Chapter 185: The Dawn of French Finance

When the combined fleet saw that the pirate ship was about to run away, it was not too surprised. It still maintained its course and compressed the pirate's space smaller and smaller.

The dozens of oars on the pirate ship almost flew up, and they were about to escape from the attack from the east and west sides. Suddenly, a tall warship appeared from the sea on the south side, with a blue iris flag hanging on the mainmast. .

It is the 42-gun cruiser "Clyde".

Although galleys have a certain speed advantage in the Mediterranean with gentle winds, the formation of the combined fleet is very complete. The "Clyde" only needs to wait there leisurely, and its own warships from the other two directions will soon surround it. .

In the end, the helpless pirate ship exchanged fire with the "Clyde". The result was destined. The third salvo of the "Clyde" broke the mast of the 12-gun pirate ship, and the entire bow was blown away by the 28-pound shell.

The larger pirate ship tried to take the opportunity to get rid of the entanglement, but a shell from the "Clyde" broke off seven oars on the port side.

The oarsmen on the pirate ship didn't react in time and were still rowing with all their strength. Due to the unbalanced thrust on both sides, the entire ship immediately turned a 60-degree turn to the left.

By the time the pirate ship readjusted its direction, two United Fleet frigates were catching up behind it.

The Dutch frigate "Walrus" took the lead in firing. When the "Constellation" where Charles was located caught up, and was about to pour out artillery fire, he suddenly saw a huge fire bursting from the rear of the pirate ship. Apparently, the ammunition depot had been hit.

The battle ended like this.

Charles came to the deck and faced the heat wave that hit his face with a burning smell. He saw the pirates screaming and jumping into the sea, like fish caught in a fishing net, flopping vigorously on the sea, forming a ball of water.

He couldn't help but think of the situation when the pirates jumped aboard the "Golden Wheat". Anger suddenly surged into his chest. He grabbed the sailor's gun next to him, looked at it and saw it was loaded, and immediately aimed at the pirate below and shot him.

Soon, horns representing victory sounded on several battleships.

Charles was cursing loudly at the burning pirate ship when he heard Captain White's voice coming from behind him: "Young man, you have done a great job this time."

…

Palace of Versailles.

One of the things Queen Mary hated most was holding cabinet meetings, because she often had to hear bad news, especially about the fiscal hole that never seemed to be filled.

Today, she had been looking forward to the cabinet meeting since she had breakfast.

Because she had seen the report submitted by Brian yesterday. This time, through a series of operations of the Industrial Development Fund, the country's debt problem was unexpectedly significantly alleviated.

This is a stubborn disease that has plagued France for hundreds of years since the Louis XV era. Finally, under her dedicated governance, for the first time, there is hope of resolution!

She first went to the royal workshop and asked Louis XVI, who had some dark circles under his eyes and was tinkering with a textile machine, to change his clothes, and then dragged him to the conference hall.

The cabinet ministers had been waiting here for a long time, and they had obviously learned the good news. They all looked in high spirits, except for the Duke of Orleans, who was wearing a black coat and sat there in a daze with his head bowed.

After everyone had saluted the king and queen, and sat down at the queen's signal, Brian excitedly announced: "Today, I want to tell you some great news.

“With the blessing of God and the careful management of His Majesty the Great King and Queen, France’s debt has been significantly reduced in the past month!”

As he spoke, he took out a document and opened it: "As of three days ago, the national debt has been reduced by 130 million livres, and now only 2.11 billion livres remain."

He paused, looked around at everyone, his voice full of excitement: "Especially, the debt interest has been reduced from the previous 180 million livres per year to less than 100 million livres.

"Following this trend, France's finances will soon achieve balance of payments!"

France's current annual fiscal revenue is 100 million livres, and its expenditures excluding debt interest are close to 300 million livres. In other words, as long as the income is increased by more than 20 million, the balance of payments can be achieved for the first time!

Everyone immediately stood up and bowed to Louis XVI: "Long live His Majesty the King!"

"Long live Her Majesty the Queen!"

The Duke of Orleans was also speaking, but his heart was bleeding.

How can the national debt be reduced? He still doesn’t know? That’s all money from thirteen banks!

After this turmoil, several major banks that were directly related to him suffered heavy losses. At the same time, as Marquis Ludo and others defected to the royal family, his influence in the banking guild plummeted.

He suddenly felt a little tight in his chest. After losing control of the country's finances, he had completely lost the possibility of defeating the royal family.

Others were still complimenting the king and queen, but he fell weakly on his chair.

It seemed that the Orleans family's long-cherished wish for a century was completely hopeless in his generation. He lamented in his heart that he could only seriously train Philip in the future and look forward to him growing up...

Financial matters were "discussed" for nearly an hour before everyone moved on to the next topic.

Brian took out a document and signaled to the ministers: "His Majesty has signed an edict to add the position of Minister of Industry to the cabinet, which is mainly responsible for the supervision, management and investment of national industry."

He gestured to the golden door of the conference hall, and two guards immediately opened the door. Mirabeau, wearing a dark blue coat and carefully made up, walked in from the door with a bright look.

Brian continued: "At the suggestion of His Royal Highness the Dauphin, Count Mirabeau will be the Minister of Industry."

He was actually somewhat resistant to this appointment. Mirabeau, an upstart with no family background, didn't know how he got in touch with the Dauphin and stepped into the cabinet.

However, the Dauphin also mentioned that Mirabeau was very familiar with the development of industrial industries and would be able to promote the industrial development of France.

Today, the biggest financial growth point in France is industry. If Mirabeau can bring French industry to Britain, no, as long as it is half the level of Britain, it can increase fiscal revenue by tens of millions of livres each year, so that France can truly achieve a balance of payments.

And as the Minister of Finance, he will surely be recorded in history, and his reputation can even surpass Archbishop Richelieu in one fell swoop, becoming the most capable minister in France.

So Brian accepted Joseph's proposal and made a new nobleman the first Minister of Industry.

After a simple routine appointment ceremony, Mirabeau sat down at the end of the conference table.

At this time, a court official entered the conference room quietly and handed a report to the Minister of the Navy, the Marquis of Castries.

The latter unfolded the report and quickly read it. He immediately turned to the king with a smile and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, there is another good news. Our fleet sank a Barbary pirate ship a week ago and captured another one."