Claude Shap

Marquis Lord pointed at Bayei. "Cane Sugar production in the Caribbean Sea has just declined, and France's Sugar Beet refining has suddenly appeared on a massive scale. Isn't that far too much of a coincidence?

"You must have plotted to destroy the Caribbean sugar supply so you could sell your own beet sugar at exorbitant prices! Yes, a pound of sugar now sells for 1 Shilling 4 Pence! You've made a fortune!

"What else do you have to say in your defense?"

Bayei suddenly burst out laughing. "You are truly humorous, Envoy.

"Why don't you do the math yourself?

"Our country lost 50 million Francs in Saint-Domingue, while our Sugar Beet refining can produce only 2 million pounds per month, with annual profits of less than 30 million Francs.

"Do you think our country is some brainless wild bull, smashing everything to pieces just so it can suffer losses?"

He was taking advantage of the information gap between the nations.

First, France had not suffered such enormous losses in Saint-Domingue. The 50 million Franc figure had been calculated on the assumption that not a single bit of sugar was produced. In reality, even with wartime destruction, production could still reach at least thirty to forty percent of its former level.

Second, France's Sugar Beet cultivation was far from saturated. As long as it became profitable, expanding severalfold in the future would be no difficult task. Moreover, Cane Sugar prices were still rising. Profits might be 30 million Francs per year now, but in a few months, they could become 40 million or even 50 million.

Finally, Joseph's greatest objective was actually the Sugarcane Franc! So even if they truly lost some money, as long as they could greatly expand the Franc's influence and circulation, the deal would be absolutely worthwhile.