Chapter 752： Advice to the Baron Ottoman

"Hey!"

Jerome Bonaparte sighed slightly. Although he said that the money for holding the World's Fair was not funded by him, Jerome Bonaparte still sighed that the World's Fair might not be profitable, because it was very likely that Become a lever for the future opposition to attack the government.

Jerome Bonaparte could even foresee that, in order to shake the foundations of the empire, the opposition in the future would inevitably see all expenditures as a crime for the government to exploit its citizens.

Even if the cost itself is for long-term planning, they will not appreciate it in the slightest.

Just like the Second Empire in history, at the end of the regime, the republicans targeted the reformed Ottoman Baron against the Ottoman Baron.

They called Baron Haussmann's transformation of Paris a wicked act of "wasting people and money and destroying cultural relics", and attacked him as best they could in the city council and legislature.

After the fall of the Second Empire, the republican faction on the ruins of the Second Empire continued the practice of Baron Ottoman, as if the previous attack on Baron Ottoman no longer existed.

Jerome Bonaparte, who learns from history, can be sure that once the regime of the Second Empire he established falls into the situation of his cousin, he will only encounter more troubles than his cousin.

However, even so, he insisted on holding it, because it is conducive to the national self-confidence of France.

Moreover, the loss of the Century Expo is only a loss on the surface. In fact, this expo can play a role in disguised propaganda, so that French luxury goods continue to flow to the world!

"What's the matter? You look a little unhappy!" Queen Augusta, who was sitting beside Jerome Bonaparte, asked with concern.

"Nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled and shook his head.

Since Jerome Bonaparte was reluctant to say more, it was inconvenient for Queen Augusta to ask more.

After the carriage carrying Jérôme Bonaparte and his wife arrived at the Tuinlery Palace, the couple "parted ways".

Jerome Bonaparte returned to the study to deal with the documents, while Queen Augusta carried Crown Prince Frederick to Princess Mathilde's mansion to attend the literary salon.

That night, Baron Haussmann, a senior official of the Seine Department, appeared in Jerome Bonaparte's office and reported to Jerome Bonaparte the number of people today.

Originally, this question should not have been asked by Jerome Bonaparte himself, but because this matter was deployed and directed by him, there must be a beginning and an end!

And he was looking for Baron Ottoman for more than the Century Fair.

"Your Majesty, as of 8 o'clock this evening! The Century Fair has received more than 40,000 visitors! Among them, 30,000 tourists are local people, and the remaining 10,000 tourists are from overseas!" Baron Haussmann respectfully told Jerome . Bonaparte replied.

"40,000 visitors!" Jerome Bonaparte had a look of surprise on his face. He thought that if the World Expo had 25,000 visitors on the first day of its opening, it would be regarded as the completion of the mission.

He did not expect that the citizens of Paris would be so enthusiastic, which was beyond his expectations.

"Your Majesty, I suggest that the tickets should be raised a little! Each ticket is only sold for 2 francs, which is too cheap!" Baron Haussmann suggested to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. Haussmann, how much do you think it would be more appropriate for us to order one!" Jerome Bonaparte asked sternly.

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"I think this time the ticket should be at least around 10 francs!" Baron Haussmann replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"10 francs?" Jerome Bonaparte's mouth twitched slightly. He felt that Haussmann didn't know enough about the French.

"That's right, Your Majesty!" Baron Haussmann nodded and responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "I checked the number of gentlemen (middle class) in Paris some time ago and found that there are about 100,000 gentlemen in Paris. .

So 10 francs is not a big deal for these gentlemen! "

"10 francs is really not a problem for them!" Jerome Bonaparte first affirmed Baron Haussmann, and then asked Baron Haussmann: "However, Mr. Haussmann, have you considered whether they Willingness to pay 10 francs!"

Baron Haussmann pondered for a moment, and said to Jerome Bonaparte in an uncertain tone: "It should be... yes!"

"If you think so, you are wrong!" Jerome Bonaparte said firmly to the Baron Haussmann: "They may spend a fortune on an opera box, but they will never visit those things. Cost more than 2 francs.

Because before that, there were no tickets for all the exhibitions in France.

The two-franc ticket fee this time is already the limit that those people can bear!

If you suddenly set the price at 10 francs, it would not take two days for the entire expo to become a place where nothing can be seen.

At that time, even if we changed the price back to 2 francs, it would only be able to attract a small number of people to visit.

Unless we continue to lower the price of tickets! "

After listening to Jerome Bonaparte's words, Baron Haussmann pondered for a moment, and then replied to Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Majesty, I was the one who didn't think enough!"

"Nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte spread his hands and said to Baron Haussmann: "I also want to make money like Albert's exposition, but we must recognize a reality.

That is, the French and the British are two completely different countries. Our culture and system determine the attributes of both of us!

So this World Expo, we do not think about how to make money!

As long as French citizens feel that the money is worth it, they are more sure of us! "

Baron Ottoman nodded slightly to show his understanding.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte asked Baron Haussmann: "By the way, how much money do you have in the Seine province now!"

"Your Majesty, there are still about 70 million francs in the city government's books!" Baron Haussmann replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"70 million francs!" Jerome Bonaparte touched his chin, then put his hand on the table and tapped lightly a few times, raised his head and asked the Baron Haussmann, "Except for the funds on the books. , how many bonds the city government has issued now!"

"300 million francs!" Baron Haussmann replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"So much!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a look of surprise on his face. He did not expect the debt of the Seine to be so high.

The Baron Haussmann euphemistically told Jerome Bonaparte that the Seine provincial government mainly repaired for the citizens, widened the roads, and beautified the city... All kinds of things need money to support.

The Paris city debt of 300 million francs is already relatively small.

"Baron Haussmann, how much do you expect to invest in the future?" Jerome Bonaparte continued to ask Baron Haussmann.

"Your Majesty, less than one third of the entire Paris has been renovated! It is estimated that it will take nearly 600 million francs to complete the renovation of the entire Paris!" Baron Haussmann replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"600 million francs!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded solemnly, "Baron Haussmann, tell me honestly, can the Seine complete the transformation of Paris on its own without the Ministry of Finance not transferring funds? !"

"Your Majesty, I think it should be possible!" Baron Haussmann replied confidently to Jerome Bonaparte: "As long as the Paris region does not suffer major changes, then our taxes can fully support the debt!"

"If that's the case, then I'm relieved!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Baron Haussmann.

Immediately afterwards, Jerome Bonaparte drew a blueprint for the expansion with Baron Haussmann. He planned to continue to build about 5,000 more rooms in the area where the workers had been built in the next ten years.

And these rooms will also be rented out cheaply.

Baron Haussmann immediately assured Jerome Bonaparte that the city government under his command would definitely plan for Jerome Bonaparte.

"Then I'm relieved!" Jerome Bonaparte patted Baron Haussmann on the shoulder, "Right! Your municipal government not only shoulders the task of overall planning and construction, but also shoulders the The task of supervising real estate enterprises.

We must prevent the generation of unfinished buildings!

"

"I see! Your Majesty!" Baron Auss nodded and replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Okay, that's all I have to say! Do you have anything else to add!" Jerome Bonaparte asked Baron Haussmann.

"Your Majesty, no more!" Baron Haussmann shook his head and said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Well, I look forward to your performance! I hope you can be worthy of the trust given to you by the government and the two million people in Paris!"

Jerome Bonaparte stood up from his seat. He stretched and asked Baron Haussmann if he wanted to have a late-night snack with him!

Baron Ottoman nodded without hesitation. After all, not everyone can enjoy the meal with the leader.

After Jerome Bonaparte and Baron Haussmann walked out of the study, Mocar hurriedly greeted them.

"There is still food in the kitchen!" Jerome Bonaparte asked casually?

"Your Majesty, supper is ready!" Mokar immediately said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Well done!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a satisfied smile on his face, then turned his head and said to Baron Haussmann: "Then let's go!"

Jerome Bonaparte and Baron Haussmann entered the restaurant, and Mocar immediately ordered his men to bring supper.

The two people sitting at the table first drank a glass of wine, and then began to taste the food carefully. The whole night banquet lasted for a total of one hour.

After the banquet was over, the Baron Haussmann was sent home by Jerome Bonaparte.