Money Power (Begging for Monthly Tickets)

In fact, Joseph had long intended to establish a bank.

To straighten out a nation's finances, a bank was an indispensable tool. Especially after the decline of the Royal Bank, France did not even have a symbolic central bank, and the government's control over finance was practically nonexistent.

Moreover, the Industrial Revolution was on the verge of entering its explosive phase. It would require massive financial support to ensure that industrial development was not shackled.

Thus, establishing a bank was something Joseph had to do. It was simply that, according to his original plans, this was not yet the best time.

As everyone knew, banks relied heavily on the scale of their capital. No matter how well you ran a bank with one million in share capital, it would be difficult for it to compete with a rival holding ten million.

Joseph had originally planned to wait until more of the resources in his hands had been turned into cash before making a major investment in banking.

However, the various provocations by bank capital against the treasury, coupled with the very real possibility of a government debt default, made him decide to accelerate the process.

Fortunately, Paris Angel Company's profits had been extremely impressive, even exceeding his expectations. To a great extent, they had given him the confidence he needed in terms of funds.

All that remained was how to proceed.

The carriage rolled slowly onward. Joseph watched the trees and pedestrians slipping past outside the window as he silently organized the specific plans for establishing the bank.

Though banking in the eighteenth century was already flourishing, from the perspective of financial history, it was still only getting started. None of the wild maneuvers invented by the financial tycoons of later generations had yet appeared. To Joseph, France's financial world was like the American continent in Columbus's eyes—brand-new and littered with opportunities.

More than an hour later, the complete plan had taken shape in his mind.

After repeatedly confirming the plan's completeness and feasibility, a relaxed expression finally appeared on his face. He instructed Eman:

"Send someone to notify Mr. Brent. Have him come to see me as quickly as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness."

More than three hours later, Joseph returned to Versailles Palace and found Brent already waiting there—the dedicated manager had not even taken a carriage in order to save time, but had ridden over directly on horseback.

Joseph first praised his efficiency. Then he summoned his personal architect, painter, carpenter, accountant, and others to the study and began assigning tasks:

"From this moment on, you have only one thing to do: open as many Paris Angel franchise stores as possible in the shortest possible time."

He looked at Brent.

"You will have full responsibility for this matter. Every resource I have is at your disposal. Strive to open at least three stores in the Paris District within one week. In addition, open another directly operated store in Reims."

Brent's expression turned grave at those words. Although, as required by the Crown Prince earlier, the glass walls, display counters, lamps, and even employee uniforms needed for the new franchise stores had all been prepared, the renovation work for the walls, floors, and so on would take a great deal of time. Especially with several stores being worked on simultaneously, one week was simply an impossible deadline...

Seeing his expression, Joseph smiled faintly.

"For opening the first franchise store, you will receive a bonus of 1,000 livres. For the second, a bonus of 1,500 livres. And so on—each additional store will increase the bonus by 500 livres."

He then looked at the architect and the others.

"For opening the first store, each of you will receive a bonus of 500 livres. Each additional store after that will increase it by 200 livres."

With the Money Power buff added, everyone became Superman!

Brent's heart pounded as he calculated quickly. If he could complete the three Paris stores, he could earn 4,500 livres in bonuses that week!

Four stores, 7,000. Five stores, 10,000...

If all seven franchise stores and one directly operated store could open, his bonus would be a full 22,000 livres!

The money for a second villa is here!!

His eyes nearly bloodshot, he blurted out:

"Rest assured, Your Highness! I swear to God that I will not disappoint you!"

He could hardly wait.

He waved at the architect, painter, and the others. "What are you all standing around for? Come with me!!"

The group hastily bowed to Joseph in farewell, then sprinted out of the Crown Prince's Palace as though running a hundred-meter dash.

In the open space outside Versailles Palace, Brent grabbed ten livres and stuffed them into the coachman's hands, shouting:

"Quick! Back to Paris, quickly!"

The painter frowned. He had only just calculated the amount of the bonuses.

"...Three stores, 2,100 livres... If we complete them all, that's 9,600 livres! Oh, God! 9,600!!"

His heart clenched, and his breathing grew rapid. Turning to the coachman, he roared:

"Mr. Brebo, show us what you can do! Faster!"

After everyone had left, Joseph quickly wrote several lines and handed the paper to Eman, instructing him:

"Follow this approach and advertise through every Channel—newspapers, salons, balls, and the like. I'm giving you 15,000 livres. You must spend every last bit within one week."

Eman had never heard such a strange request. He looked at the paper in his hand in confusion and saw written on it:

[On Frost Month 30, Paris Angel Company shares will officially go on sale throughout France. We welcome your subscriptions.

Advertising slogan: Stand at the mouth of the wind, and even pigs can fly into the sky. And the next gust of wind is Paris Angel!]

What followed was information about Paris Angel Company's business model and operating figures.

Frost Month was November, and the thirtieth was exactly one week away.

He immediately placed a hand over his chest and bowed, saying earnestly:

"Yes, Your Highness. I will certainly do everything in my power!"

Afterward, Joseph had a servant invite Brienne, Mono, and Count Robert to dinner.

He had a particular purpose in inviting these three—the first two were senior Cabinet officials and were also on good terms with him, while Robert was nominally a state counselor but was in fact the King's head of the Secret Police. He had close ties with the royal family and considerable influence.

At the lavish dining table, Mono glanced around. Seeing none of the spectators who had come to observe the Crown Prince dining, he knew this meal was no ordinary one. He immediately raised his glass with a beaming smile.

"A toast to His Highness the Crown Prince."

The others immediately joined in. "To His Highness the Crown Prince."

After the wine went down, Mono first lavishly praised Joseph's masterful moves in the Netherlands. Then, as though making casual conversation, he said:

"For Your Highness to remember a few old fellows like us amid your busy schedule, there must be something good in it for us, haha."

Joseph smiled.

"You are all my closest friends. Actually, I would like to ask you for a favor."

Brienne, too, smiled warmly.

"If Your Highness has any need, please give the order."

Joseph wiped his mouth with a napkin, his expression turning serious.

"Actually, I am planning to establish a bank, and I would like to invite you to buy shares in it."

The greater the undertaking, the more one had to avoid keeping all the spoils for oneself.

Share some of the cake with others, and if anyone dared covet that cake afterward, there would naturally be beneficiaries ready to chop off his grasping claws without you needing to lift a hand.

And so long as he held the bank's decision-making power, sharing out some profits was of no consequence.

These three senior officials were the first group of shareholders Joseph intended to bring in. Of course, there would be even more heavyweight figures later. With these people backing the bank, it would surely sail smoothly with the wind.