Switzerland, Canton of Bern.
The long line of people waiting to withdraw money outside Arens Bank had vanished. Some people had even begun depositing money instead—rumors were spreading everywhere that Bern might leave the Swiss Confederation and become a province of France. When that happened, Batzen would all be exchanged for Francs, while money deposited in the bank would be spared the trouble of conversion; withdraw it directly, and it would be Francs.
Citizens gathered in groups of three or five on the streets, excitedly discussing it. "Do you know about Paris's Tap Water system? Turn a Valve in your own home, and clean water flows out. Maybe we'll get to use it too!"
"That's nothing. Medical treatment in France is free, too. And the government assigns doctors to every parish..."
"Really? French doctors are the best in all Europe!"
"I care more about schools. If we become French, we can attend school for six years free of charge. After graduation, there'll be plenty of Lyon factories for you to choose from..."
"I heard even three-year-old children can go to Kindergarten. Someone looks after them, it only costs 3 Batzen a month, and they get two meals of bread."
"Maybe we'll even get Gas Streetlights!"
"What are those?"
"You don't even know that? Those lamps can make the streets at night as bright as day..."
Of course, some people were fiercely opposed to Bern joining France.
They were mainly Tax Farmers, certain urban oligarchs, and Protestant believers.
There was no need to mention the Tax Farmers. If they joined France, the tax farming system would most likely be abolished. They had long heard of the "miserable fate" suffered by their French counterparts.
The urban oligarchs were capitalists who monopolized certain industries in the city through shady means, such as controlling