Chapter 1362: Bribery
The men in the room instantly became excited.
Given Bern's current turmoil, Ahrens Bank was almost certain to collapse, dragging down a large number of investors and workshops with it.
It wasn't just Bern; many parts of Switzerland were implicated, leading to unrest. Those who spearheaded the railway project were certain to face accountability.
Yet, Count Erlach brought them a ray of hope.
If the French government intervened, the railway project could be revived. Not only would they be absolved of blame, but they would also become heroes for driving Bern's development!
Legislator Fred grabbed Erlach's arm tightly and asked urgently, "How confident are you?"
Erlach winced from the grip. "Please release me first.
"Viscount Nobert said that since we have many French speakers here and the area isn't large, it shouldn't be too difficult to arrange.
However, the French Ministry of Finance might have reservations, as our revenue and expenditure situation would certainly drag down their financial figures. You know, that relates to the Ministry of Finance's performance."
"Of course not," Count Erlach replied. "There are two ways to solve this.
First, we could contribute a sum of money ourselves to act as two years' worth of state revenue, handed over to the French Ministry of Finance to make their books look better. This would require approximately 6 million francs.
Second, we could bribe the Deputy Minister of Finance. Viscount Nobert has a very close personal relationship with him, and it would only cost 400,000 francs. Oh, this also includes benefits for other Ministry of Finance officials, as well as the purchase of gifts for the Crown Prince."
The choice was obvious; no one would pick 6 million.
Fred cautiously added, "Such a large sum of money... might it not be safe?"
Count Erlach waved his hand, cutting him off. "There's no risk whatsoever. Viscount Nobert is only connecting us; the money will be sent directly via bank draft to the Minister of Finance and others, while the gift money will be sent to Monsieur Bailly.
Furthermore, Viscount Nobert promised that if the matter doesn't go through, all the money will be refunded. Frankly, this amount is insignificant to the gentlemen of Versailles."
"My God!" Fred exclaimed, giving Erlach a fervent embrace. "You've saved all of us!"
He then looked at the other legislators. "What are your thoughts?"
Led by Speaker Haupert, everyone nodded in agreement.
Most of the railway funds they had raised were being watched by banks and investors, but over 300,000 francs among them could still be accessed. If each of them contributed another 20,000 to 30,000, the funds for "joining France" would be complete.
After further discussion, Haupert instructed, "Baron Fred, Count Rusival, you and Count Erlach will go to Paris. Remember to bring plenty of people."
Fearing that investors would discover the embezzlement of funds, they dared not use bank drafts, opting instead to transport hundreds of thousands of francs in cash to Paris.
"Baron Maréchal will be responsible for building momentum and promoting the benefits of joining France. I believe those who lost money will soon cease their agitations...
As for me, I will push for legislation in the parliament, and that will require all of you to mobilize your people to cooperate..."
The individuals gathered for this meeting were influential figures within the Bern Cantonal Parliament, each representing different factions. Together, they could sway at least seventy percent of the legislators.
Ten days later.
In front of the Palace of Versailles, Viscount Nobert, dressed in elegant attire, gestured gracefully to Count Erlach and Baron Fred. "Monsieur Bailly is already waiting for you."
The Swiss delegates followed him somewhat stiffly into the Palace of Versailles.
Before a room at the end of the corridor, a servant bowed respectfully to Viscount Nobert and his companions, then pushed open the door.
Count Erlach looked up and saw a gilded plaque on the door reading "Minister of Trade's Office." His heart quickened a beat.
Bailly sat by the window. The sunlight streaming through was somewhat dazzling, making him appear even more mysterious and imposing.
Erlach and Fred hastily stepped forward to bow, while Viscount Nobert introduced the two to Bailly, then briefly explained Bern's desire to join France.
Bailly was reviewing documents and said without lifting his head, "I have already briefly mentioned this matter to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and he has no objections.
However, you will need to handle the Ministry of Finance yourselves."
Count Erlach nodded profusely. "We have already prepared the necessary funds..."
Bailly gave an annoyed cough. "Ahem, I don't care how you negotiate with the Ministry of Finance officials. Once that's settled, I will formally submit the report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The Swiss delegates were overjoyed, bowing repeatedly. "Thank you for your assistance. Every person in Bern will remember your great kindness."
Upon exiting the Palace of Versailles, Viscount Nobert repeatedly cautioned the two to act discreetly, otherwise, if the Notary Investigation Bureau found out, they would all end up in prison.
The following day at nine in the morning.
Erlach and Fred, each carrying a box of money, followed Viscount Nobert to the Josset Brothers Bank in the northern suburbs of Paris.
In a private room, Nobert gestured for them to hand the money to a bank employee for counting, then personally filled out a bank draft form.
The Swiss delegates clearly saw that the recipient listed was "Henri Patrice de Chouvan," the Deputy Minister of Finance for France.
The address that followed was indeed Chouvan's; they had already thoroughly inquired about the relevant information before their arrival.
A bank employee approached, bowing respectfully. "Your Excellency, Viscount, the total is 40,000 francs."
"That's correct." Viscount Nobert nodded, signed the bank draft, and handed it to the bank manager. "Please send it out as soon as possible."
The two Swiss delegates watched the series of operations, both nodding reassuringly. Of course, Viscount Nobert had to be the one to send the money; the French Minister of Finance certainly wouldn't accept money from just anyone.
Leaving Josset Brothers Bank, Nobert then promptly brought them to the Paris City Industrial Savings Bank, where he sent 30,000 francs to Minister Chouvan.
Nobert informed them that this was to prevent the Notary Investigation Bureau from discovering any irregularities, hence the need to disperse the funds.
Thus, the three worked tirelessly all day, visiting over a dozen banks to send out the entire 400,000 francs in bribes.
Viscount Nobert checked his pocket watch and told Erlach and Fred, "During this period, please try to avoid contact with others. You should hear something in about a week."
The Swiss delegates immediately offered their profuse thanks and watched Viscount Nobert's carriage recede into the distance.
However, to their surprise, after Nobert's carriage drove around two streets, it stopped in a narrow alley.
Nobert switched to another carriage that was already waiting there and headed straight for Josset Brothers Bank.
In the private room, he said to the bank manager with an anxious expression, "My apologies, but there's been an unexpected turn of events. That bank draft from earlier needs to be canceled immediately."
"Oh, and of course, you may deduct any necessary service fees."
Given the speed of the financial industry in that era, bank draft transactions, from entry to remittance, took at least two days. Smaller banks like Josset Brothers Bank were even slower; at this point, the draft hadn't even been registered in their books.
Moments later, a bank employee handed a box of francs to Nobert. Since he had signed the draft and his two "Swiss servants" had provided the money, the bank naturally had no reason to be suspicious at that moment.
"Viscount Nobert" didn't even bother to count the money, grabbing the box with nearly 40,000 francs and leaping into the carriage, rushing to the next bank.
Hampered by the banks' slow pace, he only managed to retrieve 180,000 francs in bank drafts before nightfall.
The next day, he continued the same tactic. Apart from two banks that stated they needed to verify the bank draft information, preventing him from retrieving the money, by afternoon, his carriage was piled with a massive sum of 340,000 francs.
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