Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Marquess Wellesley felt like he had a clump of mud stuck in his chest and had to take a deep breath before he nodded and said,

"Yes, we've encountered a few challenges in the Far East, but the East India Company has already reinforced its troops on a large scale. The natives of Mysore will soon be punished."

"So you've come to bring me the good news of the invincibility of the British Army." Talleyrand exaggerated his expression, "It seems we have nothing to discuss regarding the Far East then. Oh, I offer my early congratulations to His Majesty the King of England on his splendid victory!"

Wellesley, looking at Talleyrand's punchable face, really wanted to drop a "Just you wait and see" and storm off.
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However, he immediately remembered the special issue of £1.7 million in bonds that the East India Company had just issued last week. This money was specifically for resolving the Mysore issue—according to the current exchange rate, that was a whopping sum of over 42 million livres.

And that was just the first batch of bonds. After paying the salaries of the newly dispatched soldiers, purchasing weapons, supplies, and aiding India's allies, nearly all of it was already spent. Next month, they might have to issue at least another £800,000.

Wellesley knew that, at the request of the East India Company, the Royal Navy had dispatched 25 warships, carrying over 5,000 Marines to South Asia to assist in repelling the Mysore forces. These ships and soldiers, traveling tens of thousands of miles away to fight, were veritable gold-eating beasts.

If the East India Company did not fare well in the war with Mysore, this substantial loss would cause the company's stock prices to plummet. Also, due to the war's impact on Anglo-Indian trade, the company's revenues would be problematic.

Not to forget, the East India Company was more than just a company—it was also the most important "blood pump" of the British Empire, contributing enormous amounts of money to Britain each year. Its profitability directly determined the financial surplus of the British Government.

More importantly, the British, especially those in high society—which included almost all the members of parliament—were shareholders in the East India Company.

If the East India Company's stock crashed, the British whose wallets were hit would immediately oust the Tory Party. Even King George III, who strongly supported William Pitt the Younger, would lose political prestige.

Wellesley knew that his mission on this trip was to secure the best possible wartime environment for the East India Company in India. For now, he had to endure this cripple.

After a moment's contemplation, he smiled, "Your Grace, you know that defeating Mysore is merely a matter of investment. Fortunately, Britain can easily afford this minor expense."

He leaned forward slightly, looking at Talleyrand, "As for the investment in Tunisia, for your country, it represents a significant financial burden.

"Oh, if I'm mistaken, please correct me. Your country's finances should only be enough to sustain the situation in North Africa until the end of this year. By the way, I heard you are planning large-scale investment in iron foundries in Luxembourg, which will further strain military finances. Perhaps you won't even last until the end of the year."

"It is impressive that you are also proficient in financial matters," Talleyrand said, looking unconcerned, "Fortunately, Tunisia is very close to France, so it won't cost much.

"And how much did you spend on India this time? £2 million?"

He waved his hand, laughing, "Of course, that is nothing for the wealthy East India Company. It's just a mere half year's 'domestic taxes'[Note 1]."

These so-called "domestic taxes" referred to the revenue that the East India Company paid to the British Government. This did not even include the dividends paid to shareholders. It showed just how astonishing the East India Company's money-making capabilities were.

Talleyrand met the gaze of the British Foreign Minister, "You see, the crux of the matter is, France can afford to lose North Africa as we haven't invested much in Tunisia, and not many have bought land there.

"But can Britain, just like us, nonchalantly wave goodbye to India?"

Wellesley faltered on the spot. The cripple was right; Britain could not afford it, and that's why he had come to Paris to swallow this insult.

He struggled to maintain a smile, pretending to pick up his cup of tea to drink, avoiding Talleyrand's piercing gaze, "So, there is no need for our two countries to continue wasting funds on matters unrelated to ourselves, is there?"

What he meant was clear: England would stop supporting Algiers and Tripoli, France would cease sponsoring Mysore, and everyone could save money and live their own small lives.

Talleyrand nodded, "Your proposal is very beneficial. So, should England formally recognize our country's interests in the Maghreb nations now?"

The Marquess of Wellesley really wanted to smack this cripple with his cane. It was just France taking advantage of the chaos to grab Tunisia, and now you're trying to lump in all the Maghreb countries just like that? That includes Morocco, which damn well is within the sphere of influence of the British Empire!

"That is completely unreasonable," he shook his head, "At most, we can recognize French influence in Tunisia."

"Perhaps establishing some diplomatic relations with Mysore wouldn't be bad for our country either."

"In that case, the Royal Navy would be ready to block the Strait of Gibraltar at any time!"

"I very much doubt your country, while being harried in India, still has the capacity to be active in the Mediterranean…"

"When challenged, the depth of the British Empire will surprise everyone."

"Alright, let's not include Morocco. However, our country wants to acquire trade rights in Carnatic, India."

"Your appetite is far too large, Archbishop, it could be harmful to your health. Listen to me, let Mysore withdraw its forces, France gets Tunisia, this is good for everyone."

Carnatic is a large nation in southeast India, several tens of times larger than the French foothold in India, Puducherry. This would break the British monopoly on Indian trade, something the British would never agree to.

Of course, Talleyrand was just asking for the moon. The French fleet was not sufficient yet to protect trade to the Far East.

"Then return Dominique and Antigua to our country…" Talleyrand was referring to two small islands in the Caribbean Sea, yet they produced sugarcane.

"No, you are mistaken, Mysore for Tunisia, that is my bottom line…"

...

After sincerely and in-depth exchanging opinions, the two old foxes ended their meeting in a very harmonious atmosphere, with no agreement reached.

In fact, this is the norm for diplomatic negotiations. Everyone first tries to figure out the other party's cards, then go back and use their own tactics, and then talk again. Until one side is unwilling to continue investing…

Wellesley left the Palace of Versailles with a cloudy expression, and wrote a letter in the carriage to Lord Talmothes, the British envoy to the Maghreb countries, instructing him to pressurize Algiers and Tripoli to put pressure on Tunisia.

Then he wrote to Cornwallis, the Governor of India, asking him to concentrate all his forces to achieve a great victory first, to increase his chips when facing the French.

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's bedroom, Talleyrand also reported on the content of the negotiations to Joseph.

[Note 1] Talleyrand here is exaggerating. In reality, at the end of the 18th century, the taxes remitted to England by the East India Company were about 3 million British Pounds a year.