His Excellency the Count of Grandet

In the minds of Europeans, when the United States is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the New World.

Although it has been about 300 years since Columbus's expedition, based on certain stubborn impressions of the New World-remote, poor, chaotic-unless you can't get along in Europe (such as bankruptcy, murder, etc.), otherwise few One would think of going to America.Except for some daring entrepreneurs; but they don't want to live there unless they have to.

To put it simply, the feeling of most Europeans towards America is almost like a god looking at a mortal, with a sense of superiority that has already surpassed the sky.

But of course, most of them didn't include Shire.He knew that, long before Columbus's expedition, there were already tens of millions of aborigines in America; the so-called New World was only for Europeans.

But in any case, these are not the directions he wants to focus on——

Timber, cotton, coal!These abundant and cheap natural materials are the most attractive thing on the rich American continent!

"You move pretty fast."

When Victor said this to Charles, the two of them were staying together in a long container below the deck.As the waves rose and fell, so did the entire steamboat, and a low and pleasant sound of liquid slapping the wall came out from the neatly arranged wine barrels, and a faint aroma of wine overflowed.

The steamer was part of a convoy that was heading south across the Atlantic.Because of the large number of members of the inspection team, there are not a few people who brought things like Shire; coupled with the retinue, the scale can be called mighty.

"Time is money." Charles said succinctly.With his right hand resting on the wine barrel on one side, he stroked gently along the lines on it: "Finally caught up."

Victor understood exactly what Charles meant.Whatever you do, pay attention to the right time, place and people; let alone the first two points, the last point must be on your own.And it must be mentioned that their wines really have the capital to open up the situation——

Not everything can be highly praised by the president of the United States and treated like a treasure!

This is why the first-growth wines are so attractive to Shire—otherwise, where can Shire find so many top wines and make sure they can get them out at any time?

"Although Jefferson has stepped down, we will always have someone else." Victor said with certainty, smelling the aroma of the wine.

Because he knew that what they brought this time was not only wine, but also other things.But of course other more attractive chips will not be thrown out at the beginning-no one will throw their cards before sitting at the negotiating table.

"Exactly." Charles agreed. "Besides, these wines are not given away for free." He smiled, and the curve of the corner of his mouth could just see a little bit of teeth inside.

In Victor's eyes, this smile felt like a kitten scratching his heart, itching.There was no one around, he took action unceremoniously - kissed the back of Charles' head hard. "It's all Michelle's fault," he complained, his voice muffled by certain movements, "otherwise you wouldn't need to spend time in Bordeaux."

Although Charles felt that the First Growths were definitely not a waste of time, he did not intend to refute Victor.Because both of them are normal men, they are young and middle-aged, and they are not some abstinent saints; they haven't seen each other for a month, and it's really nothing to kiss and touch.In fact, he intends to kiss back, but at least after they finish their business. "Since you have persuaded His Majesty, has the American side already taken care of it?"

Victor figured out Charles' attitude from his performance. "You know, after fighting with the British, they also began to focus on domestic manufacturing," he said, and his hand on the back of Shire's head gradually slipped, "but it's not satisfactory. The British I have always hoped to monopolize the American market, and for this I will not hesitate to lose money and sell.” At this time, the unruly hand had slipped over Charles’ waist, and it was dangerously hovering around his crotch, “Now the two sides are competing Woolen cloth--"

Charles thinks that Victor's skill is also amazing - while speaking very serious things, he is doing very unscrupulous things, but the expression on his face is still upright.But Victor didn't say anything, so he pretended not to notice. "Then?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Acquiescence was tantamount to encouragement, and Victor indulged his hand into the hem of Charles' jacket. "Then," he dragged his voice deliberately, "the British are the major exporters to the Americas, so let them pinch them first. Anyway, for us, the only thing we care about for the time being is tariffs. Crops, can we find better buyers than us?"

They have technological advantages, and their profit margins are larger than other similar products; in this way, the acceptable raw material prices are higher than those of their peers, and their competitive advantages are immediately reflected.Even against Britain, which now has absolute hegemony, they are not so afraid!

The hands on the back were already approaching certain sensitive areas, but there was only a slight change in the curvature of the eyebrows in Shire's performance. "It sounds like you have already negotiated with the manor owner in the south and the import and export businessman in the north?"

"I have the intention," Victor replied, stretching out his fingers to explore, "but how to do it, of course, we have to meet and discuss."

This action made Charles fall forward uncontrollably, and the distance between the two people who were originally facing each other became closer. "So that's my thing?"

"Isn't it always your business?" Victor asked exaggeratedly. "I thought we had reached a consensus - when I gave you the money order book, it was already your business! In other words, you have been hiring the president of the National Chamber of Commerce to work for you for the past two years !"

"I can't afford a big-name employee like you," Ciel replied, feeling the hand move skillfully over his skin.Although he seldom asks for anything actively, there must be normal physiological reactions; Victor is teasing in every possible way at this time, and he can't restrain his slight fever. "I can't pay you."

"Others can't, but you can." Victor's answer was as full of hints as his actions.

Charles laughed.But compared to usual, this smile is less polite and polite, but more other, unspeakable things. "I was thinking," he said, poking Victor's muscular waist through his clothes with one hand, "is the reward you want, is I to untie your belt now?"

Although he has been trying his best to maintain his expression, it is really difficult for Victor to say no at this time.Because both of them knew that it was only a matter of time before they rolled into bed, and it was only a matter of time.And now, Charles's actions, tone, and content...

It's killing me!Why did he fall in love with such a person and eat him to death!

Probably to prove that the timing is still wrong, God let the two people who were about to embrace each other hear the sound of someone coming down the deck at this time.The friction between the hard soles of leather boots and the wooden stairs was impossible to ignore.

The visitor quickly walked to the edge of the warehouse where the wine barrels were stacked, and stopped when he found someone inside.

"So you are really here," Ferdinand said, looking around at Charles and Victor, "Have you not finished talking about the wine? Everyone is waiting for you to go up to the meeting."

"No, we're done talking, it's just that the situation has spread to the Northern Free State." Victor replied, his face calm as usual.But only he himself knows that he has the heart to kill now——

Why on earth did he promise the Duke of Orleans to bring his eldest son out to the world!

You don't have to doubt when you see this, this is the anger after a good thing is interrupted, and there is no logic at all.

Charles turned slightly sideways, which well concealed the hem of his clothes that he hadn't had time to straighten. "Sorry, Your Excellency, I forgot the time. Let's go up with you now!" He gestured to Ferdinand to go first.

Although the situation seemed normal, Ferdinand always felt that the atmosphere was a little weird.Charles' cheeks were a little red, and it could be said that he had been drinking.However, although Victor has a famous black face, his eyes today are like poisoned knives, whizzing blue light. Is this really normal?

The answer is of course not normal.

Originally, on that day, the Atlantic Ocean was sunny and sunny, and the steamboat with a newly replaced engine was also moving fast.Everything is going well, everyone in the inspection team feels that this is a good sign for a good start to the trip to the United States, and even the mood from the captain to the sailors is good——

But Victor's face ruined it all.This is not to say that Victor is being unreasonable, but just looking at that face makes people feel more stressed: If Victor’s previous expression made the atmosphere so stiff that there was nothing to say, today’s expression makes people think Take the initiative to hand over the wallet——

Who owed money to the head of the delegation?Hurry up and take the initiative to pay back, okay? Don't make everyone die together!

Later in the day, the ocean picked up a little wind.The first officer informed the past one by one, telling all passengers not to go on the deck and not to walk around.When it was his turn to tell Victor, he was terrified.But unlike everyone else's reaction, Viktor seemed more than happy to be in the room, and told people to never disturb him.

The next morning, the weather was fine again, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.What made them even happier was that Victor's bad mood seemed to be blown away by the wind, and it was as bright as the sun on the sea.An open-air luncheon on deck was proposed, and this was unanimously received; unfortunately, Charles, a little seasick, was absent.

"Looks like the waves were too big last night!" someone said.

"It's possible." Victor said nonchalantly, and asked the attendant to deliver a meal to Charles who was resting in bed.It's unprecedented for him to be so openly considerate of others, and it seems to confirm the conclusion that he is in a good mood; but the real reason is intriguing...