Chapter 80 Political Dealing

Monod bowed to Joseph and Brian and said seriously: "This cabinet decision is related to the future financial path. I am afraid everyone will be extremely cautious about how to decide."

Brian immediately smiled: "Count Monod, I heard that your child will be 15 years old soon and is very good."

He opened his hands and stretched out to Mono: "This may be a bit presumptuous, but I think he is indeed a good candidate to inherit your title."

Mono's eyes suddenly lit up: "You mean, you have a way to help him..."

He was over sixty years old. Both his first wife and his only son died of illness. Although he had several illegitimate children, according to French law, illegitimate children could not inherit the family business.

Mono nodded and said: "This will take a long time, but I think there are some ways to do it. I can promise you."

Mono immediately held his hand tightly and said excitedly:

"Archbishop Brian, you have always been my most respected finance minister, and this will never change."

He originally had some friendship with Brian, and later he had some friendship with Joseph.

This time the Crown Prince stood firmly with Brian, and he had roughly determined his position, but the political reward he wanted was still indispensable.

And Brian also took out the reward very readily. You must know that it is not easy to operate the heir identity for the illegitimate son of an earl. Without Brian's church background and the power of his chief minister, it is almost impossible to do it.

Of course, Monod also took a lot of political risks, but he also calculated very clearly that even if Brian lost, he would still get a favor from the crown prince.

Brian also hurriedly bowed to express his thanks: "Thank you for your trust, Count Monod, you will always have my friendship."

After completing the blending of interests, Mono immediately began to contribute ideas and efforts to the team:

"Archbishop Brian, are you sure about tomorrow's resolution?"

Brian said truthfully: "Currently, only Your Highness and you are sure to support me."

Mono mused: "According to convention, soldiers generally do not participate in such things.

"And the Duke of Orleans has the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which are also three people. So..."

Brian continued: "Count Nicoet's position will be particularly important."

The Nicoé he was talking about is the current Minister of Household Registration. A minister who usually has the least presence in the cabinet has become the focus of the storm this time.

Monod said: "The Duke of Orleans should be on his way to win over him at this time."

Joseph looked at him and said, "What bargaining chips do you think the Duke of Orleans can bring?"

Monod thought for a while and said: "It should be money, a large amount of money, or a manor or something. You know, the Duke of Orleans is very rich."

"Can you tell me about Count Nicoet?"

"Well, he used to be an advisor to His Majesty the King, and later became the Minister of Household Registration due to the recommendation of Viscount Carlona. However, he usually has no achievements. Behind his back, everyone calls him 'Invisible Nicoe'..."

After he finished speaking, a smile appeared on Joseph's face: "I think I can go and talk to him."

...

It was almost dusk, and Nicoet followed the Crown Prince respectfully, walking slowly along the stone road at the edge of the Palace of Versailles Square.

He is very aware of the current situation and is just waiting for the two parties to make offers.

However, he originally thought that Brian would come to find him, but he did not expect that it was the Crown Prince.

"Trade negotiations?" Nicoet looked extremely surprised. "Your Highness, you mean to ask me to preside over the trade negotiations?"

Joseph nodded and said: "Yes, it won't be long before we will re-open negotiations on the Treaty of Eden with Britain."

Nicoet wondered: "But... what does this have to do with me? This kind of negotiation is usually the responsibility of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance."

Joseph smiled and said: "That's not necessarily true. The finance minister is responsible for formulating the specific terms, and the other person is responsible for coordination and communication with the British.

"You see, after today's cabinet meeting, it is obvious that it is difficult for Verzhen and Archbishop Brian to cooperate anymore. And the finance minister must participate in the negotiations, so he can only choose another person to cooperate with Archbishop Brian. For example, you ."

When Nicoet heard this, he couldn't help but feel moved. He presided over the negotiations with the British. The political capital he could gain from this matter was unmatched by conducting tens of thousands of censuses on his own.

The greatest political achievement of the famous Count Vergennes at that time was the promotion of the Franco-American Alliance, followed by the signing of the Treaty of Eden.

Could it be that I also have a chance to gain the prestige of Count Vergennes?

Thinking of this, he was suddenly startled and said with some hesitation: "But, Your Highness, I have no experience in this area..."

Joseph immediately said: "This is easy, you just need to maintain the dignity of France in front of the British.

"I know that you have very good abilities, but you just don't have the chance to show them.

"If you can let everyone see your diplomatic talents during this negotiation, you may even have a chance to be transferred to the position of Foreign Secretary."

Nicoé's breathing became a little faster, not just because the foreign minister had more authority, but more importantly because he was tired of the household registration system - no eye-catching opportunities, the same documents and data, and even being laughed at. It is "transparent".

But the Foreign Secretary can use the whole world as a stage and dance freely among countries. How free and exciting it is!

He looked at Joseph and said, "Your Highness, are you sure the trade agreement will be renegotiated?"

"Very sure, you can go to the British Ambassador to France to learn about the relevant situation."

"So, Archbishop Brian will lead the negotiations with me?"

"What I convey is exactly what the Archbishop himself meant."

Joseph always kept smiling. When he heard Monod mention that Nicoet's family was very wealthy, but he had no sense of presence in the cabinet and was quite dissatisfied with it, he knew what he should trade with him.

Sure enough, Nicoé stopped and turned around, stroking his chest and saying, "Your Highness, you will get the vote you expected."

Joseph nodded with satisfaction and added: "Count Nicoet, I would like to remind you one last thing. If Archbishop Briere resigns as finance minister, then it will be Necker and Vilzin who will preside over the trade negotiations."

Nicoé immediately said firmly: "Yes, Your Highness, I will never let such a thing happen."

Compared with the temptation of the position of Foreign Minister, the hundreds of thousands of livres promised to him by the Duke of Orleans are not worth mentioning at all!

Joseph said goodbye to Nicoet and walked towards the Palace of Versailles, sighing in his heart: Politics is very much like a transaction among market vendors-someone bids, someone counterbids, and the one with the highest price wins in the end.

There are also people who understand the buyer's psychology and can ask for high prices.

Or maybe you are very strong and just buy and sell by force.

But in the final analysis, it is just a transaction.