Make France Great Again-Chapter 174 Angel Investor

To be frank, the value that Jerome Bonaparte’s conditions held compared to what Captain Mine was about to create for him was truly insignificant.

Once the Minie Rifle and Minie Bullet became widespread in France, they would bring enormous benefits to Jerome Bonaparte.

The Crimean War would lead to an even more crushing outcome than in previous history, and the French stock market would soar to new heights with France’s successive victories.

Not to mention the series of benefits brought about by the early French Army’s equipment with the Mini Gun.

Captain Mine and Captain Gustav also thought of the last point, yet they also understood that although they were the inventors, they could never join in.

Being in the army, they were more acutely aware of the army’s conservatism than Jerome Bonaparte, and without strong connections, promoting their rifles in the army was an uphill battle.

Captain Mine and Captain Gustav certainly did not dare to dream of things like shares. After a moment of thought, Captain Mine said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Mr. President, I am willing to choose the second option!"

Jerome Bonaparte nodded, then turned to Captain Gustav: "And you?"

Even though there were countless hesitations about the 30,000 franc option in his heart, Captain Gustav gritted his teeth and chose the second option.

"Hmm!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded again. "You have made a wise choice!"

After speaking, he clapped, and two servants brought in an aluminum tray on which a Fourth-level Medal was placed.

"In view of the contributions you have made to France, France has decided to award each of you a Fourth-level Medal!"

With that, Jerome Bonaparte placed the Fourth-level Medals on the chests of Captain Mine and Captain Gustav.

Captain Mine and Captain Gustav simultaneously saluted Jerome Bonaparte, who returned the salute as well.

After the award ceremony, Captain Mine and Captain Gustav knew it was time for them to leave the Elysee Palace.

The two simultaneously bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte, who, after inquiring about their addresses, commanded Wardley to escort Captain Mine and Captain Gustav out of the Elysee Palace.

After Captain Mine and Captain Gustav left, Jerome Bonaparte returned to the study and summoned Percy there as well.

"Percy, how much capital do we have left to mobilize?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Percy.

As the chief steward of the Elysee Palace, Percy remained silent for a long time before speaking, "Your Majesty, the funds we have left to mobilize are already running low!"

"Running low?" Jerome Bonaparte paced back and forth before saying to Percy, "Go and invite Mr. Emile Pereire, tell them I have an investment I want to discuss with them!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Percy obeyed Jerome Bonaparte’s order and went to invite the Pereire Brothers.

The carriage carrying Percy drove through streets lined with plane trees, stopping outside the Pereire Brothers’ mansion.

Alone, Percy got out of the carriage and went to the mansion’s doorway to knock.

"Who is it?" Came the voice of a servant from inside.

"Please tell your master, I am Percy!" Percy said to the servant.

"Yes!" The servant responded and there was no more sound, only the faint noise of running from inside could be heard.

Not long after, the door opened, and Emile Pereire appeared at the entrance.

"Mr. Percy, hello!" Emile Pereire extended his hand to Percy.

After shaking hands with Emile Pereire, Percy said, "Mr. Emile, the President has sent me to invite you to the Elysee Palace!"

"It is an honor!" Emile Pereire expressed his joyful application.

No one could refuse to maintain a good relationship with a Dictator unless he did not intend to reside in France for long.

Percy and Emile Pereire boarded the carriage together en route to the Elysee Palace.

In the carriage, Percy explained to Emile Pereire why the President invited him to the Elysee Palace.

"Mr. President invited me to invest?" Emile Pereire asked Percy.

"Exactly!" Percy showed a meaningful expression and said: "Not everyone can receive an invitation from the President, Mr. Emile, you must seize the opportunity!"

"Of course! Of course!" Emile Pereire showed a perfunctory smile.

In his heart, he already equated Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation to invest with political investment, as there were few industries to invest in these days.

However, he did not oppose such behavior. In France, the exchange of power and money had long been common; as long as there were policy incentives, Emile Pereire would invest willingly, even if it meant investing more.

For an adept financial capitalist like Emile Pereire, he was eager for the President to borrow more money from him, so he could assert his presence before the President.

After all, the 19th-century financial class had not yet completely usurped the entire country.

Despite having more money than most people could spend in a lifetime, their political status remained subordinate.

This allowed the old nobility, who held the power of cultural interpretation, to insult them as they pleased. The almost pathological hatred of the wealthy meant that financial capitalists dared not express their anger.

The best outcome for a financial capitalist was to become a prime minister or minister of finance for one or a few terms,

The carriage slowly arrived at the gates of the Elysee Palace, and under Percy’s guidance, Emile Pereire entered Jerome Bonaparte’s study.

This was his first time entering the study of the Elysee Palace.

In the study, Jerome Bonaparte stood at the window with his back to Percy and Emile Pereire.

The setting sun cast a long shadow of Jerome Bonaparte, enveloping Emile Pereire and Percy, making Emile Pereire feel a chill.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Emile Pereire is here!" Percy reported to Jerome Bonaparte.

Upon hearing Percy’s report, Jerome Bonaparte turned to look at Emile Pereire and said, "Mr. Emile, welcome to the Elysee Palace!"

"Mr. President, thank you for your invitation!" Emile Pereire quickly doffed his hat and bowed to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Please sit!" Jerome Bonaparte invited Emile Pereire to sit on the sofa.

Emile Pereire cautiously sat on the sofa next to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Tea or coffee?" Jerome Bonaparte asked.

After hesitating for a moment, Emile Pereire replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Coffee, please!"

"Two cups of coffee!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Percy.

"Yes!" Percy took the order and left the study.

The study was left with only Jerome Bonaparte and Emile Pereire.

"Mr. Emile, what do you think about France’s arms industry?" Jerome Bonaparte probed.

"Arms?" After hesitating for a moment, Emile Pereire honestly shook his head and replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Mr. President, my brother and I have not been involved in the arms industry. The fields we have ventured into are mostly related to railroad investments."

Jerome Bonaparte suddenly realized that historically, the Pereire Brothers made their fortunes through civil engineering, and thus the brothers had an extraordinary passion for civil engineering, especially in infrastructure.

The future real estate and water supply of Paris would all be the masterpieces of their companies under the Pereire’s command.

Subsequently, Emile Pereire continued, "However, I’ve heard that the profits in the arms industry are quite considerable."

"Are you interested in making an investment? Investing in the arms field!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Emile Pereire in a calm tone.

Emile Pereire hurriedly expressed his stance to Jerome Bonaparte, "If it’s for the sake of all of France, then we will not shirk from any duty!"

"Rest assured, Mr. Emile, this deal will definitely not cause you a loss! If you don’t wish to invest, I won’t force you!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Emile Pereire.

"Mr. President, please speak!" Emile Pereire responded to Jerome Bonaparte. fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm

Jerome Bonaparte placed on the table the Minie Bullet he intercepted from Captain Mine.

"What’s this?" Emile Pereire curiously looked at the round-tipped bullet in front of him, which was very different from the round ball bullets in his memory.

"This is the latest model of the bullet. It requires a specially designed rifle to maximize its power. Its effective range is 500 meters..." Jerome Bonaparte briefly introduced the Minie Bullet to Emile.

"500 meters?" Emile Pereire looked at the small object in surprise.

Though Emile Pereire had never used a smoothbore rifle, he knew that no rifled musket of the time could achieve that range.

"I can tell you with certainty that France will complete the full rearmament within the next three years! Thereafter, I will teach the arrogant Russian Empire a lesson in the Near East region!" Jerome Bonaparte revealed all of his plans to Emile Pereire, then asked, "Mr. Emile, are you willing to offer me assistance?"

Jerome Bonaparte’s words made Emile Pereire feel a sense of vertigo.

The nephew of the Emperor indeed can’t stay away from war!

After a brief dizziness, Emile Pereire realized this was an opportunity.

Since the President plans to start a war in three years, he must act against the parliament.

A President only has a four-year term, while an Emperor’s term would last at least 18 years. This means that if they help the President resolutely, the Pereire Family could enjoy the benefits from political speculation for at least 18 years.

Even if the political speculation fails, to them, it would only mean losing some money.

"Mr. President, the Pereire Family is willing to serve France!"

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