Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1713 - 770: Compradors and Foreign Powers? (Part 2)

He drew out a telegram: "News has come from the country, some families and businesses have begun to pay attention to the North American situation. They believe that regardless of the final political landscape, the business opportunities on this continent are real. The war has destroyed many things, but it also means a massive demand for reconstruction."

"Do you have a target?"

Durand nodded, his finger traced on the map and finally stopped at New Orleans, Louisiana. "Here, traditionally has a French origin, with a good financial and trade foundation, and it's not too far from our current location. More importantly, I've heard some rumors, some old friends in the United States are also looking for a way out."

The "old friends" he mentioned referred to those families and consortiums who possessed great wealth and influence during the Old America era but saw their assets shrink and influence limited during the civil war and the rise of the Freedom Alliance.

They are unwilling to sink and are secretly seeking new partners to protect and expand their wealth.

"We need a partner with deep roots in the United States, one who can communicate with us." Durand pondered, "How about the Rockefeller family?"

The Chief of Staff was slightly shaken.

Rockefeller, this name signifies an era in the United States and even the global energy and financial sectors. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Although the Standard Oil Company was long ago broken up, the family's influence through vast trust funds, banking investments, and philanthropic networks is still pervasive.

They represent the East Coast "old money," contrasting sharply with the new powers of Texas, California, and the Freedom Alliance with a Southern Army background.

"Would they be willing? Moreover, the Rockefeller family's traditional sphere of influence is on the East Coast and Wall Street, where now..."

"Where now is a muddle." Durand interjected, "Precisely because of this, they need to find a new pivot, and the domestic army in the United States is unreliable, they need new people to protect them."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the soldiers outside, "The war brought us here, but the war won't last forever. Smart people should prepare for what happens after the war ends, send an encrypted telegram to Paris, contact the middlemen friendly with the Rockefeller family. Reflect our interest from the French side in engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation in the future economic reconstruction in North America, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors."

"If necessary, we can even cooperate with Mexicans!"

"Wouldn't this be too risky? After all, we are still in a state of war."

"Private contacts, not involving military, only discussing future business." Durand said skillfully, "This is called keeping a backup, or making multiple bets. The British are certainly active, Germans won't stay idle, even Polish might want a piece of the pie. The North American cake is too big, no one can swallow it whole, ultimately it must be shared among. What we need to do is to get our share's knife and fork in advance, Mexicans are smart too."

"Do you know why Jesus was nailed?" Durand asked with a smile.

The Chief of Staff shook his head.

"Humor me, give a random answer." Durand said helplessly.

"Because he disturbed local stability?"

"No, because he branded others as evil sects; if he said everyone could go to heaven, see if anyone would oppose him."

Very reasonable.

One day later, on the top floor of an inconspicuous but heavily guarded office building in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

The private representative of John D. Rockefeller Jr., Robert Thornton, was reading an encrypted letter from Europe.

The letter was relayed through complex commercial channels, its content vague but the core meaning clear: certain "influential circles" in France are "extremely concerned" about the economic prospects post-war in North America, believing partners like Rockefeller, "ancient and wise," will play a "critical role" in the "new order."

Robert Thornton put down the letter and walked to the gigantic floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window is a forest of buildings in Manhattan, but many windows are darkened; the luster of this world financial center has dimmed significantly amidst years of turmoil.

The family's assets shrank in global markets, traditional investment channels increased in risk, and in North America, the kingdom of old is breaking apart.

Under the control of the Freedom Alliance, Wall Street is filled with speculation and panic, lacking a stable environment for long-term investment.

The Southern Army sphere is full of vigilance against old family consortia on the East Coast.

Hey…there are also rumors that someone has started slavery again.

And the West and South controlled by Victor are an unknown forbidden zone, where the ongoing "redistribution" and "nationalization" in rumors make any capitalist sleepless at night.

However, crisis also means opportunity.

If a connection could be established with the new landlords of this vast land—whether Victor or other possibly emerging forces—especially tapping into energy and core industries, it would mean unimaginable future interests.

The French probe comes at just the right time.

They need local partners to reduce risks, understand the market, while Rockefeller needs a bridge to the "forbidden zone" and potentially political and economic support from Europe to strengthen its weight in future negotiations.

"Reply to them." Robert Thornton told his assistant, "Express our open attitude to international cooperation, especially welcoming European capital and technical participation in North American revival, and arrange a completely confidential meeting, the venue could be Switzerland or Bermuda. Explore the possibility of conducting forward-looking dialogue under the framework of 'meeting the long-term interests of all parties.'"