Paris.
Palace of Versailles.
"The eight companies only managed to raise less than nine million francs in total?" Joseph frowned at Finance Minister Godan.
The latter had just reported that the newly established eight companies in the Rhineland, including the potash factory, had raised only 8.8 million francs after being listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange for a month and a half.
He was well aware of how much cash those financial giants in the Netherlands held, and even the ordinary people there, benefiting from the prosperous maritime trade, had some savings. But they were evidently not too keen on investing in the Rhineland.
Godan explained, "Your Highness, some of these factories are not even completed yet. Moreover, the Dutch seem to prefer investing in local industries."
Joseph flipped through the report submitted by the Finance Minister and couldn't help but shake his head upon seeing the section on "promotion":
