Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

William Pitt Junior frowned immediately.

Ninety thousand British Pounds per month may not seem much, but he knew very well that the Parliament had previously allocated 380,000 Pounds to build fortresses in Portugal, with 160,000 Pounds spent solely on purchasing cannons. Additionally, 270,000 Pounds per year were used to train the Portuguese army and support local guerrillas.

In other words, the Portuguese battlefield consumed 1.73 million British Pounds of England’s funding each year!

He looked at Lord Grenville and said, “It seems we must do something to ensure the balance of income and expenditure.”

“That is exactly what I wanted to discuss today.” The latter nodded, then took out a report and waved it, “Last month, Sir John Shor submitted a plan to me.”

He was referring to John Shor, the current Governor of the British East India Company.

Grenville opened the document in his hand: “Sir Shor mentioned that after their defeat, the Dutch have transferred a large number of troops back to the homeland, currently leaving less than 700 soldiers garrisoned at the Cape, with a very low morale.

“He believes that only a small contingent of marines is needed to quickly seize control of there.”

The Cape is the future capital of South Africa, Cape Town, and currently the most crucial port at the Cape of Good Hope.

The crowd fell silent.

The Cape of Good Hope is a Dutch colony. It is a transshipment station for Eurasian maritime trade, earning vast amounts of gold coins each year just by selling supplies to passing merchant ships.

At the same time, South Africa’s resources are extremely rich – fertile land produces bountiful grapes, wheat, and wool. Hunters in Africa continuously obtain furs and ivory.

Additionally, there are some small gold mines there. Although the output is not high, gold worth 300,000 to 400,000 British Pounds can be mined annually.

Once this place is seized, the Empire’s finances will increase by at least two to three million pounds annually.

However, the disadvantages are also significant.

It means thoroughly offending the Dutch.

Although the Dutch had to announce the abolition of the Anglo-Dutch Alliance due to their defeat, they still adhered to a policy of maintaining balance between England and France, at least the British military ports in the Netherlands could still operate normally.

If troops are deployed to capture the Cape of Good Hope, then the Netherlands might entirely side with France.

And England has been striving to avoid the western ports of the Netherlands from becoming a springboard for the French Fleet to attack England – from there, warships can reach any place in the eastern part of England in just a few days.

At the same time, the Netherlands still has a not insignificant fleet, possibly second only to the navies of England, France, and Spain in all of Europe. Yes, the Russian navy hardly affects European waters, so it is usually not compared.

William Pitt Junior saw the surrounding glances once again subtly turning upon him, he couldn’t help but sigh, nodding and saying:

“This is a good opportunity. I believe we should gain control of the Cape of Good Hope.”

His words essentially sealed South Africa’s future.

Yes, although Grenville was also a very capable person, he excelled at responding to trends, negotiation, and exchange of benefits. He knew very well that when it came to major decisions, William Pitt Junior was the most formidable in all of England.

Fox, accustomed to challenging William Pitt Junior in Congress, reflexively asked: “What if the Dutch retaliate?”

William Pitt Junior immediately replied: “Using their arbitrary withdrawal from the Anglo-Dutch Alliance as a reason, seize their merchant ships, and blockade the routes from Indonesia to Europe. Force them to relinquish the Cape of Good Hope, and sign an agreement not to side with France.”

Indonesia and the Moluccas (later the southern Philippines) are the Netherlands’ most important overseas colonies, essentially sustaining the Dutch economic lifeline.

If Britain cuts off contact between there and the Dutch homeland, the Dutch Government will immediately panic.

In its current state, the Netherlands is also unable to resist the British Navy. So they ultimately can only accept Britain’s conditions.

William Pitt Junior added: “In fact, once we control the Cape of Good Hope, the Dutch will likely make a pragmatic choice.”

The Cape of Good Hope guards the Eurasian trade route, and if the Dutch want to maintain contact with Asia, they would not dare to be overly aggressive against Britain.

Lord Grenville glanced at everyone, nodded, and said: “Well then, let us discuss the specific details now.”

Two hours later, the meeting concluded.

The British Cabinet decided that the East India Company would dispatch troops to occupy the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, while Foreign Minister Fox would go to Amsterdam to negotiate with the Dutch Government.

On the other hand, Wellesley as wished increased the Portuguese expeditionary force to 35,000 men, with all 30,000 newly trained troops set to land on the Iberian Peninsula.

After the other ministers left one after another, William Pitt Junior returned to the room.

Grenville smiled and pulled up a chair for him: “It seems you still have something important.”

“Yes.” William Pitt Junior nodded, pondering for a few seconds before saying solemnly, “I am sorry you received a mess from me.”

“Everyone knows it wasn’t your fault. Besides, the situation isn’t that dire…”

“No, you know very well it is already very dire.”

Grenville’s gaze lowered, he did not reply.

William Pitt Junior said sternly: “We must admit, the French did a very good job.

“A few years ago they were extremely disorganized, but their Royal Family quickly controlled the ambitions of the Nobles, then began financial and tax reform, abolished domestic market barriers, and their financial situation greatly improved.

“Then they abolished land privileges of Nobles, invested large sums of money to develop industry.

“A few years ago their national textile industry combined was not as good as Manchester. But now, Lyon’s textiles are fiercely competing with us everywhere.

“Their steam engines are sold to countries across Europe, even our factories are using smuggled French steam engines.

“Their steamships occupy nearly half of Europe’s inland waterway transport.

“Their cosmetics are applied on the face of every noblewoman in London, Congress even specially waived the tariffs on this stuff!

“Now there are five French cities with gas streetlights, while London lost over a million Pounds trying the same thing…

“Oh, and damn sugar. We now spend millions of Pounds each year on the Paris Futures Exchange…”

Lord Grenville raised his hand while he took a breath: “I know you’re not just here to complain. So, what are you really trying to say?”

William Pitt Junior earnestly looked at him, saying: “We need to carry out a reform, otherwise, we will eventually lose in the competition with France!”

“Reform?” Grenville instinctively nodded, “Indeed, we should make some changes.”

William Pitt Junior’s voice suddenly rose: “No, you do not understand. What Britain needs now is not unpainful adjustments, I am talking about a reform that can surpass the French!”

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