Political deals

Mono bowed to Joseph and Brienne, and said earnestly, "This Cabinet decision concerns the future Finance path, and everyone will likely be extremely cautious in deciding how to proceed."

Brienne immediately smiled, "Count Monod, I heard your child will soon be 15 years old, and is very outstanding."

He extended his arms to Mono: "This may be a bit presumptuous, but I think he is indeed a good candidate to inherit your title."

Mono's eyes lit up immediately. "You mean, you have a way to help him...?"

He was over sixty years old. His first wife and only son had both passed away due to illness. Although he had several Illegitimate Son, according to France law, Illegitimate Son could not inherit the family business.

Brienne nodded to him and said, "It will take quite a while, but I believe there are ways to make it happen. I can promise you that."

Mono immediately grasped his hand tightly, and said excitedly:

"Archbishop Brienne, you will always be my most respected Minister of Finance! That will never change."

He already had some connection with Brienne, and later with Joseph.

This time, the Crown Prince firmly sided with Brienne. He had roughly determined his position, but he still needed the political rewards he was entitled to.

Brienne readily offered his payment. It's important to understand that securing an heir for a Count's Illegitimate Son is no easy task; without Brienne's Church connections and his power Chief Minister, it would have been virtually impossible.

Of course, Mono also took a great political risk, but he also calculated very clearly that even if Brienne lost, he could still gain a favor from the Crown Prince and not lose everything.

Brienne bowed deeply in thanks. "Thank you for your trust, Count Monod! You will forever have my friendship."

Having completed the exchange of benefits, Mono immediately began to offer suggestions and contribute to the team:

"Archbishop Brienne, are you confident about tomorrow's decision?"

Brienne replied truthfully, "Currently, only Your Highness and you are certain of your support for me."

Mono pondered for a moment and said, "According to convention, soldiers generally do not participate in such matters."

"And the Duke of Orléans has Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Affairs, also three people. So..."

Brienne continued, "Count Nicoé's stance will be of particular importance."

The Nicoé he was referring to is the current Minister of Census, a minister who was usually the least prominent in the Cabinet but has now become the focus of the storm.

Mono lowered his head and analyzed, "The Duke of Orléans should already be on his way to win him over."

Joseph looked at him and asked, "What do you think the Duke of Orléans can offer?"

Mono thought for a moment and said, "It should be money, a large sum of money, or a Manor or something. You know, the Duke of Orléans is very wealthy."

Joseph then asked, "Could you tell me about Count Nicoé?"

"Yes, he was once an advisor to His Majesty the King, and later became the Minister of Census's Office on the recommendation of Viscount Calonne. However, he didn't accomplish much, and behind his back everyone called him ' the Invisible Nicoé '..."

After he finished speaking, Joseph smiled and said, "I think I can go and talk to him."

As dusk approached, Nicoé followed respectfully beside the Crown Prince, walking slowly along the cobblestone path at the edge of the Versailles Palace Square.

He was well aware of the current situation and was just waiting for both sides to make their offers.

He had expected Brienne to come looking for him, but instead it was the Crown Prince who arrived.

"Trade negotiations?" Nicoé looked extremely surprised. "Your Highness, you mean you want me to preside over the trade negotiations?"

Joseph nodded and said, "Yes, it won't be long before we resume negotiations with the United Kingdom on the Eden Treaty."

Nicoé asked doubtfully, "But... what does this have to do with me? These kinds of negotiations are usually handled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance."

Joseph laughed and said, "That's not necessarily true. The Minister of Finance is responsible for drafting the specific terms, while another person is responsible for coordination and communication with the United Kingdom."

"You see, after today's Cabinet Meeting, it's clear that it will be difficult for Vergennes and Archbishop Brienne to cooperate any longer. And since the Minister of Finance must participate in the negotiations, we have no choice but to choose someone else to cooperate with Archbishop Brienne. For example, you."

Upon hearing this, Nicoé's heart stirred. The Political Capital he could gain from leading the negotiations with the United Kingdom far surpassed what he could gain from conducting tens of thousands of censuses.

The most notable political achievement of the once-renowned Count of Vergennes was forging the Franco-American Alliance, followed by the signing of the Eden Treaty.

Could it be that I too have a chance to gain the prestige of Count of Vergennes?

Thinking of this, he suddenly paused, and hesitated before saying, "But, Your Highness, I have no experience in this area..."

Joseph immediately replied, "That's easy. You just need to uphold the dignity of France in front of the Englishman."

I know you have exceptional abilities, you just haven't had the opportunity to showcase them.

"If you can demonstrate your diplomatic skills to everyone in these negotiations, you might even have the opportunity to be promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs."

Nicoé's breathing quickened, not simply because the Minister of Foreign Affairs wielded more power, but more so because he was already tired of the household registration system—no opportunities for recognition, monotonous documents and data, and even ridiculed as "transparent."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, can use the entire world as his stage and dance freely among nations—how unrestrained and bold that is!

He looked at Joseph and asked earnestly, "Your Highness, are you sure the trade Parliament be renegotiated?"

"I'm quite certain. You can contact the British Ambassador to France for more information."

"So, Archbishop Brienne will co-chair the negotiations with me?"

"What I conveyed was precisely the Archbishop's own meaning."

Joseph maintained his smile throughout. When Mono mentioned that Nicoé's family was very wealthy, but he had always lacked a presence in the Cabinet and was quite dissatisfied with it, he knew what he should offer in exchange.

As expected, Nicoé stopped, turned around, and gestured to his chest, saying, "Your Highness, you will receive the vote you desire."

Joseph nodded in satisfaction, then added, "Count Nicoé, I'd like to remind you of one last thing. If Archbishop Brienne resigns as Minister of Finance, then Necker and Vergennes will be in charge of the trade negotiations."

Nicoé immediately replied firmly, "Yes, Your Highness, I will never let such a thing happen!"

Compared to the allure of the Minister of Foreign Affairs's position, the hundreds of Livre promised to him by the Duke of Orléans were utterly insignificant!

Joseph bid farewell to Nicoé and headed toward the Versailles Palace, thinking to himself: Politics is just like a transaction between market vendors—some offer a price, some offer a counter-offer, and in the end, the highest bidder wins.

Some people take advantage of buyers' psychology and can ask for exorbitant prices.

Or perhaps you are very powerful and can simply force a sale.

But ultimately, it's still a transaction.

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Introduction:

Transmigrating into the body of the son of the Republic's ruler, exiled to New World far from the center of power, and becoming the Governor of Colony, what choices will Joanne make?

Faced with New World filled with Centaur Girls, Catgirls, Mermaids, Joanne suddenly felt that the power of the Republic wasn't so important anymore.

Now that he's the Governor, can't he just relax and enjoy the Fortune Rivalling Heaven Gu?!

Welcome to read and save this!

(End of this chapter)