"Count Algou, there is no need to be so serious! We were just having a casual chat! I am also soone who enjoys studying economics, which is why I wanted to share my research with you."
Jero Bonaparte found a way to downplay his previous behavior, subtly hinting at Count Algou that he would not dismiss him.
Jero Bonaparte’s words effectively eased the current awkwardness, and Count Algou felt a similar relief; as long as the President could abandon his "foolish" idea, he wouldn’t have to step down from the position of President of the Bank of France.
Having served as President of the Bank of France for more than a decade, Count Algou did not want to resign so soon. At just over 60, a vigorous Count Algou believed he could still serve the entire Bank of France for another 10... no, it should be 20 more years.
"Your Majesty, please forgive my earlier behavior!" Count Algou also apologized to Jero Bonaparte, then said to him, "Although I can’t change the opinions of my colleagues at the Bank of France, I can still offer you so assistance!"
"Hmm?" Jero Bonaparte said to Count Algou, "The governnt now wants to have so guarantees for those disabled soldiers. Can the Bank of France..."
"No problem, Your Majesty!" Count Algou responded imdiately, "The Bank of France is willing to serve the public cause of France."
Compared to Mr. President’s "unreliable" grand blueprint, pure requests were obviously much more agreeable.
"Count Algou, thank you for leading the bankers of the Bank of France and serving France diligently over so many years!" Jero Bonaparte expressed his gratitude to Count Algou, "I hope you can continue to lead the Bank of France to new glory in the future!"
Count Algou also reciprocated, "I firmly believe France will prosper and flourish under your leadership!"
One being the President of France and the other the President of the Bank of France, they connived together, thus holding the military power (Changarnier currently counted as Jero Bonaparte’s person), the writing power, and the purse strings of France. Who else in France could rival them?
After the main opinions were exchanged, Count Algou cautiously asked Jero Bonaparte, "Mr. President, how do you intend to handle Jas Rothschild’s son?"
"That would depend on the wishes of Baron Jas Rothschild!" Jero Bonaparte replied with a smile to Count Algou, "Count Algou, could you convey a ssage to Baron Jas Rothschild for ?"
"Please go ahead!" Count Algou knew this was an opportunity given to him by Jero Bonaparte.
"Please tell Baron Rothschild that if he wants his son to be released, he has to at least..." Jero Bonaparte held up a finger.
Count Algou took a deep breath, understanding Jero Bonaparte’s implication.
Baron Jas Rothschild would need to pay a bail of 10 million francs, which was not a trivial amount for the Rothschild Clan.
"Mr. President, could it be a little less?" Given that Baron Jas Rothschild was, like himself, a director of the Bank of France, Count Algou felt it necessary to put in a good word for Jas Rothschild.
"Then 8 million!" Jero Bonaparte reduced the amount by one-fifth, thus halting Count Algou’s further bargaining.
"Yes!" Count Algou responded to Jero Bonaparte.
"If there’s nothing else, let’s leave it at that!" Jero Bonaparte proposed to the bankers of the Quasi-Bonapartist Faction present that the eting be adjourned.
The Quasi-Bonapartist Faction bankers returned from the conference room to the living room.
At this point, the dance had nearly reached its end; the President’s appearance at the event brought on one last climax.
Soldiers raised their glasses and ca to Jero Bonaparte’s side, shouting "Long live Napoleon," and the bankers who had been coerced also presented a smiling face to the President.
After rounds of toasts from the bankers and soldiers, Jero Bonaparte announced the end of the ball.
Except for the arrested Alphonse de Rothschild, all the bankers left the Elysee Palace safely.
In hindsight, they all felt imnse relief for what they had done today.
After bidding farewell to the groups of bankers and soldiers, Jero Bonaparte summoned Percy.
"Your Majesty!" Percy responded respectfully to Jero Bonaparte.
"Percy, I want to see negative news about the Rothschild Clan in the papers tomorrow!" Jero Bonaparte ordered Percy, "Fabricate stories that the Rothschild Clan controls France or that the Freemasons are a branch of the Rothschild Clan... I want to stir up a wave, to show that old fellow Jas Rothschild who truly calls the shots in France!"
Standing in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace, Jero Bonaparte clenched his fists and gazed firmly at the stars in the sky.
While Jero Bonaparte plotted to make Jas Rothschild "beg for rcy," Baron Jas Rothschild in the Saint-Germain District also received an earth-shattering piece of news.
"What? You didn’t see Alphonse co out?" A voice, old and severe, echoed from Jas Rothschild in the living room.
"No, sir! I didn’t see Master Alphonse co out!" The servant responsible for chauffeuring Alphonse de Rothschild replied to Jas Rothschild in a low and respectful tone.
"Then why did you co back!" Jas Rothschild’s tone beca even more aggressive, the years of navigating the financial markets of France had given him an aura of authority without anger.
"I..." Facing Jas Rothschild’s beast-like ferocity, the servant’s voice began to tremble.
"Baron, don’t be hard on him!" Count Algou’s voice erged from behind Jas Rothschild.
Jas Rothschild couldn’t help but look back.
"Count Algou!" The arrival of the President of the Bank of France temporarily quelled Jas Rothschild’s anger, and he nodded slightly at the "esteed" Count before him.
"Baron, I am here on the President’s behalf to tell you that your son Alphonse is currently at the police station!" Count Algou said to Jas Rothschild.
"How could Alphonse be in jail?" Jas Rothschild exclaid in shock.
Since Baron Jas Rothschild settled in France following his father’s orders, who in the entire political arena of France had not treated them with utmost respect?
"Alphonse confronted the President!" Count Algou explained to Baron Jas Rothschild.
"The President?" Jas Rothschild couldn’t help but strike the floor with his cane and shouted, "He is rely the manager of France. What right does he have to detain my son!"
"Just because he is the nephew of that person!" Count Algou showed no fear in the face of Jas Rothschild’s anger, he had resources no less impressive than Jas Rothschild, at least within France.
Of course, that was limited to France.
Count Algou’s words cooled Jas Rothschild down sowhat, but he still retorted coldly, "The President’s term is not unlimited, and his wanton behavior will eventually have consequences!"
"Baron, do you think that person’s nephew will obediently wait for his term to end?" Count Algou retorted, "Power is sothing that no one wants to relinquish once they hold it! The Emperor dissolved the Five Hundred People’s Hall back then; do you think he will act like the Emperor did?"
Suppressing the brief burst of anger, Jas Rothschild regained his composure. He looked steadily at the Count Algou who visited in the dead of night, forcing a smile and said, "I wonder what Mr. President requires our Rothschild Clan to do!"
Count Algou was slightly surprised by Jas Rothschild’s response, acknowledging that Jas Rothschild’s political instinct as a banker remained sharp.
"The President wishes for the Rothschild Clan to take responsibility for France and serve its public endeavors!" Count Algou replied to Jas Rothschild.
The Rothschild Clan has always served the public affairs of France!
Jas Rothschild couldn’t help but shout inwardly, knowing full well what Count Algou ant.
So it turns out the Rothschild Clan has run into bandits.
"I wonder how much the President expects us to contribute to the public service?" Jas Rothschild asked Count Algou with a slightly mocking tone.
"Eight million francs!" Count Algou responded instantly.
"Eight million francs?!!!" Jas Rothschild’s eyes widened, and his voice involuntarily rose.
Although Jas Rothschild had anticipated a significant financial outlay, Jero Bonaparte’s demand far exceeded his expectations.
"I could buy his head for half that amount!" Jas Rothschild responded viciously to Count Algou.
"Believe ! If you do that, both you and your son will end up disastrously!" Count Algou threatened seriously, "The President embodies many people’s dreams!"
"I..." Jas Rothschild couldn’t help swallowing, regretting why he had uttered such thoughtless words just now.
The Rothschild Clan indeed had wealth, but that didn’t an they could withstand a President holding France’s administrative and military powers.
For France, the President may not be irreplaceable, but neither was a banker.
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