Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

That’s right, even though the war has begun, England must still continuously purchase sugar from France.

Meanwhile, France continues supplying sugar products to all of Europe.

After all, the British have to get sugar to live, and France has invested heavily in the sugar beet industry, with many farmers relying on beet cultivation for their livelihood, and the refined sugar needs to find a market.

Moreover, with sugar prices being so high now, only a fool wouldn’t sell.

In fact, the high profit margins from sugar currently account for roughly one-fifth of France’s military budget.

Contrary to common perception, no matter how brutal the warfare, most civilian economic interactions still persist.

Just like during the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, when they seemed eager to dig up each other’s ancestral graves, the business dealings still went on, albeit with some creative modifications in trade methods.

Of course, France’s trade capacity, relying on only 7 merchant ships, is far from sufficient to meet its trade demands with America and the Far East.

It can hold out in the short term, but if the war drags on too long, the domestic economy will be greatly affected.

The first problem is the shortage of industrial raw materials.

France severely depends on imports for cotton, wool, leather, grease, and even ropes.

These materials undergo industrial processing in France, then are sold worldwide with high added value. Once raw materials become scarce, France’s industry will soon experience widespread contraction.

The second issue is reduced market access.

If products are made but cannot generate returns, it will further harm the industrial foundation of France.

The decline of industry and commerce will inevitably lead to a nationwide economic crisis…

Thus, faced with England’s maritime blockade, France’s overall position remains very precarious. It must secure a swift victory on the battlefield to break the impasse.

Fifty-plus days later, the “Cloud Mist” finally completed its Atlantic crossing and arrived at Philadelphia Port in the United States.

Baron Fokard donned a very formal outfit and met with Jefferson, the US Secretary of State, at the port.

Fokard had come to America as the special envoy of the King of France.

Originally, he had planned to accompany the French Navy’s fleet to North America, but Lord Chad Ha of England’s English Channel Fleet kept patrolling the area from Le Havre to Brest Port.

If this kind of diplomat were captured by the British, it would present a major problem.

Hence, upon the advice of the French Navy, he took an alternative route, quietly traveling aboard the “Trade Express” ship and arriving in the United States.

After a brief welcoming ceremony, Fokard presented France’s royal letter to Jefferson. Its contents were straightforward: demanding the United States honor the Treaty of Alliance between the United States and France and immediately declare war on England.

Joseph was well aware of how historically duplicitous the United States had been, betraying France.

Following the outbreak of war between France and the Anti-French Alliance, the British naval blockade made it nearly impossible for the US to trade with France.

To make up for the lost market, the Americans promptly signed the Jay Treaty with England, throwing themselves into Britain’s arms, with no regard for the fact that Louis XVI had brought France to near bankruptcy in order to support American independence.

They even later defaulted on the massive loans provided by France during America’s independence.

This time, Joseph would not allow the United States to act indecisively and arbitrarily stab France in the back.

Washington immediately employed delaying tactics, continuously claiming he needed Congressional discussions and voting, leaving Fokard waiting for over half a month.

Fokard didn’t remain idle, though. Following the instructions of the Crown Prince, he began delivering speeches all over Philadelphia, with themes focusing on how France had wholeheartedly helped America secure its independence, the deep brotherly bond between the US and France, and the shameless British reigniting warfare, urging the brotherly alliance of the US and France to teach the British a lesson together.

At the same time, the French-funded “American News” newspaper joined the effort, emphasizing that the British maritime blockade was orchestrated to disrupt US-European trade, revealing England’s conspiracy to weaken America. If France were defeated, England would immediately concentrate efforts to reclaim the North American continent as its colony.

Suddenly, a saying began circulating across America—”Saving France is saving America.”

Soon after, protests began gathering citizens in front of the United States Congress.

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