After Bailly finished discussing the sales situation, he concluded: "However, there has already been a case of illegal sales of gold mining tools in California, which has caused us a significant loss—potentially exceeding 70,000 francs."
Joseph lowered his head, reviewing the report from Bailly about the situation in California.
Due to the extensive gold deposits along the North Arican West Coast, a massive workforce is needed for effective mining, so the Spanish governnt implented a licensing system.
Anyone could mine for gold within designated areas by regularly paying a permit fee.
Of course, the permit fee for Spanish whites was lower, and they had greater privileges, such as establishing camps, purchasing farmland, and hunting.
However, stizo people, those of mixed blood, and xican natives not only paid more but were only allowed to mine gold, and had to rely on white people’s camps for lodging and food.
This allowed the Spanish whites to take advantage of their control over the camps to secretly sell tools to the miners—their pockets were full of gold nuggets, leading to skyrocketing prices in California, where five or six nuggets were needed to buy a shovel—they naturally did not want to miss this huge business opportunity, which had led to a continuous smuggling of tools for sale starting last month.
Joseph couldn’t help but shake his head.
Spaniards always like to engage in this foolish racial hierarchy. In xico, they ruled through the "casta system," with Spanish whites at the top, followed by stizos, then xican natives, and with blacks having the lowest rank.
This racial system directly caused the majority population of stizos to continuously rebel, resisting the exploitation by the Spanish governnt.
Joseph knew that at most in another ten or so years, xico would erupt in an unprecedented independence movent, ultimately leading the stizos, along with the natives, to overthrow Spanish rule and establish the United States of xico.
Currently, the Spanish governnt was bringing a large number of stizos and xican natives to California to mine for gold, but they continued to employ a pattern of racial exploitation. There’s a chance that an uprising would break out here even earlier than in mainland xico—after all, the enormous benefits of the gold mines could make people forget their fear of death.
Despite having the world’s largest Arican silver mines and more colonies than any other, Spain could still find itself slipping into the ranks of second-tier countries in Europe, simply due to its own mishandling.
Joseph, naturally, could not save the decline of the Spanish Empire, nor was it necessary to do so, but he must do everything possible to preserve France’s interests in California.
Bailly looked at him, suggesting: "Your Highness, I have already protested to the Governor of California. However, to actually see results, perhaps we should consider offering so bribes to California’s smuggling team..."
The so-called smuggling team was not responsible for searching for smugglers but was specialized in preventing those without permits from illegally mining gold.
Joseph pondered for a mont and shook his head, saying: "Those who clandestinely sell gold mining tools will offer even more money to bribe them."
He then asked: "How many Spaniards are among the current gold miners in California?"
Bailly was taken aback for a mont, unsure, and replied: "I haven’t done any statistics on that, Your Highness, but it shouldn’t exceed 1,000 people. After all, there are only about 3,000 Europeans in total there."
Among these 3,000 people are won, children, and many officials and troops, so the number of n able to work outside definitely doesn’t exceed 1,000.
Joseph smiled: "So, the vast majority of the gold miners are stizos and xican natives."
"Indeed, Your Highness."
"The best way to make others defend your interests is to tie their interests to yours," Joseph said. "Let’s bypass the Spaniards and deal directly with the stizos."
The xican natives were large in number, but most of them did not have their own opinions and generally followed the stizos in matters. Therefore, the stizo group was the key.
Bailly urgently asked: "What do you an?"
"Select so of the most influential stizos, and have them beco agents for mining tools and sturdy pants, among other goods.
"When our ships dock, sell the goods at a fixed price to them, and they will then distribute them to the miners."
Bailly’s eyes lit up.
If stizos beca the agents, then Spaniards selling tools to miners illegally would infringe on their interests. With plenty of manpower, the Spaniards would find it hard to evade their surveillance.
These agents could even send people to inspect the miners’ tools at any ti; any tools not sold by them would be imdiately reported. Who would then dare to buy tools from other channels?
Joseph intended this strategy to not only curb illegal sales but also to win over the stizos.
Even if the stizos eventually succeeded in their uprising and gained independence, these agents would still be affiliates of France, bound to protect France’s interests, which would simultaneously be in their own interests.
Joseph continued: "Additionally, send soone to negotiate with the Governor of California, stating that we need to establish a patrol unit in the mining area to protect nearby warehouses from theft. A hundred or so people should suffice.
"Oh, for this matter, you can offer so bribes to the Governor."
Bailly was a bit puzzled and said: "Your Highness, we can completely hire stizos for theft prevention."
Joseph smiled: "The patrol unit is there to help our agents deal with the Spaniards, so it must be our people."
Bailly suddenly understood.
The Spaniards would absolutely use their status and influence to pressure the stizo agents. With the French patrol in place, Maltizos could report Spanish illegal tool sellers to them.
Then, the patrol would address the violators as per the agreent between France and Spain.
All the issues are resolved!
He gratefully bowed to the Crown Prince: "Yes, Your Highness, I will personally select the mbers of the patrol unit."
...
North Africa.
East of Algiers, Majana.
Kurulu, looking at the dusty officer before him, was enraged and kicked him to the ground.
This was already the third ti in half a month. After Mukra fled into Annaba, he continuously sent small troops to slip back into Majana, attacking his logistics convoys.
It was already difficult to obtain supplies in the mountains of Majana, and these attacks made his provisions even tighter. Currently, soldiers could only receive sixty percent of their usual rations.
If this continued, he might have to withdraw to Mitidja due to a lack of logistical supplies.
His position in Congress was not particularly stable; initially, he had built so prestige through conquering Mzab, but he was again attacked by naval forces due to his prolonged inability to quell the Kabylia tribe’s rebellion.
"We must eliminate Mukra," Kurulu muttered, looking at the mountains to the east, clenching his fist tightly. "Have Yunus co to see ."
Reviews
All reviews (0)