Dream Battleship (Please Bookmark)

Lamarck hesitated, then said to Joseph, "Your Highness, I feel obligated to remind you that this Pharmaceutical Workshop will probably require an investment of fifty to sixty thousand Livres. If it only earns a 3% profit, I'm afraid it will take a very long time to recover the costs."

Joseph smiled and shook his head. "That 3% is a reserve fund for unforeseen circumstances. I never intended to make money from this medicine."

He was not trying to play the saint and throw money into the water. He had a mature business plan.

As a medicine, Salicin could save many lives. Selling it cheaply could also be considered a good deed.

But it was useful for far more than reducing fevers—it was also a remarkably effective cosmetic! Even in the twenty-first century, acne treatment and skin-rejuvenation products still contained Salicylic Acid, the oxidized form of Salicin.

There was a famous saying in later generations—whose money was easiest to make?

Of course, women's and children's!

As long as the packaging and promotion were done well, a bottle of Salicin skincare product could easily sell for more than ten Livres. Those noblewomen would scramble for them like mad.

Lamarck said, "You are truly great, Your Highness. On behalf of countless ordinary citizens of Paris, I thank you!"

Joseph waved a hand. "It's nothing."

Eager to spread this miracle medicine throughout Paris, Lamarck immediately suggested, "Your Highness, I know of a place well suited for building a workshop. What do you think...?"

Joseph considered it, then said, "Purifying Salicin does not require overly complicated equipment. Building a workshop from scratch would be too inefficient. It would be better to directly acquire a pharmaceutical company or one that produces chemical reagents."

Eman, the attendant beside him, suddenly said, "Your Highness, may I add something?"

"Please."

"I remember there is a perfume workshop among the royal properties. It has been operating at a loss for a long time and is about to be sold. Perhaps it could meet your requirements."

"You've been a great help!" Joseph nodded. "Do you remember the asking price?"

"It seems to be twenty-six thousand..."

Before he could finish, Joseph suddenly slapped his forehead. "Since it's royal property, why should I pay for it? I'll just ask the Queen for it."

When Queen Mary heard that her son wished to produce affordable medicine to aid ordinary people, she immediately agreed and had her lawyer handle the formalities. In less than half an hour, the perfume workshop had been transferred into the Crown Prince's name.

Joseph had intended to inspect it personally, but a servant came to announce that Marquis de Castries requested an audience.

Helpless, Joseph could only leave the matter of the pharmaceutical factory to Lamarck and head to the reception room to meet the Minister of the Navy.

In the spacious reception room, Castries gave a respectful bow and went straight to the point. "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen asked me to discuss the construction of new warships with you. I believe we absolutely should not reduce—"

Joseph smiled and interrupted him. "Marquis de Castries, I would like to ask you something first. Why do you wish to build so many warships?"

"Of course it is to deal with the Englishmen!" The Minister of the Navy's tone was hard as steel. "To defeat the fleet they are so proud of, reclaim the Colonies they stole from us, and humiliate them fiercely, just as they humiliated my grandfather back then!"

Joseph nodded. "Then do you believe that, even if the treasury fully supports your shipbuilding, you are certain you can defeat the Englishmen?"

Castries had come prepared this time. "If we join forces with Spain and employ sound tactics, there is a chance!"

"The chance is small." Joseph did not mince words. "And when it comes to naval tactics, the Englishmen are stronger than us."

Castries' expression darkened for a moment, but he still refused to concede. "How will we know unless we try?"

Joseph gestured for him to drink tea, his expression utterly calm. "If the navy were equipped with warships capable of speeds exceeding twenty knots, carrying twenty-five 42-pounder Cannons and thirty 24-pounder Cannons, with their hulls wrapped in Iron Shells—

"Together with the existing warships, do you think you could defeat the English Fleet?"

"That is an unrealistic fantasy." Castries smiled. "If I had such warships, I could beat the Englishmen until they wet their pants."