Flowers, Swords and France

Under the sunny and sunny sky, the sea waves crashed against the piers all over the Port of Calais, seemingly endlessly. The huge port is like a giant sea crab, with its claws spread wide open, ready to welcome ships from all over the world. After the waves recede, the golden sandy beach shines like golden spots against the dark blue sea. The lighthouse stands in the blue sky, looking clear and majestic.

Merchant ships sailed into the port one after another with their sails spread, and countless ships left at the same time. From time to time, dock workers shuttle between the piers and moored ships, unloading or loading batches of goods, allowing the blood vessels of economy and trade to flow smoothly, and allowing wealth to continue to flow around the world.

As one of the largest and busiest ports in France, the Port of Calais is among the largest in Europe. It generates huge trade volume between France and its European neighbors and colonies, allowing French companies and governments to gain huge benefits from it. profit.

Just around the harbor, there is a beautiful small villa. From the second floor of the villa, you can see the sea view of the harbor from the best angle. In the distance, under the slightly misty sea breeze, you can see the water of the harbor. The lights of various colors flashed like neon lights, and the white sails of fishing boats and merchant ships appeared and disappeared like seagulls.

However, at this time, for the people in the room, they had no time to enjoy the charming sea view outside the window, because they were all specially summoned by the Imperial Minister Mr. de Treville for face-to-face discussions.

They are all businessmen with some reputation and strength who are engaged in the shipbuilding and shipping industries. Some of them are locals in Calais, and some of them were called over by him from other places. Thanks to the telegraph and the initial form of There are several main railway lines, otherwise it would be very difficult to convene them to hold such a meeting in a short period of time.

After receiving the invitation from the Minister, these businessmen did not dare to neglect and rushed over from various places. As the newly appointed Imperial Minister of Transportation, in addition to the Empire's railway industry, he, the Imperial Minister, will also be responsible for maritime and shipping matters.

After Louis Bonaparte officially abolished the Republic and transformed himself from President of the Republic to Emperor, he made major reforms to the entire country's political structure in order to centralize the country's power.

He established the Senate in imitation of Napoleon I, and limited the legislative power and budget review power of the National Assembly, making this institution that has repeatedly been an enemy of successive governments and governments pursuing any political doctrine since 1815 finally no longer so impressive. It is intimidating to people, and it also allows the government of which he is the head to govern without restrictions in order to realize his original ideas.

At the same time, he also paid attention to strengthening the authority of government agencies and worked hard to concentrate power in the hands of these cronies he trusted. This not only consolidated the authority of these ministers, but also allowed them to find ways to extract benefits and wealth from the national budget to compensate for these problems. People follow his kindness for many years.

As the Minister of Transportation, and having won the trust of His Majesty the Emperor, Charles naturally has astonishing powers. In addition to managing the domestic transportation industry, sometimes he can even exercise his authority beyond his powers. Other government departments know that he has won the trust of the Holy Emperor. He is a family member, so he will be politely given three points.

It is precisely because of this that Minister de Treville can act arbitrarily within his own sphere of influence. There is no audit department or inspection department that can question him or hinder him. Everyone knows what he wants to do, and it is best to cooperate. .

This villa was temporarily rented by Charles's subordinates and chosen as a meeting venue. Firstly, in line with the principle that maritime matters should be settled at the seaside, it is very suitable to hold such a meeting by the harbor; secondly, the Port of Calais is the closest to the UK ——This is France's largest trading partner, and it is also very convenient for Charles to carry out other activities.

When these businessmen gathered in this villa with excitement or anxiety, the already renovated villa received them with impeccable standards. During the season, the villa also provided them with cold drinks, which helped them quickly regain their energy after the long journey.

However, the only thing that made them regretful was that the minister arrived late.

These businessmen all have families and businesses, and their time is quite precious. However, after arriving here, they can only wait for the arrival of His Excellency the Minister. Although they know that His Excellency the Minister is just showing off, they can only wait without complaint. here.

Because waiting was really boring, they started chatting around, and they also took this opportunity to get to know many colleagues, which was an unexpected gain.

It was almost noon, and just when they were starting to get a little tired from talking, a large group of people walked into the living room.

Although there was no roll call, everyone saw the scene and understood that the minister had already arrived in person. They quickly stopped talking and looked at the minister in unison.

"Everyone, good afternoon. I'm sorry that I was late because I had something to do." Charles smiled and waved to the group of businessmen, acting like a national leader. "I hope I didn't bore you."

Of course he would not get a positive answer. These businessmen expressed that they were not tired of waiting at all and thanked the minister for giving them such an opportunity to gather.

"It would be best if you are not angry." Charles smiled, "Actually, I called everyone here today just to let everyone get to know each other, because with the development of the country's economy, the previous development model of everyone working independently has changed. If we fall behind, the future will definitely be about the unification and coordination of the national market... It will be very beneficial for everyone to understand this trend early. "

His words soon silenced the whole place. Everyone was chewing on the profound meaning of His Excellency the Minister's words, and trying to figure out the original intention of His Excellency the Minister in calling them here today.

Before calling them over, the Minister mentioned something in the telegram, such as "strengthening industry management, establishing a new industry order, and rectifying the bad competitive environment." However, I don't know if it was because of the length of the telegram. Still deliberately vague, these words were not clearly stated, and no one understood how the minister planned to rectify the situation.

However, Ciel didn't give them any time to think deeply. He waved his hand again. "Okay, let's not talk here anymore. Let's go upstairs together. There is a good view there, and it also saves you the time of introducing yourselves to me one by one. There are name tags in front of the seats there. Please take your seats accordingly. ”

After finishing speaking, he took the lead to walk upstairs, but unlike the crowd just now, there was only one person following behind him - his secretary, Miss Marie de Leolan. She was wearing a black dress today and looked very serious, completely different from her usual lively appearance in front of Charles and others.

These businessmen immediately became awe-inspiring, and then followed the minister up the stairs. The hall on the second floor is equally spacious and carefully arranged like a conference room. A long oval table is placed in the center of the room, and each seat has a nameplate written on it to facilitate people to seat themselves.

After sitting down, these businessmen also did not dare to speak. They were all looking forward to the minister, waiting for him to speak.

Charles was not in a hurry, but glanced at Mary from the side first. Mary understood, got up and closed the door, then picked up the notebook and sat silently next to him.

"You must be still troubled by the purpose of my summoning you today." Charles first told them frankly, "I'm sorry, I didn't make it clear enough in the telegram before. Of course, I didn't mean to make you distressed. , but there are too many things to do, and it is impossible and should not bother everyone through a telegram. Instead, everyone should Let's come together to solve the problem in the most efficient way. I hope that this memory can also allow us to form a fixed mechanism, because I think it will be necessary for everyone to carry out some form of regular discussion within a certain cycle in the future. While gathering, the relevant industries of the empire can develop in an orderly manner and make due contributions to the prosperity of the economy and the well-being of the people.”

His opening remarks were official terms. They were comprehensive but did not involve anything specific. Therefore, none of these businessmen spoke to him, but waited for the minister to make fun of him.

"There is no doubt that transportation is the bloodline of a country's economy. Whether it is successful and efficient directly determines the success or failure of a country's economy. Since His Majesty has entrusted me with the position of minister, I must work for it. I will do my best to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted by His Majesty." Charles remained calm and unhurried, "Since taking office, I have given priority to the empire's railway industry, but I think you may not be particularly aware of what I do. What, other I don’t want to say more about things that have nothing to do with you. Let me just talk about something relevant to today - I ordered the establishment of an unofficial railway federation, allowing the railway industry with specialized qualifications to join it. Everyone and the government Cooperate and cooperate with each other, share resources and information with each other, exchange technology, and allocate government contracts by ourselves in order to achieve common prosperity... Now, I have initially achieved the reform on the railway, and I have set my sights on the shipping industry of the empire. among."

After looking around with a powerful gaze, Ciel nodded slightly. "Yes, for the prosperity of the entire industry, I think the shipping industry - whether it is domestic canals or foreign shipping, must also establish similar organizations for management and cooperation, so as to promote the prosperity of the industry to a greater extent. I ask Please note that the government will provide a large amount of investment in the shipping industry, and it needs to ensure that these investments will pay off.”

After saying this, Ciel deliberately remained silent for a moment, waiting for their feedback.

"Your Excellency, in essence, I do not object to your idea... because I also think that the industry must be further integrated to face today's business situation..." After a long silence, a local businessman from the Port of Calais said somewhat He asked anxiously, "But I would like to ask, in what form do you want to complete this reform?"

"This is where I need to rely on you." Charles spread his hands, "You are all very respected people in the relevant industries, so this kind of alliance is impossible without your help. I hope you all If we can contribute to it, as for me and the government, we will only play a role of spectator or support, and of course, we will also provide necessary guidance.”

Charles did intend to establish a semi-official federation of enterprises in the shipping industry, but unlike the monopolistic and exclusive federation in the railway industry, he planned to turn this federation into a guild-like business alliance.

Because shipping is different from the emerging railways. It is an industry that has lasted for hundreds of years, and the number of employees is very large. If a radical monopoly process is forcibly carried out in it, it will definitely cause a huge repercussions. This will have a great impact on Charles. It makes no sense to say it is very disadvantageous. He would rather use state support to slowly centralize the shipping industry bit by bit without causing serious social problems.

With the Railway Federation, he already has enough needs in terms of money, and does not need to use various drastic means to amass money. What he has to do now is just to strengthen the management of the industry - this is beneficial to his expansion of power, and is also beneficial to his expansion of power. Business prosperity is beneficial.

Besides, in the future, the shipping industry will also be inseparable from heavy industry. In this way, he can make its prosperity bring actual benefits to him.

"What does necessary guidance mean?" the businessman asked again.

"According to our plan, all companies that join the federation are required to submit a fixed proportion of their income as membership fees every year. This can raise a fund for the operation and management of the federation. Of course, this fund will not be taken by anyone. Go, but will use it to fight risks. After all, business is prosperous. The cycle of the economy also has a cycle of depression, and everyone needs to cope with unexpected needs." Charles patiently followed them in explaining, while Mary next to her was writing quickly, "At the same time, the government will also provide subsidies to you. Promote technological innovation and accelerate the process of replacing sailing ships with steamships.”

"Steamboat?" His Excellency the Minister's words immediately caused a commotion.

To these people, steamships were nothing new.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

As early as 1807, American inventor Fulton built the first paddle-wheel-propelled steam ship "Clermont" with a speed of about 8 kilometers per hour. The first paddle steamer ship to carry mail was the British mail ship "Rob Roy". It carried mail between Greenock and Belfast in 1818, and transferred to Dover in 1820. -Postal route, Port of Calais.

As a ship that does not rely on the weather, the superiority of steamships over sailing ships is of course self-evident, and the technology is improving step by step. However, sailing ships still occupy the mainstream in France's inland waterway and overseas transportation - after all Sailboats in this era are already a very mature technology, and their speed and stability have reached a very high level. Although steamships are superior, they are not to the point where they can completely replace them, and because of their huge stock, ship owners do not want them. Retire them before they become completely obsolete.

This situation is certainly not satisfactory to Charles, who is interested in accelerating technological innovation. Therefore, he also wants to speed up the construction and improvement of steamships through federation and government investment, so as to improve French shipbuilding. Ability rises by one or two steps. At the same time, this can also expand employment needs for the country.

In addition, there is another concern that is difficult to express.

In times of war, or at any time when necessary, through strengthened management, the government can requisition the ships of these shipping companies with or without compensation in order to carry out any act of war. A steamboat that can travel across inland rivers and windless oceans is always more comfortable to use than a sailboat.

"If there is help from national investment, we would not mind ordering some steamships to replace the current ships... But your Excellency, it is still a bit troublesome for steamships to replace ocean-going sailing ships." A businessman reminded.

"I'm not in a hurry for success, but I think that with technological innovation, ocean-going sailing ships turning into steam ships will be an inevitable prospect, and it will happen very soon." Charles nodded and agreed with the other party's opinion. "So overall, I hope you can make this replacement as soon as possible."

"If there is financial support from the state, I think... we can build as many good ships as possible." At this time, a businessman in the shipbuilding industry suddenly spoke, "We have long wanted to expand production, but we have I am afraid of market risks, after all, financing is too difficult..."

"With me here, this won't be difficult." Charles smiled, "I will use my firm will to implement my policies, and I can guarantee that no matter who succeeds me, I will try my best to make them Keep moving at the right pace.”

"But the fuel problem is difficult to solve..." At this time, another businessman spoke carefully, "Sail merchant ships can travel around the world with the help of wind, but steam ships cannot do it without coal."

This concern is actually very normal. For ships on long voyages, it is really difficult to replenish coal. Therefore, many ships are now equipped with steam engines and sails so that they can still have power when there is no fuel.

"Of course we have considered this." Charles spread his hands again, "There is no doubt that France is not a big coal-producing country, but fortunately, there is a country rich in high-quality coal next to her. Country, we have now signed a long-term agreement with the British, and we will import a large amount of coal, high-quality fuel coal, from them in the future. Of course, this will be a big expense, but I believe it will be compared to what it can bring. The benefits are not worth the price.”

In this era, Western countries had not yet deployed a network of ports and coal filling stations in Europe and even the entire world as they would later do, but they would do so within a few decades.

Britain was very lucky to be rich in coal mines, and the coal was of very high quality, which could be used on steamships. Therefore, relying on the empire's colonial network all over the world, the British took the lead in establishing a port network in the next era, which also allowed their own Refined coal is sent to every corner of the world, even as far away as Shanghai on the other side of the world.

However, Charles did not expect that he had already participated in this process as a pioneer.

His words caused a commotion in the venue, and everyone was very surprised. They did not expect that the minister had already implemented supporting measures to this extent. It seemed that he was determined and could not refuse; secondly, they did not expect that he had actually put his hands into the trade between the two countries - how did this originally look? It should not be the responsibility of the Transport Secretary.

"Tighter economic and trade ties and a larger scale of trade will undoubtedly benefit both our countries, and will also make the relationship between the two countries much closer than before." Among the onlookers, Charles was quite excited Calmly explained, "This is your Majesty's will, and it is also my will."

However, this is what Charles did in line with the will of Louis Bonaparte - in Louis Bonaparte's view, boosting France's trade is necessary for a prosperous economy, and if necessary, it can break the mercantilism trend. In order to increase imports from foreign countries due to inherent shackles, trade with Britain is of great importance and has a different meaning.

Therefore, although it is not feasible to completely abolish France's traditional high tariffs, he strongly supports reaching an agreement with the British to increase coal imports.

After receiving the support of His Majesty the Emperor himself, Charles also started to contact the British government and businessmen, and soon reached an agreement to import a large amount of coal - this import volume even far exceeded France's current demand. .

In Charles's view, since various countries have begun technological innovations to replace sailing ships with steamships, the demand for coal will definitely increase exponentially in the future. Now, it is possible to take advantage of the fact that no one has done it yet and import large quantities of coal from the UK at a lower price. , even if it cannot be used up temporarily, it is a wise move for France.

Although France is currently very small and does not have many trading partners, in the future, shipping and merchant ships will definitely be the most important form of foreign trade for a country, and every country will rely more or less on international trade. To maintain the stability of its economy and wealth - even France has always practiced mercantilism.

"I have explained the basic situation clearly to you, so you can see that the government has called you here now, not just on my whim, but after careful weighing and preparation, and has made a decision Determined to implement his own policies." Charles looked around at these businessmen, and then laughed, "There is no doubt that you don't have to listen to my suggestions, but I can also sue. Let me tell you, everything on the French sea except water monsters is now under my control. If anyone does not follow the government's wishes, I can make your ships, the ships built by their factories or your merchant ships, never enter. French ports, I can fully guarantee this. You can make suggestions for improvements, but the general direction must be implemented in accordance with the will of the empire - that's it." (~^~)