Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Chapter 1124: Chapter 1030: The Cheater and the Blind Runner

Admiral Jervis pressed the report in his hand onto the table and looked up at the head of the Navy Board’s investigation team:

“Are you sure this is not a joke?”

After nearly ten days of detailed investigation, the Navy Board concluded that the cause of the incident with the “Avenger” that day was that the officer in charge of logistics supplies, due to drunkenness, mistakenly loaded coal soaked in seawater onto the ship, causing the boiler to go out. The warship had no serious technical problems.

Hmm, yesterday a poor young officer was already sent to military court and will probably be sentenced to 5 to 8 years. However, his wife’s account at the Bank of England had an extra 2,000 British Pounds, which made him confess quite readily.

The head of the investigation team nodded guiltily and looked at Sir Middleton, the Navy Board’s paymaster, who had come with him. This investigation result was personally handed to him.

England’s Sea Battle Committee and Navy Board are two separate departments.

The former is in charge of combat, with the Sea War Minister Jervis as the chief officer.

The latter is responsible for shipbuilding, supplies, and administrative management of officers. Jervis also serves as a committee member, but the daily affairs are handled by the paymaster.

Middleton immediately smiled and said, “Don’t let the investigation waste too much time. You see, the Chat Han Shipyard has not been able to start work during this period.”

Before Jervis could get angry, he quickly added, “Sir Hope says the shipyard is improving efficiency and reducing costs. This will allow you to deliver three more warships without changing the shipbuilding budget.”

In reality, Hope’s promise to him was that as long as investment from the government fund was secured, the Navy Board could reduce its funding input by 12%. This money would naturally stay in his account.

Upon hearing this, Jervis’s brows immediately relaxed: “The delivery time remains unchanged?”

“Of course, I assure you.”

“Coal loaded onto the ship must be strictly checked henceforth.”

The two exchanged a smile and were both delighted.

In the small bookstore, Porte Yer held a small note to the candle flame to ignite it.

There was only a simple line on it – the plan was smoothly implemented.

After the note burned out, he picked up the “Performing Arts” beside him, flipped it open, and shook his head with a light laugh:

“Earning this bit of salary from the Security Bureau is really troublesome. I still miss the days of working for Lady Lavicia…”

At this moment, far away in Paris, Lady Lavicia also missed her “Compass” immensely.

After Porte Yer resigned, her life immediately became chaotic.

She sighed deeply and waved and shouted towards her husband and Baron Puli Lisi, who were about to duel on the street:

“I beg of you, for Jesus’s sake, stop fighting!”

…

In the city hall on the east side of London Bridge, the management committee of England’s “Government Investment Fund” formally voted to approve the first batch of investment projects.

Yes, after repeatedly studying and arguing for months, the management committee still could not decide on the investment fields and amounts.

Each member had very reasonable points, but they couldn’t reach a consensus.

In the end, Sir Connor Malik, the chairman of the committee, decided to openly accept applications and have all members vote to decide the investment plan for the fund.

In fact, such a government investment fund was completely inapplicable to the information-sealed 18th century.

The direction of industrial technology was still unclear. If the government poured a large amount of money into one project, any mistake in decision-making would result in a significant loss.

Under these circumstances, it was more appropriate to let the market guide the investments. Just as it has happened in history.

You mention France?

That’s a country with exceptional advantage, ensuring that its investment direction was absolutely correct. Therefore, the more concentrated and higher the investment, the greater the effectiveness.

But this is something other countries cannot replicate.

However, France’s rapid pace of development inevitably attracted some countries to have thoughts of imitation.

As the music started, Sir Malik first went onto the stage to deliver an opening speech about how Great Britain’s future would be glorious, and then signaled to his assistant:

“Now, let’s proceed to vote on the investment applications.”

His assistant took the stage and picked up the first application:

“Birmingham Kovak Steel Company is applying for relief investment, 150,000 British Pounds…”

He then proceeded to read the entire application.

The gist of it was that Kovak Steel Company claimed to be in good operating condition but had suffered from malicious selling by the Dutch, leading to a stock price collapse and now faced an insolvent situation.

If the government invests, the cost could be recovered and profitable in three to four years. Alternatively, the government investment fund could directly take a controlling stake in the company.

The 14 members of the management committee whispered among themselves—they had actually discussed these projects countless times before, but they still needed to go through the motions—and then someone raised a hand.

Sir Malik declared loudly:

“6 votes in favor, 8 votes against, the application is not approved.”

The shareholders of the Kovak Steel Company in the audience were immediately stunned, their eyes turning red.

This was their last chance, and without the investment, they would most likely go bankrupt.

Of course, the management committee’s logic was also right.

With so many steel factories in England, one more or less wouldn’t make much difference. Funds should still be allocated to more useful places.

Malik’s assistant continued:

“Wedgwood Holy-Chien Porcelain Company, applying for a refined porcelain production project, investment amount of 90,000 British Pounds.

“… a series of processes to achieve the quality of Oriental ceramics, with costs only one-fifth of those imported from the Orient.

“Sales markets include…

“Estimated annual sales: more than 30,000 British Pounds.

“Profit margin 35%…”

Members of the management committee all nodded slightly, such a product that could replace Oriental ceramics was indeed a high-quality project.

Sir Malik quickly announced the result:

“11 votes in favor, 3 against, the application is passed!”

The crowd below erupted into cheers.

“Next. Leeds Light Gauze Textile Factory, applying for a new type of automatic loom project, investment amount of 130,000 British Pounds…”

“4 votes in favor, 10 against, the application is not approved.”

The sources of funding for England’s textile industry were abundant, making government fund investment unnecessary. Moreover, the textile market was saturated, and profit margins were very low, naturally disinteresting the management committee.

“Next. Birmingham McCartnett Ironworks, applying for a new blast furnace project, investment amount of 100,000 British Pounds…”

“3 votes in favor, 11 against, the application is not approved.”

“Next. Chatehan Royal Shipyard, applying for a new steam paddle ship project, investment amount of 500,000 British Pounds.”

The members of the management committee immediately started whispering.

Chat Han Shipyard’s project was only submitted a little over ten days ago, and some of them were still not familiar with it, while the investment amount of 500,000 British Pounds was indeed shocking.

But as Malik’s assistant continued to recite the contents of the application, their eyes lit up one by one.

This was definitely a good project!

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