Chapter 102: "The Grain Squad"

Chapter 102: "The Grain Squad"

Joseph returned to his office, and while his mind was still racing with ideas, he began writing on paper, recalling the PowerPoint presentations his mentor used to "dazzle" clients in his previous life:

Title: Paris Fashion Week Plan

Table of Contents:

Prospects and Feasibility Business Model Detailed Project Planning

... Profit Model

...

Early the next morning, Aymon had someone bring the architectural layout of the Tuileries Palace from City Hall.

Joseph rubbed his tired eyes—he had worked until past two in the morning and had slept for less than six hours—then he eagerly spread out the plans, treating them like a treasure, and began dividing the venue.

"The East Wing faces the palace gates and has several very spacious halls, making it perfect as the main venue.

"The first floor of the South Wing should have wide rooms for dining and entertainment; we can even send some royal chefs there...

"The first floor of the North Wing will sell luxury items like jewelry. Hmm, I should save a prime spot for Angel's Shop in Paris...

"The second floor can be set up as a high-end hotel. We'll need to recruit and train service staff in advance..."

Two middle-aged men knocked on the door and entered, bowing to Joseph. Seeing that he was busy, they tentatively asked, "Your Highness, do you need our help?"

They were the two new deputy directors of the Industrial Planning Bureau whom Joseph had recently appointed—the second and third in command. One of them was a former orator, and the other, recommended by Brienne, was a scholar with business experience and a deep understanding of the French industrial landscape.

Joseph nodded and handed the notebook with his planning notes to the taller man. "Perfect timing. Viscount Varenne, could you please help me take notes?

"Mr. Sylvain, could you help hold down the plans?"

The tall man glanced at the plans, surprised. "Your Highness, this seems to be the Tuileries Palace?"

"Yes."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Save Lyon's textile industry," Joseph said, pointing to the central square of the palace on the map. "We're going to set up a large runway here, at least 50 meters long, with dense lighting, and have a fashion show every three hours."

Viscount Varenne had just jotted down a few words before pausing, looking at the Crown Prince with a pained expression. "Your Highness, this runway and fashion show, what are they...?"

"A runway is..."

Several hours flew by. After arranging the venue details, Joseph was revising the planning scheme when Aymon glanced at the clock and came over, "Your Highness, the three people you requested are almost here."

"Oh, have them come here directly," Joseph nodded, feeling like he was a machine running at full capacity.

Before long, three people of varying heights and builds arrived at the office and respectfully bowed to Joseph.

Joseph nodded in return, then handed the fashion week planning documents to his two assistants. "Please organize this and make two copies as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness," they replied, bowing and leaving the office.

Joseph then turned to the three newcomers and smiled. "How long have you all been serving the royal family?"

The three exchanged glances and quickly responded, "Fifteen years, Your Highness."

"Thirteen years."

"Over twenty years."

They were all originally in charge of managing royal assets.

Joseph knew that if he or the government tried to buy up grain directly, it would quickly attract the attention of profiteers, causing grain prices to skyrocket.

So, he needed "frontmen" to make scattered, small-scale purchases over time. That's why he had Aymon select three loyal and commercially experienced individuals for the job.

Joseph smiled at them. "Gentlemen, please sit. I must first remind you that the task you're about to undertake must be kept strictly confidential. Do you understand?"

The three men were just about to sit down, but upon hearing this, they immediately stood up again. "Yes, Your Highness, you can trust our loyalty!"

Joseph nodded, trusting Aymon's judgment of their character, and had them sit down again before giving instructions. "From now on, you will each be the owner of two grain stores. You will manage the shops and the staff as you see fit.

"Your only task is to purchase as much grain as possible."

"Buy grain?" one of the older men asked. "Your Highness, when you say 'as much as possible,' how much are we talking about?"

Joseph replied, "As long as the funds I provide you are not exhausted, and you don't cause market prices to fluctuate, keep buying."

The three exchanged startled glances, and the older man asked again, "Your Highness, should we not sell any of the grain?"

"You may sell a little to avoid suspicion."

Though they didn't understand the reason, they still bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness, we will do as you command."

"First, prepare the shops and warehouses. The initial funds for each of you will be 300,000 livres, and someone will deliver them in a few days."

All three took a sharp breath—300,000 livres each, totaling 900,000!

What on earth did the Prince need so much grain for?

They had no idea that the 900,000 livres was just the beginning. According to Joseph's plan, he would be buying tens of millions of livres worth of grain within six months.

"Let me emphasize once more," Joseph said sternly as he looked around at the three of them. "Avoid attracting attention and do not cause market fluctuations. What you're doing is extremely important, and you must report to me weekly on the progress of the grain purchases."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After carefully explaining the details of the grain acquisition, the three men took their leave. Joseph walked to the window, opened it, and stretched his aching back in the cool winter breeze, immediately catching a whiff of the street's foul odor.

He looked out and saw someone relieving themselves in a corner across the street, causing him to frown.

In the past, Paris's filthiness was merely an annoyance, but with Fashion Week coming up, it would affect economic income!

A thorough cleanup of the city was necessary.

This was going to be a massive undertaking... He sighed, thinking it over carefully, and decided to start by addressing public urination.

Joseph summoned Aymon and instructed, "Please send someone to City Hall to invite the Chamber of Commerce..."

He initially intended to have the Chamber of Commerce president, who was effectively the mayor, handle the matter, but then reconsidered, doubting the president's efficiency. "No, invite Viscount Besançon instead. I have something important for him to take care of."

"Yes, Your Highness."

An hour later, the Chief of Police was sitting across from Joseph.

"Your Highness, did I hear you correctly? You want the police to supervise public urination?"

"Yes, only the police can enforce this."

"But, Your Highness, where will these people... go to relieve themselves?"

To be honest, even Besançon often relieved himself on the streets, so he understood the problem well.

"Build public restrooms."

"Public restrooms? What are those...?"

Joseph held his head in his hand. No wonder Paris was so filthy. He explained, "They are restrooms built along the streets where anyone can go to relieve themselves. That way, they won't have to do it in the streets, ahem."

Besançon's eyes widened in amazement. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that? Your Highness, you truly are the embodiment of wisdom!"

(End of Chapter)

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