The farmers

Joseph knew that the United Kingdom also wanted to observe the reaction to France's newly announced land buyout plan, trying to find leverage they could use.

However, he had made ample preparations for this, so how could he leave the United Kingdom any opportunity to take advantage of him?

Eman knocked on the door and entered, patting his chest, "Your Highness, the Carriage is ready."

Joseph nodded, went downstairs, got into the Carriage, and sped towards the Versailles Palace. If nothing unexpected happened, those Old Nobles should be in mourning right now, and he needed to get there as soon as possible to stabilize the situation.

Reims.

Zesfield Village.

The village Small Church was packed with people, and even more people were queuing outside with their heads down. It had never been this crowded, not even when the Church in Reims City held a large mass here before.

Father Joly rubbed his shoulders wearily and addressed the seven farmers kneeling in repentance before him in a gentle voice:

"Alright, you have all sincerely repented to God, and your sins will surely be forgiven. Now, please rise. Mr. Mali, could you please ask the people at the back to come in..."

The farmer kneeling on the ground stubbornly continued to shout:

"No, please let me stay a little longer. My sins are too great. I was misled by those foreign Spy and participated in that damned riot... Oh, I even cursed the King. I'm such a bastard. His Majesty the King is so great, so..."

His limited vocabulary was completely inadequate to express his feelings; he could only repeat "great" and "long live the King" over and over again.

Those around him were saying similar things, prostrating themselves on the ground as if His Majesty the King were right in front of them.

Yes, upon learning of the government's official announcement of the land buyout plan, farmers across France erupted in jubilation—no, it wasn't just jubilation, but a burning flame of joy, shock, gratitude, and a sense of rebirth that swept through every village.

The redemption plan stipulated that all France citizens could acquire a plot of arable Farmland not exceeding 30 acres for the equivalent of eight years' worth of land output and Annual Tribute.

This money can be paid in installments over the years, instead of in a lump sum. Moreover, the government will provide subsidies for the purchase price based on the length of time the land has been cultivated. Higher yields during previous cultivation will also qualify for subsidies.

In general, if a tenant farmer has cultivated a piece of land for more than 20 years and the yield per acre exceeds the average level of the surrounding land by 30%, the government will subsidize an amount equivalent to 30% of the buyout cost!

In addition, families purchasing no more than 30 mu of land per person could obtain loans from the French Agricultural Bank after review by the parish Church. Joseph established this bank, which mainly dealt with agricultural affairs, after the French Reserve Bank took the lead in investing and attracting a large amount of local government funds, in order to facilitate the land redemption.

The loan had a very low interest rate, allowing any tenant farmer family to use it to pay the initial land redemption fee and immediately obtain Farmland.

Of course, this loan will not be distributed to the farmers, but will be used directly to pay the redemption fees on schedule. The loan repayment period can be extended to 15 years, so farmers don't have to worry about the redemption fees at all. As long as they farm well in the future, they will basically have no financial pressure.

As for purchases exceeding 30 mu per person, a 20% "handling fee" will be levied.

Once the amount exceeds 100 mu per person, not only will the handling fee increase to 33%, but also half of the total redemption amount must be paid in cash at once and paid off within 4 years.

These buyout terms were several times better than the best-case scenario the farmers had envisioned!

Especially after the recent widespread rumors that the redemption period was 50 years and that it had to be paid in full at once, the farmers felt that His Majesty King was as merciful and loving as God.

They were not afraid of hard work; as long as they could see hope and that their lives wouldn't be crushed by the exorbitant ransom, they were very satisfied.

Now, in just eight years, they will be able to own land that truly belongs to them, just like the Nobility lords of the past.

All of this was bestowed upon us by the great King, the benevolent "Savior," Louis XVI.

Those peasants who had participated in the riots were tormented by their own consciences, without needing anyone's accusation. So they came to the church together, hoping to find some solace in God.

Father Joly reluctantly dragged the farmers to their feet one by one, a process that nearly exhausted the man, who was over fifty, and after catching his breath, he kindly comforted the dozen or so people:

"Even God has forgiven you, so His Majesty the merciful King will surely not blame you either."

"If you wish to cleanse your hearts of guilt, then come to the church often and pray fervently for His Majesty the King."

The farmers nodded vigorously immediately:

"You're right, I will come to pray for His Majesty every day from now on!"

"I come here every day. I will always be loyal to Your Majesty!"

"And me..."

After they were wheeled out of the confessional by Mr. Mali, the seven people who had been waiting immediately squeezed in—Father Joly had no choice but to use the single confessional in this way to improve efficiency.

The farmers who had left the confessional heard what sounded like a speech outside the church. A kind neighbor told them that it was someone who had been deceived by Saint-Just and was venting their anger.

Upon hearing this, the farmers were immediately enraged. It was all that Saint-Just, with his sanctimonious appearance, who had lied to them, saying that the government was going to implement a 50-year buyout plan, and had even incited them to riot!

That's absolutely outrageous and despicable!

Curious, the group approached the speaker and listened as he denounced the harm that "Liberals" had done to France.

A farmer asked the person next to him with a puzzled look:

What is Liberals?

A worldly-wise farmer explained to him:

"Oh, I've heard Guy Baron say that people like Saint-Just are called ' Liberals.' They're determined to overthrow His Majesty the King."

"These bastards! Anyone who dares to disrespect His Majesty the King, I will not let him get away with it!"

"That's right! From now on, if I see any of those so-called Liberals guys, I'll report them to the Mounted Police."

"What Liberals? They brought not freedom, but lies and deception!"

Joseph never expected that this incident would turn France's Radical Liberals into pariahs, at least among the peasantry, they would no longer have any support.

Soon, the farmers' conversation turned to Netherlands Spy.

"These shameless bastards," someone said bitterly, "May God punish them!"

"My relatives in the city told me that all 130-plus Spy who were captured were sentenced to death by hanging."

"Great! They deserved it!"

"I've heard that His Majesty the King is at war with the Netherlands."

"Really? Then I'll have to send my second son to join the army."

"I'll send my son too!"

"Hmph, I have five sons..."