"Baron Trudaine had done an excellent job." Joseph nodded and instructed Lavalette, "Then move ahead with the subsequent plan as quickly as possible."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The Director of Security Bureau acknowledged the order, then hesitated slightly. "Your Highness, Minet Ironworks and Grigault Brothers Steel Company have some complaints about reducing their sales to the North German Confederation. I am worried they may not carry it out strictly."
According to the plan, France's ironworks needed to surrender part of the market to make way for Prussia's "Steel Industry boom."
However, those two companies had considerable sales across the North German states, while the French Government could not openly issue a ban. If they truly continued selling in secret, there was nothing anyone could do.
Joseph let out a breath. "Tell them not to keep staring at that little low-end market. Also, the Treasury Department will provide them with some subsidies."
This time, the more than two million Francs Baron Trudaine had "earned" from the Queen of Prussia alone would be enough to cover the losses of all French Company businesses in the North German market.
Besides, they were only being asked to give up part of the low-end market, where the profit margins were not particularly large.
After speaking, Joseph remembered something else. "By the way, where has Charles reached by now?"
After suffering an emotional blow in Berlin, Charles had barely dragged himself through the completion of his "inspection of Essens armaments" before hurriedly setting off back to Paris. "Judging by the timing, he should be close to crossing the Rhine River, Your Highness."
"He was not in very good condition, was he?"
"Uh, that seemed to be the case, Your Highness."
Joseph considered it, then ordered, "Do not let him return to Paris. Send him directly to Brest."