Bargaining chips and investment

Joseph swept his hand with an imposing air. "Start by teaching farmers how to cultivate their land more efficiently.

"Provide them with livestock, seeds, farming tools, and fertilizer. You should be able to imagine how many farmers there are across the country, and what an enormous business this would be.

"At the same time, the companies can organize craftsmen to build irrigation works for farmers and rent out irrigation machinery. There is no need to worry about money. The Agricultural Bank will bring large numbers of farmers together and sign collective loan agreements with them.

"Once the grain harvest comes in, the companies will buy the farmers' surplus grain and transport it in bulk to more profitable markets for sale. The enormous volume will drive transportation costs down dramatically. Many major cities now have wooden railways connecting them, which will make transport even cheaper.

"I call this the Agricultural Service Consulting Company.

"Compared with collecting that paltry annual tribute the farmers hand over so unwillingly, companies like these will generate far greater returns!"

The nobles present clearly had not imagined that things could be done this way, and immediately began discussing it among themselves again. The capitalist aristocrats Mirabeau had already planted in the crowd promptly took on the role of guides, their explanations drawing repeated nods from the old nobles around them.

Soon, however, someone raised an objection. "Your Highness, although the companies you describe have excellent prospects, they would also require enormous investment. That is simply beyond what we can afford."

"You are quite right," Joseph said loudly. "That is why His Majesty the King has established a 'King's Fund,' which will cooperate with the French Agricultural Bank to invest specifically in agricultural service consulting companies."

He spread his arms toward the nobles present. "And you need only