I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1034: Risk and No Risk

Royal Palace of Madrid.

The Spanish Chief Minister, Count Floridablanca, shook his head repeatedly:

"No, no, it would bring trade to a standstill in places like Baton Rouge and Shreveport, and ..."

Talleyrand immediately shouted: "Have you calculated how much it would cost to send an army there? It is likely to exceed the trade income you mentioned.

“And if the Americans are not deterred, your expeditionary force will be stuck in a long standoff with them, and military funds will disappear as quickly as burning paper.

"According to the strategy of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, if everything goes well, the Port of New Orleans may be able to resume navigation in two months, or no more than four months at the latest."

Seeing that Count Floridablanca was still hesitating, he looked at several other Spanish officials and said seriously:

"Our greatest interests lie in the Portuguese battlefield.

“It’s like two bulls wrestling. Whoever takes a step back first will immediately fall into a passive position!

"We have a huge military presence in Coimbra, which should not be compromised for the sake of faraway North America.

"Why did the British encourage the United States to threaten New Orleans at this time? Because they were about to collapse.

"We should continue to increase our efforts and defeat them in one fell swoop!
"Think of the moment when the glory of His Majesty shines again upon Gibraltar, and you will find that the little trade of Louisiana is nothing to behold."

The Minister of War, Count Aranda, first looked at Count Floridablanca and said, "I think that the suggestion of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is worth a try."

Gombos nodded and said, "The Coimbra battlefield is indeed more important.

"As for cities in Louisiana, we can provide subsidies to help them get through this difficult time."

According to their previous plan, they would send 7000 troops to New Orleans to fight for three months. The military expenditure would be as high as 3 escudos, or nearly 70 million francs.

This sum was enough to subsidize immigration to Louisiana and restore order in New Orleans.

Finance Minister Campomannes looked at Talleyrand hesitantly: "To be honest, this plan is quite risky."

It is no wonder that these Spanish officials have been hesitant, because in Joseph's plan, they would directly "interrupt" the operation of the Port of New Orleans.

This would instantly cause immigrants throughout the Louisiana colony to lose their source of income.

Talleyrand immediately said righteously: "Your Highness the Dauphin has promised that if the Americans still do not withdraw their troops, our country will no longer care about the Franco-American alliance and will send the Atlantic Fleet to support your military operations."

Several Spanish ministers looked at each other again, and Count Floridablanca finally nodded and gestured to Talleyrand: "Please come with me to see His Majesty."

……

Mayfair, London.

In a plain-looking villa on the west side of Grosvenor Square, Member of Parliament Lord Richard Montes glanced at Bolton with disdain, stroking his teacup and saying, "You have a big appetite. But I suggest you wait six months before applying. The investment fund should be able to raise at least 60 pounds by then." "If you are lucky, you may be able to apply for part of it. Anything else?"

Seeing that this meeting opportunity, which he had obtained through a lot of connections, was about to end, Bolton quickly winked at Frank who came with him.

The latter immediately turned around and closed the door. Ignoring the surprised look of the congressman, he said directly: "2 pounds, Your Lordship. Our company is at a critical stage of development and urgently needs this investment. If you can veto the investment project of 5 pounds, we are willing to give 80 pounds as a thank you."

"Oh, God." Montes frowned and shouted to the door, "Brian, I have a meeting to go to. Please send these two gentlemen away."

Just kidding, these two guys who met for the first time and had no relationship with each other actually bribed a huge sum of 2 pounds in person.

He even suspected that his political opponents had set a trap for him.

"Please wait a moment." Frank made a calming gesture and said, "I swear, this money will not cause you any trouble. Even if someone is eavesdropping outside now, they can't accuse you."

Montes smiled, and out of curiosity he waved to the attendant: "Brian, wait a moment."

Frank immediately repeated the plan his superior had told him:
"...You see, in this case, you will have nothing to do with our company, and no one will associate you with the fund's affairs.

"Even if someone finds some clues, or even if the news leaks out from within our company, the court will never be able to convict you as long as you firmly deny it."

Montes' smile became genuine: "I must admit, you guys are geniuses."

He thought for a moment and nodded, "Just as you said. But you still have to let the Fund Management Committee find the problem before I can operate in Congress.

"Oh, and Councillors Finn Lightford and Steven Matthews. Without their cooperation, this would have been difficult to accomplish."

Frank smiled and said, "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to contact them."

Montes was also very straightforward: "I'll add another 1 pounds, 1 pounds for each of them."

"Very reasonable. Very reasonable. It's been a real pleasure working with you."

That afternoon, Frank and Bolton visited Malik, chairman of the Government Investment Fund Committee, and promised to offer a bribe of 20,000 pounds, naturally using the same model as they did with the MPs.

Sir Malik also readily agreed and asked for a benefit of 3 pounds for each of the three important members of the management committee - these three sums of money were paid directly without any roundabout means.

If the worst happens in the future, these three will be pushed out to take the blame. After all, they are the only ones who have evidence of accepting bribes.

Malik was very efficient and submitted a report to the Parliamentary Fund Review Group at noon the next day, involving five investments with a total amount of 5 pounds.

Some of them are because the company has evaded taxes - this is a common phenomenon in the UK now, and it will be found once it is checked. Others are because the project technology has not been rigorously demonstrated and needs to be re-examined with the cooperation of the Academy of Sciences.

The efficiency of the parliament was equally high. With the unanimous approval of three core members including Montes, all five investment proposals that had just been voted through were rejected.

Immediately afterwards, the Fund Management Committee received an application from the Bolton-Watt Steam Engine Company for a project to develop the latest 180-horsepower steam engine, with an investment amount of up to 80 pounds!
A few days earlier, London newspapers had begun to flood with reports such as "revolutionary technological breakthrough, the future of steam power" and "180-horsepower high-pressure steam engine, far ahead of the whole of Europe".

(End of this chapter)