I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 559: Merchant’s Tricks

Seeing the Duke of Leeds nod, Chrystil subconsciously shrank back.

He knew very well what a planned default on the French market in a short period of time and for an amount of 1 million florins meant.

His voice trembled as he said, "This... this may even lead to a war!"

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

"No, no, I dare not..."

"My old friend, I heard that your business is having some problems. If you don't get help, you may not survive until July?"

Chrystil lowered his head, as if to agree.

"You see, there is actually no risk." The Duke of Leeds' voice was full of temptation. "By the time the French find out about the problem, you will have already left Vienna with all your property and the one million florins I gave you.

"Then you can start your new and prosperous life somewhere where no one knows you - England, Russia or America is fine.

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

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

When Chrystil heard the number one million florins, his heart began to beat wildly.

He currently owes more than 40 florins in debt. If nothing unexpected happens, he will go bankrupt in as little as five months.

But the British proposal gave him hope!
After a long while, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead due to nervousness with a handkerchief, swallowed his saliva and said:
"You promise to grant me diplomatic asylum?"

"I swear on this in the name of Jesus."

Chrystil finally gritted his teeth and nodded: "But you have to pay me half of my salary 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 did not appreciate the despicable tricks of these businessmen, but according to his estimation, it would take at least one year, or even two years, for Prussia and Austria to reach a ceasefire, form common interests, and complete armaments.

Before that, it would be nice to let these businessmen who only care about money cause some trouble to France so as to make the implementation of their plans easier.

Yes, after he was forced to resign as Foreign Secretary, he did not admit defeat. Instead, he carefully studied the French who brought him humiliation, and finally completed a strategic plan against France, submitted it to Pitt the Younger, and it was adopted.

Afterwards, Britain's political elites worked together to improve it, and it has now begun to be fully implemented.

The Duke of Leeds looked up at his attendant and asked, "What time is Baron Walter's salon?"

"Seven o'clock at night, sir. Two and a half hours."

Duke Leeds thought for a moment and ordered, “Go to Baron Turgut first.”

Compared with the petty actions of those unscrupulous businessmen, what he has to do now is something big that can shake up the political situation on the European continent.

At present, the anti-Prussian forces in Austria are very strong. They demand that the war will not end until Silesia is retaken. At the same time, the pro-French forces also have a large market. He wants to help Lord Grenville reverse this situation, which is not easy.

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

Duke Leeds suddenly remembered something and said to his attendant, "Tell Blaise to keep a close eye on Chrystil and make sure he can take action at any time."

"Yes, sir."

……

Pest, a province in central Austria.

In a luxurious polo club, Baron Graz was speaking eloquently to the general manager of the Mok Bruno Caravan:
"There is no risk. The company has received a large investment and the payment will not be delayed. You can rest assured."

Seeing that the other party was still hesitating, he took out a bank deposit slip and placed it on the table, saying proudly:
"Look, this is the deposit for the first batch of equipment, a full 3 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 the caravan, and you can get a considerable commission."

When the caravan manager saw the 3 florins of funds on it, he immediately dispelled all his concerns - this newly established company was obviously very strong, and they were purchasing goods with real money, so there was no possibility of deceiving him.

So he quickly signed the agreement brought by Baron Gratz.

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

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

This is not something that everyone can do - with such a huge amount of money, the French are not fools and will not sign a supply contract with just anyone. Usually, it will be accompanied by a field visit and a small transaction in the early stage to build mutual trust.

Graz, who was familiar with the rules of business, set up some shell companies, recruited some employees to pretend, and then found reputable big businessmen or companies to go to France to make connections.

With the endorsement of these people or companies, and his prompt payment of the deposit, the French side soon believed in his credibility and strength.

At present, his shell company has signed two contracts involving a total amount of more than 40 florins. Including today's contract, he has easily earned nearly 3 florins in benefits.

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

In the evening, at a ball, Baron Gratz boasted about his recent achievements 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 shares in 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. The deposit should be paid in several installments, so that it appears that you are constantly transferring money to their account..."

In the past month, similar situations have been happening all over Austria and the areas of Italy controlled by Austria.

A large number of caravans and companies participated in it, and in a short period of time, they signed huge purchase contracts of more than 400 million florins, or 1 million francs, with French companies.

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

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

(End of this chapter)