He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 8

(7) Selling Royal American Treasury Bonds to the Kingdom’s Top Aristocrat

It’s the late 18th century, the eve of the era of financial capitalism.

“Good heavens! Julie! What on earth happened? Where are all the servants? How could they run away without protecting you!”

Some argue that the foundation of Europe’s dominance over the world lies in [government bonds, a debt instrument used to raise funds].

While the Qing Empire, the Mughal Empire, and the Ottoman Empire raised military funds through taxation, European monarchies financed their military spending by issuing bonds.

The argument is that this allowed them to raise even more military funds than through taxation alone.

Looking at how modern countries maintain enormous debt-ridden finances, there seems to be some truth to it.

However, in the late 18th century, before sophisticated financial techniques had fully developed, it often led to financial ruin.

And those who facilitate that financial ruin are the financiers, the bankers, as they are seen now.

One of them, Jacques Recamier, exclaimed as if in despair.

“Is your daughter, or rather, your friend’s daughter, safe?”

Of course, Eugene looked at Recamier with a nonchalant expression.

In fact, although her clothes were torn and dirty, young Julie was perfectly fine.

Thanks to being well-washed at the Beauharnais mansion.

The only problem was that they couldn’t find suitable clothes to change her into.

Julie smiled brightly and said.

“Yes, Mr. Recamier. I’m perfectly fine. Fortunately, Eugene was here to help me.”

“Eugene? Ah, the Beauharnais family’s little one?”

“That’s right. He’s my savior!”

Jacques Recamier’s eyes widened.

Julie explained the situation, smiling yet tearful.

She had gone out for a stroll and encountered a wolf.

The servant who was accompanying her ran away, and just as she was about to be devoured by the wolf while running for her life, she met Eugene.

Wiping away tears, Julie explained.

“If it weren’t for Eugene, I would have died! Really!”

Jacques Recamier, sweating profusely, said to Eugene.

“Phew, thank you. Thanks to you, my daughter, or rather, my best friend Bernard’s daughter, is safe.”

Eugene slightly raised an eyebrow and smiled.

It was one of the most talked-about scandals of the French Revolution era.

Jacques Recamier and Juliette Bernard, the marriage of a young girl and an older man with a 30-year age difference.

The fact that the most beautiful woman of the Revolution era was Mrs. Recamier made it a hot topic.

However, the reason this marriage became a truly famous scandal was different.

There was talk that the two were actually father and daughter.

For example, the rumor was that Recamier had fathered his own daughter through an affair with his friend’s wife.

And it seemed that it was true.

“I see. I suppose you can’t put a price on your daughter’s, or rather, your friend’s daughter’s life?”

Eugene said, pretending it was a slip of the tongue.

Although he was only a 7-year-old boy, his tone was not that of a child.

Recamier frowned and first sent Julie inside.

After entrusting Julie to a maid, Recamier turned to Eugene and asked.

“Ahem, how much do you want?”

“Well, it would be nice if you could write off my father’s debts. But what I want is something else.”

“Huh? Don’t tell me, at 7 years old, you’re interested in Julie? Absolutely not!”

He seemed to be afraid that Eugene would propose marriage, a complete daughter-obsessed fool.

Of course, in the original history, Julie would become the queen of seduction in high society.

But now she was just an 11-year-old child.

Eugene snorted.

“What on earth are you thinking? I’m not interested in children either.”

“You seem like a child yourself.”

“Shut up, Hippolyte.”

Eugene was about to scold Hippolyte, who had come along and added a comment.

“Hmm, I was so surprised that I lost my composure. Then what do you want? Beauharnais family’s prodigy.”

Recamier cleared his throat lightly and looked at Eugene.

Jacques Recamier.

In the original history, he was naturally recorded as the husband of Jeanne-Françoise Julie Adélaïde Récamier, the most beautiful woman of the era, Mrs. Recamier.

But in reality, he was a very capable financier and became the founder of the Banque de France [Bank of France].

Bank of France.

The central bank of France that still exists in modern history.

In short, he was the one who best manipulated the latest financial technique of the 18th century, [bonds].

In modern terms, he would be a top-tier fund manager or a cryptocurrency owner.

Eugene had no intention of missing the opportunity to use this top-tier financier.

“I dare to say I’m called a prodigy, but I’m still a child, so there are limits.”

“You’re suddenly being humble, which makes me even more afraid. What exactly do you want to ask for?”

“I heard that you trade in the French East India Company’s bonds.”

Like a true financier, Recamier looked at Eugene with regretful eyes.

“So? You want me to repay you with those bonds?”

“No. I want something else. A more valuable bond.”

“What do you mean by that?”

In fact, 1788 was after France had already been pushed out of India by England.

Nevertheless, the French East India Company was still thriving.

Surprisingly, the ships that sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of Africa, the most were not British or Dutch, but French.

In the 18th century, when maritime transport was the core of economic logistics.

In this era, the French East India Company was a fairly successful investment.

However, Eugene knew that a revolution would occur.

And that the revolutionary government would abolish the French East India Company after the revolution.

“Is there any way I can purchase bonds from the British government?”

The asset Eugene wanted was different.

Government bonds, debt certificates issued by the state to raise military funds or finances.

Among them, he needed bond certificates that would still retain their value even if a revolution occurred.

Which country would that be?

Undoubtedly, England.

If France were to collapse, British bonds would become even more valuable.

Recamier looked at Eugene with surprised eyes and opened his mouth.

“You’re really smart, kid. It seems the talk about you being a prodigy isn’t for nothing.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“But I’m a financier. And financiers never give anything away for free.”

Recamier, who had been deep in thought, suddenly snapped his fingers.

“If it’s you, you might get something even more valuable for free. I’ll give you this hint. Try to receive the royal [grace, a favor or gift from the royal family] once. It has no value to the royal family, but it has value to a financier like me.”

“Pardon?”

“If you bring it, I’ll take responsibility for exchanging it.”

It was the moment when Eugene, who had been trying to get Recamier to repay his kindness, received a riddle.

***

Fortunately, Recamier was rich enough to buy a pony to replace the one his daughter had lost.

“Is he really not a Jew? He barely gives a pony after saving his daughter’s life.”

Thanks to that, Eugene was able to go to work safely.

But wasn’t repaying the kindness for saving his daughter’s life practically a refusal?

Of course, Eugene had also been slightly hoping for royal grace.

However, the French royal family was currently suffering from financial ruin.

While resting in the detached palace’s study, Eugene scribbled on a piece of paper with a pen and grumbled.

He had only been trying to buy some bonds, the best asset of this era.

It was the 18th century, and stocks were as unstable as cryptocurrencies.

Nor was he in a position to pile up gold coins.

Anyway, Eugene’s life was such that he could succeed as long as he met Napoleon.

But if things continued like this, at least Alexandre would die.

He was thinking of gaining some power to change things, but the first step didn’t go well.

Then Eugene remembered Julie, whom he had seen yesterday.

He remembered that she was quite pretty after being washed, even though she was only 11 years old.

“Hmm, so that beauty is going to marry her father, or rather, the old man she knows as her father.”

“Hmph, our little attendant, what beauty are you thinking about so intently? Huh? Is she prettier than me?”

“No, of course not prettier than the Princess… Eek!”

Eugene, startled, turned his head and saw Princess Marie Thérèse.

“Wow, the prodigy is really precocious! Such a young child is already talking about beauties. Heh!”

As Princess Marie teased him with a bright smile, Eugene put on a straight face and replied politely.

“Your Highness, what brings you here so early?”

“What are you talking about? The royal family always wakes up early and moves early. Just because our ‘Mama’ doesn’t do all the royal events doesn’t mean I don’t either.”

“Oh, do you have an event? I’ll come with you, Your Highness.”

The attendant’s job is ultimately to assist the royal family.

But the princess was holding an event, and Eugene had failed to accompany her.

Perhaps the other attendants had deliberately not informed him.

Was it jealousy towards Eugene, the parachute appointment made by the king?

Of course, since he was favored by the princess, the queen, and even the Count of Artois, they couldn’t directly harm him.

But it seemed that jealousy was returning in this form.

Lightly raising her chin arrogantly, the princess looked at the desk.

“Hmph, so what are you writing? Money?”

He was just doodling to organize his thoughts, but it seemed she had seen it.

Eugene decided to keep a straight face.

After all, he couldn’t whine to the young princess to ask for grace, could he?

“Money is the most important thing. Even in this royal family right now.”

“Really? Is our salary small?”

“No, it’s big for me. But from my family’s perspective, it’s by no means a large sum. Also, my father is not in a position to inherit the family.”

Then the kind-hearted princess looked at the attendant Eugene with pity and asked.

“Is that so? We also have a national bond called the Lannotte Rent [a type of French government bond]. Should I give you that?”

“Pardon? Ah, no, Your Highness. I decline.”

“Hmph, I thought you were greedy, but you’re not?”

She wasn’t just feeling sorry for him, she was testing him in her own way.

Eugene smiled bitterly.

Was that what it meant to be royalty?

Thinking about it, seeing the French royal family was because of the mark of the [Silver Letter, a mysterious mark or symbol].

In a sense, the Silver Letter was a signpost that determined the crossroads of Eugene’s fate.

Was meeting this princess fate?

Shaking off his random thoughts, Eugene said.

“By the way, you’re surprisingly knowledgeable, Princess.”

Again, raising her chin, the princess replied in an arrogant tone.

“Hmph, I’m going to marry into another royal family. I need to know that much.”

At that moment, Eugene felt a stabbing pain in his heart.

“That’s right. You’re going to get married.”

Her body was still far from puberty.

Nevertheless, the moment he heard that the princess was going to marry someone, his heart ached.

It was even more so because he knew the princess’s original history future.

The princess would lose her parents, watch her younger sibling die, and have to marry against her will.

If things continued like this, Eugene would only be able to watch that fate unfold.

Just like Alexandre, Marie Thérèse too.

That’s when it happened.

“Oh, how about this? There’s something our royal family has trouble dealing with. It seems you can have it without being particularly greedy.”

“What is it?”

“The place where our attendant’s name originated?”

Young but truly precocious and lively, Marie Thérèse’s eyes sparkled.

“It’s American treasury bonds. How about it?”

At that moment, Eugene’s eyes widened.

Because he realized that something, a riddle, had been solved.

***

In 1788, the French royal family had too many unnecessary things.

“The princess said something absurd.”

A clergyman wearing glasses grumbled, as if Eugene was one of those things.

But in a sense, this person was someone Eugene had more difficulty dealing with than the princess.

The king’s chief advisor, equivalent to the prime minister in other countries.

It was Archbishop Loménie de Brienne, the minister in charge of the kingdom’s affairs and finances.

So why was he a difficult person for Eugene?

Because the real task of the king’s chief advisor and minister of state was to be the royal family’s chief steward.

In short, Archbishop Brienne was the general supervisor of the attendants.

Eugene politely opened his mouth in the chief advisor’s room.

“I apologize, Your Eminence. Her Highness the Princess was being a bit stubborn, so I had no choice but to come and see you.”

“Yes, well, it can’t be helped. Once Princess Marie Thérèse Charlotte becomes stubborn, no one can stop her. I don’t have time to indulge in such games right now. Or is it the opposite?”

“What do you mean?”

Brienne, the chief advisor, smiled bitterly.

“Soon, I’ll be fired. Because of a matter that’s a bit complicated for our gambling prodigy to understand.”

August 1788.

Brienne would be dismissed by the king at the end of this month.

The reason for the dismissal was the kingdom’s inability to pay its debts.

If wheat prices soared and corn disappeared from the market, the poor would starve.

There was a risk of riots due to starvation.

Brienne had been predicting this, as it had been repeated for several years.

He had also convened an assembly of nobles to try to collect more taxes, but it had failed.

Brienne glanced at the pile of documents on his desk over his glasses.

“Phew, it would be helpful if I could dispose of these national bonds, but there’s no hope.”

These were the bonds issued by ‘America,’ the former British colony that had recently gained independence in the New World.

They were certificates that the French royal family had no way of receiving.

Even if they could receive them, it would take at least 10 years to exchange them.

That was why Recamier said they were worthless to the royal family but valuable in the hands of a financier.

As Eugene stared at the certificates, Archbishop Brienne sighed.

“They don’t help with debt, and there’s no guarantee when we’ll be reimbursed.”

“The people of the New World are as cunning as the British.”

“Wasn’t your mother from the New World? Haha, anyway, that’s right. They just gave us a piece of paper to save face.”

During the New World, or American Revolutionary War, France not only sent troops.

They poured in massive supplies of weapons and military supplies.

Even now, they were suffering from the aftereffects of that, leading to financial ruin.

That’s when Eugene said.

“Your Eminence, if you’re going to be fired anyway, why don’t you entrust those to me?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It won’t be of great help to the finances. After all, the scale of the debt is too large to solve the debt problem with those.”

If Eugene’s memory was correct, the French government’s debt in this era exceeded 4 billion livres [French currency].

On the other hand, these bonds were worth at most tens of millions of livres, or dollars.

They couldn’t prevent the imminent national bankruptcy.

Nevertheless, what if even a portion of them could be converted into cash?

“But Your Eminence, those are enough bonds to create a slush fund for His Majesty the King.”

It was better to have a slush fund for the king than to throw away the paper altogether.

However, Archbishop Brienne had no idea how that was possible.

In fact, Archbishop Brienne was a rigid person who had failed to secure finances.

“Uh, how are you going to do it?”

Looking at Brienne, the honest but incompetent finance minister and chief advisor, Eugene smiled brightly.

“If you entrust them to me, I’ll show you the results before you’re fired. With the exchange of those $1 million bonds.”

Of course, there was no guarantee that he would succeed before he was fired.

But if he succeeded, at least Eugene would have funds in his hands.

Funds that would be the foundation for gaining power.

***

Who would buy national bonds in this era?

“Rich friends buy them. But I really didn’t expect you to bring this.”

Jacques Recamier’s mouth dropped open.

Clearly, the child in front of him was 7 years old, a young child.

He was grateful that he had saved his daughter, he had heard that he was good at card games, and he knew that he was precocious.

But he didn’t expect him to bring an American independence bond certificate.

Moreover, the question Eugene threw at him surprised Recamier even more.

“Isn’t this fake?”

It was clearly a formal bond certificate.

Moreover, it was a bond that the king’s chief advisor, Bishop Brienne, had.

Nevertheless, Eugene meticulously questioned the credibility of the bond.

“No, strictly speaking, the current United States, or the [American Federation, the government formed by the newly independent states], doesn’t have a real entity.”

“Why not? The Federal Congress was born last year, and they’re about to elect a leader called ‘President’.”

“They haven’t elected him yet. So the country called America doesn’t have a real entity.”

Eugene tilted his head, looking at the signature [George] Washington at the bottom of the bond certificate.

“Unless Washington becomes president next April.”

In fact, Eugene was just saying it because he knew.

As of 1788, there is no official U.S. Federal Government.

It had been five years since the 13 New World colonies and Great Britain signed an independence agreement in Paris in 1783.

Only the Federal Congress exists, and the president will be elected next year.

Of course, what Eugene just said is something that any knowledgeable intellectual would know.

Because it is well known even in France that the greatest hero of the Revolutionary War is Washington.

However, it is a different story if the person who says this is a child who is about to turn eight.

Recamier was newly impressed.

“That’s really amazing. Not even a financier, not even an adult, but he is aware of the international situation.”

“My father is a veteran of the New World War of Independence.”

“Humph, Alexandre is just a drunkard!”

Recamier got angry.

It seemed that he was angry because the debtor Alexandre kept running away from his debt.

Clearing his throat lightly, Recamier carefully lifted the [1 million dollar] bond.

“Yes, strictly speaking, this bond is a bond that the new Federal Government will approve in the future. Alexander Hamilton issued it.”

Alexander Hamilton, a man famous for musicals in a future timeline.

But in fact, this man is the brain who established the American financial system.

If Washington is the father of American independence, Hamilton is the father of American banknotes.

If it is a bond issued by Hamilton, it is not a complete scam.

Eugene smirked.

“In a word, it’s like Bongyi Kim Seon-dal’s schemes, or Mississippi Company stock.”

“Huh? Bongyi? Well, I don’t know what that is, but I can guarantee that this cannot be compared to Mississippi stock.”

“Why?”

Recamier pointed to Washington’s signature at the bottom of the bond.

“It’s George Washington’s signature.”

The [Mississippi Stock] that Eugene mentioned just now is a bubble incident that hit France in the early 18th century.

At that time, the Mississippi River area was still a French colony, New France.

An Englishman named John Law burst the bubble, saying that developing this place would bring enormous profits.

Believing in the bubble, the French poured 15,000 livres per share.

Of course, the bubble would eventually burst.

The Mississippi Company only suffered huge losses, the stock became waste paper, and John Law fled to England.

That is the Mississippi bubble incident that ruined the French economy in the early 18th century.

It’s amazing that the country hasn’t collapsed yet, even though it’s such a mess.

On the other hand, Washington’s signature is reliable.

At least more than John Law.

Recamier explained the story behind the signature.

“So, this is what happened. During the American Revolutionary War, the United States owed a lot of money to our France.”

“Didn’t you just give it away?”

“Even so, how could they not receive anything? Of course, there is a story that the money poured into war expenses is at least 2 billion livres.”

Eugene’s eyes almost popped out.

“2 billion livres?”

Of course, Eugene remembers that France’s debt is billions of livres.

But that is a debt that has been accumulated over decades.

However, he had no idea that nearly half of it was accumulated in one American war.

Recamier shrugged.

“So what? Anyway, this country now has a total debt of 4.5 billion livres.”

“It’s amazing that it’s not collapsing.”

“It’s barely holding on. I heard that Archbishop Brienne will declare bankruptcy soon.”

It is still the monarchy era.

The financial situation of the royal family and the government is a state secret, and it is not an era when it is reported in newspapers.

However, if you are a big banker, you will have information routes here and there.

Furthermore, in fact, Brienne’s predecessor, Chief Financial Minister Necker, was also a banker.

A big banker who even knows about the royal family’s bankruptcy, Recamier held up the bond again.

“But this is completely different. General Lafayette has made outstanding achievements, right? At that time, Alexander Hamilton presented it as a kind of commemorative gift. With George Washington’s signature.”

Touching the bond, Recamier’s eyes lit up.

“1 million dollars. According to the value that will be determined soon, it is 200,000 livres.”

“That’s a very small amount to pay off the national debt.”

“But it is also a large sum equivalent to the annual income of the President of the Paris High Court.”

Suddenly, Recamier licked his lips and said to Eugene.

“All I need is a rich man who can exchange this. Of course, he has to be an adventurous friend. I can’t think of any friends right now.”

On the other hand, Eugene had someone in mind from the moment he first received the bond.

A man who is rich, adventurous, and enjoys gambling.

There is one aristocrat who meets all these conditions in 1788.

***

Who is the kingdom’s top aristocrat?

“Recamier? Ah, I’ve heard of him. A banker who trades with the British East India Company. Our family also ‘trades’ occasionally. But?”

Usually, it would be the king’s two younger brothers, the Count of Provence or the Count of Artois.

Or you might think of the President of the High Court, who is called the core of the aristocratic forces.

However, neither is true.

The top aristocrat in the Kingdom of France is someone else.

Duke Louis Philippe d’Orléans, a relative of the king, looked at the decorative sword and replied.

The pattern engraved on the sword is strangely similar to the famous sword of the Beauharnais family.

In other words, it is a symbol of [Freemasonry].

In fact, there is nothing strange about it.

Because the Grand Master of French Freemasonry is the Duke of Orléans.

The Duke of Chartres, Louis Philippe’s eldest son, reported with a strange expression.

“Recamier brought something interesting to Father.”

“What is it?”

“They say it’s a national bond from the New World.”

The Duke of Orléans raised his eyebrows and smirked.

“That’s interesting, but I have a lot of debt.”

Originally, the Duke of Orléans likes new things.

New ideas, new technologies, new things.

The bonds of an independent country in the New World are quite interesting.

However, the Duke of Orléans, who has enormous wealth as the kingdom’s top aristocrat, is actually rich in debt.

The debt that must be repaid immediately is 74 million livres.

Of course, because he is such a great aristocrat, the creditors are extending the maturity on their own.

At that time, the Duke of Chartres said with a twinkle in his eye.

“He came with a gambling prodigy.”

Gambling prodigy, Eugene de Beauharnais.

That name moved the Duke of Orléans.

An unprecedentedly sudden appearance of a page in the royal family.

A win rate that is said to be 100% in the gambling scene of Parisian society.

But if you know it, Orléans, a rich man in debt, also likes gambling.

“Hmm, is that little kid the famous gambling prodigy?”

This is [Palais Royal], the palace of the Duke of Orléans.

A huge garden, numerous servants, and a splendid view can be seen below the window.

Contrary to what you might expect from a great aristocratic mansion, it is an open place, and celebrities invited by the Duke often come and go.

The best theater in Paris is also right next to the palace.

Moreover, Jacques Recamier is a major banker who also trades with the government.

The Duke had enough reason to meet.

However, the Duke was actually shining his eyes as he looked at Eugene.

Eugene bowed politely.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Heh heh heh! I heard that one of our cousins ​​was tricked by you, and one was indebted to you. Well, it was just a 1,000 livre game.”

“It’s an amount I can’t fathom.”

Looking at Eugene, who answered lightly, the Duke turned to Recamier.

“By the way, why did you come to my house, Recamier? Even bringing a gambling prodigy like this.”

It’s amazing, but anyway, Eugene is a child.

On the other hand, Recamier is one of the kingdom’s major bankers.

Some of the debt that the Duke owes is on Recamier’s bank books.

Could it be that he came to collect debt with the gambling prodigy in front?

Recamier smiled and replied.

“Your Highness, this humble banker has only come to introduce you.”

“Introduction?”

“Yes. Recently, this gambling prodigy wanted to exchange the [favor] he received from the royal family.”

As Eugene politely handed over the certificate, Recamier began to explain.

“It is a $1 million national bond.”

As Recamier recited the story behind the national bond, the Duke pondered.

During the American Revolutionary War, there were many criticisms that the French royal family did not receive anything in return.

In fact, the Duke was one of those who voiced that criticism.

Anyway, the Duke hates the current royal family.

That’s why he likes new things.

So he couldn’t help but be interested in the fact that they had received even this national bond.

“Hoo, such a history?”

“I want to exchange this. I think only Your Highness can do it in this kingdom.”

“What’s the reason? Surely, you’re not saying it’s because I’m a pushover.”

At that moment, Eugene opened his mouth.

“It’s the opposite. Because you are the only one who recognizes the value of this bond.”

The Duke raised his eyebrows.

Of course, he thought that the bond, the exchange, and the proposal were all led by Recamier.

But a child who was barely eight years old suddenly started talking.

Even if the Duke is famous for being an open-minded person, it is a bit presumptuous.

However, Eugene’s words were unusual, so the Duke decided to hear him out.

“I don’t know what that means. In fact, isn’t [dollar] also an undetermined value? A country without a government, a government without a king, a union without a history. You never know when things will change.”

“That doesn’t matter, Your Highness.”

“Why?”

At that moment, Eugene said something even more unexpected to the Duke of Orléans.

“You know the country is a mess, right?”

The Duke closed his mouth.

Of course, France is a mess right now.

The Duke, who lives in Paris and comes into contact with citizens, knows this to some extent.

It is different from the king and queen who live isolated in Versailles in southwestern Paris.

However, he never dreamed that a royal page, even a child, would mention this.

Of course, the next story Eugene brought up was even more unimaginable.

“I know you’re talking to subversives.”

“What?”

“I mean, subversives who dream of overthrowing this country. Like Mirabeau, Dumouriez, and Sieyès.”

At that moment, the Duke of Chartres, who was listening next to him, was startled and drew his sword.

-Clang!

A great sword aristocrat.

A great aristocrat who is qualified to carry a sword.

Of course, the Orléans family, a relative of the royal family with the right to inherit the throne, is qualified.

The Duke of Chartres’ sword was pointed at Eugene.

“Our gambling prodigy is saying very dangerous things. Perhaps, did you bet a [chip] to replace your life?”

However, Eugene did not even look at the sword, but only looked at the Duke of Orléans.

“It is Your Highness who is risking his life. So, you need this bond.”

The Duke of Orléans had to be newly shocked.

The Duke of Chartres, who was holding the sword, was so shaken that he almost accidentally stabbed Eugene in the neck.

How does this kid know that?

Does the royal family even know?

Eugene took a step back slightly, avoiding the tip of the sword and smiling brightly.

“As a precaution.”

It is a countermeasure against the failure of the attempt to depose the king.

***

Originally, the Orléans family eventually becomes the King of France in the original history.

“The United States is a new country, but it is also a good place.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? A new country is good. Besides, we lost New France too.”

“If you fail, where will you run away to? Do you like England?”

The four people sat on the sofa in a secret room.

Eugene and Recamier are no longer just ordinary visitors.

They are problematic figures who know the [ambition] of the Orléans family.

From the Duke’s perspective, these people must be dealt with in one of two ways.

Either bury them completely, or buy them off.

Of course, Eugene was confident that the Duke of Orléans, who dreams of becoming king, would negotiate.

In the original history, the Duke of Orléans never kills people directly.

Eugene smiled lightly.

“Of course, you’re not dreaming of a rebellion. What Your Highness is dreaming of is something else. Completely turning the world upside down. I think you are preparing for that time now.”

The Duke of Orléans closed his mouth.

The ‘subversives’ Eugene mentioned earlier are all leaders of the early French Revolution.

Mirabeau led the National Assembly in the early days of the revolution, Dumouriez commanded the battles in the early days of the revolution, and Sieyès created the theoretical foundation of the revolution.

Of course, they are all swept away by the wave of revolution.

That’s why Napoleon took power.

So what will happen to the Duke of Orléans, who is close to these subversives?

Same as Alexandre.

His head is cut off by the guillotine.

Knowing that fact, Eugene smiled brightly and said.

“But, if you run away to England at that time without a penny, it will be difficult, right?”

The Duke of Orléans does not know the future.

He does not know whether the revolution will happen, whether it will succeed, or whether it will lead to a catastrophe.

He cannot be sure of the world that will be turned upside down in just one year.

Therefore, while he has a feeling that something will happen, his heart is uneasy.

But the Duke of Orléans is a British [enthusiast].

If something happens, he will be thinking of running away to England.

What if he had money to spend when he ran away?

Eugene dropped an enticing story and held up the bond.

“On the contrary, this bond will be helpful at that time. In the United States, and also in England.”

“The United States is one thing, but what is England again?”

“Do you think the United States will not trade with its original suzerain, England? They are all Anglo-Saxons, Your Highness.”

Eugene was not lying.

The United States is actually trading with British financiers, merchants, and manufacturers.

Even [slaves] are being purchased using British merchant ships.

Only five years have passed since the end of the Revolutionary War, but money is transcending war.

“Wherever you go, French gold coins will be heavy, but this bond will be light. Also, if it is Duke, you will definitely find a way to exchange this.”

There are definitely several ways.

You can tell the newly established U.S. government to take responsibility.

You can threaten the new President Washington to exchange it if he doesn’t want to be a scammer.

Or, you can use diplomatic routes to exchange the bond for a formal bond.

Eugene, an individual page, cannot do it.

However, the Duke of Orléans, the first aristocrat of France, the second largest power in Europe in this era, can do it.

“What’s the price?”

He passed.

Eugene tried to hide his nervousness and smiled.

Now it’s the final race.

“50 percent.”

“What?”

“I think my advice is worth more than that. Nevertheless, I am only receiving half. Your Highness, whose annual income is well over 2 million livres.”

1 million dollars is 200,000 livres, so he is asking for 100,000 livres.

Will he refuse?

If so, all Eugene loses is time.

On the other hand, if he accepts this race, what Eugene will gain is truly great.

At that moment, the Duke of Orléans grinned.

“Okay. I like making good friends. I’ll buy the prodigy’s advice for 100,000 livres!”

Instantly, silver coins, 100,000 livres, were piled up.

-Clang!

100,000 livres.

It was the moment when Eugene acquired half a year’s income of the President of the Paris High Court.

Eugene’s first [power] was created.