Chapter 558: Merchants’ Tricks

Chapter 559 Businessman’s Tricks

Seeing the Duke of Leeds nodding, Klestil subconsciously shrank back.

He knew very well what a planned default of 13 million florins on the French market in a short period of time meant.

His voice trembled: "This... this may even trigger a war!"

"So what? It's just a war between the Emperor of the Shinra and the King of France." The Duke of Leeds leaned on the armrest of the sofa and chuckled, "You are not even an Austrian noble, why do you care about the affairs of the monarchs?"

"No, no, I don't dare..."

"My old friend, I heard that your business has some problems. If you don't get help, you may not be able to survive until July, right?"

Krestiel lowered his head, acquiescing.

"You see, there is actually no risk in this." The Duke of Leeds' voice was full of confusion. "By the time the French discovered the problem, you had already left Vienna with all your property and the one million florins I gave you. .

"Then you can start your new and prosperous life in a place where no one knows you - it doesn't matter whether it's England, Russia or the United States.

"Even if something happens, I will provide you with diplomatic asylum.

"Of course, if you do it right, no one will even be able to contact you about it."

When Klestil heard a million florins, his heart beat wildly.

He currently owes more than 400,000 florins in debt. If nothing happens, he will go bankrupt in five months at the earliest.

But the British proposal gave him hope!

For a long time, he wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead due to nervousness with a handkerchief, swallowed and said:

"You promise to grant me diplomatic asylum?"

"I swear in the name of Jesus."

Klestil finally gritted his teeth and nodded: "But you have to pay me half of the reward first."

"That makes sense."

Half an hour later, the Duke of Leeds left the brick-red villa with a calm expression and got into his carriage.

In fact, he didn't appreciate the despicable tricks of such merchants, but according to his estimation, it would take at least one year, or even two years, for Prussia and Austria to reach an armistice, form common interests, and then complete armaments.

Before that, it would be good to let these businessmen who only know money to cause some trouble for France to make it easier to implement their plans.

Yes, he did not admit defeat after he was forced to step down as Foreign Secretary. Instead, he carefully studied the French who had brought shame to him, and finally completed a strategic plan for France, submitted it to Peter Jr., and was adopted.

Later, Britain's political elite worked together to refine it and now it is fully implemented.

The Duke of Leeds raised his eyes and looked at the attendant: "What time does Baron Walter's salon come to?"

"Seven o'clock in the evening, sir. There are still two and a half hours."

The Duke of Leeds thought for a while and ordered: "Go to Baron Turgut first."

Compared with the petty troubles of those profiteers, what he is going to do now is the big thing that can shake up the political situation in Europe.

At present, the anti-Prussian forces in Austria are very strong. They demand that there will be no ceasefire until Silesia is recaptured. At the same time, the pro-French forces also have a large market.

And he just wants to help Lord Grenville reverse this situation, which is not easy.

However, as a veteran in the diplomatic world, he has already conceived some plans. The breakthrough was the Viennese anti-French forces gathered by Queen Ludovica and her cousin Baron Walter.

The Duke of Leeds suddenly remembered something and said to the attendant: "Let Brace keep an eye on that Krestil to make sure he can take action at any time."

"Yes, sir."

…

Central Austrian province, Pest.

In a luxurious polo club, Baron Graz was speaking eloquently to the general manager of the "Mock Bruno Caravan" in front of him:

"There is no risk. The company has received a large investment and there will be no delays in payment. You can rest assured."

Seeing that the other party was still hesitating, he took out a bank deposit slip and put it on the table, saying proudly:

"Look, this is the deposit for the first batch of equipment, which is 30,000 florins. The company's business is very big and it is guaranteed to make money.

"And you only need to introduce partners in France in the name of caravans, and you can get a lot of commission."

When the caravan manager saw the 30,000 florins on it, he immediately gave up all worries - this newly established company was obviously very strong, and they were buying the goods with real money, so there was no possibility of deceiving themselves.

So, he quickly signed the agreement brought by Baron Graz.

Not long after, Graz came out of the club with a smile on his face, secretly thinking that the business entrusted to him by Mr. Erwin Renner was simply too profitable.

Renner gave him a large sum of money and a list to order large quantities of goods from France.

Not everyone can do this - with such a huge amount of money, the French are not fools and will not sign a supply contract with just anyone. This is usually accompanied by on-site visits and early small transactions to build mutual trust.

Graz, who was familiar with business rules, set up some shell companies, recruited some employees to show off, and then found reputable big businessmen or companies to go to France to pull strings.

With the endorsement of these people or companies, and his willingness to pay the deposit, the French quickly believed in his credibility and strength.

At present, his shell company has signed two contracts involving a total amount of more than 400,000 florins. Including today's contract, he has easily earned nearly 3,000 florins in benefits.

As for Erwin Renner, he is actually a confidant of Klestil, the second president of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, but he knows nothing about it.

In the evening, Baron Gratz boasted about his recent achievements at a dance party to Georg, who also received a commission from Erwin Renner.

Unexpectedly, the latter just smiled with some disdain: "You are too cautious. I pretended to be a rich businessman and bought a caravan in Venice. Oh, it's just a small share.

"Then they will help me place orders in France. I'll tell you a secret, that is, the deposit should be paid in multiple installments, so that it seems that you have money constantly transferred to their account..."

In the past month, similar situations have been staged everywhere in Austria and the Italian regions controlled by Austria.

A large number of caravans and companies participated in it, and in a short period of time, they signed a huge purchase contract of more than 4 million florins, or 10 million francs, with French companies.

The entire French industrial market was stimulated by this, and there was an unprecedented hot scene. All factories were desperately recruiting workers, hoarding raw materials, and working overtime to produce orders.

And if someone counts the French factories involved, they will find that they are all factories invested by the French Industrial Development Fund.