ps: Thank you for the 1991 reward tomorrow and the support of all the students who voted!
On August 17, 1869, Bernard, the French Minister to Brazil, wrote in a telegram to the French government: "Brazil's loan is a good opportunity for the French Empire to penetrate into South America and open up a vast world for domestic industry and commerce. The French Empire cannot only care about economic interests.
When looking at the warship transaction with Brazil, we should consider it from a political level. We should regard this transaction as a favorable opportunity to break the British commercial monopoly in South America. We should increase the size of the loan and lower the loan interest rate, making this transaction an opportunity to expand the influence of the French Empire.
A great attempt.”
The French financial industry is at its peak, and bankers engaged in lending business occupy an important position in the French political economy. When the first group of bankers who were unwilling to lower loan interest rates had a disagreement with the French Minister Bernard, the Bank of France and Lyon in mainland France
The Credit Bank took a fancy to the huge interests behind the Brazilian warship transaction, and then used two large banking companies as weapons and more than a dozen industrial and commercial companies interested in expanding overseas markets to form a Brazilian business transaction consortium, using the political resources controlled by each company to
French Emperor Napoleon III made a suggestion. With the support of interest groups, what was originally an ordinary warship transaction was given a strong political color, which quickly attracted the attention of Emperor Napoleon III.
On August 20, Napoleon III personally gave instructions: In order to counter Britain's move to ally with Prussia against France on German regional affairs, the Bank of France and the Commercial Bank of Lyon were allowed to form a trading group for Brazil. In this warship transaction, the French government
It will provide behind-the-scene support for domestic business groups to achieve the purpose of expanding the domestic industrial and commercial market and curbing the development of British power.
Napoleon III made a final decision to support the warship transaction. Within two days, more than a dozen arms, banks and industrial and commercial companies in France took quick action. While assessing and discussing the scale of the commercial transaction, raising loan funds, they authorized French Minister Bernard to handle it with full authority.
Regarding warship transactions and loans, pay attention to the latest news from Brazil.
On August 22, in order to increase the chance of reaching a deal, Bernard and the American Minister Witt met with Pedro II.
At the Royal Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Bernard handed over the revised commercial contract and said: "In order to maintain the friendly relationship between the French Empire and the Brazilian Empire, His Majesty Napoleon III personally intervened in the warship transaction, lowered the loan interest rate and warship price, and some hope to
The French companies that the Brazilian Empire conducts transactions are also willing to participate in the Brazilian Empire's domestic economic reconstruction work, railway construction, iron ore mining transactions, etc. The French businessmen will give your country a reasonable price and will not lose the interests of the Brazilian Empire."
"The Brazilian Empire is an open and civilized country that welcomes all businessmen who are willing to conduct business activities here."
After reading the transaction content submitted to him, Pedro II was a little excited about the French's improved contract.
From Brazil's perspective, the contract proposed by the French is not only much more reasonable than last time, but also more helpful to Brazil.
In the contract, the French offered to sell to Brazil a combat ironclad with a displacement of 7,000 tons. The warship was directly drawn from the French Navy and sold for 400,000 pounds. After the contract was successfully signed, the warship could be assigned to the Brazilian Navy within two months.
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In terms of loans, in addition to the 400,000 pounds for the purchase of warships, the Bank of France and Crédit Lyonnais are willing to provide a low-interest loan of 1 million pounds to help Brazil develop domestic industry and replace military equipment.
Compared with the 400,000-yuan warship transaction fee, the loan of one million pounds is what the French are interested in. The one million pounds will be paid in the form of French goods. In other words, the French want the warship transaction to complete a deal with an amount of
The appetite for a million-pound business deal is certainly not small.
Staring at the transactions and the categories of commodities, Pedro II understood that if he obtained a commercial loan of one million pounds, Brazil's sluggish economic situation would be effectively improved. However, recalling the huge foreign debt owed to the United Kingdom,
I felt a little shaken in my heart.
"Thank you His Majesty Napoleon III for your friendship to the Brazilian Empire. Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty Napoleon III. I saw your country's sincerity in this transaction contract. However, this transaction is of great significance to the Brazilian Empire. I need
I will give you an answer after discussing with all the ministers."
Pedro II did not give up on the British. He wanted to use the competition between France and the United States to force the other party to lower the asking price for warship transactions and reduce the additional conditions brought about by transportation. However, his wishful thinking may have failed this time.
The American minister who stood silently by the side was used to Pedro II's lack of attention. When the other party once again used delaying methods in an attempt to continue to suspend the transaction, the silent Werther finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, I heard that the British plan to help the Brazilian Imperial Navy build Monarch-class ironclads. Is the news true?"
"Brazil does have the intention to customize Monarch-class ironclads from the United Kingdom, but the two countries did not reach a deal due to some differences." The first news about Brazil's purchase of warships came from the British. Pedro II did not think there was any benefit in being secretive.
, so I admitted it directly.
After Pedro II finished speaking, he saw the genuine look on Werther's face and asked: "Does your Excellency the Minister think there is anything wrong with the deal with the British?"
"Whether it is appropriate or not requires your Majesty to make your own judgment. However, I remember that during the Civil War, two of the three ironclad ships purchased by the Southern Army from the United Kingdom malfunctioned during the naval battle, resulting in the failure of the sea battle. In May last year, the first
The first Sovereign-class ironclad ship that was launched suffered a malfunction during sea trials, and the warship suffered extensive damage. Now the first Sovereign-class ironclad ship is still lying in a British dock for improvement and refurbishment, and has not been included in the navy's order of operations."
After Witte introduced the basic situation of the British warships, he pretended to be surprised and said: "I would like to ask Your Majesty, didn't the British introduce the basic situation of the warships when they were trading with your country?"
It was impossible for Werther to deceive himself on a formal occasion. Since he had revealed the shortcomings of British warships, the information could easily be corroborated.
After hearing this, Pedro II felt a sense of humiliation in his heart of being treated as a fool. It doesn't matter if the warship is more expensive. At worst, everyone will discuss and find a compromise, but you can't fool yourself with a warship full of loopholes.
The warships purchased by Brazil are not used for decoration, but also for strategic maritime showdowns with the Chinese and Paraguayans. If the Brazilian navy officers and soldiers are allowed to drive warships with immature performance to fight against the opponent's navy, wouldn't it be a serious disservice to the Brazilian Empire?
Responsible behavior?
Pedro II suppressed the anger in his heart, looked at the two people sitting aside, and said expressionlessly: "Today's meeting ends here. I still have some things to deal with. The two ministers will go back first. I will
I will give you both a clear answer."
Pedro II gave a clear reply time. Werther and Bernard looked at each other, felt confident, bowed and exited the palace.