Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1547 - 1453: The Harsh Winter!
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Godan responded initially, carefully noting it down in his notebook, and then hesitated: “But this seems to slow down the expansion speed of our financial system.”
Joseph nodded: “It will indeed slow it down a bit, but at the same time, the benefits will be greater.
“First, it’s about creating a ‘hunger marketing’ situation. Oh, you don’t need to worry about this phrase; in essence, it’s about creating a scarcity of qualifications to join the Settlement Bank, thereby attracting more countries to submit applications.
“And the order and speed of the reviews also reflect our attitude towards the applicant countries.”
He took a sip of coffee and calmly continued: “Secondly, you need to know, this is an opportunity that the Security Bureau has been longing for.”
Although he only mentioned it briefly, Godan immediately understood.
This is a legitimate opportunity to delve into the financial systems of various countries. By placing a few Security Bureau experts among the reviewers, they can at least gather intelligence on the financial forces of each country and estimate their wealth.
This holds immense value for France in expanding its financial landscape in the future.
As the two were speaking, cheerful music and the sound of a bustling crowd came from outside the window.
Joseph stood up and looked out the window, seeing hundreds of people gathered on the street opposite, excitedly shouting around a “shop” decorated with colorful ribbons.
Eman hurried over, looking at the distant crowd: “Your Highness, that seems to be the inauguration ceremony of the San Carlos National Bank branch.”
Joseph nodded.
The San Carlos National Bank is the largest bank in Spain, which underwent reforms a few years ago at the request of the Spanish Royal Family, modeled after the Bank of France Reserve, becoming Spain’s “central bank.”
It is also the largest foreign bank currently doing business in Marseille, no wonder it’s so lively—a large bank opening ceremony typically involves distributing sweets, bread, or even directly throwing money to passersby.
In fact, nearly 20 foreign banks have set up branches around the Bank of France Reserve.
The French futures market, stock exchange, and other institutions are nearby, resulting in those streets being so congested that movement is almost impossible.
Outside the window, behind the San Carlos National Bank branch, a trail of white smoke was slowly moving.
Joseph knew that it was a moving steam railcar.
After Marseille was designated the financial center of France, a wave of investment and population surged into the city, driving its rapid development.
The previously long-planned “ring city rail” project quickly completed the northern and western sections, the city’s gas streetlights have already gone through the bidding process, and various construction equipment is piled up on all the main streets.
As for various shopping malls, amusement parks, hospitals, and the like, they are popping up like mushrooms after the rain across bustling market areas.
The railway line from Marseille to Lyon has efficiently raised over 18 million francs in private investment, coupled with funding from the Ministry of Transportation, and is expected to begin construction early next year.
By the time this line opens, the Paris-Lyon railway line is also likely to be completed.
By then, it will be possible to take a train from Paris directly to the southernmost part of France, taking less than 30 hours in total.
Meanwhile, Mediterranean merchant ships can unload various goods in Marseille and then distribute them by rail to Paris. The massive trade volume will further foster the prosperity of the city.
It can be foreseen that in more than ten years, or as few as seven or eight years, Marseille will evolve into Europe’s leading metropolis.
The next day at noon, after inspecting the new headquarters of the Bank of France Reserve, Joseph finally completed his visit to the financial center and prepared to return to Paris.
As the carriage passed the castle-like headquarters building of the European Settlement Bank, an officer caught up on horseback from behind.
The convoy stopped. The officer produced a report, saluted Joseph: “Your Highness, this is an urgent message from the General Staff that must be delivered to you immediately.”
Joseph opened the tube, puzzled: “What’s the matter?”
“It seems to be news from Eastern Europe, Your Highness.”
Joseph’s eyes quickly scanned the report, and he was greatly astonished.
It stated: In early December, the Polish Minsk army completely broke through the Russian Army’s Dnieper River defense line, capturing key locations like Mskislav and Vitebsk, and unexpectedly occupying Smolensk Fortress within ten days.
Currently, over 5,400 soldiers in five divisions of the Polish army have assembled west of Smolensk.
On orders from the Polish General Staff, they will launch a full attack on the vulnerable Moscow as soon as logistical supplies are replenished.
A brief combat plan of the Polish army was also attached.
In general, two infantry divisions and four cavalry camps from the Lithuanian corps will move north, crossing the West Dvina River to tie down the Russian reinforcements heading from Saint Petersburg to Moscow.
Kosciuszko will lead the main Polish army to sweep the remaining enemies west of Moscow and, in spring of next year, seize Moscow.
Afterwards, Poland will consider whether to cease hostilities based on the conditions offered by the Russians.
Joseph immediately grabbed the tube, carefully verifying the wax seal and the General Staff’s stamp on it.
There was nothing wrong.
The battle report was indeed far beyond his expectations.
Russia, despite suffering significant losses on the Anti-French Alliance battlefield, hasn’t yet reached the point of being critically weakened as a major power in Europe.
And on the Polish side, driven by revenge, national morale is high, but it cannot change the essence of being a weak nation. In reality, Poland relies entirely on France’s aid to prevent soldiers from going hungry.
Against this backdrop, the Polish army rapidly advances and threatens Moscow!
This is a glorious moment reminiscent of Napoleon in history.
At the thought of Napoleon, Joseph couldn’t help but frown.
Something’s not right here, definitely not right.
While Kosciuszko also has rich battlefield experience, his command abilities can at best be considered above average among French generals; compared to Napoleon, there is at least a three-Bertier gap.
And on the Russian side, there is Kutuzov, Napoleon’s historic old rival.
Theoretically, with nearly equivalent troop strength, Kutuzov should be able to defeat Kosciuszko without issue.
Even factoring in the low morale of the Russian Army and domestic disruptions by the “Happiness Association,” the Russian Army should not collapse so quickly when defending strategically.
Kutuzov’s forte is strategic defense, after all.
Joseph gazed out the window, rethinking every possibility.
Soon, when he recalled the reasons behind Napoleon’s massive army disintegrating in Russia years ago, his gaze became steely.
Napoleon and the current Poles share one crucial commonality.
That is winter!
