eyes—he had been busy until after 2 a. m. last night and had only slept for less than 6 hours—and unfolded a few drawings. He immediately began to divide the meeting room as if he had found a treasure.

"The East Hall faces the palace gate and has several very spacious Hall, making it the most suitable venue for the main meeting."

"Select spacious rooms on the first floor of the South Hall to serve as dining and entertainment venues; we can send some Imperial Chef there later..."

"The first floor of the North Hall sells luxury goods such as jewelry. Hmm, we should reserve a good spot for the Paris Angel..."

"The second floor has been furnished like a high-end hotel. Service and reception staff need to be recruited and trained in advance..."

Two middle-aged men knocked on the door and entered, bowing to Joseph. Seeing that he was busy, they tentatively asked, "Your Highness, do you need our help?"

They were two Assistant directors of the Industrial Planning Bureau, appointed by Joseph, essentially the second and third in command.

One of them was a former orator. The other was an academic with business experience and was very familiar with France industry; he was recommended by Brienne.

Joseph nodded and handed his notebook, which contained his plans, to the tall man. "Perfect timing, Viscount Varennes, could you please make some notes for me?"

"Mr. Sylvain, please hold the blueprints down for me."

The tall man looked at the blueprints and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, this looks like the Tuileries Palace?"

"Yes."

What are you trying to do?

"Save Lyon's Textile," Joseph said, pointing to the square in the center of the palace on the blueprints. "A large catwalk, at least 50 meters long, needs to be built here, with dense lighting, and a fashion show will be held every three hours."

Varennes stopped writing after only a few words, looking at the Crown Prince with a pained expression. "Your Highness, this catwalk and fashion show are..."

"The catwalk refers to..."

Several more hours passed in the blink of an eye. After arranging the venue, Joseph was revising the plan when Eman glanced at his watch and leaned closer, saying, "Your Highness, the three people you requested will be here soon."

"Oh, let them come straight here," Joseph nodded, feeling like a Machines running at full power.

Shortly afterward, three men of varying heights and builds entered the office and bowed respectfully to Joseph.

Joseph nodded in return, then handed the Fashion Week plan to his two Assistant: "Please organize this as soon as possible and make two copies."

"Yes, Your Highness." The two bowed and left the office.

Joseph then turned to the three newcomers and smiled, "May I ask how long you have been serving the Royal House?"

The three exchanged a glance and hurriedly said, "Fifteen years, Your Highness."

Thirteen years.

"More than twenty years."

They were originally responsible for managing the Royal House's businesses.

Joseph knew very well that if he purchased grain in his own name or in the name of the government, it would quickly attract the attention of unscrupulous merchants, leading to a surge in grain prices.

Therefore, he needed someone to act as a "White Gloves" to make purchases in small batches and in multiple smaller batches, so he had Eman select three people who were experienced in business and loyal and reliable.

Joseph smiled and gestured to them, "Gentlemen, please have a seat. I must first remind you that what you are about to do must be kept strictly confidential, understand?"

The three were about to sit down when they heard this and immediately stood up. "Yes, Your Highness, please trust our loyalty!"

Joseph nodded, trusting Eman's judgment of character. He asked the three to sit down again before instructing them, "From now on, you are the owners of six Grain stores. Each of you will be responsible for two stores. You will choose the store locations and staff yourselves."

"After that, you only need to do one thing: purchase as much food as possible."

"Buy grain?" an old man asked. "Your Highness, when you say you'll buy as much as possible, how much do you mean?"

Joseph said, "Keep buying as long as the funds I've given you haven't run out and don't cause market price fluctuations."

The three exchanged surprised glances, and the old man asked again, "Your Highness, are you not selling this?"

"We can sell a few, so as not to arouse suspicion."

Although the three did not understand the reason, they still bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness, we will certainly do as you say."

"You all go and prepare the shop and Warehouse. The initial funding will be approximately Livre per person, which will be delivered to you in a few days."

All three gasped in shock. 300,000 each, that's 900,000 in total!

Why does the Crown Prince need to buy so much grain?

Little did they know that the Livre was just the beginning; according to Joseph's plan, tens of Livre of grain would be purchased within six months.

"I'll reiterate," Joseph said sternly, glancing at the three men. "Try not to attract attention, and absolutely do not cause market fluctuations. Your tasks are extremely important; you must report to me on the grain procurement situation once a week from now on."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After carefully explaining the details of the grain purchase, the three said their goodbyes and left. Joseph went to the window, opened it, and stretched his aching back in the cool winter breeze, immediately smelling the stench of excrement wafting from the street.

He looked up and saw someone across the street enlarging their voice in a corner, and immediately frowned.

Previously, the dirt and disorder of Paris might have only affected one's mood, but once Fashion Week begins, it can start to impact economic income!

The city's appearance needs a thorough overhaul.

This is a huge undertaking... He sighed, thought it over carefully, and decided to start with addressing the issue of people urinating or defecating anywhere.

Joseph summoned Eman and instructed him, "Please send someone to the City Hall to invite the Chamber of Commerce..."

He had initially intended for the Chamber of Commerce President, who was effectively the mayor, to handle the matter. However, after some consideration, he felt the latter might lack the necessary executive power, so he changed his mind and said, "Please ask Viscount Besançon instead. I have important matters that require his attention."

"Yes, Your Highness."

More than an hour later, the Police Commissioner was sitting opposite Joseph.

"Your Highness, are you saying that the Police should be used to monitor people who urinate indiscriminately?"

"Yes, only the Police can do this."

"But where are you sending those people... uh, conveniently?"

To be honest, even Besançon himself often relieves himself on the street, so he can relate to this.

"Build Public Toilet."

"Public Toilet? What's that...?"

Joseph sighed, no wonder Paris was so dirty and smelly. He explained, "They're just toilets built on the street, anyone can go in and relieve themselves, so you don't have to... cough."

Besançon's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes! How come I didn't think of that? Your Highness, you are the embodiment of wisdom!"

(End of this chapter)