Holy Roman Empire

It has to be admitted that the British have powerful diplomatic means. In the past few decades, they have attracted the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, the Nordic Federation and other countries to join.

Now that Austria has joined the free trade system, the remaining Switzerland, the German Federal Empire, Greece, and Montenegro will naturally join the free trade system.

France was isolated again, and Spain, the only one left, had to hurry anyway.Fortunately, the Spanish royal family was established by Napoleon III, a proper pro-French faction.

Foreign Secretary Montero: "It's not that simple, the Spaniards won't necessarily stand with us this time.

Britain and Austria have too many chips in their hands, and the price they can offer will be much higher than ours.

Our advantage is mainly that the Spanish government is pro-French, but in the face of interests, it is difficult to say how much this advantage can play.

The situation is now very clear, and it is our turn to make a decision.The current semi-free trade model, which was feasible before, has now become the worst option. "

The "semi-free trade system" is an economic policy formulated by Napoleon III with reference to the economic policies of European countries and according to the actual situation of France.

To put it simply, it is to implement tariff-free or low tariffs on the industrial raw materials that France needs, and implement trade protection policies for goods that can be produced in the country.

To a certain extent, before this, the economic policies of France and Austria were somewhat similar, both protecting domestic industry and commerce.

It is a pity that Austria seized the opportunity of the second industrial revolution and took the lead in completing the industrial transformation. It also has agriculture as its support, and now it has the ability to participate in international competition.

France is different. Not to mention the lack of its own resources, domestic capitalists do not like to invest in manufacturing.

Even Napoleon III's encouragement of manufacturing did not change the nature of French capital's preference for usury.

Insufficient funds flow into the manufacturing industry, and industrial development naturally lags behind.The core factor causing all of this is essentially the lack of raw materials for local French industries.

Although France was also a colonial empire, it was also a desert empire.The vast colonies are mostly deserts, and the output of the colonies is relatively insufficient.

Coupled with the annexation of the more resource-poor Italian regions, this made France's resource crisis even more serious and had to rely on imports.

Now more than [-]% of the world's industrial raw material exports are monopolized by Britain and Austria.In order to crack down on competitors, Yingao, which has the right to price raw materials, artificially drives up the market price of raw materials.

By importing industrial raw materials to develop the industry, the cost will naturally go up.In international competition, the competitiveness of French industrial and commercial products is obviously insufficient.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Allen: "Your Majesty, joining the free trade system is easy to say, but if it is really implemented, we must first consider whether domestic industry and commerce can withstand the impact.

According to the statistics of Paris Daily, the overall cost of industrial and commercial products produced in our country is 2.9% higher than that of the British and 2.7% higher than that of Austria.

However, it is a fact that domestic industrial production costs are high. If market protection is liberalized, we will be at a disadvantage in the face of international competition. "

The high cost of industrial production is an unsolvable problem.Unless the price of raw materials is knocked down, there is no solution.

Napoleon IV: "If the cost of industrial production differs by two or three percent, it does not seem to be irreparable.

British and Austrian capital also needs to make money. They can't sell at cost, so domestic companies will only make less money.

The government can also close the gap by lowering taxes.As long as the first wave of shocks is overcome, I believe that domestic enterprises can gain a firm foothold in the competition.

At worst, we can also rely on distance and advantages to keep the local market and not make the situation worse. "

After listening to Napoleon IV's words, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Allen was taken aback and hurriedly discouraged: "Your Majesty, things are not so simple. This gap is the overall gap between all industries combined.

If it is specific to a certain industry, the cost gap may be enlarged to [-] to [-] percent, which can no longer be compensated by adjusting the tax rate. "

Just kidding, the data published in the newspaper, God knows how much water there is, no one knows whether it is through data analysis or guesswork.

The French government does not have a special statistical agency. When data is needed, economic experts are responsible for estimation, and the government then performs artistic processing according to needs.

Allen didn't want to change all this. As the chancellor of the exchequer, he knew too much truth, but the French people couldn't accept the fact that they were inferior to Britain and Austria.

Not to mention now, after the Franco-Prussian War in the original time and space, the French people did not admit that they were inferior to Germany.

The First World War was said to be caused by the contradiction between Germany and France, but it was actually caused by the pride of the French.The arrogance of the French was lost in the First World War, and the corpse of World War II was created.

It is better not to count the real numbers and not dare to publish them. Let’s pretend to be confused.

In the free trade system, it is enough to shout slogans in normal times. If it is true, it will kill the country.

In addition to the advantages of the financial industry, most industries in France will be affected.The emergence of the usury empire is not without reason.

Napoleon IV frowned, no doubt he was slapped in the face again.This feeling is very unpleasant, and it seems that he is an ignorant emperor.

"So how to solve the current problem? Britain and Austria are working together to develop a free trade system, and most European countries have joined in, and the remaining countries will not be able to hold on for long.

At that time, not only Europe, but the whole world will be covered by the free trade system. Can France really be alone? "

Napoleon IV did not understand, but saw it too clearly.The free trade system that the British fiddled with is a conspiracy in itself, and even if you know it, you can't stop it.

At present, the French industry has not broken out, and it can still be free for the time being.Once the domestic industry and commerce develop further, France will still join in due to reality.

Of course, you can also choose to challenge the world.The Germans in the original time and space provoked the war because they lacked raw materials and markets, and lacked the right to speak in the free trade system.

The current situation in France is naturally much better than that of the German Empire, but the crisis still exists.Unless the manufacturing industry is not developed, the crisis will be detonated sooner or later.

2 Chapter [-] The New Plan of the French

Since ancient times, it is easy to find problems, but difficult to solve them.Everyone can see the development dilemma facing France, and it is still a difficult problem to get rid of the predicament.

Minister of the Exchequer Allen: "Your Majesty, learn from the Austrians to develop colonies! France has more than 1000 million square meters of colonies. As long as they are developed, most of the industrial raw materials needed in the country can be solved."

This is not the first time that "development of colonies" has been proposed. As early as the era of Napoleon III, the French government formulated an ambitious colonial development plan.

To this end, the French government has also launched a large immigration program, which has successively filled millions of immigrants from the Balkans, Italy, and natives to North Africa.

The influx of immigrants promoted the development of French Africa to a certain extent, but unfortunately it ended in failure.

It's not that the French government doesn't work hard, it's completely useless.Except for the development of some precious minerals, other industries have not developed.

This is completely different from Austria. Austrian Africa was able to develop. It was a group of nobles and people who liked farming and developed a plantation economy locally.

The number of settled people increased, the income of the colonial government also increased, the infrastructure was gradually improved, and after the transportation was improved, the surrounding minerals were gradually developed, forming a virtuous circle.

French Africa is different, the French have no love for farming.Everyone is only interested in precious metals such as gold and silver mines, and no one is willing to invest in low-return industries such as farms and plantations.

The French are reluctant to invest, let alone other immigrants.Even if you want to build your own farm and plantation, you have to have money in your pocket!

Private capital is reluctant to enter, relying solely on the French government to invest, naturally it will not last for a few years.

The local economy has not developed, and the mining industry is still cheaper with indigenous peoples.Against this background, the French colonial development plans soon went bankrupt.

Economy Minister Elsa: "Your Excellency, it is not so easy to restart the colonial development plan.

The biggest problem is that the people are reluctant to invest in the colonies. Even if they do, they are only interested in mineral resources. Too few people are willing to invest in other fields.

With the power of the government alone, it would cost too much to develop the colony. "

Chancellor of the Exchequer Allen: "We can increase government investment and introduce policies to encourage people to go to the colonies for development. As long as we persist, we will succeed sooner or later.

No matter the cost, it must be done.France has no shortage of technology, and its domestic industrial development lags behind that of Britain and Austria, mainly because we lack enough cheap industrial raw materials.

If we can't change the embarrassment that industrial raw materials are subject to people's embarrassment, our industry will never develop! "

Economic Minister Elsa shook her head: "Your Excellency, Marquis, you should talk to the nationalists and idealists outside, and it is estimated that they will support you.

In fact, we all know that domestic aristocrats, capitalists, and even ordinary people don't see it this way.

It’s okay to shout a few slogans, but if you really want everyone to invest in the construction of colonies, the first thing you can’t avoid is the issue of income.

There is also a gap between colonies and colonies. On the surface, we are the third largest colonial empire in the world. However, we have to admit that the difference in value between our colonies, Britain and Austria, is too great.

You don't think that the vast desert is also valuable, right?

After these rotten fields were removed, less than one third of the territory remained.A large part of this land is subject to geographical conditions and has no development value.

Even if it is developed, it may not be able to meet domestic needs.At least we have the biggest shortage of coal resources, which is not available in French Africa. "

This is a real problem. Like Austria, most of the French colonies are concentrated on the African continent, and most of them are in desert areas.

The harsh natural conditions and climatic environment have become the biggest problems restricting the development of French Africa.Investment and income are not proportional, and capital will naturally abandon them.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Allen, said uncertainly: "The coal resources are only temporarily discovered, but it does not mean that there is no French Africa. Our development of these areas is too low. As long as we continue, we can always find them.

It is impossible that the huge African continent does not have coal resources. Be patient and send more prospecting teams out to find them, and there will always be gains. "

When he said this, Allen had no confidence. France has been short of coal for a long time. In order to solve the shortage of coal resources, Napoleon III sent a large number of prospecting teams.

It cannot be said that there is no harvest at all. Many coal mines have been discovered. Unfortunately, the reserves are too low and the development is difficult. Most of the coal mines have no economic value.

To say that the prospecting team didn't work hard would be an injustice.They don't have it, and they can't be turned into coal mines.

Minister of War Patrice McMahon retorted: "Your Majesty, this is only a theoretical existence. In fact, the distribution of mineral resources is determined by God. It does not mean that there will be rich mines if the land area is large.

If we want to solve the coal shortage, it's better to look directly from our neighbors than to not rely on unrealistic fantasies. "

Patrice McMahon was a hawk in the French government, who advocated the capture of territory west of the Rhine, and was incompatible with the doves led by Chancellor of the Exchequer Allen. (Belgium, Rhineland, and parts of Baden)

Now when it comes to coal resources, Patrice McMahon immediately took advantage of the topic and advocated a strategy of expansion into Central Europe.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Allen bluntly rebuked: "Your Excellency Marshal, if you can neutralize Britain and Austria, I don't mind developing in Central Europe.

If you can't, it's best to dispel this unrealistic fantasy, unless you want to experience another European war against France. "

Minister of War Patrice McMahon smiled coldly and said disdainfully: "Coward!"

"Now the international situation is very obvious, the hatred between Prussia and Russia is as deep as the sea, and the second Prussian-Russian war may break out at any time, and it is simply powerless to interfere with our actions.

Without the participation of Prussia and Russia, the Spanish government was under our influence, the Italian region was annexed by us, Switzerland declared eternal neutrality, and the Nordic Federation was alone and beyond the reach of the north. Where could an anti-French alliance come from?

As long as our speed is fast enough and the established facts are established, small countries such as the Netherlands and Portugal will not dare to send troops.

The strength of the British Army is limited, and the only powerful intervention is Austria. What is there to be afraid of one-on-one? "

Without experiencing the defeat of the Franco-Prussian War, the French are still full of arrogance.After the fall of the Russian Empire, for political needs, the French government claimed to be the number one army in the world.

After a long time, I heard a lot of touts, and the French military also floated.Patrice McMahon was also inevitably affected, and he gradually dismissed other countries.

Foreign Secretary Montero reminded: "Your Excellency Marshal, one-on-one does not exist. Britain and Austria will definitely join forces. Perhaps the army can ignore their threats, but the navy cannot.

If the war cannot be won in the short term, we will face a protracted blockade, and if nothing else, food alone is a big problem. "

Today's French people are very confident in their own strength. The newspapers are bragging every day. After listening to it for a long time, the Paris government is also more confident in its own strength than ever.

Of course, the upper echelons of the government are not completely lost, and at best they have confidence in the Army.As for the navy, forget it, the Royal Navy is too powerful, and the French have not yet had the confidence to challenge.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Allen waved his hand: "Going off topic. Today we are holding an economic conference to discuss how to solve the problem of Austria's entry into the free trade system, not a military conference."

It might seem like an understatement, but it's actually a warning to Patrice McMahon that he's overstepped.Economic meetings are the job of the government, not the military.

Although the Minister of War is also a member of the government, in actual work, his powers have been limited to the military field, and the government's economic policies have nothing to do with them.

……

Napoleon IV rubbed his forehead. I don't know since when, the French government has become accustomed to quarreling.

Disputes in the cabinet are considered harmonious. If the meeting is expanded, hand-to-hand combat may even be staged.

The relationship between the people below is not good, which is naturally beneficial to the emperor as an arbiter, but it is a great harm to the efficiency of the government.

When everyone quarrels with a result, it will be too late.In order to improve government efficiency, many times Napoleon IV had to end the game in person.

This approach is very harmful to the imperial power.But there was no way to arrange for his subordinates to go on, and everyone didn't buy it at all. Napoleon IV could only go on by himself.

For example, now, the plan of restarting colonial development proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer is obviously unpopular.

If Napoleon IV wants to restart the colonial development plan, he must give him the platform himself.

Seeing that the quarrel could not end, Napoleon IV interrupted: "Don't discuss the plan for the time being, let's list all the plans first and see how many options we have.

If there is no choice, even the worst option is better than no option at all.In any case, we can't sit still, it's slow suicide! "

Obviously, they have little choice.As long as we join the free trade system, we must solve the problem of raw materials.

As for relying on the power of capital to promote industrial technological innovation, reduce production costs, and maintain market competitiveness, so as to maintain the current market share.

Sorry, this is idealism.The fact that France is not short of capital does not mean that French industry is not short of capital.

Originally, everyone disliked the low rate of return of the real industry and was reluctant to invest in the real industry.If we join the free trade system, increase our competitors and further dilute profits, can we expect capitalists to fail to invest?

Restarting the colony development plan may not be the best option, but it is the only viable option right now.

Moreover, this plan cannot pay off in a short period of time, and it will take ten or 20 years to really see the benefits.

Not to say that it can completely solve the problem of insufficient raw materials in France, but most industrial raw materials are self-sufficient and can be done.

The premise is that the French plan can succeed, and the colony is really developed, otherwise it should be done.

Forced by reality, with the support of Napoleon IV, the French government passed the "Restart Colony Development Plan" proposed by the Minister of Finance with a slight advantage.

……

Chapter 211 Destruction

The French restarted the colonial development plan, which still caused an uproar.With the success of Austria, no one can be sure that the French will fail.