The Rise of the Empire

"Dear ambassador, I would like to know why the amount of franc loans has decreased this year? And the interest rate has increased by 0.5 percentage points. This is not in line with what we agreed last year." Russian Finance Minister Witte met with the French ambassador to Russia Jean . Count Sanchez raised his own doubts.

"Don't you really know the reason? Dear Minister of Finance, the ruler of the ruble, Mr. Witte?" Earl Sanchez smiled slightly, and poured a glass of wine for Witte before the other party.

"This is a matter of the navy, and has nothing to do with us. What's more, the two sides are just normal trade contacts. The Germans buy our food, and we buy their warships, which is a means of balancing trade between the two sides. This matter should not be blamed, and we still order shipbuilding equipment from your country." Witte thought for a while and said.

"This matter really has little to do with your Excellency, but the French government thinks it is very intolerable for your country to use our loans to buy weapons from France's enemies. If you use Mark, then we have nothing to say I won’t say it, but speaking in French francs will make our government very unhappy.” Count Sanchez said unceremoniously.

"If this is the case, you are interfering in Russia's internal affairs! His Majesty the Tsar will not accept such a threat! And your actions will inevitably lead to counterattacks and revenge from the Empire! As you said, we can get this loan from Germany for Come to buy German warships, if things really come to this point, then I think the things behind it are definitely not something you can afford, I will give you a chance to take back what you just said." Witte replied without hesitation, Russia is who? European steamrollers now! France and Germany are still at a disadvantage in the confrontation, and they still have to rely on Russia. How can Russia succumb to the threat of France?

"Germany is also our friend. For the strength of Russia, they have provided a lot of valuable materials and technology. So if you and the French government behind you try to change this status quo with a little money, then you'd better give up This is an unrealistic idea." It seemed that the momentum just now was not enough, Witte emphasized again.

"If what the French government wants is not to offend the German government, but a certain force in Germany, can your government accept it?" Sanchez quickly grasped a loophole in Witte's language and said.

"You mean Bavaria?" Witte quickly thought of who the other party was referring to by a certain force in Germany. Speaking of the arms trade between Russia and Germany, it is better to say that it is the arms trade between Russia and Bavaria. The two Russian-class armored cruisers constitute more than 70% of the arms trade between the two sides, and the rest is purchased by Russia from Bavaria. Armor, rapid-fire guns, and semi-automatic rifles.

"Yes, of course, we are not asking all the deals between your country and the Kingdom of Bavaria to be broken, as long as the two armored cruisers give up." Sanchez said.

"That's impossible! The Empire has already paid 400,000 pounds for these two armored cruisers. If the contract is broken, then all the funds will be wasted!" Witte flatly vetoed.

"It doesn't matter, we will repay the funds! For an additional loan of 300 million francs, the interest is only half of what we previously agreed! And your navy's orders are entrusted to us, and we will sell them at a par price! I guarantee that the French shipyard's profit The point will not exceed 5%! And this is only the first batch. If the relationship between our two countries can go further, the amount of this special loan will be increased and the conditions will be relaxed!" Sanchez threw out his trump card.

"Is this good for your country? From my point of view, you will waste a lot of money." Witte's face changed slightly, and he had to say that he was really tempted by this plan. From the perspective of Russia's economy , French loans and low interest rates are more useful than £400,000! 300 million francs! The interest alone is enough to make up for the £400,000 cost.

1 pound is about 25 francs, and 300 million francs is about 12 million pounds. If the current interest rate is halved, it can be reduced by about 4%. Russia still has a slight surplus.

And the point is that Russia is now undergoing large-scale military expansion and infrastructure construction, and needs a lot of money to purchase equipment. After this fund is in place, it must be of great significance to Russia's plans, such as the expansion of the shipyard, the fortification of the Far East, and the Siberian Railway. There are great benefits. Of course, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, this loan will also allow Witte to have more say in front of the Tsar.

"Benefits? How do you say this? Pure monetary interests are no longer enough to meet the needs of France. Do you think, with your knowledge, that Russia will one day be able to repay all the franc loans? We give you money, and your country should become Friends of France!" Although Sanchez's statement is cryptic, the meaning is self-evident. French loans have become the backbone of the Russian economy. We control your pocketbook. Do you want to get closer to Germany? Have you asked France?

"I think this is more threatening and provocative than what you said just now! If what you said today is spread outside, this plan will definitely come to naught." Witte was very upset, but he had to admit that the French did catch Live in Russia's sore spot! The Russians are not afraid of war, a great power that had proved in Napoleon's time that it was invulnerable to military pressure. But as the ambassador said, the Russian economy does have weaknesses. In 1890, Russia's loans to France had reached billions of francs! If it can be paid off, Werther himself does not believe it!

The purpose of the French is to control Russia with money. Although Russia and France are not as close as they used to be on this plane due to some reasons, the degree of money dependence between the two parties is still very high. This seemingly detrimental action by the French actually played a major role in politics. France must prevent further Russian and German approaches. And this time it is aimed at Bavaria, not Germany. As a kingdom, although this plane is already doing well, Bavaria still has no ability to wrestle with the French! As for Prussia? It seems that there is no possibility of taking over.

"It's very difficult, very difficult." Witte wanted to do it, but he had to admit that it was a lot of pressure to do so. He is not willing to face the pressure of the Admiralty alone.

"You are not fighting alone! Your country's Foreign Minister Robanov is also very interested in this matter. Rozhestvensky of the Navy believes that battleships are more useful than large cruisers." The French ambassador smiled Said. The French naturally know that relying on a chancellor of the exchequer to make this business worth nearly 2 million pounds is really difficult. Since France can even afford 300 million francs, there will naturally be no shortage of former officials who bribe high-ranking officials, and Witte is the third! And his reward was 500,000 francs!

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