Chapter 1144: Chapter 1050: The Truly Lucrative Business
The hall suddenly fell silent.
The only sound in the ears of Charles IV and others was the wild thumping of their own hearts.
It wasn’t because they were “unworthy”; after all, Spain was still a major power in Europe, and they had seen significant events.
But, 300 million Escudos in gold coins was truly unheard of.
Not to ntion seeing it, they didn’t even dare to dream of such a number in front of the gold coins.
Last year, Joseph had helped the Spanish governnt obtain millions of Escudos from the Church, and these Spanish ministers were as happy as if the goddess they secretly adored suddenly agreed to marry them.
And just now, the Crown Prince of France ntioned “300 million”!
Equivalent to having over 100 goddesses appear all at once…
It took several seconds for Campos to cautiously ask, “Is it, really?”
His deanor was as if he was afraid to be awakened from a dream.
Joseph nodded very seriously, “Absolutely.”
Campos’ voice grew louder, “Will this mine lead us into a struggle with other countries?”
“Of course not. You have absolute rights to that location.”
The hearts of the Spanish ministers beat even more wildly.
They exchanged glances and confird with Charles IV, before Count of Florida Blanca cleared his throat and said, “Your Highness, Crown Prince, if what you say is true, then this is enough to negotiate for Louisiana.”
Compones could no longer care about diplomatic etiquette and impatiently asked, “Where exactly is it, Your Highness?”
“West Coast of North Arica, in the California area.”
Joseph did not hide it and directly stated it.
Firstly, in this formal diplomatic occasion, Spain certainly wouldn’t act dishonorably, as that would basically amount to declaring war on France. Secondly, the California colony was over 200,000 square kiloters, with vast unpopulated areas, and even mobilizing tens of thousands to search for it would take five to eight years without success.
“Once the agreent is signed, my exploration team will provide you with a detailed map.”
Indeed, when the New Orleans crisis had just occurred, Joseph had already sent a large number of geologists to California in the far west of North Arica to search for gold mines.
Under his vast clues and instructions, the prospecting team soon mined gold particles in streams near what would co to be known as San Francisco in later generations. Right now, it’s just a small fishing village called Yerba Buena.
Then, by expanding the scope along the streams, it would beco the historically famous large gold mine exploited during the “California Gold Rush” in the Arican West.
Charles IV imdiately put his arm around Joseph’s shoulder, smiling broadly, “Then let’s sign the agreent right away.”
Swapping bird-droppings Louisiana for a massive gold mine worth 300 million Escudos and letting France take over the task of guarding against Aricans advancing west was undeniably a great deal for Spain.
Joseph nodded, seeming to rember sothing, and smiled, “You see, I’ve expended a lot of ti and expenses in finding this gold.
“Could you allow to invest so funds into mining, thus obtaining so shares of the gold mine? Ah, just 10% shares.”
Count of Florida Blanca hurriedly signaled frantically at his king, aning “Absolutely not.”
A joke it is, 10% shares equate to 30 million Escudos! The total national fiscal revenue of Spain isn’t even that much.
“Well,” Charles IV looked hesitant, “It seems not…”
Joseph quickly responded, “7%, 7% would do.”
“…”
“What about 5%?”
Count of Florida Blanca, seeing the situation, quickly ca to his king’s aid, “Respected Crown Prince, as you know, the trade franchise on the North Arican West Coast is granted to the Chamber of Comrce in Seville, which also includes mines. So, the issue of shares might involve complex authorization matters.”
Campos looked at the ceiling, muttering, “The gold mine is being exchanged for Louisiana…”
Joseph sighed and said helplessly, “Well, if acquiring shares of the gold mine is not possible, then at least could you permit exclusive rights to operate mining tools in California?
“You see, our ironworks face fierce competition from the British, and this could boost their sales.”
Count of Florida Blanca breathed a sigh of relief, smiling, “That’s certainly possible. Isn’t it, Sire?”
Charles IV imdiately nodded in agreent, “Yes, absolutely possible.”
Spain currently lacks a decent iron industry and largely needs to purchase mining tools from France, so it might as well let the French directly sell them to North Arica.
Joseph’s mouth curled into a smile too.
He was well aware that the Spaniards would never allow him to join the gold mine; saying that was rely a setup for the mining tools later.
Yes, his goal from the beginning was to sell tools!
The California gold mine is not regular mountain gold, but river sand gold, making it extrely troubleso to mine.
It requires a great amount of manpower to sift gold particles from the sand. Therefore, every gold prospector needs to be equipped with at least an iron shovel, an iron pan, and a bottle of rcury to begin operations.
In addition, auxiliary items like straw hats, water bottles, small iron boxes are needed.
And most importantly—jeans.
Moreover, due to the harsh environnt of gold mining, the likelihood of these items being damaged or lost is very high, requiring continual replenishnt.
This will be a very huge market.
During the California Gold Rush in the 19th-century US West, hundreds of thousands of Aricans flocked to California for gold mining, but due to the extrely low efficiency of manual gold mining, over 90% made little to no profit.
Instead, among the rchants selling tools to the gold miners, several beca millionaires. That’s millions of dollars in the 19th century.
If France can monopolize the tools for the California gold mines and casually engage in so catering and lodging business, three-fourths of the gold mine revenue could end up in France’s pockets.
While Spain still has to bear mining and transportation costs, the final net profit could be less than what France gains.
Historically, it wasn’t until the mid-19th century, when the high-pressure washing technology driven by high-power steam engines beca widespread, did the California gold mines truly entered their boom period and start making large profits.
Yes, once France completes the developnt of high-power steam engines, it can also sell washing machines for the gold mine.
But by then, California might no longer be under Spanish rule—
Currently, the xican independence movent is in full swing, and within ten years at most, Spain’s colonies in North Arica will fall into turmoil, eventually having to give up its xican colony.
California is now within the coverage area of “New Spain”, which is under xico’s range. After xico gains independence, the Spaniards also withdraw from California.
Then, Joseph could talk about gold mining cooperation with the xican governnt using the latest technology that boosts mining efficiency dozens of tis over.
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