Chapter 99 A meeting belonging to the Crown Prince

Sumial suddenly felt that the entire conference hall was filled with an aura of humiliation. He was so angry that his whole body was shaking, but he had no choice but to stand up angrily and walk out of the hall with a dark face.

After the golden door closed again, Queen Mary sighed softly, looked at Brian and said: "Archbishop Brian, who do you think is more suitable to succeed the Minister of Justice?"

Brian immediately said: "Your Majesty, the current palace adviser, Baron Breteuil, is capable and loyal. He studied law at the University of Paris. He can be appointed as the Minister of Justice."

This is also the result of repeated weighings between Joseph and Brian. Bretey is good at communication and has good political abilities.

And most importantly, he is the king's cousin and very loyal to the royal family. Historically, at the most dangerous moment when Louis XVI was preparing to flee Paris, he was planning for the king and never betrayed him.

Queen Mary nodded: "Please ask him to meet me later."

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Joseph glanced at Foreign Minister Vilzhin without leaving any trace. The next target is him. After getting rid of Verzhin, it will be equivalent to pulling out all the political teeth of the evil tiger Duke of Orleans.

Brian picked up the document again and read:

"The second issue.

"In view of the fact that the High Court has given up its power to censor news, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince proposed to establish the Press and Publication Bureau to manage news censorship matters."

The Duke of Orleans snorted coldly, lowered his head and said nothing with a sullen face.

He has been completely defeated in the recent "pamphlet war", and now that he has lost his right to censor news, he no longer needs to think about controlling public opinion.

In the past twenty minutes, he first lost an important political ally, and then his hegemony of public opinion was shattered. Today's cabinet meeting was simply a nightmare for him.

"Well, this is very good." Queen Mary nodded very happily.

Ever since she married in France, she has been constantly smeared by public opinion. Today, she can finally clear up the clouds.

Brian gestured to Monod: "The responsibilities of the Press and Publication Bureau are closest to internal affairs, so I suggest that Count Monod be responsible for managing it."

Mono immediately caressed the queen's chest and said, "Your Majesty, I will definitely make those vulgar and shameless articles completely disappear from the world!"

Queen Mary showed a satisfied smile, praised Monod a few words, and immediately signed the document.

Brian continued: "The third issue.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince submitted a report, believing that after the signing of the Treaty of Eden, France’s interests were greatly damaged, especially in the textile, steel and other industries, which were almost unable to continue operating.

"So His Highness suggested that the UK-France trade negotiations should be restarted as soon as possible and the content of the treaty should be revised to avoid the situation from deteriorating further."

The Duke of Orleans felt that he finally had a chance to fight back, and immediately sneered: "Your Highness, I'm afraid you think too simply. Britain has gained a lot of benefits from the treaty, how can it possibly agree to amend the treaty?"

Joseph glanced at him, bowed to the queen and said, "Your Majesty, I am absolutely sure that I can convince the British."

Before the queen could ask questions, he added: "Even if the negotiation may not work out, we should give it a try. After all, we won't have anything to lose."

All cabinet ministers except the Duke of Orleans, including Verzhin, immediately agreed - several of them were either Joseph's political allies or stakeholders, how could they disagree?

Queen Mary also nodded slightly and asked: "Archbishop Brian, have you made preparations for the specific negotiation terms?"

Brian immediately placed a document in front of her: "Yes, Your Majesty, these are our established negotiation goals.

"The core content is twofold: First, strive to get the UK to reduce import tariffs on alcohol, including wine, beer and spirits, to less than 10%."

The minister, who learned about the contents of this negotiation for the first time, was immediately full of expectations.

Liquor, especially wine, is the main export pillar of France, but it currently faces fierce competition from Spain, Tuscany, Venice and other places.

If the UK can really reduce France's wine import tariffs alone, the competitiveness of French wine will be greatly improved.

Brian continued: "The second is to increase our import tariffs on industrial products to 25%, but then reduce it by 3% every year until it is reduced to 5% in seven years."

The Foreign Minister immediately stood up and objected: "5%? Absolutely not! This will completely deprive France's industry of protection!"

Joseph smiled and said: "Even according to the current 12% tariff, our industry is no match for the British. It would be better to let those workshops take a breath and change industries as soon as possible, which can reduce losses.

"Besides, only by significantly reducing tariffs on industrial products can the British reduce tariffs on alcohol."

Naturally, he would not mention the rapid improvement of France's industrial capabilities. After all, there is still the guy Orleans present.

The queen looked at Brian hesitantly: "Archbishop, do you think so too?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. This is the most beneficial way for us at the moment." Brian was actually at a loss, but based on his absolute trust in the crown prince, he still chose to support these terms.

"Other negotiations include Britain and France jointly forming a joint fleet to combat smuggling."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this, thinking that there was something wrong with their ears.

Britain and France form a combined fleet?

Why does it sound so magical? !

And this is the effect Joseph wanted. The British would regard this as a symbol of France giving up maritime hegemony, and combating smuggling would be more beneficial to France.

The British industrial products that are smuggled into France every year have dealt a heavy blow to the French industry - because the smuggled products are equivalent to zero tariffs and the price is much cheaper than those produced in France.

And if this article is negotiated, it will be equivalent to using the British fleet to protect French industry.

Britain gains face and France gains dignity, so why not?

Brian continued: "There is also a requirement that Britain sell 1 million pounds of cheap wool to the port of Le Havre every year..."

Since France's defeat in the Seven Years' War, it has lost a large number of overseas colonies, resulting in a shortage of wool, which is very detrimental to the development of the textile industry.

Of course, Joseph was not sure whether the British would be so generous, but after all, everyone has united the fleet, why can't you, the British, express your gratitude? If you don't have 1 million pounds, at least give me 500,000 pounds.

After discussing the trade negotiations, Brian continued to read out the next topic: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince proposed to introduce the Patent Law and the Company Law..."

Because these two bills were urgently needed by the capital aristocracy to develop industrial industries and had no harm to the old aristocracy and common people, Queen Mary signed the document very neatly and ordered it to be taken to His Majesty the King for signature.

As for the High Court, not to mention that they had no reasons to reject the two bills. Even if they had, under the gaze of the Royal High Court, they could only register the bills obediently.

Thanks to: Mr. Gongmen, a small official, for the generous reward of 1,500 starting coins for this book! The young author is grateful! mwah!