I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 809 Taska's Reply
Le Cercle d'Union Interallié.

This is one of the most upscale members-only private social clubs in Paris.

The spacious 3,000-square-meter garden allows you to dine in the courtyard during the summer, making you feel as if you are in the countryside.

The first floor is a formal restaurant with a bird's-eye view of the garden.

Another, more casual restaurant, located next to the pool, offers quick and delicious lunches.

Of course, at night, it transforms into a luxurious social venue where people, dressed impeccably, gather in small groups for private meetings.

This is also Liu Jin's first time here!
He had heard about it before, but he had never been able to become a member because he hadn't received a recommendation.

This time, as he stepped into the garden, a gleaming golden membership invitation card appeared before him.

The membership fee is not high, only 300,000 yuan per year.

A lifetime membership costs five million and grants unlimited access to the club's facilities and donations.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Jin directly filled in the lifetime membership.

In the future, with the establishment of the Southern France local television network, he will likely frequent this place, and a lifetime membership would be more convenient.

Little Ma couldn't help but say enviously, "Being a member here isn't easy."

"why?"

"There are many requirements, such as having assets of over 100 million, having sufficient reputation, and most importantly, having recommendations from other members."

However, you shouldn't need a recommendation; your assets are more than enough for a club to extend an invitation.

"Is this club owned?"

Liu Jin was somewhat curious.

The person who can create such a top-tier club is definitely not an ordinary person.

Little Ma glanced around and lowered his voice, saying, "I've only heard about it; I don't know if it's true or not."

This club was originally founded by members of the DuPont family.

You should have heard of Pierre du Pont's descendant... the founder of the America du Pont family.

"Pierre DuPont from the French GM?"

"Ok!"

"So, he's considered a member of the former French royal family. Does the French royal family still exist now?"

"Of course not, the Plantagenet family has long since vanished."

The Plantagenets?
Liu Jin keenly noticed the phrase "Golden Flower Family" mentioned by Brother Ma and instantly understood the background of this club.

Freemasonry!
Is the legendary Freemasonry behind this club?
Legend has it that the Freemasons were founded by thirteen powerful families, and the Plantagenet family was one of them.

However, with the passing of the French monarchy and the Great Mukden, the Plantagenet family name disappeared completely.

I don't know if it's true or not, just for a laugh.

But it's pretty much certain that this is Freemasonry's property.

After all, Pierre DuPont was indeed an early tycoon of America, but he was also a Freemason.

Hmm, it seems like it was mentioned in Cage's National Treasure!
……

Liu Jin and Xiao Ma arrived at a small restaurant on the third floor.

"Things have been going well lately."

"It's alright, it's just... dealing with those numbers every day is a bit of a headache."

"Hahaha, me too!"

Liu Jin couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's why I didn't go into business after graduation. I'm not good with numbers; I'm much more comfortable with words."

"Come on, you're worth billions, and you're saying you're not good with numbers?"
Your data analysis in "The Big Short" was very well-reasoned.

I'm starting to regret it now. I didn't listen to your advice and invest some money... Otherwise, I'd be rich by now.

"Hehe, if there's a chance, we can go together."

"That's what you said."

Liu Jin looked at the still somewhat green young Ma Ge in front of him, his eyes darting around.

Mark Gor comes from a middle-class family; his father is a professor of neurology and his mother is a medical doctor.

But why would someone from such an ordinary background be valued by the Attali Committee? Simply put, it's because he's easy to control!
If it were someone from a powerful family or a wealthy clan, the Attali Council wouldn't be able to control them.

Moreover, the characteristics of the middle class are: looking before and after, and being indecisive.

They are knowledgeable, cultured, and capable, but they are easily swayed by their external environment.

Looking at the establishment and development of the Attali Committee, one will find that during President Chirac's administration, the Attali Committee had no chance to rise to prominence, and even its founders were abandoned by President Chirac.

During those years, Jacques Attali wrote books, made music, gave speeches...

He even wrote a book called "A Brief History of Food".

He has also made many remarkable suggestions, including advising China to establish a RMB settlement system... However, don't think he meant well.

Ten years ago, China was still biding its time and keeping a low profile.

America was at the height of her career.

Now, a RMB settlement system is being established...

China simply does not have the capability to resist America's sanctions.

The Sarkozy era marked the beginning of the Attali Council's rise to political prominence.

They valued the fact that Little Ma had no background and was easy to control, so they kept pushing him forward.

Even if Ma Ying-jeou comes to power, he will still be unable to escape the control of the Attali Council.

From Sarkozy to Hollande... and then to Mascherano.

From the French right wing to the center right, then the left wing, center left...

After that, there was indecisiveness.

Liu Jin felt that he needed to give Little Ma a taste of success so that they could become better partners.

"Emmanuel, have you ever heard of Bitcoin?"

A clear glint of foolishness flashed in Little Ma's eyes.

"what is that?"

"A virtual currency that is not worth much right now."

However, I believe that this kind of cryptocurrency will become a powerful tool for exploiting unsuspecting investors in the future. I suggest that you try to acquire some over the next few years, whether it's a thousand or ten thousand coins, and hold onto them. They will bring you substantial returns in the future.

How much investment is needed?

"At this point, one Bitcoin is worth only a few cents."

Little Ma fell silent!

After a moment, he said softly, "I'll buy some later."

An investment of a few hundred euros, perhaps even less than a thousand euros... could yield a huge return in the future?
If someone else had said this, Little Ma would never have believed it.

However, Liu Jin is different.

The 08 subprime mortgage crisis made him famous overnight.

The book "The Big Short" earned him the reputation of a "prophet" in the economics field.

Since the prophet said it was possible, there must be no problem.

It's just a small amount of money, so even if we lose money, it's not a big deal.

At that moment, Pony Ma firmly remembered the name 'Bitcoin'.

"Dr. Amos, Emmanuel, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

The two were chatting when a deep voice suddenly came from outside the room.

The master of the night has appeared.

François Hollande, Vice President of the French Socialist Party.

Liu Jin and Brother Ma both stood up immediately.

……

When Liu Jin left the club, he felt a strange sense of absurdity.

Just now, he dined at the same table with two future French presidents and discussed the future direction of France.

He is Chinese!
But he could also sense that Hollande actually regarded him as French.

He even invited Liu Jin to join the Socialist Party.

He is preparing to compete for the Socialist Party's presidential nomination in 2012 and has invited Macron to join his team.

At the same time, he also invited Liu Jin to join his campaign team.

Although Liu Jin is Chinese, his influence in France is considerable.

Many French people are his book fans and admirers, and he has an influence in the arts and literature circles that is unparalleled by ordinary people.

Most importantly, he's rich!

There's a lot of money!

Liu Jin did not reply immediately.

But he knew that the next French president would be Hollande.

Investing in advance is perfectly fine.

However, Hollande has another competitor if he wants to secure the Socialist Party nomination.

That was Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Compared to Kahn, Hollande is not at an advantage, and is even at a disadvantage.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is the former French finance minister and managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

Economist, lawyer.

In terms of eloquence and ability, he was superior to Hollande. Liu Jin was a little confused; how could such a person lose to Hollande?

What are your thoughts?

On the way back, Liu Jin drove, and Xiao Ma sat in the passenger seat.

"I have high hopes for Mr. Hollande."

“But Mr. Kahn seems to have the advantage.”

Little Ma was fiddling with a cigarette in his hand, looking somewhat hesitant.

"However, Professor Attali also thinks highly of Mr. Hollande. It was through Professor Attali's introduction that I got to know him."

Atali promoted America's liberal economic theories.

Kahn's economic policies were more aligned with those of President Chirac.

Liu Jin smiled and said, "Since Professor Atali thinks highly of Mr. Hollande, he must have his reasons."

I think you shouldn't overthink it; you should focus on getting a seat at the table first.

Mr. Kahn might not be able to get you to sit at the table, but Mr. Hollande can. What would you choose?

"Well, you have a point."

Little Ma was silent for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

You see, he's still wavering.

Liu Jin carefully recalled Hollande's political leanings during his time in power.

His ability to emerge victorious from the Socialist Party race undoubtedly benefited from the assistance of the Attali Committee; otherwise, he would have had no chance against Strauss-Kahn. However, he is, after all, a seasoned politician, and even if he received help from the Attali Committee, he might not necessarily obey their orders—a quality that Mahathir could not match.

If Kahn is elected, what tendencies will he exhibit?

Liu Jin wasn't quite sure.

However, Hollande's attitude towards China is moderate.

He visited China twice during his time in office.

There is also a great deal of cooperation with China.

Although he was the first French president to visit America in nearly 20 years, breaking the neutrality policy that had been maintained for 20 years since President Chirac took office.

But at least, he hasn't taken any particularly outrageous actions regarding China.

In the later years of his administration, he began to promote a liberal economic stance.

This also meant that after Ma Ying-jeou came to power, although he wanted to change course, he was severely hampered and powerless to do so...

Liu Jin could only try to reduce the pressure on Ma Ying-jeou to be constrained in the future.

But he wouldn't try to sow discord between Mark and the Attali Committee, after all, those guys are capable of anything, no matter how outrageous.

However, we've already come this far.

Liu Jin felt it was necessary to further enhance his security.

Therefore, docking with the navigators next is extremely important.

In addition, following Margot's advice, he does need a more complete team.

After dropping Little Ma off at home, Liu Jin drove back to his residence.

He dialed Lao Zhong's number and asked, "Lao Zhong, is Mel reliable?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I feel I need an intelligence specialist to clear away the uncertainties around me."

Who have you messed with this time?

"No, it's just being prepared."

Old Zhong was silent for a moment on the phone.

He then said, "Mel's professional skills are fine, but his temper is a bit strange."

If you want to hire him as your intelligence advisor, that's not out of the question... He's quite reputable; you could talk to him.

"That's good!"

"No, what are you doing? I have a feeling you're up to something big."

"No, I just want to enhance my personal security."

"That's true. You've achieved great success now, so it's only natural to take some precautions in advance."

So you see, that's why I don't like being in the public eye. Once you step into the limelight, many things become beyond your control.

"Yes, I regret managing the subprime crisis back then."

Although I have more money, I've lost my freedom.

Old Zhong fell silent again on the phone!

A moment later, he hung up the phone.

I just can't stand this pretentious jerk.

……

The transformation of La Cinq is proceeding in an orderly manner.

Mela made a suggestion to Liu Jin, hoping that he could recruit some excellent producers and planners.

La Cinq during Berlusconi's era was simply a makeshift solution.

In terms of talent reserves, there is indeed a significant deficiency.

"Find a headhunting firm!"

“I’ve looked, and I’ve found a suitable candidate.”

"Who?"

“Olivier Chiabodo, whom my brother recommended to me, is a very capable program producer on France 2.”

However, he is currently focusing his energy on his French exploration company, The Explorers, and is less inclined to accept the invitation.

"Explorer Company?"

What do you do?

"It is a production company that focuses on using ultra-high-definition video technology to record cultural heritage."

Moreover, he has a friendly attitude towards China, and during the Sino-French Cultural Exchange Year in 03, he had a very good cooperative relationship with China.

However, as you know, ultra-high-definition video technology is a project that requires a large investment.

Explorers is currently facing a significant funding shortfall.

He's looking everywhere for funding...

"You mean, acquire Explorers Company?"

"Yes!"

"how much is it?"

"Twenty million euros."

Mela then said, "However, if the acquisition is successful, it will be a great benefit to our television station."

As you know, our production capabilities are very poor.

We can't rely on external procurement forever; that would leave us vulnerable to others.

Acquiring Explorer will enhance our production capabilities and also add an excellent producer to our television station.

Liu Jin couldn't help but laugh and said, "Then let's acquire it!"

"Okay, I'll contact him right away."

Mela paused for a moment after saying this.

He then added, "In addition, Ms. Taska replied to me today, saying she hopes to meet with you in person."

"When?"

"the day after tomorrow!
But she's in her hometown, Grenoble, right now; you'll have to get there.

"where?"

Grenoble, in the Alps, is the capital of the province of Isère.

If you drive, it takes six hours to get there... but there are direct trains from Paris to Grenoble, so it depends on which way you choose.

Liu Jin was silent!
They suddenly moved all the way to the Alps?
This distance is about the same as going to Toulouse.

However, Liu Jin didn't find it troublesome. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Does she know that I'm the one behind this?"

"I reckon we can guess it."

"OK then!"

Liu Jin's use of the identity of "Frenchman Battias" for the acquisition was not actually an attempt to completely conceal the truth.

What era are we living in!

Some things cannot be hidden.

Using this identity, to put it bluntly, is just for the sake of maintaining a respectable image.

With Mela's connection, if Catherine Taska hadn't guessed that Batista was Liu Jin, she wouldn't have been able to become the Minister of Culture.

However, the fact that she was willing to talk to Liu Jin in person meant that she didn't mind the matter.

Once she's willing to take on this matter, she'll naturally find a way to cover up the problem for Liu Jin; it won't be difficult for her.

"Jerome, Lydia, get ready, we're leaving for Grenoble tomorrow."

Having figured out the mystery, Liu Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

It remains to be seen how much he is willing to pay to bring this former French Minister of Culture back into the public eye.

……

(End of this chapter)