“This…” Archbishop Talleyrand pretended to ponder for a moment, “perhaps I could find a way to help you.”
“Oh? Are you saying you could provide a loan?”
“That’s not what I mean.” Talleyrand leaned back in his chair, “I can try to persuade the French Government to accept your cotton in exchange for warships.
“However, as you know, if the funding to fight the pirates is not handled well, I might not find it too easy to speak on your behalf.”
Upon hearing that warships could be obtained without spending money, Hamilton immediately responded without hesitation, “Please rest assured, I will contact all the ‘Federalists’ to ensure the bill is passed as soon as possible.”
“That would be best.”
As Talleyrand spoke, he put on a mysterious expression: “If I could secure a lower cotton import tariff for the United States, would you be interested?”
“Of course!” Hamilton nodded immediately. Cotton was a significant export for the United States, and increasing exports to France would bring substantial profits.
Talleyrand smiled: “However, this matter is not so simple, you see, I have quite a few personal connections to manage…”
“We wouldn’t want to trouble you, how much ‘expense’ would you need?”
“Hmm, about 4000 US Dollars,” Talleyrand said with a radiant smile.
In fact, whether it was paying for ships with cotton or increasing American cotton imports, it was part of Joseph’s established policy—to promote the development of the textile industry, a sufficient supply of raw materials was essential. Yet, now it had become a card in Talleyrand’s hand.
Hamilton agreed without any reservations: “As you have suggested, Archbishop Talleyrand. I will immediately apply for special funding.”
With Hamilton, and the ‘Federalists,’ or as Joseph called them, the ‘Founders’, actively lobbying, all the bills regarding fighting pirates were passed three days later.
Even with the insistence of Hamilton and others, the Federal Congress eventually decided to exchange cotton for three escort ships.
After Talleyrand signed a series of agreements with Jefferson and received his 4000 dollar fee, he was content to board the ship bound for Russia.
In the ship’s hold, there were also 15000 Charleville 1763 flintlock guns.
The Americans had quickly provided the guns. After all, following their independence, they had disbanded tens of thousands of militiamen, and a large number of firearms lay unused in warehouses, so using them to return a favor to the French was no issue.
The Lorraine Province of France.
Toul City.
“Ha, this is what they call exile?”
Mala looked disdainfully at the vast estate and the small castle-like cream-colored villa, scoffing, “If only all the poor in France could be ‘exiled’ like this.”
He had always disliked dealing with bureaucrats, but for the sake of the French people, he resolutely went forward and rang the bronze bell at the gate of the fence.
Soon, from inside the cream-colored villa, a well-groomed nobleman in his fifties smiled at Mala and said, “It’s cold. Would you like some hot cocoa to warm up?”
“Oh, I’ve been away from Paris for too long, I haven’t even heard of the Justice Investigation Department, please forgive me.”
“May I know the reason for your visit all the way here?”
Mala glanced at the cup in front of him but did not touch it, preferring the pure bitterness of coffee that could jolt the brain, over the sticky sweetness of cocoa.
“Viscount Carolina, could you tell me some clues about Mr. Jacques Necker’s embezzlement?”
Carolina was visibly taken aback, then buried his head in enjoying his hot cocoa, calmly said, “I’m not quite sure what you mean, but Mr. Necker should be an upright man …”
“You need not hide it.” Mala pulled out a stack of papers and placed them beside the teacup tray, “These are copies of documents from his time as director.
“Many loans here are unusual. Specifically, the first loan he took out after taking office had a clearly excessive interest rate, and the bank that granted it had a special connection with him.
“Then there’s this and this…”
Carolina glanced at the documents and shook his head, “I’ve been away from politics for too long, I don’t quite understand these things anymore.
“If you think there’s a problem here, then continue your investigation, why come to tell me?”
As he spoke, he looked towards the door at the servant with a strong face and some Germanic features, “Fred, is there something?”
“Oh, Mr. Marvin asked me to ask you, what shall we prepare for dinner?”
Carolina waved his hand, “Just the usual.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Once the servant had closed the door and left, Mala turned to Carolina again, “Although I suspect there are signs of embezzlement in these loans, it is very difficult to find evidence. You know, after all, these are things that happened over a decade ago. Like this loan of five million livres, although the interest is high, he can find plenty of excuses to make it seem reasonable.”
“If you knew something and told me, I could send this embezzler to prison immediately!”
“You?” Carolina looked him over again with a faint smile, “Ah, I recall now, you are that famous journalist who often criticizes the government’s policies.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Then you should know about Mr. Necker’s character. Besides, I truly know nothing.”
Evans, Mala’s assistant, got a bit anxious and loudly said, “I know you don’t get along with Necker, so why not help us bring him to justice?”
Carolina shook his head calmly, “You must have heard some rumors. In fact, my relationship with Mr. Necker is harmonious.”
Half an hour later, having obtained no useful information, Mala grabbed his hat, ready to rise and take his leave.
Carolina gestured toward the cocoa on the table, “Gentlemen, this is excellent cocoa beans, don’t waste it.”
Mala picked up the cup and drank it down in a huff, only to find the taste different from what he had imagined — rich and sweet, obviously with a lot of sugar added.
He normally couldn’t afford such a sweetened drink.
“Thank you for your hospitality.” He nodded, and with his assistant, left Carolina’s villa.
On the country road outside, Evans looked back at the off-white building, disheartened, “It seems we’ve come in vain.”
Mala frowned and shook his head, “Valois’ intel shouldn’t be wrong. But why won’t Carolina tell us anything?”
“These shameless bureaucrats are all in cahoots. He must have taken Necker’s bribe and is trying to cover for him!”
“But Valois said their feud was deep… maybe, Carolina just doesn’t trust us. We’ll come back tomorrow.” Experience more content on мѵʟ
…
Twilight.
Next to the orchard of the Carolina Family Estate, Fred, the servant who looked like a German, stood next to a cart of coal and spoke in a low voice, “That person also took out Mr. Necker’s loan documents from back then, saying they had issues. Apparently, there was one loan of five million livres, with a very high interest rate.”
“Mala?” The “coal shipper” on the cart mused, “That name sounds familiar, isn’t he someone from the newly established Justice Investigation Department?”
Lorraine Province of France is rich in coal, and people use it for heating. But coal mines struggle to transport coal to various locations, giving rise to the profession of coal shippers, who can be seen everywhere.
Fred immediately nodded, “Yes, Carolina also mentioned that department.”
The “coal shipper” narrowed his eyes, “Did they trace something back to Mr. Necker? What did Carolina tell them?”
“I was sent away, I didn’t hear what they said afterward. But they talked for over half an hour.”
The “coal shipper” suddenly showed a cold gleam in his eyes, “Which means those two may well know something…”
“Where are they now?”
“Ferlick followed them to Old Vances’s inn.”
The “coal shipper” waved his hand, “Alright, you go back.”
“Yes, Mr. Erice.”
When Erice returned to a dilapidated dwelling in the Toul Urban District with the coal cart, he spoke sternly to the two burly men dozing off in bed, “Get up, we have work to do.”
The two men, who had been sleeping like logs, suddenly sprang up, nimbly put on their boots, and pulled out daggers, pistols, and other items from the gap beside the bed, stuffing them into their clothes in a flash.
[Note 1] A confederation and a federation are different. A confederation is a formal union of states, with each state retaining its sovereignty and independence. A federation, on the other hand, shares political power with states and has a higher status than states, allowing for the unified allocation of resources among the thirteen states.