Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Count Mono bowed to Joseph and Archbishop Brienne, saying earnestly, “The Cabinet’s decision this time relates to the future financial path; how we decide, I fear, will be taken with utmost caution by all.”

Archbishop Brienne immediately showed a smile, “Count Mono, I heard your child is going to be 15 soon, quite exceptional.”

He extended both hands towards Mono, “This may be somewhat presumptuous, but I believe he is indeed a fine candidate to inherit your title.”

Mono’s eyes lit up at once, “You mean, you have a way to help him…?”

He was past his sixtieth year, his legitimate wife and only son had both died of illness, and although he had several illegitimate children, according to French law, bastards could not inherit the family estate.

Archbishop Brienne nodded at him, “This will take a considerable amount of time, but I believe there are some means to achieve it. I can promise you that.”

Mono immediately grasped his hand, excitedly saying,

“Archbishop Brienne, you have always been the Finance Minister I respect the most! This will never change.”

He originally had some acquaintance with Archbishop Brienne, and later formed some bonds with Joseph.

This time, with the Crown Prince firmly on Brienne’s side, he had roughly determined his own stance, but the political compensation he was due couldn’t be less.

And Brienne was also quite frank with his rewards. After all, arranging for a Count’s bastard to inherit a title was not easy, and without Archbishop Brienne’s Church background, and his power as Chief Minister, it was almost impossible to accomplish.

Of course, Mono also took a great political risk, but he also calculated very clearly that even if Brienne fell, he would still gain a favor from the Crown Prince and wouldn’t lose everything.

Archbishop Brienne likewise bowed in thanks, “Thank you for your trust! Count Mono, you will always have my friendship.”

Having completed the exchange of benefits, Mono immediately began to offer strategies and efforts to the team:

“Archbishop Brienne, regarding tomorrow’s decision, do you feel confident?”

Archbishop Brienne responded truthfully, “Currently, only His Highness and you have confirmed your support for me.”

Mono pondered, “According to custom, military men generally do not get involved in such matters.

“As for the Duke of Orleans, he has the Justice Minister and the Foreign Minister, also three people. So…”

Brienne continued, “The position of Count Nico Herve will thus be particularly important.”

He was talking about the current Registry Minister, a minister who usually had the least presence in the Cabinet but had now become the center of the storm.

Mono lowered his head, analyzing, “The Duke of Orleans should already be on his way to win him over by now.”

Joseph looked at him, “What do you think, can the Duke of Orleans come up with as a bargaining chip?”

After some thought, Mono said, “It should be money, a large sum of money, or something like an estate. As you know, the Duke of Orleans is very wealthy.”

Joseph asked again, “Can you tell me about Count Nico Herve’s situation?”

“Well, he once was an advisor to His Majesty the King and later, on the recommendation of Viscount Carolina, became the Registry Minister. However, he doesn’t have much of a record, and behind his back, everyone calls him ‘Invisible Nico Herve’…”

As he finished, a smile appeared on Joseph’s face, “I think, I might have a talk with him.”

…

As twilight approached, Nico Herve respectfully followed by the side of the Crown Prince, walking slowly along the cobblestone path on the edge of the Versailles Palace Square.

He was well aware of the current situation, just waiting for the offers from both sides to roll in.

However, he had originally thought Brian would come to find him, yet it was the Crown Prince who arrived.

“Trade negotiations?” Nico Herve appeared extremely surprised, “Your Highness, are you saying you want me to preside over the trade negotiations?”

Joseph nodded, “Yes, before long, we will be reopening negotiations for the ‘Eden Treaty’ with England.”

Nico Herve asked in confusion, “But … what does this have to do with me? Such negotiations are usually the responsibility of the Foreign Minister and the Finance Minister.”

Joseph laughed, “That’s not necessarily the case. The Finance Minister is in charge of drafting the specific terms, while another person is responsible for coordinating and communicating with the British.

“You see, after today’s Cabinet meeting, it has become quite difficult for Vilran to work with Archbishop Brian. And since the Finance Minister must be involved in the negotiations, we will have to choose someone else to team up with Archbishop Brian. Like you, for instance.”

Upon hearing this, Nico Herve’s heart stirred. Presiding over negotiations with the British could give him political capital that he could never gain by conducting tens of thousands of censuses.

The most significant accomplishment of the celebrated Count of Vergena was facilitating the Franco-American Alliance, followed by signing the ‘Eden Treaty’.

Could he also have the chance to achieve the prestige of Count Vergena!

At this thought, he suddenly hesitated and said with some reservation, “But Your Highness, I have no experience in this area …”

Joseph immediately replied, “That is easy, all you need to do is maintain the dignity of France in front of the Englishmen.

“I know you possess exceptional abilities; it’s just that you haven’t had the opportunity to showcase them.

“If you can demonstrate your diplomatic skills during these negotiations for everyone to see, you could even have the chance to take over as Foreign Minister.”

Nico Herve’s breathing grew a bit rapid, not simply because the position of Foreign Minister held greater authority, but more so because he had long since grown weary of the registration system—without any eye-catching opportunities, the uniform documents and data, and even being mockingly referred to as ‘transparent’.

To be Foreign Minister, however, meant to have the world as your stage, where you could dance freely among different nations, enjoying such careless and heroic abandon!

He looked at Joseph and asked earnestly, “Your Highness, are you certain that the trade agreement will be renegotiated?”

“Absolutely certain. You can inquire about the relevant situation from the British ambassador to France.”

“Then, will Archbishop Brian be presiding over the negotiations with me?”

“What I have conveyed is precisely the Archbishop’s own intention.”

Joseph maintained his smile throughout. When he heard from Count Mono that Nico Herve came from a very wealthy background but had always lacked presence in the Cabinet and was quite dissatisfied with it, he knew exactly what to offer in trade.

Indeed, Nico Herve paused, turned back, and gestured over his chest, “Your Highness, you will have the vote you seek.”

Joseph nodded in satisfaction, then added, “Count Nico Herve, there’s one last thing I would like to remind you. If Archbishop Brie resigns as Finance Minister, then it will be Necker and Vilran presiding over the trade negotiations.”

Nico Herve immediately said with a determined tone, “Yes, Your Highness, I will make sure such a thing does not happen!”

Compared to the allure of the position of Foreign Minister, the several hundred thousand livres promised to him by the Duke of Orleans were utterly insignificant!

After parting ways with Nico Herve, Joseph headed towards the Palace of Versailles, musing to himself that politics was like haggling among market vendors—some made offers, others made counteroffers, and in the end, the highest bidder won.

There were also those who understood the psychology of the buyers well enough to ask for the moon.

Or if you were strong enough, you simply forced a sale.

But in the end, it was all still a trade.

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