After seeing off the two ambassadors, Eder called a guard and told him, "Send a message to the Prime Minister, saying that the German and Austrian ambassadors just came to visit and raised the price of Romanian oil to 9 pounds."
The guard also knew what he should do, so he nodded and said, "Your Highness, I will go right away."
After the two ambassadors left the palace, Ambassador Baslob said, "Ambassador Bailey, why don't you come and sit with me?"
Ambassador Bailey knew that this was what Ambassador Baslob needed to say to him, so he said cheerfully, "That's fine. I haven't eaten German sausage or drank dark beer for a long time."
So the two ambassadors took a carriage to the German Embassy in Provisley Street.
After the servants brought sausages and dark beer and closed the door, only the two ambassadors were left to taste the delicious food. After seeing that there were only two people, Ambassador Baslob was the first to speak. "Ambassador Belli, your country is not doing well in Serbia."
It’s pretty good.”
Faced with the topic of Ambassador Baslob, Ambassador Belli knew that this was not a good thing, just a euphemism to describe it, and it was a complete failure. Under the command of the Military Governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Potiorek, who failed to protect Archduke Ferdinand,
They led an Austro-Hungarian army of 500,000 people to attack Serbia, but faced Serbia's 400,000-strong army that mobilized the entire country. They retreated after losing 50,000 people.
Faced with such a topic, Ambassador Bailey could only bite the bullet and speak. "This is because the Russian frontline needs troops, so it was abandoned halfway. But now General Potiorek is ready this time, and he will lead it again
The army captured Serbia and exposed the country that had murdered the crown prince to the fury of Austria-Hungary."
For the German ambassador, this was all Ambassador Bailey's one-sided statement. Whether he was really that powerful would depend on the level of General Potiorek. But he didn't mean to say this, but to make excuses.
"Mr. Ambassador, you know that the government's request to me this time is to ensure that Romanian oil can adequately supply us. As you can see now, we can only compete with Britain and France." Ambassador Baslob said.
My purpose this time. "So how much quota did the Austro-Hungarian Empire give you to purchase oil?"
When asked by the German ambassador, Ambassador Belli knew that there was nothing to hide, so he said generously, "The country gave me a price of 260 kronor per ton."
Ambassador Baslob calculated in his mind that the upper limit was 11 pounds, so he also told him the price the government gave him. "I gave him a price of 260 marks (13 pounds) per ton. If it is higher, it will only be 11 pounds."
Ask the government."
As for why Germany is so much higher, Ambassador Baslob did not say, and Ambassador Belli did not ask. However, he could also guess that the German army now has more vehicles, so its demand for oil is not comparable to that of Austria-Hungary.
In fact, as he thought, many recent wars have reduced Germany's oil inventory to a warning level. Now the supply of refined oil for German civilian vehicles has been completely stopped. Only agricultural and production units can get the supply of fuel. Other than that,
Foreign governments and the royal family can have a small amount of supply. So for Romania, which is the only one that can provide oil now, they must purchase it. Without the supply of Romanian oil, Germany will be without oil in three months. This is not only a military problem.
, will also be a big problem in domestic production.
Now that the two knew each other's low price, all they needed to do was wait for the response from Britain and France. In fact, the response was very fast. While they were sitting together, the British ambassador was receiving the French and Russian ambassadors.
In the private room of the British ambassador, the visiting French ambassador Jean Budd hurriedly spoke. "The German and Austrian ambassadors just went to the palace. According to the information we found, they offered 9 pounds to the Romanians.
The price per ton. Our strategy succeeded."
Seeing the happy faces of Ambassador Jean Bader and Ambassador Filalovsky, Ambassador Richard Mann, as a veteran gentleman, also said with a smile. "Now the fun has just begun. Now we need to let the Germans
There has been a huge economic loss, but it is destined that this advantage can only be earned by Romanians."
Russian Ambassador Filalovsky said with envy. "This is really an enviable wealth. They don't have to do anything, someone will help them raise the price. You must know that our country's oil now only sells for 2.5 pounds a ton."
, even refined oil only sells for 4.5 pounds per ton, and they can easily sell it for twice the price.”
There is no one else besides Romania for this "them", and as for the "someone", it is obvious that they are the two people in front of him.
Hearing the envy-filled words of the Russian ambassador, the French ambassador Jean Bader persuaded him. "This is nothing. As long as we defeat Germany and Austria, we will have enough interests. Compared with the money, it is territory and influence."
That’s the most important thing.”
Obviously, territory is what suits the Russian ambassador's appetite more than money. After hearing the French ambassador's persuasion, he stopped talking. Moreover, Russia does not need to import oil, and does not have the economic strength to participate in this money game.
However, the three ambassadors did not come together to discuss Romania, a lucky country, but to talk about other things.
"Ambassador Jean Bader, how much did your government pay for the purchase?"
After the three of them sat down, Ambassador Richardman began to ask the French Ambassador questions that he was concerned about.
Facing the inquiry from the British Ambassador, Ambassador Jean Bader told him the domestic price. "450 francs (14 pounds) per ton, but due to the current pressure on our country, we can only purchase 40% of the export volume."
Ambassador Richard Mann was still not too satisfied with the price mentioned by Ambassador Jean Bader, but the price offered by his own government was similar. “The price offered by my government is 15 pounds per ton, and the purchase volume is 50%.
export quota.”
He continued, "Now it seems that we have a 10% gap, but this problem is not big. I believe that our two governments will coordinate work in this area. Now that we have neutralized it, it is basically at a price of 14.5 pounds, so it seems
We still have competition with Germany and Austria."
In fact, Richardman is still not satisfied with the domestic price. He believes that Romanian oil can compete with the price of 20 pounds per ton. This will be a big expense for Germany.
In peacetime, it can be used as their naval military expenditure. However, senior government officials are afraid that if Germany does not use it, they will become a hot potato. And there is no way to explain to the people that spending four times higher than the market price to purchase a large amount of oil is for
Fight your enemies and strengthen yourself.
So now the government can only give three times the price, and either purchase it all, or it will cause a lot of hemorrhage. Richard Mann has no way to deal with the government's order. After all, he is just an ambassador, not living in Downing Street 10
Number.
Then Ambassador Richardman discussed with the ambassadors of France and Russia how the three countries could make Germany and Austria fall into a trap and fall into bloodshed. The Russian ambassador watched the whole process without saying a word. The government negotiated very quickly, and announced the decision in the evening.
Let’s look at the results of the negotiations. Among them, France still has 40% of the imported high-priced oil, but the price has been raised to 15 pounds. The British government will purchase the remaining 60% in order to make concessions to France’s price increase.
After the negotiations between the two countries were reached, the two ambassadors of Britain and France were confident enough to let Germany and Austria dance to their baton.
