Chapter 677: Chapter 586: The Backbone of Austria (Extra for Boss Lin Gu)
In the top-floor special advisor’s office of the Lightning Company, Carolina was sumptuously compiling account summaries, accompanied by the sound of neighboring musicians performing.
During this period, he coordinated and was responsible for financial matters.
Styler handled company operations, sales, and external displays.
sr posed as a noble, traveling everywhere to promote the gaslight project, persuading wealthy individuals to purchase bonds, and incidentally flirting with a few British girls.
Soon, Carolina’s ledger displayed the calculated results:
Total inco from Lightning Company bonds: 860,000 British Pounds.
...
Total inco from gas street lamp sales: 115,000 British Pounds.
Project funds received from London City Hall: 20,000 British Pounds.
Total expenditures: 12,000 British Pounds.
Net surplus: 983,000 British Pounds.
Even though Carolina had once served as the French Minister of Finance, he could not help but feel his heart racing at that figure.
983,000 British Pounds—that was more than 24 million French francs!
Had the French Treasury had such an amount back in the day, he likely would not have been dismissed.
He imdiately began signing a series of money orders and purchase orders, distributing this substantial sum across banks in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Venice, eventually channeling it through various ans to reach the Bank of France Reserve. The purchased supplies were then transported to Southern Netherlands and later disseminated throughout France via the Walloon Region.
Moreover, with plenty of ti left before the end of the year, funds from various parts of Britain kept continuously flowing into the Lightning Company.
…
Austria.
North Suburb of Vienna.
A luxurious gray-black French-made “Gem Type 6” carriage, pulled by two Gallic horses, rapidly drove toward the city center.
Inside the extravagantly decorated carriage, Count Kaunitz frowned as he looked out of the window, his fingertips turning pale with the force he exerted on the armrest.
“His Majesty is far too lenient with those people!” he muttered angrily through gritted teeth, “I must convince His Majesty to issue a decree demanding the Hungarians pay a special tax.”
He had just returned from Silesia.
Due to financial constraints, he had to personally comfort the frontline soldiers, assuring them that their military pay would be replenished within a month and that urgently needed supplies would be allocated, barely managing to stabilize morale.
Dominic von Konitz said solemnly, “He has co to diate the Prussian-Austrian conflict.”
“Conditions?”
“Count Bezbediko ntioned that as long as we sign a ceasefire agreent with Prussia, the Tsar would acknowledge our claims over Wallachia.”
Kaunitz’s heart tightened. The condition was too enticing! Wallachia’s administrative system had always been in Austrian hands, and without the disruption of the Slavs there, Austria could quickly gain full control.
That was a territory not much smaller than Silesia. Although not as rich as Silesia, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
“Go to Schonbrunn Palace imdiately!”
He shouted to the coachman, then said to his son, “No worries, the Prussians will certainly reclaim Legnica. As long as I focus on that, I can persuade His Majesty…”
“Father,” Dominique said, looking down, “the Russians say they will persuade Prussia to relinquish Legnica.”
“How is that possible?!” Count Kaunitz’s back slumped abruptly, his head shaking continuously.
Two days later, Kaunitz officially resigned as the State Minister to Leopold II.
The emperor did not try hard to retain him, only praised him generously and granted him many rewards before promptly appointing Tugut as the new State Minister in charge of negotiating the ceasefire with Prussia.
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