My Italy

"Dale, since we are all old friends, let's make it clear that our country has no thoughts about Tunisia. At present, we just hope to withdraw our investment. I became prime minister. As a friend, you can't let me Difficult to do.”

In a secret room of the Prime Minister's Office, Despretis, the Prime Minister, is talking to the middle-aged man in front of him. Through his title, we can know that this is the French Ambassador Danny Dale, who is currently responsible for all relations with Italy. Negotiating representative.

"My old friend Despretis, what you say makes it difficult for me to do."

Danny Dale continued with a troubled expression. "You also know that we are a republic, and we cannot force companies to buy your industries in Tunisia. Besides, we are all civilized countries, and following business regulations is also a principle we have always adhered to. Of course, for Italy's high-quality enterprises and railways in Tunisia, I Looking for banks or companies to help acquire them, but there may be some discrepancies in price, probably around 80 to 90%, I hope this will not affect our friendship."

"Of course this will not affect our friendship, but I think there are many Chinese companies in Tunisia that are worth acquiring, not just the ones you mentioned."

Then Depretis said pointedly. "In addition, I think that as the matchmaker, you should get a reward. Five thousandths is a very reasonable number."

Yes, Depretis wants to solve Tunisia's follow-up problems as soon as possible, because the drought is still continuing and the Italian government has almost run out of funds and urgently needs to find another way. Of course, the government can also issue a treasury bond. Currently, Italian treasury bonds are quite popular in the securities market, but Depretis needs to consider more. Borrowing money when he has just become Prime Minister will show that he is helpless financially. He just needs to discuss the ending of Tunisia with France, so Italy's investment in Tunisia over the years also needs to be recovered as soon as possible.

In order to recover the investment as soon as possible, partial rebates have become the necessary means.

"Seven thousandths."

Danny Dale acted like I'm not tired if you want to talk about this, and asked for a higher price.

"Dale, you have a huge appetite and it's going to make this very difficult for me."

Faced with the figures proposed by Danny Dale, Depretis did not refuse them.

"My request is not too much. You have to know that I can't do this alone. It needs to be managed from top to bottom. It can fall into my hands at most two levels."

Faced with Depretis's hesitant expression, Danny Dale expressed his difficulties.

"I know this, but you also need to know that our country's investment amount in Tunisia is very large. If the amount is too high, it will be difficult for me to satisfy the people, especially since I just came to power, let alone ignore public opinion. Just five thousandths, you how do you feel?"

It was clear that DePretis felt Seven Thousands was inappropriate.

"Depretis, this little money will make the people above me dissatisfied. You also know that Tunisia is currently under our protection, so I think seven thousandths is very reasonable. This can also greatly increase the amount of the transaction, It’s very beneficial to both of us.”

Seeing that Despretis was unwilling to accept this figure, the French ambassador had already begun to use coercion and inducement.

However, in the face of coercion and inducement, Depretis was not easy to talk to at all.

"Okay Dell, the current gap is between two points, and if you want to reach a consensus, you must make concessions to each other. You must realize this."

DePretis spoke slowly and calmly, his expression not changing at all.

"This is unacceptable to me."

After saying that, Danny Dale stood up and prepared to leave. Faced with the behavior of the French ambassador, Despretis did not take any further action, but just stood up and watched him leave.

After waiting for a while, a figure opened the door and came in. Sabot, the former mayor of Rome and now the new finance minister, started walking.

"Prime Minister, how was the conversation with the French?"

The reason why Sabot is here is very simple, that is, he is a close associate of Despretis. Of course, very few people know that they have this relationship. In addition, because Sabot is the finance minister, this negotiation is very important to the Ministry of Finance. Whether it is to relieve the drought in the south or prepare to appease the people, nothing can be done without money.

As for the former finance minister, His Excellency Jagali, with Cairoli's resignation, he can still retain his position. According to convention, the finance minister is basically the prime minister's person.

"It's not bad, the negotiation went pretty smoothly."

This is not depretis's sarcasm. Even if the French ambassador walks away, in depretis's view, this is just a strategy of his old friend. The two countries are negotiating on the issue of hundreds of millions of lire of funds. If the negotiation can be concluded within a week, it is considered to be going smoothly. How can one put forward the conditions and others immediately agree to it?

Such a large amount of money always requires testing by both parties.

However, although Depretis was not in a hurry, Sabot was different. He spoke with some urgency. "Prime Minister, there is currently not much money in the Ministry of Finance. I am afraid that the Ministry of Finance will not be able to get out a single lira in another half month."

Faced with the anxious words of his confidant, Despretis said after thinking for a while. "Then I'll use the spare funds first. I'll have the money after I finish talking to Danny Dale."

Faced with the advice given by the Prime Minister, Sabot thought for a while and then listened. "I am already using this money. Even with this money, the government can support it for up to one month."

"you……"

After hearing the words of his confidant Sabot, Despretis widened his eyes and wanted to speak, but in the end he waved his hand in frustration. "Forget it, let's do as you say and let as few people know as possible."

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister."

After receiving the Prime Minister's approval, Sabot's hanging heart finally relaxed. Be aware of using your spare funds privately. If anyone knew about it, he, the finance minister, would not be able to live with it. Of course, he is also very cautious about this. There are no more than one person in the Ministry of Finance who knows about this matter, and they are all confidants who have been following him for many years.

Sabot, who received the secret support of the Prime Minister, left with peace of mind.

But he didn't notice, Despretis stared at his back in deep thought. "It seems that I made a mistake by putting Sabot in the position of finance minister."

That's right, DePretis has already thought of replacing him. The reason is that he saw from this incident that Sabot's character was not suitable for the position of minister of finance. Of course, he would not get rid of him directly, but would replace him with the position of minister. However, it is not easy to do this, because it is really difficult to find someone who is suitable for the position of finance minister and whom you trust. There is no such person in his entourage, otherwise he would not have pushed Sabbot to this position.

Although Despretis wants to change people, this matter cannot be rushed. The priority now is to negotiate the Tunisian industry.

As the Prime Minister expected, his old friend French Ambassador Danny Dyer did not actually end the negotiations. After secretly sending several telegrams to Paris, the old friend came uninvited and continued to have afternoon tea with the Prime Minister.

Of course, although afternoon tea is delicious, it must come to an end. After drinking tea for nearly ten days, both parties achieved acceptable results.

Italian properties in Tunisia were sold by a company called Gabenli led by Mr. Danny Dale. In order to obtain Italy's consent to sell its properties in Tunisia, the company gave a guaranteed value of no less than 85% of the market price, and the company will also take a commission of 6% of the transaction amount.

The structure of this little-known Gabenli company is very complex. If the cocoon is peeled off, its shareholders will reveal the names of several family members of French political figures, pointing the finger at people such as Juffelli, Gambetta and others.

In any case, this is good news for Italy. At least the ongoing drought can finally receive large-scale relief from the government. And there is another piece of good news that satisfies the government, that is, it finally rained in southern Italy. Although the rain was not heavy and only affected a few areas in Sicily and Naples, this is also good news. The sign is not, it is always good to give people hope.