Chapter 552: France's New Atmosphere
Northwestern France, Rouen.
Baron Barnell had only just returned to the city hall when his first task arrived: drafting an announcement to cease collecting entrance taxes into the city and remove toll stations on the three main roads leading in and out of Rouen.
As he reviewed the administrative document, signed and stamped by the municipal commissioner, he turned to his superior with surprise:
"Mr. De Puen, why are we stopping entrance taxes?
"I mean, won't this put a strain on the city hall's finances?"
Though Barnell had studied these topics at the Administrative University, his initial reaction to the real-world situation was still rooted in experience rather than theory.
De Puen, the municipal commissioner's assistant, shrugged helplessly.
"It was Commissioner Vaillant's decision. I told him I wasn't in favor, but he insisted, saying it was something he learned at the Administrative University in Paris. He believes it will spur Rouen's development..."
Indeed, Commissioner Vaillant, another graduate of the university, had even outperformed Barnell academically.
Vaillant quickly noticed upon his return to Rouen that several city officials had been reassigned to the old building across from city hall, designated as part of "Auxiliary Administration."
Curious, he inquired about the role of this auxiliary department and discovered that its members only received basic salaries and had no significant responsibilities. Simply put, they had been sidelined, removed from the city's power core.
After careful reflection, Vaillant identified a common trait among these officials: during their time at the Administrative University, they had expressed dissatisfaction with the recent reforms planned at Versailles.
Realizing this, Vaillant immediately began implementing Versailles' proposed policies—such as abolishing entrance taxes, stopping toll collection, and allowing external craftsmen to operate in the city—to avoid a similar fate.
While these policies had been promoted by the cabinet for years, local governments had often resisted or delayed them, as these taxes were significant revenue sources. No one wanted to see their budgets shrink.
But this time was different.
The most stubborn officials had been reassigned, replaced by younger, more adaptable ones. Although many positions remained unfilled due to the limited number of university graduates, this shift drastically reduced resistance to new policies.
Additionally, Versailles had allocated over 200,000 francs to Rouen's municipal budget, and the newly established Rouen Tax Bureau's collections would now be shared with the city hall.
With these funds covering the city's operational expenses, abolishing entrance taxes was a manageable change.
Finally recalling what he had learned at the university, Barnell nodded in agreement:
"It could indeed increase the flow of goods and boost trade."
De Puen, the city's deputy leader, sighed.
"Apparently, local tariffs and the goods certification system will also be abolished soon. When that happens, I'm sure Mr. Daniel will lose his mind."
Daniel was Rouen's finance officer.
De Puen waved dismissively.
"Well, I'll be heading to the Administrative University for further training next month. The rest of you can handle Rouen's affairs. May God bless this city."
On the way to his office, Barnell explained to his superior:
"Think about it—if all cities eliminate entrance taxes and tariffs, while more goods flow into Rouen, our products will also reach more markets. The revenue from 'goods taxes' will increase significantly.
"Without the tax farmers, these funds will remain in Rouen..."
Southeast Rouen, outskirts.
In the carriage of the "Ruby" Mirror Factory, manager Charbain gazed toward Évreux through the window, feeling elated. Humming a cheerful tune, he sang softly:
"Ah! All will be well, all will be well..."
His mood was understandable. On this trip to Évreux, he had only encountered one toll collection—outside a small village near a bend in the Seine—saving him a substantial amount.
Moreover, no one had charged entrance taxes upon arriving in Évreux!
The trade went smoothly. He delivered a wagon of mirrors to a shop and paid only 4 francs in tariffs and 9 sous in stamp duties.
Previously, completing the same transaction would have cost him over 13 francs in tolls and miscellaneous fees.
At this rate, the "Ruby" factory stood to make an additional 50 francs each month.
The client even mentioned that tariffs might be abolished next month.
Life brimmed with hope. Charbain's smile widened as his humming turned into a full-throated song:
"Robespierre and Thibault sing in the café. Ah! All will be well..."
His assistant and driver, caught up in the cheerful mood, joined in:
"...all will be well, all will be well! Let us look forward to the good days ahead!"
After finishing the verse, Charbain leaned out of the window, shouting joyfully:
"Thanks to the great Prince! Oh, and to Count Foulque and Robespierre! Long live the Tax Bureau!"
The carriage soon entered Rouen. Near the bustling Rue du Gros-Horloge, they heard a commotion up ahead:
"No, you're charging too much!"
"Yeah! We barely make a profit; we won't pay a cent more!"
"Get out of here! You're not taking a single sou from us today!"
As the carriage drew closer, Charbain saw a group of street vendors arguing with four tax officials.
Rue du Gros-Horloge was Rouen's most prosperous commercial district and a major collection point for market taxes.
"Look at these people," Charbain's assistant sneered.
"When the tax farmers came with their sticks and whips, they were as meek as lambs."
Charbain glanced at the tax officials' holstered pistols and shook his head.
"You can't be too lenient with these crooks, but the officials rarely get rough..."
"The rates are much lower than before! If it were up to me, I'd beat them into submission and make them pay!"
Robespierre's push for a kinder, more professional Tax Bureau had backfired slightly. Determined to distinguish the Bureau from the abusive tax farmers, he insisted on politeness and minimal force.
This earned widespread public praise but emboldened some unscrupulous merchants and citizens to act brazenly.
When Charbain finally returned to the factory, he saw the accountant rushing toward him.
"Manager, I just spotted a tax officials' carriage on Rue Joulmain. They should be here any moment."
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