In fact, previously France’s issuance of "Prussian and Austrian Reparation Bonds" in the Germanic Region raised a substantial amount of funds, after paying for soldiers’ pensions and similar expenses, about 40 million francs were left.
Alongside the railway publicity during the World Cup, France Railway Company raised nearly 80 million francs from the public.
However, this money must first be invested in dostic railway construction, especially the railway from Paris to the industrial area of Lyon, which is critical for French textiles to outperform British goods, the importance of it goes without saying.
If it weren’t for the fact that foreign railways pertain to France’s diplomacy, the Ministry of Finance wouldn’t even want to squeeze out 20 million.
"In terms of importance, the central line still has the highest priority..." Joseph murmured to himself about the railway investnt plan.
Beside him, Theresa was hesitating over another matter.
After a while, he recalled the pleading look of his distant brother-in-law and his wife’s nightly nagging, and finally steeled himself to take half a step forward, cautiously saying:
"Your Highness, also... Mr. Oberhozer requests the construction of a railway to Bern. They’re willing to put up 4 million francs... Of course, that’s far from enough, but they’re only investing money without wanting any shares..."
Joseph didn’t react imdiately: "Oberhozer?"
The Minister of Transportation promptly said: "He’s the President of the Swiss Parliant, Your Highness."
Joseph almost laughed: "Switzerland wants to build a railway too? How far is Bern?"
Switzerland has only a population of 1.7 million, with even the wealthiest Geneva comparable to the mountainous regions in southern France, yet still joins in the railway excitent.
Theresa awkwardly replied: "160 kiloters from Lyon, Your Highness."
Joseph did so ntal calculations; the total construction cost is 28 million francs.
He glanced at Theresa, speaking irritably: "Well, I don’t want any shares, let the Swiss invest."
Theresa, with his head down, thought he shouldn’t have brought it up and smiled apologetically, saying:
"Your Highness, you know, they are not like Milan people; they certainly can’t afford that much money..."
Joseph was about to continue pondering which line to choose, but upon hearing this, had an epiphany, raised his gaze to the Minister of Transportation: "Are you saying Milan can afford to build the railway from Nice to Milan?"
"Well," Theresa just casually ntioned, quickly added: "The nobles in Northern Italy are very wealthy, and should be able to raise tens of millions of francs. It’s just that most likely, they wouldn’t want to pay for railways we control..."
Joseph suddenly stood up, excitedly patting his arm: "Then give them all the shares!"
Joseph was previously trapped in a mindset, always thinking about gaining control over the railway.
He suddenly realized, what does France need the control of these foreign railways for?
Would Italy prohibit French vehicles from passing? Or would Nassau, Hesse not allow French military trains to enter?
Absolutely impossible!
The planned rail lines aren’t located in colonies, they’re essentially connecting France’s "back garden"; no matter who operates them, it’s all the sa.
For France, the most important thing is that industrial products can be transported through these railways to each region, and under the frawork of the Iberian-Apennine Common Market Agreent and Stuttgart Trade Agreent, this is not an issue at all.
"Not only does it not require investnt, but so patent fees should be charged as well."
Theresa was stunned: "Charges?"
"Yes, and encourage them to compete to pay." Joseph felt "a shift in thinking, limitless possibilities," "Right, early next year the Karlsruhe Expo is to be held, you can showcase ’the latest railway construction solutions’ there and publicly announce that any country can purchase the complete railway technology set, our country provides technical support and patent authorization.
"As for where they want to build railways, it’s up to them, as long as the endpoint connects to our railway network.
"Hmm, the construction teams of France Railway Company also need to quickly expand in scale."
There’s no need to keep railway construction technology confidential, it’s fine to give it free to the countries in the "back garden." Countries gaining French technology will certainly implent it according to French technical standards, ensuring interoperability of the railway network across the European Continent.
anwhile, France, relying on its ironmaking technology and advanced forging machinery, will produce tracks at an unrivaled cost and quality. Future exports of tracks, bolts, signal lights, and the like could earn a hefty profit.
Once the railways of various countries are completed, they’ll still need to purchase trains from France, adding more inco.
No, even the patent technology for trains can be transferred, as long as the money is right.
Whoever sets up a train assembly plant, the bulk of the profits must still go to the French United Steam Engine Company.
This also helps in continuously iterating and upgrading French locomotive technology.
What, so countries obtain blueprints but lack enough skilled workers for construction?
France Railway Company provides a "one-stop service" with "turnkey operation."
Joseph then summoned Mirabeau and the high-level executives of France Railway Company, detailing how to build up the concept of a "full set solution."
As dinner ti approached, the group gradually left.
Joseph was preparing to head to the banquet hall with Alexandra, just as Bertier approached briskly, saluting him: "Your Highness, the news received yesterday afternoon, Poland’s two corps and one infantry division totaling 65,000 troops, crossed the Piatra River to recapture Brest.
"Marshal Kosciuszko plans to launch an offensive against the Russian Army in Pinsk in five days."
Joseph rely nodded calmly. The plans for the Polish actions were precisely crafted by the French General Staff.
Currently, the Russian troops in eastern Poland mainly consist of the Miloradovich Corps with over 17,000 n, and the Kutuzov Corps resting in Kyiv with 30,000 n.
Given the Polish Army’s current level of weapon equipnt, along with the experience accumulated previously with the French Army fighting in Austria, plus support from various resistance forces within Poland, they are more than capable of defeating these Russian troops.
Actually, Kutuzov judged early on that the Polish Army might launch an attack and made two requests for reinforcents to Saint Petersburg, but due to the sluggish operational style of the Russian Army, there has not yet been reinforcents.
And now, even if Alexander I wants to reinforce Poland, it is already impossible.
Bertier continued: "If nothing unexpected happens, the Persian Ali Sha Corps should be currently attacking Zanzan, they have nearly 40,000 soldiers.
"The Osman Army’s advance is slightly slower, and they are still marching in Zangzur."
Although the Osman People move slowly, they have dispatched 70,000 troops.
Once this unit reaches south of Tabriz, there will be no Russian forces capable of stopping them.
In other words, Russia is currently subject to a fierce attack by over 170,000 soldiers from both the west and the south!
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