Chapter 689 Claude Sharpe

Dechap

Lord Marquis pointed at Bailly and said, "It's just a coincidence that the sugarcane production in the Caribbean has just decreased, and France's beet sugar production has appeared on a large scale. Isn't this too much of a coincidence?

"You must be planning to destroy the sugar supply in the Caribbean so that your beet sugar can be sold at a high price! Yes, now a pound of sugar has been sold for 1 shilling and 4 pence! You made a lot of money!

"What else do you have to say?"

Bailly suddenly laughed: "You are really humorous, Mr. Envoy.

"Why don't you calculate it yourself?

"Our country lost 50 million francs in Saint-Domingue, and our beet sugar production can only produce 2 million pounds per month, with an annual profit of less than 30 million francs.

"Do you think our country will be like a brainless bull, crashing everything just to make itself lose money? "

He is just bullying other countries because of information asymmetry.

First, France did not suffer such a huge loss in Saint-Domingue. The 50 million francs are calculated based on the fact that no sugar is produced. In fact, even if there is war damage, at least 30% to 40% of the previous output can be achieved.

Second, the scale of sugar beet cultivation in France is far from saturated. As long as it achieves profitability, it will not be difficult to double it several times in the future. Moreover, the price of sugarcane is still rising. Now it makes a profit of 30 million francs per year, and it may be 40 million or 50 million in a few months.

Finally, Joseph's biggest goal is actually the sugarcane franc! So even if it really loses some money, as long as it can greatly increase the influence and circulation of the franc, this deal is definitely worthwhile.

"This..." Lord Marquis was stunned.

The wind direction reversed, and representatives of various countries glared at him again.

Bai took advantage of the victory and pursued: "Speaking of losses, our country has sent two expeditionary forces to quell the Saint-Domingue rebellion, which cost a lot. ”

In fact, Joseph only sent the so-called "expeditionary force" to deliver equipment to Auger, which only had more than a thousand regular soldiers, so the cost was extremely low, and the two "dispatches" cost only about 3 million francs.

In comparison, the British sent Brand to lead 4,000 expeditionary forces to the Caribbean, spending more than 400,000 pounds, or more than 10 million francs.

"Our second expeditionary force had already stabilized the situation in Saint-Domingue, and at this time, General Brand of the United Kingdom asked our country to transfer troops from Saint-Domingue to help them quell the rebellion in the Bahamas. As a result, as soon as our army left, Auger took the opportunity to occupy the Magua Fortress, causing the situation in Saint-Domingue to completely get out of control.

"I have reason to suspect that Britain has always colluded with the Saint-Domingue rebels to destroy our colonies!"

"You, what you said is not true!" Marquis said angrily, "General Brand has found out that your Galissonnier colluded with the black rebels, exposing our flank to the blacks, which eventually led to our defeat!"

It is impossible to keep a complete secret on such a large battlefield with tens of thousands of soldiers involved in the war.

Brand only captured a few black officers, and quickly interrogated them to find out that they had received orders not to attack the French army.

Only then did he realize that he was being calculated by the French.

Bailey sneered disdainfully: "You are completely a boring slander!"

Marquis waved his fist and said: "I have witnesses!"

"Who?"

"The officers of the Bahamian rebels!"

Before Bailey spoke, representatives from other countries laughed.

The testimony of the blacks?

What a joke!

In their minds, the blacks were hardly even human beings, so how could they use their testimony to accuse French officers?

Bailey waited for the surroundings to quiet down, and then continued: "As for our country's beet sugar production, it was a complete accident.

"Before, our country didn't even know that there was such a technology. It was a Bavarian scholar who came to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to sponsor his research, so some were planted.

"The cost of refining sugar from beets is extremely high, and His Royal Highness is still losing money."

As for the specific cost of beet sugar production, only the French Minister of Agriculture has detailed data. Isn't it just Bailey who can say it now?

Marquis was completely confused.

The French are too insidious! He knew that France was behind this, but no one believed it. Instead, they all believed that it was Britain who manipulated the abolition movement in Saint-Domingue, but it went too far and eventually affected the entire Caribbean.

Even the Dutch and Portuguese envoys looked at him with extreme dissatisfaction at this time.

After all, these two countries also have colonies in the Caribbean, and this abolition storm has also caused them heavy losses.

In the end, this grand "European Sugar Special Conference" failed to achieve any results and ended hastily.

In fact, Bailly drafted a statement condemning Britain, but only Spain was willing to sign it. Other countries, considering their huge trade with Britain, chose to forget about it, so they finally gave up.

However, this special meeting gave French beet sugar a great free GG. Just one week later, the trading volume of the Paris Futures Exchange soared by 35%.

Even the sugar futures contracts for a year later were almost sold out.

And the franc banknotes were also sought after by all merchants overnight - easier to carry than gold and silver coins, and can be used to buy scarce sugar at any time, there is no reason not to accept it!

Under the influence of merchants, ordinary people gradually began to accept francs...

Palace of Versailles.

In the study of the crown prince, Joseph listened to Bailly's report on the Frankfurt meeting, but frowned slightly.

He could foresee that the price increase of sugar would be a huge blow to Britain.

If Britain wants to solve this crisis, it can only rely on launching foreign wars to divert conflicts unless it takes the initiative to lower the export price of sugarcane.

It is definitely impossible to lower the price.

The franc is now in a period of rapid growth. Last month, the French Reserve Bank exchanged tens of millions of francs of banknotes. All this money went into the hands of foreigners, which is equivalent to letting them recognize the credit of the franc.

Lowering the price of sugarcane at this time, isn't it self-destructive market enthusiasm?

Therefore, it is estimated that the British will speed up the process of launching a war.

Anyway, this war is inevitable.

After all, there can only be one hegemon in Europe.

The current hegemon Britain will never sit idly by and watch France challenge its position.

And the huge profits earned from sugarcane this time can also increase France's chances of winning in future wars.

As soon as Bailly left, Berthier came right after.

Joseph smiled and greeted the Chief of Staff, "I just wanted to talk to you about accelerating preparations for war. Oh, what are you doing here?"

"Your Highness, last time you asked me to try to use the 'ship owner communication mode' for military command." Berthier said, gesturing behind him, "In fact, Mr. Claude Chap has already submitted a similar invention to the General Staff, and it has more advanced functions."