Chapter 388 A Deal with the Devil

Chapter 388 A Deal with the Devil

Chapter 388 A Deal with the Devil
St. Petersburg, Hermitage, St. George Hall.

French Foreign Minister Blanqui and Russian Foreign Minister Gorchakov shook hands after signing, and the "Saint Petersburg Franco-Russian Alliance Treaty" was reached.

The treaty stipulated that France would provide Russia with an interest-free loan of 10 billion francs to help Russia develop its industry and solve the problem of serfs being left with huge debts and becoming homeless after being liberated.

Lucia was obliged to raise an army to help her allies when France was attacked by "other" countries.

Alexander II, who witnessed the signing, looked happy. "Mr. Blanqui, I am very confused. In the Treaty of Frankfurt signed last year, France had to pay 5 billion francs in compensation to Germany. How can it still have money to support Russia?"

Blanqui smiled, "We French people are very patriotic. We have issued bonds and gathered enough wealth."

"The Frankfurt Treaty stipulates that we must pay 5 billion francs within three years. In fact, we are confident that we can pay it off in two years, so that Germany can withdraw its troops monitoring our six northern provinces and lift its control over our customs as soon as possible."

"This is all thanks to the help of the great financier Gustav Rothschild. In fact, the 10 billion francs were also obtained by France from the Rothschild family. This is the young talent behind me. Let me introduce him to Your Majesty."

Gustave walked out from behind Blanqui and bowed to Alexander II, "We who work in finance are public servants serving the country's construction."

"We are happy to serve your Majesty. If you allow us to act as your agent for the issuance of rubles, you will immediately receive an interest-free loan of 20 billion francs. Is your Majesty interested?"

Alexander II's face changed, then returned to normal, smiling, "Thank you for your kindness, 10 billion francs is enough for us to spend for a long time, so I don't want to trouble you any more. When we need it, we will definitely ask Mr. Gustav for help."

In order to celebrate the alliance between Russia and France, a grand banquet was held in the Hall of Emblems of the Winter Palace. Russian nobles headed by Gorchakov were responsible for receiving the Blanqui delegation. His Majesty the Tsar only showed up to toast with a glass of wine and then went back to the harem to rest.

A beautiful Lucia girl came up and carefully helped His Majesty take off his complicated and tiring ceremonial coat that was covered with medals.

This is Ekaterina Dolgorukova, the most favored of Alexander II's many lovers, who is only 24 years old.

Of course the Tsar was very powerful. When his wife was in poor health and recuperating in Tsarskoye Selo, Alexander II openly brought his mistress into the Winter Palace to take care of her.

Alexander II frowned when he heard the sound of combat boots outside the door. Of course, anyone who dared to walk directly into his bedroom must be a member of the royal family. It really made him worry.

The ones who came in were His Majesty's two sons, the second son, Alexander III, and the third son, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, both dressed in military uniforms.

The two brothers ignored their father's mistress and just frowned slightly to show their disgust. They looked at each other and the third brother spoke.

The eldest brother died of tuberculosis at an early age, and the second brother is now the crown prince, so he has to be steady. The two brothers have a good relationship, and it is the third brother who is dissatisfied.

"Father, we are in urgent need of industrialization and strengthening our country. Why did you decline the interest-free loan from the banker? Two billion will help Lucia become richer and stronger faster."

Alexander II shook his head and sighed.

"Free is the most expensive. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Once those bankers control Lucia's finances, our Romanov family will become their puppets."

"As early as 1567, Ivan IV issued an edict prohibiting foreign bankers from intervening in Russia's finances."

"Peter the Great said they would corrupt our society. Voltaire warned us to be wary of these money-loving bloodsuckers. Catherine the Great established 'fences' to confine them to the border areas."

"We must not forget the teachings of our ancestors in Russia. The Romanov family's real power over Russia cannot be destroyed in my hands."

The Tsar looked at his two sons who were full of vigor and vitality with kindness, and stared at the second son who remained silent, "You are my heir, and you must remember what I am saying to you now."

"A few years ago, when we had a good relationship with Prussia, Gustav's father, James Mayer, wanted to control the issuance of our ruble."

"After I rejected them, I was assassinated twice in succession by Dmitri Vladimirovich Karakozov and Antonbe Liaozovsky."

"This time they are not giving up and are trying to infiltrate from France. After being rejected by me, I am afraid that their attempts to assassinate me will continue."

"For Lucia, I have nothing to fear. But if I encounter misfortune, after you succeed me, you must continue to hold this pass firmly and preserve the country left by our ancestors."

Alexander III bowed and accepted his old father's teachings.

The father and his two sons reached a consensus on resisting the infiltration of financial capital, and the third son brought up another matter.

"Gorchakov is your Majesty's pillar of support and a recognized great diplomat. If he goes to the London Peace Conference this time, he will definitely win significant benefits for Russia in the Balkans."

"A son-in-law is an outsider after all. Why did you, father, entrust the Paris Peace Conference to your brother-in-law?"

Alexander II smiled gently, "You two still need some practice. We can't go this time."

"The Treaty of Paris signed after the Crimean War prohibits us from having a fleet in the Black Sea. Britain and France are very wary of our expansion in the south. If we demand to expand our influence in the Balkans, the alliance we have worked so hard to form with Britain and France will be broken."

"Now we have cleverly taken advantage of the establishment of the Grand Duchy of Crimea to break through the restrictions of the Treaty of Paris and use your brother-in-law's private fleet as the Black Sea Fleet."

"Shao has a good relationship with Britain and France, so they won't be on guard. Isn't Shao behind the scenes controlling the chaos in Bulgaria? Can he win us greater benefits this time if he takes action on our behalf?"

"Even if Shao is expanding his influence in the Balkans this time, the people in the Balkans are Slavs. Shao can't turn them into Chinese. Can you think of the way here?"

The two brothers bowed together, "Thank you for your teachings, father."

…………

A drama of loving father and filial son was being performed in the Winter Palace. Gustav did not attend the dinner in the Badge Hall, but appeared at the St. Petersburg branch of the Freemasonry.

Looking at his financial colleagues around him, Gustav looked around and said, "Gentlemen, this time I have brought you assistance from my brother Alfonso, 20 million rubles in cash, to increase your loan to the newly liberated serfs."

"Long live the Lord!" When the cheers died down, Gustav lowered his voice and said, "Don't be satisfied with the mere profit from the usurious loans to the serfs."

"We pushed for the Crimean War, which brought Russia to an unprecedented crisis. Alexander II was forced to liberate the serfs and open up some financial markets."

"But this is far from enough. Controlling the issuance of the ruble is our ultimate goal. But the old guy is very strict in this regard and once again rejected our goodwill."

"Hehe, the feudal autocratic dynasty is the enemy of the free flow of capital and profit. We must remove this stumbling block that prevents us from making money."

"Yes! Let's continue to assassinate the old guy and we must kill him!"

Gustav pressed his hands down, "We need to push forward on many fronts. The assassination must continue. It may not be easy, and the old guy's successor may not be stubborn."

"You should provide more financial support to the Popular Opinion Party and the dissatisfied nobles, and at the same time, strive to uproot the feudal dynasty."

Gustave clapped his hands and two red-haired Irishmen came in.

"We have funded the Fenian Society in France to support Alfonso I, and have achieved great success. Now we have obtained the right to issue francs."

"We want to replicate our success in France. These two are the pioneers of the Fenian Society coming to St. Petersburg. You must give them your full support. We must strive to allow us to truly and completely control this unruly country of Russia as soon as possible."

The two Irishmen and the usurious bankers shook hands cordially, with a warm gesture of alliance and an inscrutable smile on their faces.

…………

Buckingham Palace Rooms, London.

Shao Quanzhong met Rong Hui and his seven-month-old son Shao Jiying. Ji Zeng, who was almost five years old, was playing quietly by himself nearby.

When the family was enjoying themselves, Maria's voice came from outside, "Zhang Siwen has guests asking to see you."

"What else do you have to report when Sven comes?"

After Shao Quanzhong and his fourth brother hugged each other, he finally understood why Maria wanted to report it.

Zhang Siwen did not come alone. He was followed not only by his wife Jessica, but also by a guest he knew, the European leader of the society, Alfonso Rothschild.

"Since we parted in Frankfurt, Your Highness has become more elegant than ever. Congratulations on firmly grasping the power of the Qing Dynasty. The leaders of our two Asian and European communities need to cooperate more widely and join hands to rule the world."

Well, this is the second time, besides Bismarck, that someone has invited Shao Quanzhong to join forces to rule the world.

Shao Quanzhong quickly said modestly, "How can I be so ambitious? I don't dare to covet the position of the big brother of Britain."

Alfonso smiled and said, "Don't look at the world with a secular perspective. Britain is a member of the capitalist world, so it must follow the baton of our society."

"But the UK is indeed a bit too powerful and the only dominant power is not in the interests of capital expansion."

"Britain is so powerful that societies have to pretend to be subservient to it. Our society actually wants to set up a position of president above the Lord and let the Duke of Sussex take the position to show respect for the British Empire. It's really nonsense."

"So I came this time, hehe, to help you overthrow your British big brother."

Shao Quanzhong looked around nervously. You are saying this in Buckingham Palace, aren't you worried that someone will hear you and behead you?

"Don't worry. Buckingham Palace was built with capital funding. The maintenance personnel here are all our people. There are no eavesdropping devices."

"Our cooperation in France has been very successful. Your Highness has received our second installment of 120 million francs, right? Our family is the most trustworthy in business."

"Our cooperation in France is just the beginning. If we want to weaken Britain next, Ireland is a good choice. I decided to heavily fund the activities of the Fenian Society and make Jessica a heroine and guide for the Irish."

"I have already discussed this matter with Mr. Zhang. He brought me here this time to finalize it with you, the one behind the scenes. By then, I will have control over all of Europe's financial resources, and you will gain worldly power and influence. What do you think?"

Shao Quanzhong stared at Alfonso for a long time, and the two shook hands tightly, "Deal!"

After seeing Alfonso off, Zhang Siwen looked at Shao Quanzhong nervously, "Second brother, I feel a little uneasy about this matter, so I brought people to see you."

"I feel like I'm making a deal with the devil. Will they sell us out in the end?"

Shao Quanzhong smiled playfully, "If the price is high enough, they will definitely sell it."

"However, financial capital has been successful recently, and they are a little arrogant. Do they really think that capital can do anything?"

"Your Majesty William, my father-in-law Alexander II, who is willing to be a puppet?"

Shao Quanzhong's face suddenly showed the viciousness of the world's best beard, "Let's make a deal with the devil first, and when we succeed, let William and Alexander join you to kill the devil and get his head rolling."

"If they are gone, what financial influence do they have?"

"The day we overthrow the British big brother is the day we will take action. Sven, you have to promise that your Fenian Society will obey you when the time comes. When the time comes, you must not be soft-hearted."

Zhang Siwen was confident about this, "I promise!"

The two brothers laughed at each other.

(End of this chapter)