Zhu Jingyuan wanted to get to the road construction rights in French Canada, and then continued to remind Charles in a concise manner:
"You can ask your father to appoint you Governor General of Canada and live in Canada for a few months each year.
“In your name as the Governor-General, you directly decide on various affairs in Canada and formulate development directions and construction plans.
"This can improve the administrative efficiency of Canadian regions. The key is to exercise your own governance capabilities."
This time, Ciel nodded without hesitation:
"I will apply to my father. Thank you for your advice, my dear friend."
Zhu Jingyuan talked about whatever he thought of and gave Charles some details.
Then the topic turned to France itself, mainly about money, that is, the issue of loans.
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and said:
"It's the same as building roads in Canada. Daming can give you a loan from the French royal family.
"Then you can't allow Daming to operate banking and financial industries in your country, right?"
Charles felt that what Zhu Jingyuan said made sense:
"really……"
Talleyrand glared again.
My previous emotion was still too early.
His Highness Charles indeed has a certain ability to make decisions, but there are still problems with the way of making decisions.
It would be nice if His Highness Charles didn't obey Prince Dashi's words.
Talleyrand subconsciously wanted to dissuade him again:
"Your Highness..."
But this time Zhu Jingyuan himself took the initiative to speak:
"Don't rush to agree. This kind of thing is not something you can decide. Go back and let your father and the Prime Minister discuss the decision.
"The interest rate for the loan provided by Daming Bank to the Bourbon royal family is five cents per year, or five percent, for a maximum period of twenty years.
“The amount will be enough to repay the interest on all your previous loans.
"I can also give you another personal loan, with an annual interest rate as low as three cents and a maximum period of ten years.
“The amount is enough for you to invest in some large industrial enterprises.
“I can’t decide directly on the specific amount of loans and borrowings.
"Daming Bank and I will arrange professional financial personnel to go back to France with you to review the financial situation of the French royal family.
“Determine the loan amount based on your needs.”
The annual interest rate of five cents is considered normal interest, but that is the normal interest rate for normal lenders.
The finances of the French royal family and court are now in very bad shape, and it is no longer possible to get such interest if you want to borrow money from ordinary banks.
A loan with an annual interest rate of three cents is a truly low-interest loan.
After hearing this, Prince Charles was very moved and thanked Zhu Jingyuan repeatedly:
"Thank you very much, my dear friend. I will definitely convince my father and make good use of this money..."
Talleyrand also knew that the interest on such loans was very good.
But Talleyrand understood that the price of these loans and borrowings was to open the banking and financial industries to the Ming Dynasty.
But since Zhu Jingyuan said that there was no need to make a decision on the spot, Talleyrand just expressed some thanks:
"Thank you to His Royal Highness Prince Dashi for your kindness. We will discuss it carefully with His Majesty the King."
Zhu Jingyuan nodded noncommittally, and then continued to add:
“The purpose of the loan given to you by Daming Bank and me is not for you to feed the bankers in Thailand.
“In the process of borrowing, repaying, and investing, you will also start a round of liquidation.
"I don't believe that during these years of war, there were no nobles and bankers who betrayed the country, illegally hoarded goods or even smuggled goods, or even prepared to rebel or create chaos.
"For example, the Duke of Orleans in your country has died eight hundred times for the things he did.
"The shops on his porch street have now become the activity center of your French rebels, and there are countless illegal transactions.
"Now that the war is over, you should kill these moths before continuing to repay the loan.
“This should also alleviate some of the financial pressure.
“To support these operations, you first have to fix the military.
"Establish a group of elite troops who will absolutely obey you to capture and punish traitors and suppress possible rebels."
Prince Charles was obviously taken aback:
"The Duke of Orleans? His palace was given to his ancestors by His Majesty Louis XIV. The police have no right to enter..."
Zhu Jingyuan sneered directly and said:
"Louis XIV wouldn't allow him to condone the rebels, right? This could be considered a crime of treason in the Ming Dynasty.
“The Orleans family launched a coup during the Louis XV era, which was also a capital crime in the Ming Dynasty.
"This is no longer the feudal era of enfeoffed territories. The empire cannot allow such places to exist outside the jurisdiction of the state.
"After you go back this time, just take people over and ransack his home. If you don't want to kill anyone, just exile him.
“Also, Zhuhu families like the Rohir family do a lot of illegal things.
“The key is that even if he is caught and killed, it will not cause social unrest.
"Ordinary French people should be wishing they were caught."
Charles hesitated:
"But... I may not have enough evidence, and I am just a crown prince, so I am not qualified to do such a thing directly."
Zhu Jingyuan continued to encourage:
"Many things do not require evidence. If you insist, I will ask Xichang to prepare some for you.
"As for whether you are qualified or not, you are qualified as long as you are willing to do it. Your identity is your qualification.
"Your father has a soft temper. If you do these things directly, he probably won't punish you.
“At the same time, I am also your support, and he must consider the consequences before punishing you.
“The loan given by Daming and the loan given by me were all taken back by you.
“The current situation in France, whoever can get the money has the power to make any decision.
“Similarly, this situation does not tolerate your hesitation.
“As you said yourself before, when chaos continues, you will suffer the chaos.
"As the future monarch, you have to make your own decisions, and then your ministers and soldiers will obey you."
Charles was still a little hesitant at first, but when Zhu Jingyuan reached the end, Charles nodded seriously:
"I understand, I will seriously consider it, thank you dear friend..."
Zhu Jingyuan also nodded slightly and continued to explain other thoughts:
“The current situation in France is that just having money is not enough, otherwise sooner or later it will end up in the pockets of those bankers.
“There must also be industries and jobs to absorb the unemployed workers released by previously bankrupt manufacturers.
“You can learn from the Ming Dynasty and build some industrial companies owned by the royal family and some manufacturers directly under the jurisdiction of the imperial court.
“At the same time, Ming Dynasty and the Great Food Country are also willing to invest in some industries in your country.
“In addition to building roads like Canada, we are also preparing to build power plants, steel plants, machinery factories, textile factories, and food factories.
“But the role of these factories is mainly to absorb the lower working class.
“The key groups that affect social stability include intellectuals and the middle class.
“So I’m also going to open a school, a newspaper, a theater, and a radio news broadcaster.
“These matters are not something that you, Charles and Talleyrand, can decide directly, and they are sent back to your king for decision.
"We want us to invest in certain aspects, like us opening up certain industries."
This time after Zhu Jingyuan finished speaking, Charles and Talleyrand were silent for a while.
These requirements, these industries, are very important.
If all related industries in France were completely controlled by Ming Dynasty, then France would not be able to be an enemy of Ming Dynasty.
With the financial and technological advantages of the Ming Dynasty royal consortium, it is difficult for local French manufacturers to compete with Ming Dynasty.
After the scene was quiet for a long time, Ciel asked rather tangledly:
"Is opening up these industries a condition for Ming Dynasty to be willing to give France a loan?"
Talleyrand's ears immediately pricked up after hearing this.
This is a very critical question. If Charles does not ask it, Talleyrand will ask it later.
But they didn't expect much from this answer.
As a result, Zhu Jingyuan gave them an answer that looked like a surprise:
“The conditions we give for investment in specific industries are the industries involved in the investment itself.
“The condition for the loan is to open up the financial industry, and the condition for building the steel plant is to open up the steel industry.
“If you open up the financial industry, we will provide loans; if you open up the steel industry, we will invest in building steel plants.
“On the other hand, if you don’t open up a certain industry, we won’t invest in a certain industry.
"You don't want to open up other industries. As long as you want loans, just open up the financial industry."
Talleyrand was a little surprised after hearing this, but he was also a little worried, always feeling that there was something wrong with it.
Talleyrand looked at Charles and reminded him that he could use his identity to ask directly. He also wanted to see if Charles was aware of the problem.
Charles's thinking may be different from Talleyrand's, but he does feel uneasy:
"My best friend... I don't know what to say. I feel like there's something you haven't said.
"If France really only wants loans and doesn't want other investments, and it won't open up those industries, you should be very unhappy?"
Zhu Jingyuan smiled:
"It's because of your relationship that I'm willing to explain it to you and decipher the Ming Dynasty's diplomatic logic.
"The logic is actually very simple. Ming Dynasty is willing to accept you into the Ming Dynasty system. The question is whether you are willing.
"Just like two friends, if you are willing to tell me the troubles you have, I can help you with this trouble.
"If you don't tell me anything, then we can't help you, and at the same time, we can't be considered friends, right?
"If you just want a loan, then we'll do it on a business-like basis. I'll lend you the money and write an IOU to collect interest.
“If you open certain key industries to Ming Dynasty, Ming Dynasty will be able to support you in these industries.
“By accumulating trust in the process of cooperation and support, over time, the two countries can be regarded as strategic partners.
"To put it bluntly, this is looking at France's future diplomatic strategy, whether it will fall on the side of Ming Dynasty.
"To what extent is it going to be one-sided? Should there be competition and cooperation? Or should we maintain all-round competition and vigilance?"
Charles suddenly realized:
"I understand. Of course I personally hope that France can fully support the Ming Dynasty, but my father and the nobles may not be able to accept it."
Talleyrand next to him also asked very seriously:
"If France is willing to fully support the Ming Dynasty in diplomacy, can the Ming Dynasty sign a formal alliance agreement with France?"
Zhu Jingyuan smiled and shook his head and said:
"Unless Rome is truly resurrected and completely unifies the western continent, it will be qualified to sign an alliance agreement with the Ming Dynasty.
“For other existing countries, Ming Dynasty will only sign clan agreements.
"But don't worry. Tribute is an advanced form of alliance, and the Zongban Agreement includes the role of an alliance agreement."
Talleyrand's expression suddenly became a little embarrassed:
"Um...this..."
