Chapter 625: The Leasing Agreement
After some time, a smile finally returned to Camellia's face.
She affectionately linked arms with Perna, and the two left the small prayer room, now bonded as the closest of sisters.
Joseph cautiously raised his head, confirming that their figures had disappeared before standing up. No wonder the two of them requested leave yesterday—they must've come here for this Valentine's Day "religious activity."
Rubbing his sore, numb thighs, Joseph reflected on the conversation he had overheard. Perna was graceful and intelligent, while Camellia was sweet and adorable. Still, with his current status, marriage to either of them was impossible. Would they really end up as his mistresses?
Sigh, I still find it hard to fully embrace 18th-century ideals. Forget it—I'll just act as if I don't know anything for now.
Lost in thought, he noticed a familiar figure at the door. A cleric bowed and said,
"Your Highness, the ceremony outside has concluded. Shall I summon Archbishop Beaumont for you?"
"Oh, please do." Joseph nodded.
Ten minutes later, in a reception hall on the second floor of Notre Dame Cathedral, Archbishop Beaumont arrived with a group of senior clergymen. Bowing respectfully, he greeted Joseph with a warm smile:
"Your Highness, have you come to participate in the Valentine's Day celebrations?"
Joseph chuckled internally. Why would I pay to join a commercial event I personally designed? But he maintained a polite facade and nodded.
"Of course. This is an opportunity to feel the Lord's gaze, and I wouldn't miss it."
"You are truly devout!" Beaumont quickly made the sign of the cross. "May the Lord bless you."
Once seated, Joseph got straight to the point:
"Archbishop Beaumont, I've identified an excellent business opportunity and would like the Church to collaborate."
Beaumont leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Your Highness always has the Church's interests at heart. You truly possess the most devout soul. What opportunity do you have in mind?"
The last time the Crown Prince suggested a venture, it was the improved indulgence certificates, now one of the French Church's main sources of income. Beaumont was eager to hear about another potential "gold mine."
Joseph smiled. "Archbishop, you must be familiar with sugar beets."
Given the Church's involvement in promoting sugar beet cultivation, Beaumont nodded.
"Indeed, Your Highness. I even planted some of Mr. Achard's sugar beets myself."
Joseph leaned closer. "And have you been following the situation in the Caribbean?"
"Do you mean the revolts among the Black population?"
"Exactly. It's clear that soon Saint-Domingue will struggle to supply us with enough sugar," Joseph said. "Sugar beets will become the most important source of sugar in the future. I hope the Church can help expand sugar beet cultivation."
Beaumont nodded eagerly. "The Church has already been encouraging farmers to switch to sugar beet cultivation."
Joseph clarified, "I mean, by using Church-owned farmland."
Beaumont paused and then forced a good-natured smile. "Your Highness, you know that the Church's expenses have risen significantly to support your military academy, the mechanical and chemical university, and the tax university. If we reduce land income further, it could be difficult…"
"You misunderstand," Joseph interrupted. "The revenue from sugar beets will be quite substantial."
Beaumont privately doubted this. With the current subsidies, farmers barely earned as much growing sugar beets as they did growing wheat.
Just as he was about to voice his reservations, Joseph preempted him:
"At present, sugar beets aren't profitable, but once Saint-Domingue's sugar cane production collapses, sugar prices will soar. You must think long-term."
Beaumont hesitated. "But when that happens, won't sugar from Jamaica and the Lesser Antilles flood the market, stabilizing prices?"
He sighed and put on another polite smile. "How about this—let the Church contribute 100 hectares for sugar beet cultivation?"
Joseph inwardly scoffed. Jamaica and the Lesser Antilles will soon face their own issues with slave labor shortages. Where will they get the sugar to flood France?
But this wasn't something he could disclose.
"I was hoping the Church could allocate 30,000 hectares of farmland for this project."
Beaumont's eyes widened. "30,000 hectares?! That's impossible!"
While sugar beet farming could yield decent income with subsidies, he wasn't willing to bet everything on government payments. France's finances were unreliable; if subsidies were cut, the Church would be left scrambling to revert to wheat farming.
Joseph spent some time trying to persuade him, but Beaumont reluctantly increased the Church's commitment to 800 hectares before firmly refusing to go any further.
Even when handed a golden opportunity, they won't seize it, Joseph thought, shaking his head in frustration.
"Well then, Archbishop," Joseph said, "I propose an alternative: a leasing agreement."
"A leasing agreement?"
"The Church would lease 40,000 hectares of farmland to the Ministry of Agriculture. The government would pay rent at a rate 5% higher than the standard tithe from tenant farmers. Payments would be made annually. Of course, the Church must assist the government in ensuring that tenant farmers cultivate the designated crops."
While land reform had reshaped much of France's agricultural landscape, Church lands remained under the traditional tenant farmer system. The Church still held considerable influence over its tenants.
Beaumont appeared uneasy. Dealing with tenant farmers was far simpler than negotiating with the government, especially if payment delays arose—it would be nearly impossible to collect.
"Your Highness, could we reduce the scale, perhaps to 5,000 hectares?"
Joseph's expression darkened.
To be frank, the monarchy's power had grown exponentially since the days when Joseph had to borrow Church grain. With control over politics, economics, military, and media, Joseph could easily seize Church lands outright if he wished. He refrained only to maintain the Church's role in stabilizing French society.
"Archbishop Beaumont, I came here for another matter as well," Joseph said, his tone turning firm. "The Saint-Domingue expeditionary force recently suffered a defeat. The General Staff has decided to send an additional 8,000 troops to the Caribbean, which will require significant funding.
"As part of its duty to support France's future, the Church must contribute 8 million francs toward the expedition."
Beaumont paled. "Your Highness, the Church doesn't have that kind of money! Besides, military expenses have never been the Church's responsibility…"
Joseph feigned impatience and stood as if to leave. "I trust in the Church's financial resources. Please notify the other archbishops. I expect the funds to be ready before the expedition departs."
Beaumont, now a picture of despair, hurriedly stopped him.
"Your Highness, perhaps we could discuss the leasing agreement further…"
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