Make France Great Again-Chapter 761 - 752 Instructions for Baron Haussman
"Ah!"
Jerome Bonaparte sighed slightly. Although the money for hosting the World Expo was not funded by him, Jerome Bonaparte still sighed about the possibility of the World Expo failing to make a profit, as this could become a point of criticism for the opposition against the government in the future.
Jerome Bonaparte could even foresee that, in the future, the opposition would undoubtedly view all expenses as evidence of the government’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 methods as if their previous criticisms of him no longer existed.
Learning from history, Jerome Bonaparte was certain that if the Second Empire regime he established fell into the same 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 Jerome Bonaparte, asked with concern.
"It’s nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled and shook his head.
Since Jerome Bonaparte was unwilling to say more, Empress Augusta did not inquire further.
After the carriage carrying Jerome Bonaparte and his wife arrived at the Tuileries Palace, the couple "parted ways."
Jerome Bonaparte returned to his study to handle documents, 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 Jerome Bonaparte’s office to report on the day’s visitor numbers.
Originally, this matter should not have been personally handled by Jerome Bonaparte, but because the event was deployed and directed by him personally, he needed to see it through to the end!
Additionally, he met 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 came from overseas!" Baron Haussman reported respectfully to Jerome Bonaparte.
"40,000 visitors!" Jerome 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 somewhat 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 Jerome Bonaparte.
"Mr. Haussman, what price do you think would be appropriate?" Jerome Bonaparte asked quietly.
"I believe the ticket should be at least around 10 francs!" Baron Haussman replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
"10 francs?" Jerome Bonaparte’s lips twitched slightly. He felt Haussman didn’t fully understand the French.
"Indeed, Your Majesty!" Baron Haussman nodded and responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "I recently checked the number of gentlemen (middle class) in all of Paris and found that there are about 100,000 gentlemen.
So, 10 francs wouldn’t be a big problem for these gentlemen!"
"10 francs is indeed not a problem for them!" Jerome Bonaparte first affirmed Baron Haussman’s statement, then asked him, "However, Mr. Haussman, have you considered whether they are willing to pay 10 francs?"
Baron Haussman pondered for a moment and replied to Jerome Bonaparte uncertainly, "It should be... yes!"
"If you think like that, then you are wrong!" Jerome 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 become deserted within two days.
At that time, 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 Jerome Bonaparte’s words, Baron Haussman thought for a moment, then responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I didn’t think it through!"
"It’s nothing!" Jerome 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, Jerome Bonaparte asked Baron Haussman: "By the way, how much funds do you still have available in Seine Province now!"
"Your Majesty, the City Government has approximately 70 million francs on the books!" Baron Haussman replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
"70 million francs!" Jerome 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 Government issued now!"
"300 million francs!" Baron Haussman replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
"So much!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a surprised expression, not expecting the debt of Seine Province to be so high.
Baron Haussman tactfully informed Jerome Bonaparte that the Seine Province Government 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?" Jerome 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 Jerome Bonaparte.
"600 million francs!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded gravely, "Baron Haussman, be honest with me, 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 Jerome 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!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Baron Haussman.
Then, Jerome 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 immediately assured Jerome Bonaparte that his City Government would certainly plan it well for him.
"Then I am relieved!" Jerome Bonaparte patted Baron Haussman on the shoulder, "By the way! Your City Government 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 Jerome Bonaparte.
"Alright, that’s all I have to say! Do you have anything to add?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Baron Haussman.
"Your Majesty, no!" Baron Haussman shook his head and said to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Very well, I look forward to your performance! I hope you can live up to the trust given to you by the government and two million people in Paris!"
Jerome Bonaparte stood up from his seat, stretched, and asked Baron Haussman if he would join him for a late-night meal! 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
Without hesitation, Baron Haussman nodded, as not everyone could enjoy the privilege of dining with the leadership.
After Jerome Bonaparte and Baron Haussman left the study, Mokar hurriedly came up to them.
"Is there still food in the kitchen?" Jerome Bonaparte casually asked.
"Your Majesty, the late-night meal is ready!" Mokar immediately replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Well done!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a satisfied smile and then turned his head to Baron Haussman and said, "Then let’s go!"
Jerome Bonaparte and Baron Haussman entered the dining room, and Mokar immediately ordered his men to serve the late-night meal.
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 home by someone arranged by Jerome Bonaparte.
