”It’s not used for anything at the moment, other than a large grassing area, it’s close to the Château, right next to the Grand Stables and there is nothing else planned here. I thought it would be the most obvious place to begun construction.” Philippe said, rather happy with his own assessment and plans, walking through the field together with Mr. Asbury, the estate manager his father had hired a bit over half a decade. The same manager that had so pushed the Old Condé towards modernization.
“It won’t be cheap. Having to construct the track itself, along with a smaller house if this is to be a proper race track.” Asbury said, assessing the land on which they walked. “But you are right, young master; we have no immediate or important plans for this area. Your father back in his time wishes for it as an extension of the mansion. A place for the horses to ride and grass.”
“So you agree with the plan?” Philippe eagerly asked as they kept walking, rather excited that finally someone showed an interest.
Asbury simply smiled, but shrugged slightly, “As I said it won’t be cheap, but it could prove to be a worthwhile investment if handled properly. “
Philippe just nodded, not really having considered the financial benefits, or that he had really cared, at least not in this project. Truth be told, it was never something that either his father or stepfather had ever brought up before. “How much?”
“175.000 francs, or there about should be able to give you what you wish.” Asbury responded with Philippe raising an eyebrow.
“175.000 francs for a racetrack?” he uttered in disbelief.
“And the house, I remember a smaller one in the plans you sent me.” Asbury responded, with Philippe just slightly nodding. Asbury stopped in his track, looking at the young man who was in fact his new boss, considering if he should ask at all before he decided that he may as well. “Has the council approved of this project?”
“No.” Philippe quickly reacted. “I asked them a few months ago, but they have ignored the request.”
“I see.” Asbury pondered for a moment, “Are you sure you wish to go ahead with this expansion in such a case. You will need their approval to release the funds.”
“I take their silence as acceptance; they have yet to deny the request, so why bother asking twice.” Philippe’s grin wide and cocky as he said it.
“Aha.” Asbury just responded.
“Its easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Philippe said with a slight chuckle. “Especially as they didn’t respond to me asking permission. So let us begin building, should they still deny it then it we shall simply have a half finished race course.”
Asbury on the other hand only sighed, lacking the confidence of the young master. “As you wish. I will get in contact with the builders and designers early tomorrow morning, I shall aim to have it completed by the end of 1832 as you wish for.”
Philippe smiled in return. “Thank you.” As they kept walking until Asbury decided, either for the better or worse, which was yet to be decided, to approach Philippe on an entirely different matter.
“I am rather glad that we have this chance to talk, sir.” Asbury began, “For I was hoping that, if you agree, that we may discuss some other matters in regards to your estates.”
“Oh?” Philippe muttered, raising an eyebrow as he looked at his estate manager.
“You see, sir, your father, during his last years began to allow me to modernize his lands. The truth is that as he passed, the modernization process stopped as well.” Asbury began, “The estates are now yours, and it pains to tell you that while the extend of your land is impressive, then the productivity is not nearly so. Many of your estates lack modernization, and their output shows it. You still earn plenty, but should this modernization be forsaken during the coming years, especially after you come of age, and if that trend be set. Then I fear most of the estates will not be maintainable by the time you are old. Especially as the new government seem set to increase taxes on land with little restraint.”
“That sounds bad.” Philippe said, frowning, not really sure how else to respond.
“It is.” Asbury confirmed, “Your father, in his wisdom, saw the need for change coming and began slowly, and I hope that you will follow his example so that our modernization can continue. Farming, especially here in France, is changing. If the large estates are to survive in the future, it will need proper care, an actual interest from the people who own it. As the government continues to favour the cities at the expense of the countryside, it will only add to the problems. In the future, many of these estates will need to be run with a much more business minded approach if they are to survive the storm.”
“Are you not able to handle it?” Philippe asked the agent, starting to doubt if he was the right man for the job, despite his father’s trust in him.
“I can, but I am hoping that you as the future owner will also take an interest. In the people, the farms, the animals, the forests. All of it, to take part in the management of your estates.” Asbury commented making Philippe turn to him with a wide smile.
“Would that not leave you without a job?” The younger asked in jest.
“Perhaps, but most likely no, your lands are too vast for you to personally manage. But it would do us all well if you were to understand what was happening, the value and the problems facing you in the future. How to maximize profits, how to handle a proper crisis. To take part in the future directions of the estates with a proper understand so that you can make the right decisions.” Asbury stopped as they stood outside Chantilly, Philippe ready to go inside.
“Has the Baron approved?” Philippe asked as he looked at Asbury with an intrigued smirk.
“I do not believe he would see it as proper. Or allow it.” Asbury commented on the opinions of one of his superiors.
“I see.” Philippe responded, pacing back and forth for a bit. “So what do you suggest?”
“The new construction gives us the perfect excuse to meet more often, allow me to bring some books from time to time, some ledgers and show you how the estate runs around.” Philippe nodding at Asbury’s suggestion, “But apart from that, take your time riding around the estate, meet the farmers, see the land, observe how it all works. When do they farm, how do they sow, and what tools do they use for gathering. All these sorts of things.”
“Very well.” Philippe just said as he nodded to the old estate manager, shaking his hand as the manager left and Philippe return to the Château, once again to resume his Latin studies.
