Chapter 1034: Risk and Security
The Royal Palace of Madrid.
The Spanish Chief Minister, the Count of Floridablanca, shook his head repeatedly.
"No, no, this will cause trade in places like Baton Rouge and Shreveport to collapse, and..."
Talleyrand immediately raised his voice: "Have you calculated how much it costs to send an army there? It will likely exceed the trade revenue you're worried about.
"Furthermore, if the Americans aren't intimidated, your expeditionary force will be trapped in a long-term standoff. Military spending will vanish as quickly as burning paper.
"According to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's strategy, if all goes well, the Port of New Orleans could resume navigation in two months—four at most."
Seeing the Count of Floridablanca still hesitating, Talleyrand looked toward the other Spanish senior officials and said solemnly: "The Portuguese theater is where our greatest interests lie.
"It is like two bulls locked in a struggle. Whoever takes a step back first will immediately lose the initiative!
"We have invested massive forces in Coimbra. We must not allow that to be affected for the sake of far-off North America.
"We should continue to pile on the pressure and crush them once and for all!
"Imagine the moment His Majesty's glory shines over Gibraltar once more. You will find that the meager trade in Louisiana is simply not worth mentioning."
The Count of Aranda, the War Minister, was the first to look at Floridablanca. "I believe the Crown Prince's suggestion is worth a try."
Campos followed with a nod. "The Coimbra battlefield is indeed more important.
"As for the cities in Louisiana, we can provide subsidies to help them weather the crisis."
According to their original plan, they were to send 7,000 troops to New Orleans for three months of operations. The required military budget would be as high as 700,000 gold escudos—nearly eight million francs.
That amount was enough to subsidize the Louisiana settlers and restore order to New Orleans.
Finance Minister Campomanes looked at Talleyrand with some hesitation. "To be honest, this plan is quite risky."
It was no wonder these Spanish heavyweights were hesitant; Joseph's plan required them to directly "suspend" the operations of the Port of New Orleans.
This would cause the settlers in the entire Louisiana colony to lose their source of income instantly.
Talleyrand spoke with righteous conviction: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince promises that if the Americans still do not withdraw, our country will disregard the Franco-American alliance and dispatch the Atlantic Fleet to support your military actions."
The Spanish ministers looked at one another again. Finally, the Count of Floridablanca nodded and gestured to Talleyrand: "Please, come with me to see His Majesty."
......
The Mayfair district of London.
Inside a modestly styled villa on the west side of Grosvenor Square, Lord Richard Montes, a Member of Parliament, glanced disdainfully at Boulton. He rubbed his teacup and said, "You certainly have quite an appetite. However, I suggest you wait another six months before applying. By then, the investment fund should have raised at least 600,000 pounds.
"If you're lucky, you might be able to secure a portion of it. Is there anything else?"
Seeing that this meeting—obtained only through extensive networking—was about to end, Boulton quickly caught the eye of Frank, who had come with him.
The latter immediately turned and closed the door. Ignoring the MP's surprised look, he said directly, "Twenty-five thousand pounds, my Lord. Our company is at a critical stage of development and desperately needs this investment. If you can veto the 800,000-pound investment project, we are willing to offer 30,000 pounds as a token of our gratitude."
"Oh, Good God." Montes frowned and shouted toward the door, "Bryan, I have another meeting to attend. Please see these two gentlemen out."
It was absurd. These two characters, whom he was meeting for the first time with no prior relationship, were actually offering a bribe of twenty-five thousand pounds to his face.
He even suspected his political rivals were digging a hole for him.
"Please, wait a moment." Frank quickly made a calming gesture. "I swear, this money will not bring you any trouble. Even if someone were eavesdropping outside right now, they wouldn't be able to bring charges against you."
Montes smiled, his curiosity piqued. He waved at his attendant. "Bryan, wait a moment."
Frank immediately explained the plan his superiors had given him.
"...You see, in this way, you and our company will have no connection whatsoever. No one would ever associate you with the fund's business.
"Even if someone found a clue, or if there was a leak from within our company, as long as you firmly deny it, the court would never be able to convict you."
Montes's smile became more genuine. "I must admit, you are geniuses."
He thought for a moment and nodded. "We'll do as you say. However, you'll need to let the Fund Management Committee discover some issues first so that I can operate within Parliament.
"Oh, and there's also MP Finn Lightford and MP Steven Matthews. Without their cooperation, this will be difficult to pull off."
Frank smiled. "I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you to act as the liaison."
Montes was quite blunt: "I want another 10,000 pounds, and 15,000 pounds for each of them."
"Very reasonable, perfectly reasonable. Working with you is truly a pleasure."
That afternoon, Frank and Boulton visited Sir Malik, the Chairman of the Government Investment Fund Committee. They promised a bribe of 20,000 pounds, naturally using the same method they had with the MP.
Sir Malik also readily agreed, requesting an additional 3,000 pounds for each of the three key management committee members as a sweetener—these three payments were made directly, without any elaborate schemes.
If the worst should happen, these three would be the ones thrown under the carriage. After all, only their bribes would leave a verifiable trail.
Malik was highly efficient. By noon the next day, he submitted a report to the Parliamentary Fund Audit Group involving five investments totaling 740,000 pounds.
Some involved companies with tax evasion issues—a common phenomenon in Britain at the time, easily found upon inspection. Others involved projects whose technical merits had not been rigorously demonstrated, requiring a re-examination by the Academy of Sciences.
Parliament was equally efficient. With the unanimous approval of Montes and the other two core MPs, all five investment projects that had just passed a vote were vetoed.
Immediately after, the Fund Management Committee received an application from the Boulton-Watt Steam Engine Company for a project to develop the latest 180-horsepower steam engine. The investment amount was a staggering 800,000 pounds!
And days before, London newspapers had already begun an onslaught of reports: "A Revolutionary Technical Breakthrough, the Future of Steam Power," and "The 180-Horsepower High-Pressure Steam Engine: Leaps and Bounds Ahead of Europe."
Comments