Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1226: 1131: A More Stable Backyard

Chapter 1226: Chapter 1131: A More Stable Backyard

Wilson’s subordinates suddenly noticed that the people around them were looking at them unfavorably. Unable to think of how to argue back, they hurriedly bowed their heads and escaped into the nearest alley.

In front of the St. Nazaro Maggiore Cathedral, the manager of the Ferrini Silk Factory left with dozens of newly hired porters.

A large number of people still in line were suddenly disappointed and dispersed.

Just then, someone waved a newspaper and shouted, “This Milan Skills Training School says that if you study there for a few months, you can get jobs that guild assistants can do!”

“Guild assistant” sounds like an inexperienced low-level worker, but in reality, it is a step into the craftsman’s door; a “technical talent” capable of working in occupations with qualification requirements.

Previously, to obtain this certification, you had to first join a guild, sign an apprenticeship contract with a master, and study for at least 5 years; some industries even required over 10 years of study.

During this time, not only was the wage very low, but you also had to pay guild fees and even forced to buy guild “certified” tools—which were usually much more expensive than the market price.

However, after obtaining the assistant qualification, you could engage in work monopolized by guilds, with almost no competition, effectively having a “secure job.”

And now, you only need to study at that skills training school for a few months to do work that previously only craftsmen could. The temptation is simply too great!

Immediately, someone gathered around and cautiously asked that person, “Excuse me, does that school have an age limit for apprentices?”

“Where is the school located and how much is the tuition?”

“Is there a guild fee after finishing the course?”

The person with the newspaper read aloud, “The school is located north of the Porta Romana District. Anyone aged 10 to 40 can go for training, but there is an entrance screening. People who are physically disabled, mentally slow, or have been imprisoned are not accepted.

“Tuition is 5 francs, but you can owe it initially and have it deducted from your wages once you find a job. There’s no guild fee.

“Moreover, apprentices can apply for a ‘bread loan’ to get 1 pound of bread daily at the school for free, to be paid back later from wages.”

The crowd was silent for a moment; a boy of about thirteen or fourteen asked quietly, “Sir, is this school established by the Church?”

In his impression, only the Church had established similar “welfare” schools, which only taught children literacy and religious tales.

“No, it’s not the Church,” the person with the newspaper immediately shook his head. “This is run by the French Production Management Consulting Company. It’s to help Milan people more easily find jobs.”

The boy made the sign of the cross in front of his chest, “Thank the French gentlemen. I apologize for previously cursing them.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately turned and ran south.

The others froze for a moment, then hurriedly followed suit—that was the direction of the Porta Romana District; who knew if there would be any spots left if they were late.

If the competitive industry chains of each city are anchors stabilizing Northern Italy’s economy, then skills training schools are the buffers.

Take Milan, for instance; its current silk-reeling, wood carving, and art industries can offer about seven to eight hundred jobs, while the training school can accommodate over five hundred people.

This total of around 1300 people may not seem like much, but they can drive a large number of industries related to clothing, food, housing, and transportation, at least solving the livelihood problems of tens of thousands of families.

And Milan has a total population of just 130,000, so the city’s economic situation could stabilize immediately.

As these competitive industries continue to develop, products could also be sold to Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and other places. By then, the demand for labor would increase, and Milan’s population would probably not be enough.

As Northern Italian cities develop, purchasing power would also grow stronger, essentially expanding the market for French goods—this is akin to Italians earning money from Germany, Russia, Turkey, etc., to buy French products.

Therefore, Joseph is willing to invest to help the various Northern Italian countries cultivate their own industries. A weak little brother is actually a severe burden to a big brother.

Moreover, aside from market benefits, France can also leverage this “industrial aid” to strengthen the pro-French trend in Northern Italy.

The various governments, having taken large loans from France, will also be more firmly attached to France.

At the same time, France’s various patents, technical standards, and laws have also entered Italy with industrial aid. In the future, even if Italians want to break away from France politically, they will find that the domestic industrial situation does not allow them to do so.

The “backyard” will become more stable, more prosperous, and at critical moments can provide greater support to France.

As for the total of over 14 million francs of loans offered to various countries this time, Joseph originally planned to issue a batch of national bonds in Northern Italy.

The nobility here is actually quite wealthy, and as long as the interest rate is suitable, selling 10 million in national bonds should not be difficult. This is also a way to use Italian money to promote their own industrial development.

Later on, France can also earn a lot from shares in various industries and patent income. Even training schools are profitable.

However, upon learning that Naples got involved in this Northern Italian turmoil, Joseph decided to let Ferdinand IV also “share” some of the expenses.

In a carriage beside a street in Florence.

Count Costantino frowned as he watched the crowd of angry citizens disperse.

He couldn’t understand when the Florence government planned such a large-scale tannery and leather goods factory.

It is said that the French caravans pre-ordered a large number of leather boots and bags, which quickly alleviated the unemployment problem here.

Now there’s talk everywhere in the city about new jobs and training, with nobody caring about the topic of Italian unification.

The carriage stopped.

Costantino glanced at the villa of the famous writer Carlo Botta and signaled his attendant to knock on the door.

He had heard that Botta was recently writing a masterpiece called “The History of Italy,” which would greatly help in promoting Italian identity. So he prepared to pay a visit and if necessary, provide some funding for the book.

However, as soon as the maid opened the door and before Costantino could introduce himself, they heard an angry shout from the second floor: “These Milan people are nothing but shameless pigs!

“The only individuals in Milan worthy of being called artists are Da Vinci and Bramante, yet they dare to call themselves the art center of the Apennines?!

“Florence has Carajova, Sanmattino, Pergolesi, Scalatti, and so many more. This is the real art center, and even the great Renaissance started here!”

The scolding suddenly stopped because the maid informed the villa’s owner that there was an esteemed guest visiting.