A glimmer of hope for France's finances
The Combined Fleet wasn't too surprised to see the Pirate Ship trying to escape; they maintained their course and gradually reduced the pirates' space.
The dozens of oars on the Pirate Ship were rocking so hard they almost flew off, and it seemed they were about to escape from the pincer attack from the east and west. Suddenly, a tall Warship appeared on the sea to the south, with a blue Fleur-de-lis Flag flying from its mainmast.
It was the 42-gun Cruiser "Cleide".
Although galleys have a speed advantage on the gentle winds of the Mediterranean Sea, the Combined Fleet's formation is very well-organized. The Cleide only needs to wait there patiently, and its own Warship from the other two directions will quickly surround it.
Ultimately, the Pirate Ship, left with no other choice, engaged the Cleide in battle. The outcome was inevitable: the Cleide's third salvo snapped the Mast of the 12-gun Pirate Ship, and the entire bow was blasted away by a 28-pound shell.
The larger Pirate Ship tried to take the opportunity to break free, but a cannonball from the Cleide snapped off seven oars on its port side.
The rowers on the Pirate Ship were caught off guard and were still rowing with all their might. Due to the imbalance of thrust on both sides, the entire ship immediately turned a sharp 60-degree left turn.
Once the Pirate Ship had readjusted its course, two escort ships from the Combined Fleet had caught up with it.
The Dutch people frigate "Walrus" fired first. When Charles's ship "Constellation" caught up and was about to unleash its fire, a huge burst of fire suddenly erupted from the stern of the Pirate Ship, clearly indicating that the Ammunition magazine had been hit.
And so the battle ended.
Charles came up to the deck and was met with a wave of heat that carried the smell of burning. He saw the pirates screaming and jumping into the sea, thrashing about on the surface like fish caught in a net, creating splashes of water.
He couldn't help but recall the scene when the pirates jumped aboard the "Golden Wheat," and a surge of anger welled up in his chest. He snatched the gun from the Sailor beside him, saw that it was already loaded, and immediately aimed at the pirates below and fired a shot.
Soon, the bugle calls signaling victory sounded from several Warship.
Charles was cursing loudly at the burning Pirate Ship when he heard Captain White's voice behind him. "Young man, you've done a great job this time."
Versailles Palace.
One of the things Queen Mary hated most was holding Cabinet Meeting, because she often heard bad news, especially about the seemingly insatiable Finance hole.
Today, ever since she had breakfast, she had been looking forward to the Cabinet Meeting.
Because she had seen Brienne's report yesterday, which stated that the country's debt problem had been unexpectedly and significantly alleviated through a series of operations by the Industrial Development Fund.
This was a chronic problem that had plagued France for over a century since the time of Louis XV, and finally, under her painstaking governance, a glimmer of hope for a solution appeared for the first time!
She first went to the Royal Workshop to change Louis XVI's clothes, as he had some dark circles under his eyes and was tinkering with a Textile machine. Then she dragged him to the Conference Hall.
The Cabinet Minister were already waiting there, and they had obviously heard the good news. They all looked radiant, except for the Duke of Orléans, who sat there with his head down, lost in thought, dressed in a black coat.
After everyone had paid their respects to the King and Queen and taken their seats at the Queen's signal, Brienne excitedly announced in a loud voice, "Today, I have some very exciting news to share with you all."
"Thanks to God's blessing and the wise governance of the great King and Her Majesty the Queen, France's debt has decreased significantly in the past month!"
As he spoke, he took out a document and opened it. "As of three days ago, the national debt has decreased by 130 million Livre, and now it only stands at 2.11 billion Livre."
He paused, looked around at everyone, and said with excitement, "In particular, the debt interest has been reduced from 180 million Livre per year to less than 100 million Livre per year."
"At this rate, France's Finance will soon be balanced!"
France's current annual Finance revenue is 100 million Livre, while its expenditures, excluding debt interest, are close to 300 million Livre. This means that an additional 20 million livres in revenue would allow it to achieve a balance of payments for the first time!
Everyone immediately stood up and bowed to Louis XVI, saying, "Long live His Majesty the King!"
Long live Her Majesty the Queen!
The Duke of Orléans was saying the same thing, but his heart was bleeding.
How could he not know how the national debt was reduced? It all came from the money of thirteen banks!
Following this turmoil, the major banks under his control suffered heavy losses, and with Marquis Ludo and others siding with the Royal House, his influence in the Banking Guild plummeted.
He suddenly felt a tightness in his chest; having lost control of the nation's finances, he had completely lost any chance of defeating the Royal House.
While the others were still showering the King and Queen with compliments, he slumped weakly into his chair.
It seemed the House of Orleans's century-old dream was completely shattered in his generation. He lamented inwardly, knowing he could only diligently nurture Philip and hope he would grow up to be a great man...
The Finance matters were "discussed" for nearly an hour before everyone reluctantly moved on to the next topic.
Brienne took out a document and showed it to the ministers. "His Majesty has signed Edict to create a Minister of Industry in the Cabinet, primarily responsible for the supervision, management, and investment of the nation's industry."
He gestured to the Golden Gate of the Meeting Hall, and two Guard immediately opened them. Mirabeau, dressed in a dark blue coat and meticulously made up, walked in looking radiant.
Brienne continued, "At the suggestion of His Crown Prince, Earl Mirabeau will be appointed Minister of Industry."
He was actually somewhat resistant to the appointment. Mirabeau, a nouveau riche with no family background, somehow managed to get in touch with the Crown Prince and step into the Cabinet.
However, the Crown Prince also mentioned that Mirabeau is very familiar with industrial development and will be able to greatly promote France's industrial development.
Today, France's biggest source of Finance growth is industry. If Mirabeau could bring France industry to the United Kingdom —no, even just half the size of the United Kingdom's —it would increase annual Finance revenue by tens of millions of Livre, thus enabling France to truly achieve a balance between its budget and its expenditures.
As Minister of Finance, he will surely be recorded in history, and his prestige may even surpass that of Cardinal Richelieu, making him the most capable minister in France.
Brienne accepted Joseph's suggestion and appointed a Emerging Nobles as the first Minister of Industry.
After a brief, routine appointment ceremony, Mirabeau took his seat at the end of the conference table.
At that moment, a court official tiptoed into the Meeting Hall and handed a report to the Minister of the Navy, the Marquis de Castries.
The latter quickly glanced at the report, then immediately smiled, turned to the King, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, there is more good news. Our fleet sank a Barbary Pirates ship a week ago and captured another."
(End of this chapter)
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