After his proclamation, Napoleon stepped out of the grand chamber. Lucien and Talleyrand followed behind him.
"It's a great speech, Your Excellency," Talleyrand commented. "I must say, I got inspired by your words."
Napoleon chuckled, brushing off the compliment. "Oh, enough with the flattery, Talleyrand. I'm getting bored of hearing your praises."
Talleyrand bowed slightly, his expression earnest. "I apologize, Your Excellency, but my words were genuine, not mere flattery."
"Talleyrand, I'm sure you have already reached out to the Austrians. What were the terms they proposed for peace?"
"I was just about to inform you, Your Excellency," Talleyrand replied, clearing his throat. "The Austrians demand that the republic established in the Treaty of Campo Formio be dissolved, and the territories be returned to them. Additionally, they insist on the restoration of King Louis XVI to the throne."
Napoleon scoffed at the audacity of the Austrian demands. "Ridiculous! There's no way I could ever approve such terms."
"The moment I heard their terms, Your Excellency, I almost choked myself. It is a ridiculous offer. Can I safely assume that we will continue our war with Austria?"
Napoleon nodded, confirming that it was their only course of action. "Oh, before we part ways, I would like to thank both of you for helping me. Thanks to you I became the First Consul."
"No need to thank us, brother," Lucien said. "We all got what we wanted."
As they were having a discussion, a man approached them.
"Your Excellency." Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only
The three turned their heads toward the man, and they recognized him immediately.
"Necker," Napoleon uttered.
"You probably didn't notice me inside the chamber, Your Excellency," Necker said, chuckling.
"There are hundreds in attendance, so it would be hard for me to notice you.," Napoleon replied. "I assume that your business for today as the Minister of Finance is not yet finished?"
"That is correct, Your Excellency, I will be presenting the currency reforms and the establishment of the Banque de France later before the assemblies. Let's hope that the Council of State, Tribunate, and Corps législatif show their support for these essential reforms," Necker continued.
"Don't worry, you'll get your support there inside. Your expertise in financial matters and your dedication to the welfare of our nation make it difficult for anyone to deny the importance of these reforms," Napoleon reassured Necker.
Moreover, Napoleon's taxation reforms were accompanied by efficient tax collection and administration processes. The reforms aimed to reduce corruption and inefficiencies in revenue collection, ensuring that the funds reached the state's coffers promptly and accurately.
As a result of these comprehensive taxation reforms, Napoleon's government witnessed a notable increase in revenue collection. The nation's financial resources were significantly bolstered, giving him the funds for his ambitious infrastructure projects, educational initiatives, and military endeavors that he is currently working on.
Of course, not everyone was satisfied with the new tax reforms. One of the opponents of Napoleon's measures was wealthy aristocrats who owned vast estates in the French countryside. They viewed the Land Tax reforms as a direct attack on their privileged position and wealth, fearing that the recalibration of tax rates would burden them with a heavier financial responsibility.
They also had long enjoyed the benefits of the old tax system, which favored the aristocracy and exempted them from many tax obligations. They saw Napoleon's progressive tax approach as a threat to the established order and a challenge to the aristocratic privileges they held dear. Alongside other conservative landowners, they rallied against the reforms, voicing their dissent within the halls of the aristocratic gatherings.
Similarly, some powerful merchants and traders were displeased with the imposition of indirect taxes through Droits Réunis. They argued that these consumption-based levies would lead to a decline in luxury goods consumption, potentially affecting their lucrative businesses. They feared that such taxes would deter customers, ultimately impacting their profits and challenging their economic influence.
The opposition to the income tax was equally fierce. Wealthy individuals in France, including influential bankers, wealthy merchants, and aristocrats, were determined to protect their vast fortunes from increased taxation. They believed that the income tax would unfairly burden them and hinder their ability to invest and expand their businesses, ultimately hindering economic growth.
These dissenting voices used their considerable influence and connections to organize private gatherings and meetings, strategizing ways to challenge and undermine the income tax reforms. They sought support from sympathetic members of the legislative bodies and influential figures across the nation, aiming to sway public opinion against the reforms.
Their opposition also extended to the corporate tax, as it posed a direct challenge to the lucrative businesses they owned. These influential figures viewed the corporate tax as an undue burden on their commercial ventures, and they resisted the idea of contributing a significant portion of their profits to the state's coffers.
But Napoleon won't let them deter him from upholding the law and implementing the much-needed reforms for the betterment of France. He knew that his taxation reforms were necessary for the nation's progress and stability, and he was determined to see them through despite the opposition.
In response to the discontent among wealthy aristocrats and influential merchants, Napoleon called for a series of meetings with representatives from various sectors of society. He sought to engage in open dialogue and hear their concerns directly, hoping to address their fears and explain the rationale behind the reforms.
During these meetings, Napoleon presented comprehensive data and economic analyses that demonstrated the potential benefits of the taxation reforms. He emphasized that the reforms were designed to create a fairer and more balanced financial system, where everyone contributed their share to the nation's growth and prosperity.
Additionally, he reassured the dissenting parties that the new tax system would be implemented with careful consideration of its impact on businesses and the economy. He promised to monitor the reforms closely, making necessary adjustments if any unintended adverse consequences arose.
Napoleon's relentless pursuit of transparency and open communication gradually won over some of the skeptics. His passionate commitment to the welfare of the nation and his eloquence in explaining the reforms swayed public opinion in his favor. Many citizens began to understand the necessity of these changes, realizing that a more equitable tax system would lead to a stronger and more stable France.
However, there remained a group of staunch opponents who continued to resist the reforms, despite Napoleon's efforts to address their concerns. These individuals remained entrenched in their privileged positions, unwilling to relinquish any part of their wealth or influence.
So, Napoleon took drastic measures, arresting those who actively opposed the reforms and conspiring to undermine the stability of the nation. Among the arrested were several influential aristocrats and wealthy individuals who had led the opposition against the taxation reforms. Their actions were seen as acts of treason, attempting to sabotage the government's efforts to strengthen France's financial foundation.
The arrests sent shockwaves through the dissenting factions, and it became evident that Napoleon was not willing to compromise when it came to upholding the law and ensuring the welfare of his nation. The move was met with mixed reactions across the country. While some praised Napoleon for taking a strong stance against those who sought to hinder progress, others criticized the arrests as an infringement on personal liberties and a show of excessive power.
April 4th, 1800, in the Château de Chantilly.
"Those conservatives, they really know how to hit my nerves," Napoleon sighed exasperatedly as he set the reports down on his tabletop.
"Well, Your Excellency, your reforms I must say are too radical for them, that's why they are opposing them so vehemently," Talleyrand remarked, taking a seat opposite Napoleon.
"I think it's safe to say that there will always be opposition. So, what was the thing you wanted us to talk about?"
"Your Excellency, your economic reforms surely improved the situation of France, gaining support from the people. To bring more stability to France you'll need to pardon the emigres."