Flowers, Swords and France

When these businessmen heard that Miss Treville's conditions were just that, they all felt relieved. Compared to what they were worried about, the requirements put forward by the Minister or Baron de Bovan were much more relaxed.

This cannot be said to be short-sighted, because in this era, although the industrial revolution is in full swing, it has not yet developed to the stage of penetrating into all aspects of society. Various industrial and commercial monopoly organizations have not yet developed, and even the scale of the industrial system is still in its infancy. They certainly don't know that there will be various trusts, cartels, and conglomerates, etc., which are the organizational forms of capital and industry.

And what Charles and Baron de Bovan want to accomplish is exactly a conglomerate organization. This organization is centered on all the financial institutions under the baron, and railway-related production and operation enterprises are vassals. By absorbing social capital and exclusive financing, it builds a closed corporate organization.

According to the proposed conditions, this time Baron de Bovan will invest a large amount of his capital in the enterprises he has opened up, which will certainly solve their current difficulties, but in the future, they will have to go through the Baron's men when they need financing, which will bring an inevitable result - they will become more and more dependent on a single financial institution in their operations, and finally become inseparable from it.

Although their ownership and management rights of the enterprise will not be interfered with, they will eventually consciously or unconsciously become part of this huge organization and will never be able to break free.

In today's environment, the primary idea of ​​these entrepreneurs is to survive the coming winter. Even if they are worried, they have no time to think about things many years later, and as long as they can get stable support and financing, they don't care whether they will become a member of a business organization. Even for them, being able to rely on a business organization to gain competitive advantages and even monopoly over other industry competitors is a great thing that they can't ask for.

Therefore, Charles and the Baron's actions cannot be regarded as deception and coercion. They just took the lead and used Charles' power and influence and other conditions to grab the first land. Even if they don't do it, someone will do it in the next generation.

When the meeting reached this point, Fran had laid out all her cards. Relying on her control of the atmosphere, she did not face any more doubts or objections. Now she just needed someone to set a direct example.

"Ms. Treville, I think I can accept this condition." Eugene Schneider, in accordance with the previous agreement, finally stood up after a pretentious thought. "Since he is so generous in supporting us, it is not excessive for the baron to propose such a condition. After all, bankers are not doing charity. They have to find ways to make profits for themselves... However, the conditions should also be mutual. Since the baron requires us to borrow money from him in the future, when his loan financing is not timely, I think we can also seek other help. We can only recognize his priority... There is no reason to wait, don't you think?"

"I think... you are right." Fran replied after a moment of silence.

"Of course, we won't ask for too much and deliberately embarrass him by asking for financing that exceeds our needs. We will review the rationality of each loan through industry organizations, and then hand it over to the Minister for judgment, and then formally propose the loan after the Minister's permission." Eugene Schneider continued with a meaningful tone, "These loans must be taken care of by the Baron. If he cannot take care of them, and the Minister judges that his ability is not enough to support the railway industry of the empire, then... I think the Minister is qualified to let others take on this glorious mission."

"Yes, the Minister's opinion is the final decision!" Some people heard the deep meaning in Eugene Schneider's words and immediately agreed. "The signing and implementation of the agreement must be decided by the Minister!"

These businessmen certainly understood that Eugene Schneider's meaning was actually that in the future, the Minister could abolish this agreement on the grounds of "unable to bear the loan demand", allowing these businessmen to freely borrow money from other places. Such a backdoor was of course very popular with them and immediately received a warm response.

There is no doubt that Eugene Schneider's request was not something he suddenly thought of, but was proposed at this point in time after Charles's instruction, so he dared to express his position in this way.

Charles's goal is to use his own power and the wealth of Baron de Bovan to form a closed interest group in this industry, and truly make this industry the inherent territory of the Treville family.

One cannot exercise power alone, and a person must have enough auxiliary forces to consolidate his power. Originally, Charles wanted to spend some time to slowly select and support auxiliary forces, but when he found out that his daughter became the heir of Baron de Bovan, he felt that he could speed up this step appropriately.

However, blood relationship cannot completely replace interests after all. Although he and the Baron have become a community of interests because of Lianna, they still have different positions after all, so Charles still chooses to take precautions when cooperating. He wants to join a He could stop the clause at any time, and although Baron de Beauvain was a little dissatisfied, he finally agreed to Charles's request - after all, Charles had opened the door for him to fully intervene in the railway industry, allowing him to get the dream of Benefit.

So after several negotiations, they finally reached a compromise and consensus behind the scenes, and then split up to achieve their respective goals.

Because of Eugene Schneider's status, and under his constant shouting and deliberate inducement, these entrepreneurs finally reached agreements one by one according to the conditions he proposed, just as Charles hoped.

The legal advisers who had been waiting in the next room for a long time were immediately called over and drafted an agreement on this matter. These people also signed their names. Of course they did not know that they were involved. During the birth of the world's first monopoly organization, they only knew that they had avoided the terrible losses that were about to happen, and had gained a stable financial source and a big backer in the future, which meant that they would usher in an unprecedented development opportunities.

And their following finally allowed Charles's vision to be initially realized. He could finally use his political status to realize his power and regard the empire's railway industry as his personal territory.

Suddenly I got a piece of bad news, and suddenly I got a solution to the bad news. Today's experience is a wonderful experience for everyone. Everyone has a feeling of being dragged to the edge of the cliff and then dragged back. .

The experience of narrowly escaping death made them emotionally high, and they even talked a lot more, but at this time Fran no longer had the interest to continue talking to them.

The waitresses were called in and cleared away the tables, chairs and coffee. Then Fran stood up and bowed to these people, "I'm sorry to disturb you for so long. I have other things to do next." So I have to say goodbye to you all, and I ask for your forgiveness.”

Then, she smiled again, "Many of you are from other provinces. I believe they are usually very busy and don't have time to come to the capital. So in the next few days, you can have a good time here and then go back... Your Excellency, Minister We will provide you with all the conveniences. I hope you can enjoy a comfortable holiday here.”

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for your hospitality." Eugene Schneider immediately picked up the words tactfully, "Thank you very much for your hard work, Miss Treville."

"Then, goodbye..." Fran's smile remained unchanged, and then she left here with Mary amidst the farewells of others.

What may happen next in this place is indeed not suitable for their presence.

As soon as she went out, the smile on Fran's face finally disappeared, and then her whole body relaxed. Fortunately, she was supported by Mary next to her, which prevented her from falling to the ground.

"Mary, thank God, nothing went wrong after all... You don't know how panicked I was just now. I was afraid that I would mess up the situation and ruin my brother's big event."

Obviously, she was not as calm as she appeared just now, but rather anxious. Now that she could get the result she wanted, she was relieved.

"With so many arrangements in advance, how could something go wrong? Our spies are everywhere! Besides, even if you don't persuade them, sir, you will still have a way to torment them one by one and make them submit." Mary didn't agree. "Since Sir dares to put you up here as a fledgling, of course there will be no other precautions."

In her opinion, Ciel's decision to let Fran host this meeting was just to get her used to this kind of scene.

"I know, but even so, I can't help but worry!" Fran's mind slowly calmed down, and then she stood up straight again, "I'm worried that others will laugh at me because I can't stand on stage, which will embarrass my husband."

"Don't be so unsure of yourself. Didn't you do a good job?" Mary supported her and led her towards the hall. "I think your performance is quite good. It simply exceeded my expectations." Besides, you are such a good apprentice."

"You didn't say that on purpose to compliment me, right?" Fran didn't seem to believe it.

Seeing her looking forward to the compliment but worrying that the compliment did not come from her heart, Mary couldn't help but smile and said, "What a silly kid!"

"That's great..." Fran patted her chest gently, "I finally lived up to my trust."

She was indeed very happy, because she finally used her own efforts to prove that she was indeed qualified to be her brother's assistant - for her, this was the greatest affirmation.

"Okay, don't talk about this. We should relax now." After walking into the hall, Mary changed the topic. "How about a drink? Let's celebrate your successful debut."

"Then have a drink." Although she usually doesn't like drinking, Fran really didn't mind celebrating her victory at this time.

But her face turned slightly red immediately, "But let's not drink here anymore, let's leave quickly!"

She knew the nature of this place very well, so she naturally knew what the group of people would do after they had enough food and drink. Even thinking about it made her feel scared, and she just wanted to leave this terrible place that was destined to become a place of indulgence and pleasure as soon as possible.

"What's there to be afraid of? It's just that little thing, isn't it?" Compared to Fran's shyness, Mary, who had already experienced it, was much more open-minded, and even laughed and teased her friend, "It's as if you don't want to come earlier."

"That's enough!" Fran couldn't help but push the other party.

Then the two of them joked with each other and left here. Only at this time could they put down the masks in front of others and open their hearts a little, just like ordinary friends.

"I don't know what he is doing now?" When Fran was about to get on the carriage, she suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky.

She was looking forward to it at first, but soon she complained bitterly, "In Fontainebleau - I guess it must be very happy."

However, her guess did not come true. Charles did not go to have fun with the ladies in Fontainebleau.

It was her cousin Philip who did this.

Philip was originally a playboy, so his social circle was naturally very wide. In addition, he had a superior family background, so he was always very popular in the social circle. The future duke was always regarded as the most outstanding young man and was favored.

Since he came here, he has been trying to flirt with the ladies he had contacted in the past, and pursued the pleasure of sex with them with great enthusiasm. The huge blow before not only did not wear down his enthusiasm for pleasure, but gave him extra motivation, as if he wanted to vent the resentment accumulated in his heart in this way.

The original text is in the six # 9 @book/bar!

Almost every night he would sneak out and have a tryst with those women who had been flirting with him for a long time, and find a place to gallop around. After they said goodbye to each other tenderly, it was already early in the morning when they returned to their rooms.

What surprised Philip was that every time he got up at noon or in the afternoon, he would find his cousin Charles staying in his room, dealing with letters from all directions, as if these endless official and personal affairs had consumed all his time.

After a few days of this situation, he finally couldn't stand it anymore.

This afternoon, after breakfast (which was lunch for others), he went directly to Charles' room.

"Charles, you... do you spend every day like this?" He pointed to the documents and letters on Charles' desk.

"I have to deal with these every afternoon. After all, there are too many affairs in the department, and many things must be signed and approved by me." Charles answered immediately, "However, in the morning and evening, I will go out for a walk. I think the air here is very attractive to me..."

"Then do you... do you have any other entertainment activities besides walking?" Philip asked carefully. "Like... that?"

Charles was stunned for a moment before he understood what the other party meant, and then he immediately shook his head. "No."

"Charles..." Philip looked at Charles in disbelief, even with some pity in his eyes. "Has the official business tortured you so much? I don't think other ministers are like you..."

Why do you think it's so strange that I didn't go out to have an affair? Charles couldn't help but want to ask.

But he still didn't ask.

"Is it bad for me to be loyal to Charlotte?" he asked back.

"It's good, but...you don't have to do this, right? After all, relaxing your body and mind is not a betrayal." Philip couldn't help shaking his head, obviously not agreeing with Charles's approach, "Think about it, you are still so young and you have already held power. I don't know how many people are thinking about you. Don't you want to relax yourself in some comfortable ways?"

After a pause, he added, "Besides, you are not such a conservative person, right?"

It sounds like he is simply instigating himself to have an affair. This is my brother-in-law. Charles was a little speechless for a while.

However, for a Frenchman, or an aristocrat, this is not surprising.

"You... you seem to want me to have a secret affair?" Charles threw away the paper and pen in his hand, and then looked at the other party curiously, "Philip, what's wrong?"

"No... no, I definitely don't mean that." Philip was a little embarrassed, and waved his hand quickly, and then he immediately explained himself, "I just saw that you are too tired, and I think you should take a break and relax..."

Charles understood that the other party must have something else in his words, and it might be for someone else.

"If I want to relax, it's not easy to find someone now." He deliberately tried.

"Who said there is no one? Charles, I just said that you have many admirers, some of whom are very beautiful." Philip immediately followed up, "It's just that you have always refused to respond to their expectations."

"Like who?" Charles asked calmly. "Has anyone told you this?"

When Charles asked this, Philip immediately felt a little happy.

"Of course there is. For example, there is a young lady I met the day before yesterday. Her surname seems to be De Periette... She really wants to meet you, and it seems that she is fascinated by you and admires you very much." Philip's face He showed a strange smile and said, "This lady is very good-looking, and her speech and behavior are very artistic. I think she should be more to your liking..."

He noticed that Ciel's expression suddenly changed.

"Charles, isn't that a good thing that you have admirers? I don't have such admirers... I can't give up in vain." He encouraged his cousin with a hint of envy, as if he wanted him to have sex, " Charlotte is indeed a good wife, but sometimes you should too, especially now that you're busy with business and she's pregnant, right?"

He wanted to please Ciel, and this method had been proven to be the best since ancient times, so of course he wanted to try it.

However, he didn't know that this man was an old acquaintance of Charles.

What is the deep meaning behind her sudden request to see me?

"Well, please help me make arrangements for me to meet that...that Miss de Periette." After hesitating for a long time, Charles finally said.

"Put it on me!" Seeing that Charles agreed, Phillip had an expression of 'I understand you' and immediately made a guarantee, "Just wait for the good news, Charles." (~^~)