French Empire: But Napoleon IV

Chapter 118 Eugene's Betting Agreement (Seeking first subscription, collection and follow-up reading)

Alphonse actually hoped that the Rothschild family of France would obtain the right to recommend the new governor of the Bank of France. Perhaps knowing that their conditions were excessive, the Rothschild family also brought in allies, who kindly slipped in the Camondo family's demands.

The Camondo family hopes to obtain exclusive agency rights for government bond issuance over the next three years.

This was far better than the Rothschild family's requirements, and upon hearing this, Eugène couldn't help but give Camondo an approving look.

Compared to the Rothschild family, who made outrageous demands, this was a true Bonaparte supporter.

After saying a lot and getting a little thirsty, Alphonse took a sip of black tea and added one last point: he demanded that the new government promise not to levy any "capital tax" or confiscate private property without the approval of parliament or the courts. Only then did he stop.

Rather than calling this the last item, it's more accurate to say that it's a single item containing six or seven other items.

Eugène, finding it utterly unacceptable, stared directly at Alphonse's speech. He couldn't believe that the leader of the French Rothschilds was unaware that the government would never agree to such a demand.

Despite Eugène's pressure, Alphonse looked at him with a calm expression.

As a Jewish banker who had already sold his soul to the devil in exchange for money, Alphonse naturally wanted to exploit every last drop of his marrow.

Alphonse is a neutral party, but not entirely neutral; he's more of a fence-sitter than a true neutral party.

He has the same attitude towards the Republic and the Empire; he's willing to cheer for whoever can give him more benefits.

"Sir Baron, what does this last point mean?"

"My lord, this is only a worst-case scenario guarantee, and we all hope we won't have to use it. However, as a businessman, I need to be prepared for all possibilities."

"You know that's not what I meant, Alphonse, what if I refuse this clause?"

Seeing that Alphonse was beating around the bush and avoiding his questions, Eugène knew he needed to be more direct, otherwise the other man could waste a whole day on him, so he asked again.

Seeing that Eugène wanted to refuse this offer, Alphonse calmed down. He stopped beating around the bush and looked at Eugène, calmly giving his threat.

"Then I think this loan cannot be made. Your Highness should understand that France is a high-risk investment right now. The Prussians are outside the city, the provinces are in the process of independence, and the situation in Paris is not entirely stable."

"At this juncture, our willingness to allocate 200 million francs is itself a huge risk; we need a safety valve."

Eugene paused for a moment. He agreed with some of the points made in the statement, such as the fact that France was indeed a high-risk investment.

There's no denying it; the facts speak for themselves. Even if Eugène said France was peaceful and tranquil, nobody would believe him.

Even so, Eugène would never agree to such a clause; it was his bottom line.

After all, if he agreed to this clause, it would be tantamount to acknowledging the possibility that "the Prussians might win," which would seriously undermine the authority he had established.

What is a bottom line? It is a bottom line that cannot be retreated even a step. If it can be retreated again and again, then it cannot be called a bottom line.

Rather than drastically amending the treaty and then having the two sides argue for days or even weeks, Eugène, who didn't have the time, preferred to enter into a betting agreement with Rothschild.

"Alright, relax, my baron. I think I can agree to this, but... on one condition."

"Your Highness, please speak."

Alphonse did have a title, but it wasn't high; he was merely a symbolic baron. However, the way nobles conversed differed drastically depending on whether they had a title or not.

At least calling him "My Baron" sounds much more intimate than the dry, lifeless "Alphonse."

"If the Empire wins the final victory, I hope that the Rothschild family will provide the French government with an additional 300 million francs in interest-free loans for postwar reconstruction."

Shrugging, Eugene felt that the condition was reasonable, since the conditions you offered were all for the purpose of preventing the empire from being defeated and for the purpose of recovering spoils after the defeat.

What if the empire wins? Being in the heart of Europe, everything still has to follow the rules.

The Bonaparte family was no longer the peasant family it was during Napoleon's time. After two generations of monarchs, the fact that Napoleon III married a noblewoman shows that the Bonaparte family's reputation in Europe had improved.

Even if the Bonaparte family, now a prominent family, wins this battle, they cannot easily manipulate their domestic power.

In other words, even if the empire wins, the big capitalists in the country have the right to ignore you, as long as they can accept the empire's overt and covert retaliation.

Because the Bonaparte family is bound by rules, it would be of great benefit to the empire if the two sides could reach an interest-free loan agreement now.

The Schneider family is a French homeland power. The empire can control this kind of capital rooted in France, but it cannot control the Rothschilds, whose power is not much greater than that of the Schneider family, but whose international capital is spread throughout Europe.

"Since you've prepared for the worst, you should also prepare for the best. I think that considering the rich rewards after the Empire's victory, an interest-free loan of 3 million francs shouldn't be a problem for the renowned Rothschild family."

Now it was Rothschild's turn to be silent. He hadn't expected the 14-year-old boy to retaliate like this. After thinking for a long time, Alphonse nodded and accepted Eugène's terms.

"Okay. I accept this condition."

"That's certainly a wise decision. By the way, Baron, we must make it clear that the appointment of the bank manager is just a matter of recommendation, not a formality."

"Of course, Your Highness, I think you will be satisfied with the people we recommend."

After revising the wording in the clauses with Alphonse and confirming that the other party was not seeking any power of appointment or dismissal, Eugene nodded in satisfaction.

The nationalization of the Bank of France was already on Eugène's agenda, and the Rothschild family's right to recommend it would not be long before it happened.

Even if the other party is shrewd, they obviously could not have imagined that Eugène would dare to nationalize a landmark bank bearing the name of France.

After these special terms were finalized, the dialogue between the three—currently between two people—has finally moved to the next stage, which is a stage of nitpicking over some data and wording and giving way to each other.

Just like the elderly people haggling over prices at the market, Eugène and Alphonse were determined to stick to that tiny difference and refuse to back down, because if either of them gave in, it would mean the loss of tens of millions of francs.