Even in the traditional South, wealthy people are convinced of this, but compared to the North, Southerners are just making small fortunes. They don't have any decent industry. Those small coal mines and iron mines have already satisfied their big needs.
Partial needs.
When the Governor's Palace announced that it would auction the mining rights to the newly discovered coal and iron mines in Northern Genoa, many people began to take action. They asked around for information, but the Governor's Palace kept these secrets. In fact, people around Byrne did not know what happened.
How much are the two mineral deposits worth?
People only found out that the initiator was Viscount Sean Connery, which scared off many people because most of them thought they could not compare with Viscount Connery in terms of financial resources.
When Countess Kovar heard about it, she immediately summoned the family's business director, Sidya Kovar, a nephew of Count Kovar.
The Koval family is a large landowner, but unlike the traditional aristocrats who rely on land to earn interest, this family does not reject investment in emerging industries. On the contrary, the family owns bonds and stocks of many industrial companies, which brings huge profits to the family every year.
The countess, who is rich and wealthy, has recently encountered several soft nails in Sean. Although she did not actually lose much visible things, the authority of the Koval family has indeed been weakened.
In her opinion, this invisible loss made her even more uncomfortable.
A nobleman is rising and seems to have the tendency to challenge the power of the Covar family in Genoa, which alarms the countess, like a large beast with a strong sense of territory.
"The Koval family must get the iron and coal mines," the countess said to her business director.
"But we have very little information on hand now." Steele frowned, "The news we have now is that Viscount Connery has sent people to explore long ago, and it was his people who discovered the mineral deposits, how much they are, and how much they are worth.
How much, how much investment is required, we have no idea.”
"Hasn't anyone explored it before?" the countess asked curiously.
"Of course there have been. I guess those mineral deposits were buried relatively deep, so they were missed in the past. Of course, Northern Genoa is close to the Otter Mountains, and sporadic mineral deposits have been discovered in the past. There have been many small iron ore and coal mines there for hundreds of years.
, but it has never been successful and there is no value for large-scale investment. If they were open-pit rich mines, they would have been discovered long ago." Steele explained, "This also shows from the side that it will be more difficult to mine them."
"But I don't want that bastard to get them." The Countess was very unhappy.
Of course, the illegitimate son refers to Sean. I'm afraid no one knows whose illegitimate son he is. If Sean's biological parents were still alive, seeing Sean's current achievements, they would have come to recognize him long ago.
But the countess calling Sean this in private was obviously a humiliation to Sean. After all, for nobles, the purity and inheritance of blood are the guarantee of noble status. She felt that this would make her feel better.
"But the Governor's Mansion only gave us seven days. During these seven days, it is difficult for us to get accurate information. For example, the true value of those mineral deposits, and the price we quoted based on it." Steele said, "The bidding seems to be
The procedure is completely legitimate and legal, but any insider will know after a little analysis that it is exclusively customized for Viscount Connery. If we bid rashly, we will probably lose a lot of money."
Steele's implication is that there is no need for a battle of emotions.
"Money is not an issue, my supervisor." The Countess expressed her dissatisfaction, "But the authority of the Koval family is priceless."
"As you wish, ma'am!"
Upon hearing this decision, Steele immediately discarded his personal opinions.
The mining rights auction was held as scheduled at the Poitou Grand Hotel.
The auction still attracted the participation of many wealthy people.
When the governor's agent publicly announced the bidding method, everyone felt that there must be something shady about it.
Because the Governor's Palace has divided the iron ore and coal mines into ten zones, and the base price of each zone is 200,000 gold louis, all bidders must pay a deposit of 200,000 gold before they are allowed to bid - the Governor's Palace will receive a deposit of tens of millions.
Even if these deposits are placed in the bank to earn interest, they are still a huge amount of money, so the Governor's Office makes a profit first.
The Governor's Mansion cannot guarantee that these twenty areas actually have large-scale mining value, but the Governor's Mansion will give the winning bidder one year to explore. If the winning bidder regrets, he can request to terminate the contract within this year, and the Governor's Mansion will all
The winning bid amount will be refunded in full, but only half of the deposit will be refunded. This harsh condition also successfully dissuaded those who wanted to try their luck.
This is simply an exclusive order for Sean, because only Sean has made great efforts to conduct exploration in advance and has the most detailed geological information, especially the secret bidding method, which is extremely beneficial to Sean - every bidder
Put the block you like and the bid amount in an envelope, seal it, and put it into a wooden box on the spot. The bid will be opened publicly at the same time, which means everyone only has one chance to bid.
The reason given by the Government House is that it prevents vicious competition and malicious collusion, and it is also a reward for Viscount Connery's "selfless contribution" - after all, without Viscount Connery's discovery, this bidding meeting would not have happened at all.
appear, those mineral deposits will remain dormant and cannot be used to benefit mankind.
Moreover, the Governor's Palace guaranteed that there are at least five sites in the iron ore and coal mine subdivisions that are worthy of large-scale mining. Viscount Connery will not monopolize them. He will only choose two of them.
Sidya Koval arrived at the scene early. He took a look at the crowded scene and did not see Viscount Connery coming in person, but he saw the Viscount's confidant Pierre and others.
Albert-Pierre was being surrounded by a group of the richest people in Genoa, who were all whispering in the middle of the conversation, trying to find out what pieces of money the viscount was interested in.
This was of course an absolute secret, and Pierre kept it secret. Through the crowd, Pierre's eyes met those of Steele from the Koval family.
Sidiya shifted his gaze with disdain. As an important member and business executive of the Koval family, he looked down upon Pierre, who was an insignificant small businessman two years ago.
But now Pierre and others' status in Poitou's business community has risen rapidly, which can be seen just from the wealthy people who circle around him.
Banker Sieyes also came to the scene in person. He has a distinguished status and rarely participates in business negotiations in person, but today he was also present in person.
His purpose is to provide loans to guests who are interested in obtaining mineral mining rights and to explore subsequent banking services.
You must know that in order to win the bid, many people have to put out at least two deposits and get the opportunity to bid twice to increase the probability of winning the bid. Some people are determined to win, and they are prepared to pay five deposits, that is, 1 million gold louis. These deposits are
It will remain on the accounts of the Governor's Palace for one year.
Their personal assets may be much more than this amount, but it is extremely difficult to shell out such a large amount of cash, not to mention that it is just to obtain the mining rights, and a larger sum of money will be invested in actual mining.
At this time, the value of finance and bankers is reflected.
Sieyes's target was Pierre: "Albert, what can my bank do for you?"
"No, Dear Mr. Sieyes, I represent the Viscount of Rocky Mountain." Pierre shook his head. "If you are asking about the Viscount, I can answer on his behalf. He needs funds, but it has nothing to do with today."
"Oh, this is good news. Everyone in Genoa knows that the Vicomte's tea garden is extremely valuable, and his name will always be at the top of the list of the best customers of the First Bank of Poitou." Sieyes said, "As far as I know
I know that the Viscount is determined to win this competition, but I also got news that the Viscount will have a strong competitor. So..."
Sieyes deliberately cast his eyes on someone in the field.
Pierre took a look and said: "The Viscount's career is very big, and the most outstanding financiers in Poitou must have seen it."
"Indeed, Mayor Stanley is preparing to lease a section of the coast of East Poitou to the Vicomte's shipbuilding company for a symbolic price of 1 gold Louis. This news is surprising, but logical, because of the success of the 'Genovese'
The trial voyage heralds the arrival of a new shipping era." Sieyes said.
Pierre was calm on the surface, but he was surprised on the inside, because he hadn't received the good news yet, but the banker in front of him had known it in advance. It can be seen that Sieyes's energy is not small.
These bankers are the best informed.
"so……"
Sieyes said: "The Viscount's ambitions are huge, and his stalls are huge. It is difficult to raise enough funds from his tea garden alone, especially since the funds he can use immediately are limited. If there is any trouble,
It is very likely that something bad will happen. Therefore, he needs the help of the Poitou Consortium."
Sieyes' words imply that he does not represent a single person.
"But our competitors are also very powerful, and they have huge amounts of cash." Pierre said deliberately, "If the bidding fails today, the shipyard will have no choice but to give up or move to the north."
"In business, as long as you pay a certain price, you will get everything." Sieyes said, he raised his chin towards Steele and whispered, "Albert, you know you are following Steele today?"
-What are the backgrounds of the gentlemen around Mr. Koval?"
Pierre glanced at them: "They look familiar, but I'm not a regular visitor to Poitou salons. I don't recognize them."
"The agents of several banks in the Holy City in Genoa, in the eyes of the Poitou financial group that I represent, they are unwelcome outsiders, so it is normal that you are not familiar with them," Sieyes said, "
The fact that they are staying with Sidya means that there are people who are willing to defeat your master's goals at all costs."
Pierre felt nervous, so Sieyes was taken by Pierre's secretary to a box on the third floor of the Poitou Hotel.