Make France Great Again-Chapter 181 On Banker’s Responsibility

Although the bankers present were displeased with President Jerome Bonaparte’s forceful stance, none wished to provoke this uncrowned king of France.

Especially at this critical juncture, while they controlled the financial lifeblood of the nation, known as the uncrowned kings by the Paris Newspaper, their power paled in comparison to those truly holding authority. All their threats amounted to was stock sell-offs triggering a chain reaction in the securities market, potentially destabilizing a regime. They couldn’t guarantee their survival before the regime’s upheaval.

If money is lost, it can be earned again; if one loses their life, all is lost.

The old foxes present neither voiced agreement nor opposition to Jerome Bonaparte; they awaited someone to be the "spearhead" to test the president’s limits.

As time ticked by, the old foxes continued to silently wait for someone to speak up.

"Mr. President, we are, of course, willing to contribute to France’s national defense efforts, but..." A young man of about the same age as Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help speaking up.

This young man was Alphonse de Rothschild, the eldest son of James Rothschild, and the successor of the Rothschild Clan’s France branch.

As the older generation had not yet passed, and the new generation (Leonel Rothschild) was just debuting on the stage, James Rothschild remained the head of Rothschild Bank. Only after the death of James Rothschild’s mother would Leonel Rothschild, after stockpiling strength, propose a family division, shifting James Rothschild from an international to a semi-regional bank.

Born in 1827, Alphonse de Rothschild was born during the "peak" of the Rothschild Clan, and at merely 22, had less caution and more impulsiveness compared to the old foxes present.

If not for his father James Rothschild’s declining energy and the need to ensure the succession of Rothschild Bank’s France branch, giving Alphonse de Rothschild a chance to gradually take over family affairs, he would never have had the opportunity to attend this ball.

His character lacked stability, becoming the spearhead expected by the old foxes.

"But what?" Jerome Bonaparte looked at Alphonse de Rothschild with a smile, from whose words Alphonse did not detect hostility.

"But Mr. President, there must be a specific amount!" Alphonse de Rothschild realized his impulsiveness, carefully inquiring of Jerome Bonaparte.

"A specific amount?" Jerome Bonaparte raised a finger and addressed everyone present: "How about ten million francs?"

Hiss!

Most bankers couldn’t help but gasp at the figure.

To them, ten million francs wasn’t excessive; they could squeeze it out, especially as this was to be shared among the banks.

However, subconsciously, the bankers thought of Jerome Bonaparte as a transient occupant of the presidency.

If they bore Jerome Bonaparte’s so-called ten million franc fund, future presidents might imitate him.

If every term was like Jerome Bonaparte, the bankers might become a government cash dispenser.

The bank’s duty isn’t to funnel money to the President!

"Mr. President, I’m afraid that won’t do!" Alphonse de Rothschild politely declined Jerome Bonaparte’s proposal: "I believe you must know that we have numerous investment projects, and funds are tight. We can’t even spare ten million francs, let alone one million!"

What a joke! The Rothschild Clan built its business from the ground up, thriving in the antique trade (mockingly). They had to serve politicians for survival, enduring political extortion; that would equate to begging on bent knee, a business the Rothschild Clan firmly rejects.

"I heard the Rothschild Clan supposedly sits atop a mountain of gold!" Jerome Bonaparte continued to smile, banteringly addressing Alphonse de Rothschild, wishing internally to acquaint him with what French prison meant.

Damn, truly lawless! Is there a country more permissive to bankers than ours? ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Without a country, where are those bankers?

Now the President is in trouble, yet they all stand by indifferently, forgetting how to repay!

"We have no mountain of gold; it’s all theirs!" Alphonse de Rothschild quickly "clarified" the rumor by Jerome Bonaparte, claiming innocently: "Mr. President, aren’t bankers the underprivileged group? We’re merely safeguarding assets for users, requiring us not only to pay interest but also to ensure the preservation and appreciation of their assets! Although we love this country too, we can’t compromise clients’ interests!"

Alphonse de Rothschild showed an embarrassed expression, portraying bankers as underprivileged in his narrative.

However, according to Jerome Bonaparte’s knowledge, Austrian bonds circulating on the Paris Stock Exchange mostly originated from Alphonse de Rothschild’s bank, supposedly concerned for clients.

It was widely known that after the Napoleonic Wars, Austrian bonds had credibility inferior to a wad of toilet paper, yet James Rothschild dared to package and sell them as so-called stable bonds.

If it weren’t for the Austrian Empire in 1848 relying on its strong domestic Prime Minister and the Russian Empire abroad to barely maintain the empire from the risk of disintegration, the Rothschild Bank of Austria would have gone bankrupt, causing the Paris Rothschild Bank to also suffer severe setbacks.

At that time, Austrian bonds would reveal their true nature, and those who deposited their money in the Rothschild Bank would probably end up like certain oil treasures, owing even money to the Rothschild Bank.

In terms of transferring crises, the Rothschild Bank has always been adept, beyond adept.

"That’s right, Mr. President! Our liquid funds are also not plentiful!"

"Indeed! Mr. President, our bank also can’t squeeze out any money!"

...

With Alphonse de Rothschild setting an example, the remaining banks seemed to find their backbone. They claimed to Jerome Bonaparte that they had invested all their money and really couldn’t squeeze out any more.

Of course, there were also a few, like Count Algo, the steady-as-a-rock president of the Bank of France, and the quasi-Bonapartist allies supporting Jerome Bonaparte, who weren’t moved at all, watching their colleagues’ performance with a look of amusement.

Minister of Finance Achille Foul nudged his fellow banker ally Mane and murmured a sentence: "There’s a good show coming!"

Mane showed a look of surprise, then a chill ran from his spine straight to the top of his head.

Doesn’t Mr. President intend to...

Speaking, Mane instinctively glanced at the door. Through the gap in the door, he saw the silhouette outside the doorway, showing a face of fear.

Achille Foul patted Mane’s shoulder, using lip language to say "Stay calm."

Jerome Bonaparte maintained an indifferent face, quietly listening to the bankers’ "complaints."

Until the bankers noticed that Mr. President’s expression seemed unchanged, they also realized something.

For a moment, the entire reception room fell silent.

"Go on! Continue! I’m listening!" Jerome Bonaparte revealed a cold smile, sweeping his gaze over all the bankers present, saying, "I seem to understand! Each of you has your difficulties!"

The bankers, intimidated by Jerome Bonaparte, couldn’t utter a word.

"You’re Alphonse de Rothschild, right!" Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze toward the "original initiator" of everything.

Alphonse de Rothschild then realized he might have provoked an unreasonable person and could only respond with steely resolve, "Yes! Mr. President!"

"As I understand, your Rothschild Bank has the most investment in railway bonds! How come there’s no money now!" Jerome Bonaparte still asked in a calm tone.

However, sharp-eyed people could see that Alphonse de Rothschild was probably facing misfortune because the President was about to exert pressure.

Alphonse de Rothschild was startled, unsure why Mr. President knew about their family’s situation.

Could it be that the President had set his eyes on them from the very beginning?

A bad premonition surged in Alphonse de Rothschild’s heart, he swallowed hard, instinctively glancing at the door.

He probably wouldn’t get out of this door easily today!

"It’s precisely because we support Mr. President’s policy of building railways, that’s why..." Alphonse de Rothschild quickly tried to make amends: "Our family is willing to serve France’s national defense policy!"

"There’s no need! Mr. Alphonse de Rothschild!" Jerome Bonaparte coldly interrupted Alphonse de Rothschild’s explanation: "I, as President, have no need to stand in opposition to the French people!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s words sent a chill through all the bankers’ hearts, and they also realized that the situation seems to be proceeding unfavorably.

Jerome Bonaparte gently clapped his hands, and in the frightened gaze of the bankers, Paris Police Chief Kalie, along with some police officers, cooperated with the Minister of Justice, Rue, to enter the room.

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