Chapter 1326: Vengeance for His Majesty Paul!
Bailly continued:
"After the agreement is signed, the Industrial Development Fund will immediately pay for one year's worth of goods. If needed, the second year's payment can also be made in advance."
Poland's industry was quite underdeveloped, making it reluctant to join the Stuttgart Trade Agreement. Therefore, a "long-term agreement price" was the best way to strengthen economic ties between France and Poland.
Moreover, with substantial advance payments flowing into Poland, the Franc's influence would further expand throughout Eastern Europe.
As for the issue of low-priced Polish goods potentially affecting the income of French producers, Joseph had already made plans.
First, among the goods purchased from Poland, everything except wheat and lead was in short supply in France, especially copper and timber. Lowering the import prices of these items would greatly benefit both French industry and its military.
Second, wheat was a crucial weapon in the ongoing financial warfare against Britain. Once purchased, it wouldn't be directly released into the market but stored as strategic reserves. Given France's current financial capacity, stockpiling three million Francs worth of grain wouldn't pose a significant burden.
As for lead, it was also essential for military production. Though the trade volume wasn't large, it was worth acquiring a little if it could help increase imported inflation for Britain.
Count Potocki cautiously inquired about the "long-term agreement prices" for goods such as wheat and oak.
"Your Majesty, I believe His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's proposal is entirely acceptable. In fact, it's highly advantageous for our nation."
Although the agreed prices were slightly lower, the Polish government wouldn't have to pay interest, unlike with direct loans, ultimately saving a considerable sum of money.
The King of Poland, not well-versed in economics, quietly asked:
"But this money will still eventually have to be paid to the farmers or the mines."
Count Potocki quickly explained:
"Your Majesty, this is an advance payment for an entire year. We can delay our payments to domestic suppliers, for instance, paying the mines three months from now.
"Thus, we can first allocate this money to military expenses, and then use the tax revenues and silver mine income from these months to cover the cost of the goods. It's practically an interest-free loan."
What he didn't mention was that the Polish government could also profit slightly from the price difference, and even encourage sellers to convert their payments directly into national bonds. If managed skillfully, they might only need to pay roughly half the actual cost of the goods three or four months later.
Stanisław II hadn't fully grasped the explanation, but he trusted his Finance Minister and immediately nodded, saying:
"Then please submit the proposal to the parliament as soon as possible. Don't let His Excellency the Special Envoy wait too long."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A week later, the draft of the "Gdańsk Long-Term Supply and Price Agreement" was formally signed. The agreement would last for five years, automatically renewing if neither party raised objections upon its expiry.
An appendix to the agreement stipulated that Poland would not sell wheat to Britain for two years and would raise timber prices as much as possible.
Concurrently, Poland's Foreign Minister, Szczęsny Potocki, reached a prisoner exchange agreement with Russian representatives in Minsk.
Four thousand three hundred Russian prisoners of war were exchanged for seven thousand Polish soldiers. This amounted to approximately 95% of the previously captured Polish forces.
The ability to exchange so many prisoners was primarily due to the efforts of the families of the five Russian generals in Saint Petersburg.
...
Outside Saint Petersburg.
Oleg Chadov swallowed the black bread in his mouth with effort, finding himself gazing west through the window.
He suddenly began to miss his days building railways in Strasbourg. It had been tiring work, but the bread they ate contained very little rye and absolutely no sawdust or anything of the sort.
Princess Alexandra would periodically visit them, the prisoners, bringing sugared and buttered rye bread, as well as stewed meat and vegetable soup. Her maids, Aglaia or Anna, would sing folk songs while everyone ate.
Chadov sighed. The day he was captured in Switzerland, he thought his life was over, never imagining that moment would be the beginning of a new one.
In France, he worked and studied daily, sang with everyone, and even read for half an hour every evening. The French officers at the POW camp brought them many books, allowing him to learn a great deal.
Those were arguably the most fulfilling days of his life.
If it weren't for a more important task, he would genuinely prefer to build railways in France for the rest of his life.
At the thought of that "more important task," his gaze suddenly turned icy.
That damned devil was still enjoying himself on the throne, while the esteemed His Majesty Paul was ridiculed as 'the fool who tripped over a candlestick and died.'
He knew His Majesty Paul had been murdered by that devil!
Her Highness the Princess had shown them a letter written by Charles Whitworth, the British Envoy to Russia, to the Governor of Hanover, detailing the assassination.
Chadov's father had once been framed and exiled to the Eastern Urals, but Paul I had pardoned him immediately upon his ascension to the throne.
At the time, Chadov's family was struggling, and his father's sudden return reignited hope in him. Thus, Paul I became the greatest Tsar in his eyes.
In truth, while Paul I might have been a bit eccentric, he always upheld a chivalrous spirit. During his reign, he ordered the review of numerous wrongful convictions and pardoned thousands of people.
Chadov's sole purpose in returning to Russia was to expose the true, ugly face of the current Tsar!
Footsteps sounded at the door. Chadov instinctively straightened up, about to call out 'Sir,' when he remembered he was no longer in a prisoner-of-war camp.
The newcomer was a well-dressed middle-aged man with typical Gallic features.
Chadov quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying:
"You must be Mr. Kolesnikov?"
Viscount Olivier nodded. Kolesnikov was his alias in Russia.
"You are Sergeant Chadov?"
"As you can see, I'm just a vagrant now."
Viscount Olivier didn't linger. Instead, he handed Chadov a slip of paper with an address written on it:
"This is an ironware shop on Agouang Street. From now on, you will be its manager.
"A few more shop assistants will arrive here later; you should recognize them.
"You will have full control over the shop's operating income. Just report the accounts to the company manager each month."
Chadov's eyes widened instantly.
Before leaving Strasbourg, Princess Alexandra had mentioned offering him some assistance, but he never expected her to directly give him a shop!
But he immediately understood. This was so he could better avenge His Majesty Paul.
He took a deep breath, snapped to attention, and declared:
"Please rest assured, I will certainly..."
Before he could finish, Viscount Olivier had already turned and departed.
The latter returned to his carriage, followed the address to a shabby little inn, and entrusted one of his transport teams to a tall man there.
By three in the afternoon, he had met with seven former prisoners of war who had just returned from France, providing them with ample "operational funds."
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