"Dear Ambassador, I want to know why the amount of the Franc loan this year has dropped? And the interest rate has increased by 0.5 percentage points. This is inconsistent with what we agreed last year." Russian Minister of Finance Witt raised his own questions after meeting with French ambassador to Russia Jean Sanchez.

"Do you really don't know the reason? Dear Minister of Finance, the controller of the ruble, Mr. Witt?" Earl Sanchez smiled slightly and poured a glass of wine for Witt and sent it to the other side.

"This is a matter of the Navy and has little to do with us. What's more, the two sides are just a normal trade connection. The Germans buy our food, and our purchase of their warships is a means to balance the trade between the two sides. This matter should not be criticized, and we still order shipbuilding equipment from your country." Witt thought for a while and said.

"This matter does not have much to do with you, but the French government believes that it is very untolerable for your country to use our loan to purchase weapons from the French enemies. If you use Mark, we will not say a word, but the words of francs will make our government very unhappy." Earl Sanchez said without hesitation.

"If this is the case, you are interfering in Russia's internal affairs! His Majesty the Tsar will not accept this threat! And your actions will inevitably lead to the empire's counterattack and revenge! As you said, we can obtain this loan from Germany to purchase German warships. If things really come to this point, then I think the matter behind this is definitely not something you can bear. I will give you a chance to take back what I said just now." Witt responded without hesitation, Who is Russia? The current European road roller! France and Germany are still at a disadvantage in confrontation, and they have to rely on Russia. How could Russia surrender to the threat of France?

"Germany is also our friend. For the sake of Russia's strength, they have provided a large amount of valuable materials and technology. So if you and the French government behind you try to change the status quo with a little money, then you'd better give up this unrealistic idea." It seemed that the momentum just now was not enough, and Witt emphasized again.

"If the French government asked not to offend the German government, but to a certain force in Germany, can your government accept it?" Sanchez quickly seized a loophole in Witt's language and said.

"Are you talking about Bavaria?" Witt quickly thought of who the other party was referring to as a force within Germany. It is better to say that the arms business between Russia and Germany are the arms business between Russia and Bavaria. The two Russian-class armored cruisers constitute more than 70% of the arms transaction between the two sides, and the rest is Russia purchasing armor, rapid-fire cannons and semi-automatic rifles from Bavaria.

"Yes, of course, we are not asking all transactions between your country and the Kingdom of Bavaria to be cut off. Just two armored cruisers will give up," Sanchez said.

"That's impossible! The Empire has paid 400,000 pounds of funds for these two armored cruisers. If the contract is broken, then all the funds will be wasted!" Witt flatly rejected.

"It doesn't matter, we will repay this fund! The loan of an additional 300 million francs is only half the interest we agreed on before! And your country's navy orders are handed over to us and we sell them at a fair price! I promise that the profit point of the French shipyard will not exceed 5%! And this is only the first batch. If the relationship between our two countries can be further improved, the amount of this special loan will increase and the conditions will be relaxed!" Sanchez threw out his killer weapon.

"Is this good for your country? From my point of view, you will waste a lot of money." Witt's face changed slightly. I have to say that he was really a little moved by this plan. From the Russian economic perspective, French loans and low interest rates are more useful than 400,000 pounds! 300 million francs! Just interest is enough to make up for the price of 400,000 pounds. 1 pound is about 25 francs, and 300 million francs is about 12 million pounds. According to the current interest rate cut of halving, it can be reduced by about 4%. Russia can still have a slight surplus.

And the key is that Russia is now carrying out large-scale military expansion and infrastructure construction, and requires a lot of funds to purchase equipment. This amount of funds will definitely be of great significance to Russia's plan, such as the expansion of shipyards, the fortification of the Far East and the Siberian Railway, which are all of them great benefits. Of course, as the Minister of Finance, this loan will also give Witt a greater say in front of the Tsar.

"Is it good? How to say this? Simple monetary interests can no longer meet France's needs. Do you think Russia can one day repay all the franc loans? We give your country money, and your country should become friends of France!" Although Sanchez's statement is obscure, the meaning is self-evident. French loans have become the pillar of the Russian economy. We control your money. Do you want to be close to Germany? Have you ever asked France?

"I think this is a more threatening and provocative than what you said just now! If what you said today is spread outside, this plan will definitely be ruined." Witt was very unhappy, but he must admit that the French did seize the pain of Russia! The Russians are not afraid of war. This great power has proved in the Napoleon era that it would not be defeated by military pressure. But as this ambassador said, the Russians' economy does have weaknesses. In 1890, Russia's loans to France had reached billions of francs! If we want to pay it off, Witt himself would not believe it!

The French aimed to control Russia with money. Although this plane is not as close as history for some reasons, Russia and France are not as close as history, but the dependence on money between the two sides is still very high. The French seemingly harming others and not being selfish actually plays a major political role. France must prevent Russia and Germany from getting closer. And this time it is targeting Bavaria, not Germany. As a kingdom, although this plane has been well done, Bavaria still does not have the ability to fight the French! As for Prussia? There seems to be no possibility of taking over.

"This is very difficult, very difficult." Witt wanted to do it, but he had to admit that it was very stressful. He was unwilling to face the pressure of the Admiralty alone.

"You are not fighting alone! Your foreign minister Robanov is also very interested in this matter. The Navy's Rozjestervinsky believes that battleships are more useful than large cruisers." The French ambassador said with a smile. The French naturally knew that it was difficult to rely on a minister of the finance department to make the business worth nearly 2 million pounds go away. Since France can afford to pay 300 million francs, then naturally there will be no shortage of bribing senior officials. Witt is the third one! The reward given to him is 500,000 francs!
Chapter completed!