Reincarnated: Vive La France
Chapter 239: Finalizing

Chapter 239: Finalizing

Moreau arrived without ceremony.

His coat was folded over his arm, sleeves rolled back to the elbow.

He did not sit at first.

Instead, he paced slowly to the head of the table, resting his hand on the edge.

"Today we finalize," he said. "We’ve heard France speak its workers, farmers, industrialists, teachers, veterans, even its doubters. The draft must become our document of faith. We hold at ₣100 billion. We cannot do everything. But what we do must mean everything to someone."

Reynaud opened the discussion with the revised balance sheets. "We remain within bounds," he said, tapping the folder before him.

"Total: ₣100 billion. Adjustments have been made sector by sector. Let me walk you through it."

He opened his binder, flipping to a section tagged with a blue ribbon. "National Reconstruction and Infrastructure remains at ₣30 billion. However, per municipal and provincial feedback, rural electrification is raised to ₣5 billion. In turn, public housing is reduced to ₣4 billion to allow for phased construction."

Zay nodded in acknowledgment. "We can stagger school-linked housing without compromising function."

"Railway expansion, strategic airfields, and road reinforcement remain as is," Reynaud added.

The ministers nodded.

They had argued these points earlier.

Now they ratified.

"Industrial Modernization remains ₣20 billion," Reynaud continued. "But we adjust within. Aviation civilian and military rises to ₣6 billion. Petrochemicals is trimmed to ₣2 billion. Steel consolidation, technical education, and the innovation bureau remain funded fully."

Muselier glanced at his notes. "That supports port-adjacent plants in Marseille. Acceptable."

Reynaud turned a new page. "Military readiness still ₣15 billion. But revised. Weapons R&D drops to ₣500 million. That freed ₣500 million to expand the Engineering Corps to ₣3.5 billion. Eight regiments now active dual function for civil infrastructure."

Gamelin gave a brief nod. "They’ll be ready within the fortnight."

Reynaud continued, "Maginot reinforcements, aviation in civilian guise, and artillery expansion remain intact."

Auriol spoke next. "Justice receives ₣1.5 billion. Regional tribunals, court transcripts, and mobile documentation teams are all included. We now fund translation and transcription efforts outside major cities. This aligns with demands from Brittany, Limousin, and Corsica."

Mandel followed smoothly. "Interior remains at ₣2 billion. ₣200 million is redirected to civil police retraining and national cataloguing of sensitive archives. I’ve attached plans for new training centers in Lyon and Toulouse."

Déat raised his voice gently. "Labor liaison bureaus now receive ₣2 billion plus ₣300 million ₣200 million for youth camps, ₣100 million for temporary housing and allowances. This supports the new worker stabilization zones in Reims, Dijon, and Le Havre."

Mendès France consulted his charts. "Agriculture remains at ₣10 billion. Mechanization, credit banks, and food price supports are constant. However, we’ve increased irrigation to ₣2.5 billion. That additional ₣500 million will modernize reclamation efforts near Bordeaux and the lower Rhône."

Muselier picked up the thread. "Port dredging is increased to ₣3.5 billion. Le Havre, Marseille, and Rhône now operate on full three-shift schedules. Civil dock labor is back at 92% employment."

Gamelin interjected calmly, "Engineering Corps will align regiments to assist in bridge repairs and road expansions where dredging meets rail."

Vuillemin flipped a page. "Air force operations stay at ₣2.5 billion. However, reconnaissance is now focused along the Alsace-Lorraine and Pyrenees corridors, per border security reviews. We’ll establish joint observation stations with postal services for dual use."

Beauchamp leaned in. "National cohesion programs ₣3 billion now emphasize fact-based programming. ₣1.5 billion for radio and newsreel, ₣700 million for national exhibits, and ₣800 million for architectural public works with cultural themes. That includes regional museums."

Delon followed. "Colonial programs remain ₣7 billion. Dakar, Indochina, and Madagascar have submitted updated project timelines. Fiscal monitoring will ensure return on investment within three years."

Reynaud concluded with fiscal stabilization. "₣5 billion remains unchanged. ₣2 billion in currency reserve, ₣1 billion in gold and commodity stockpiles, ₣1 billion for tax amnesty to repatriate capital, and ₣1 billion for our new State Development Bank."

The ministers were quiet for a moment.

Then Moreau looked up.

"Concerns of overreach have also been raised," he said, his tone softer. "We will incorporate an additional ₣200 million toward audit mechanisms. Every major spending sector transport, agriculture, industry, education will include performance oversight and monthly reporting."

Mandel lifted his hand slightly. "We’ve drafted the review protocols. These will be managed centrally but reported publicly."

Auriol nodded. "Transparency will become routine. Reports, statements, school civic modules it will be embedded in every ministry."

Muselier added, "We’ll publish all maritime contracts. Bidders will be rotated and regulated."

Déat echoed, "Labor assignments will be community-vetted and regional councils included."

Mendès France tapped his notes. "Credit banks will operate under a supervisory council including rural union members and independent agronomists."

Moreau folded his arms. "This is the France we must show the world not just one rebuilt in stone and steel, but in trust."

President Lebrun, until now silent, stood slowly.

"I will address the Chamber tomorrow," he said. "Not to command, but to request confirmation. Parliament must see this not as decree but as contract born of deliberation, rooted in need, committed to peace."

Moreau looked to Reynaud. "Have the final draft prepared tonight. Include the revisions."

He turned to all ministers. "Release a communiqué immediately: We invite final comment from the public until 10 April. Then we meet. Then it passes."

He paused.

"And from today until then, every office of this government is not just an authority. It is a steward. You do not represent power you represent attention. You represent diligence."

He addressed Zay. "Schools reopen with full curriculum by next Monday."

To Mandel.

"Police training begins Thursday. Toulouse first."

To Muselier.

"Dredging contracts sign before midnight. Algerian grain arrives on schedule."

To Gamelin.

"Engineering Corps deploy to Lorraine and Bourgogne for road link projects."

To Vuillemin.

"Air patrols on the Alsace border commence next week."

To Déat.

"Labor bureaus coordinate with unions in all 22 départements."

To Mendès.

"Mechanization loans released before the planting season ends."

To Beauchamp and Delon.

"Cohesion broadcasts must begin by Sunday."