"Ah!"
Jero Bonaparte sighed slightly. Although the money for hosting the World Expo was not funded by him, Jero Bonaparte still sighed about the possibility of the World Expo failing to make a profit, as this could beco a point of criticism for the opposition against the governnt in the future.
Jero Bonaparte could even foresee that, in the future, the opposition would undoubtedly view all expenses as evidence of the governnt’s exploitation of its citizens, aiming to undermine the foundation of the Empire.
Even if the expenses were for long-term considerations, they would not appreciate it at all.
Just like the historical Second Empire, in its late stage, the Republican Faction targeted Baron Haussman for reforms, accusing him of "wasting people’s money and destroying heritage" and attacking him relentlessly in the Municipal Committee and the Legislative Corps.
After the fall of the Second Empire, the Republicans, standing on its ruins, continued Haussman’s thods as if their previous criticisms of him no longer existed.
Learning from history, Jero Bonaparte was certain that if the Second Empire regi he established fell into the sa situation as his cousin’s, he would encounter even more troubles.
However, even so, he insisted on hosting it, as it was beneficial for France’s national confidence.
Moreover, the Century Exposition’s loss was only superficial, as it could serve as a form of indirect promotion, letting France’s luxury goods flow continuously to the world!
"What’s wrong? You seem a bit upset!" Empress Augusta, sitting beside Jero Bonaparte, asked with concern.
"It’s nothing!" Jero Bonaparte smiled and shook his head.
Since Jero Bonaparte was unwilling to say more, Empress Augusta did not inquire further.
After the carriage carrying Jero Bonaparte and his wife arrived at the Tuileries Palace, the couple "parted ways."
Jero Bonaparte returned to his study to handle docunts, while Empress Augusta took Crown Prince Friedrich to Princess Mathilde’s residence to attend a literary salon.
That evening, Baron Haussman, the governor of Seine Province, appeared in Jero Bonaparte’s office to report on the day’s visitor numbers.
Originally, this matter should not have been personally handled by Jero Bonaparte, but because the event was deployed and directed by him personally, he needed to see it through to the end!
Additionally, he t with Baron Haussman not solely for the Century Exposition issue.
"Your Majesty, up until 8 PM tonight, the Century Exposition has received over 40,000 visitors! Among them, 30,000 were locals, and the remaining 10,000 ca from overseas!" Baron Haussman reported respectfully to Jero Bonaparte.
"40,000 visitors!" Jero Bonaparte’s face showed a hint of surprise. He originally thought that 25,000 visitors on the opening day of the World Expo would already be considered a success.
Unexpectedly, the citizens of Paris were so enthusiastic, which was sowhat beyond his expectations.
"Your Majesty, I suggest raising the ticket price slightly! Each ticket is currently sold for only 2 francs, which is too cheap!" Baron Haussman suggested to Jero Bonaparte.
"Mr. Haussman, what price do you think would be appropriate?" Jero Bonaparte asked quietly.
"I believe the ticket should be at least around 10 francs!" Baron Haussman replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"10 francs?" Jero Bonaparte’s lips twitched slightly. He felt Haussman didn’t fully understand the French.
"Indeed, Your Majesty!" Baron Haussman nodded and responded to Jero Bonaparte, "I recently checked the number of gentlen (middle class) in all of Paris and found that there are about 100,000 gentlen.
So, 10 francs wouldn’t be a big problem for these gentlen!"
"10 francs is indeed not a problem for them!" Jero Bonaparte first affird Baron Haussman’s statent, then asked him, "However, Mr. Haussman, have you considered whether they are willing to pay 10 francs?"
Baron Haussman pondered for a mont and replied to Jero Bonaparte uncertainly, "It should be... yes!"
"If you think like that, then you are wrong!" Jero Bonaparte said firmly to Baron Haussman, "They might be willing to spend lavishly for an Opera House box, but they will never spend more than 2 francs to see those things.
Because before this, all exhibition activities in France did not charge for tickets.
This 2-franc ticket fee is already the limit of what they can bear!
If you suddenly set the price at 10 francs, the entire Expo will beco deserted within two days.
At that ti, even if we revert the price back to 2 francs, it would only attract a small number of people to visit.
Unless we continue to lower the ticket price!"
After hearing Jero Bonaparte’s words, Baron Haussman thought for a mont, then responded to Jero Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I didn’t think it through!"
"It’s nothing!" Jero Bonaparte shrugged and said to Baron Haussman: "I also want to make money like Albert’s exposition, but we must recognize a reality.
That is, France and Britain are two completely different countries, and our cultures and systems determine our attributes!
So for this World Expo, we shouldn’t think about how to make money!
As long as the French citizens feel that the money is well spent, that is a bigger affirmation for us!"
Baron Haussman nodded slightly to show his understanding.
Afterwards, Jero Bonaparte asked Baron Haussman: "By the way, how much funds do you still have available in Seine Province now!"
"Your Majesty, the City Governnt has approximately 70 million francs on the books!" Baron Haussman replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"70 million francs!" Jero Bonaparte touched his chin, then tapped the table lightly, looked up, and asked Baron Haussman: "Besides the funds on the books, how many bonds has the City Governnt issued now!"
"300 million francs!" Baron Haussman replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"So much!" Jero Bonaparte showed a surprised expression, not expecting the debt of Seine Province to be so high.
Baron Haussman tactfully inford Jero Bonaparte that the Seine Province Governnt mainly repairs, widens roads, beautifies the city for citizens... all of which require financial support.
billion francs of Paris city debt is already relatively low.
"Baron Haussman, how much more do you estimate will be needed in the future?" Jero Bonaparte continued to ask Baron Haussman.
"Your Majesty, currently only less than one third of the whole of Paris has been renovated! It is estimated that nearly 600 million francs will be needed to complete the entire renovation of Paris!" Baron Haussman replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"600 million francs!" Jero Bonaparte nodded gravely, "Baron Haussman, be honest with , can Seine Province complete the transformation of Paris on its own without funds allocated by the Ministry of Finance!"
"Your Majesty, I think it should be possible!" Baron Haussman confidently replied to Jero Bonaparte, "As long as the Paris region does not suffer major changes, our tax revenue can fully support the debt!"
"In that case, I am relieved!" Jero Bonaparte said to Baron Haussman.
Then, Jero Bonaparte outlined expansion plans with Baron Haussman, intending to build about 5,000 more housing units in the areas previously built for workers over the next decade.
And these rooms will also be rented out at low prices.
Baron Haussman imdiately assured Jero Bonaparte that his City Governnt would certainly plan it well for him.
"Then I am relieved!" Jero Bonaparte patted Baron Haussman on the shoulder, "By the way! Your City Governnt not only has the task of overall planning and construction, but also the task of supervising real estate enterprises.
We must absolutely prevent the occurrence of unfinished buildings!!"
"Understood, Your Majesty!" Baron Haussman nodded to Jero Bonaparte.
"Alright, that’s all I have to say! Do you have anything to add?" Jero Bonaparte asked Baron Haussman.
"Your Majesty, no!" Baron Haussman shook his head and said to Jero Bonaparte.
"Very well, I look forward to your performance! I hope you can live up to the trust given to you by the governnt and two million people in Paris!"
Jero Bonaparte stood up from his seat, stretched, and asked Baron Haussman if he would join him for a late-night al!
Without hesitation, Baron Haussman nodded, as not everyone could enjoy the privilege of dining with the leadership.
After Jero Bonaparte and Baron Haussman left the study, Mokar hurriedly ca up to them.
"Is there still food in the kitchen?" Jero Bonaparte casually asked.
"Your Majesty, the late-night al is ready!" Mokar imdiately replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"Well done!" Jero Bonaparte showed a satisfied smile and then turned his head to Baron Haussman and said, "Then let’s go!"
Jero Bonaparte and Baron Haussman entered the dining room, and Mokar imdiately ordered his n to serve the late-night al.
The two sat at the dining table, first drank a glass of wine, and began to savor the food; the entire night feast lasted an hour,
After the night feast, Baron Haussman was sent ho by soone arranged by Jero Bonaparte.
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