Make France Great Again-Chapter 175 Creating Panic

Jerome Bonaparte and Emile Pereire discussed the company’s operations and equity structure for nearly half an hour before finalizing the tone.

The bank financed by Emile Pereire would invest 2 million francs to acquire a state-owned arms company in Paris. Jerome Bonaparte, in return, would hold 51% of the shares through technological investment, thereby becoming the company’s absolute controlling shareholder, while the company’s operations would be managed by Jewish professional managers.

In terms of company operations, Jews were undoubtedly top figures in all of France, even all of Europe. Jerome Bonaparte was also not worried that the company would be seized by the Jews, as Jews in this era were still a persecuted group.

Just knowing the pamphlets in Paris that vilified Jews, Jerome Bonaparte knew of at least 10, some of which were indeed because of Jewish bankers, but most were from fellow bankers in Paris, who attributed all faults to Jewish bankers and rallied them to remove the so-called "vampires" clinging to France.

Due to the Second Republic’s France still being considered the number one land army in Europe (in France’s self-view), the class and ethnic tensions were not intense, as the great power’s vanity could still be maintained, and many of the petty bourgeoisie in Paris did not join the anti-Semitic ranks.

When the Second Empire collapsed, and France’s great nation vanity was shattered by Prussia’s cannons, the class contradictions were fully exposed, and those ill-intentioned bankers, together with some Royalist Party members, concocted the lie that France was controlled by Jews.

Guided by the Dreyfus Affair, France launched an anti-Semitic movement, and German and French board members in the Bank of France took the opportunity to act against bankers of Jewish descent.

In that incident, Jewish bankers suffered heavy losses and were nearly excluded from the power center of the Bank of France.

In the anti-Semitic backdrop, Jerome Bonaparte was not at all worried about being betrayed by the Jews; whatever an Austrian madman could do 90 years later, he could also do.

In the 20th century, the massacre of Jews might be a crime, but in the 19th century, there was no punishment for slaughtering Jews.

The actions of colonizers in the colonies during this period were even more severe than those of the Third Reich in the 20th century.

On the surface, this transaction seemed like a big loss for Emile Pereire, having invested over 2 million francs without even acquiring the company’s shares.

However, in Emile Pereire’s mind, the account was not settled that way. He saw gaining the Monarch’s friendship for 2 million francs as a hugely profitable bargain.

The newly established company would not be attached under Jerome Bonaparte either. Maintaining a clean image externally was a self-cultivation of a President. He could not let the members of the Legislative Assembly catch him holding too much power, so the main shareholder was a white glove prepared by Jerome Bonaparte.

After dealing with private matters, Jerome Bonaparte turned to talk with Emile Pereire about "official business": "Mr. Emil, I will soon hold a grand military parade in Paris!"

Emile Pereire was slightly taken aback and complimented, "That is indeed wonderful! France indeed needs an inspiring military parade!"

"But..." Jerome Bonaparte revealed a disappointed expression, his tone becoming gloomy, "The Legislative Assembly does not understand my good intentions. They think I’m wasting taxpayers’ money to satisfy personal desires! What they don’t realize is, if France cannot show its strength to the outside world, those countries will turn into beasts and tear France apart. For them, a French Republic is a heresy and also an object to be eradicated!"

"You are absolutely right!" Emile Pereire continued to compliment, "A country without strength will not be respected by other nations. We must show France’s strength to the outside world, only then will they fear us."

"I’ve been thinking..." Jerome Bonaparte acted hesitantly, "If the Legislative Assembly vetoes the parade, could we not find some funds from somewhere else?"

Emile Pereire then understood Jerome Bonaparte’s intention.

Having already spent 2 million francs, Emile Pereire didn’t mind spending more.

"Mr. President, our Pereire Family is willing to help you!" Emile Pereire said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"How can that be! I’ve already troubled you enough!" Jerome Bonaparte still put on a resistant face. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

"Mr. President, consider it a small contribution from a faithful patriot for France!" Emile Pereire hurriedly declared, using patriotism as his premise to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. Emil, I really didn’t see you wrongly! You are a true patriot!" Jerome Bonaparte gave a thumbs up to Emile Pereire, then continued, "However, we shouldn’t let a patriot always incur expenses! The gentlemen of Paris should also be eager to donate their part out of love!"

"Mr. President, do you mean?" Emile Pereire quickly asked.

"Mr. Emil, in the coming period, I will invite Paris’s gentlemen from all sectors to the Elysee Palace! At that time, I need your cooperation..." Jerome Bonaparte revealed his plan to Emile Pereire.

Emile Pereire’s expression was slightly surprised; he did not expect the President to raise funds in such a way.

"After the matter is settled, the money you donated will be returned in full! The remaining funds will be used for the parade expenses!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled at Emile Pereire.

"Mr. President, I willingly contribute to the defense construction of France!" Emile Pereire quickly expressed his position, no longer daring to take the money back.

"Then I thank you on behalf of the soldiers of France for your generosity!" Jerome Bonaparte resumed his serious expression, making it difficult for Emile Pereire to guess what was on his mind: "By the way, Mr. Emil, please pay attention to the recent railway bonds!"

"Hmm?" Emile Pereire heard the underlying message in Jerome Bonaparte’s words.

Emile Pereire’s guess aligned with what Jerome Bonaparte said next, as Jerome Bonaparte said meaningfully, "There may be significant fluctuations in railway bonds!"

Railway fluctuations!

Emile Pereire realized that this was a moneymaking opportunity given by the President. Each fluctuation could lead to a significant rise or fall in stocks; while the rise and fall of capital markets are uncontrollable factors, the artificial rises and falls are controllable. As long as bankers can accurately "predict" the fluctuations of bonds, they can determine whether to increase holdings or sell short.

In the Paris Stock Exchange, accurate information can often increase a bank’s assets by millions or even tens of millions.

After the 1848 revolution, some heavily damaged bankers used information leaked from the government to extensively acquire low-priced national bonds thrown by Parisians, and then sold them at their original prices after the revolution stabilized. This buy-low, sell-high tactic not only prevented loss but increased their assets, while the small bourgeoisie of Paris became their perfect scapegoat.

"I understand!" Emile Pereire nodded to show his understanding, deciding that if he made money this time, he would give the majority of the earnings to Jerome Bonaparte to thank the President for the information provided.

The two then discussed the construction situation of the Paris railway.

As night fell, at Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation, Emile Pereire dined together with the President in the restaurant.

After the meal, Jerome Bonaparte ordered someone to send Emile Pereire back.

To alleviate his sudden inner melancholy, Jerome Bonaparte, accompanied by Percy, headed to the riverside along the Seine River at night.

Moonlight reflected off the shimmering Seine River, giving it extraordinary tranquility.

The banks of the Seine River at night were still dotted with starlight, ships moored there, and boxes of valuables were boarded and sent via inland waterways to Calais, from where they were transferred to the rest of the world.

"Percy, have we already taken control of the entire Paris newspaper scene!" Jerome Bonaparte, bearing Percy, looked out over the endlessly stretching Seine River waters, spoke calmly.

"Thanks to your blessing, we have direct or indirect control over most of the Paris newspapers! The entire Paris newspaper scene is already under your control!" Percy humbly replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"What about the reputation? How is the reputation of the newspapers we control?" Jerome Bonaparte asked again.

Percy hesitated for a moment, then reorganized his words, "Some are good, some are bad! But most of the reviews are pretty decent!"

"I need you to spread some messages that can cause chaos in Paris!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Percy.

In Paris, the most valuable thing is news, and the cheapest is also news.

A correct message can make money, while a wrong message can also lead to bankruptcy.

"Do you mean to spread some fake news?" Percy cautiously asked Jerome Bonaparte.

"Exactly! Some fake news! For example, a possible revolution in the southern city of Lyon, plans for another uprising by the Reds, and Prince Juannville possibly returning to France to overthrow the Republic..." Jerome Bonaparte listed many benefits to Percy, then encouraged him, "Don’t fear the authenticity of the news, our goal is to plunge all of Paris into panic!"

Nobody knows the crisis brought by rumors better than Jerome Bonaparte.

Even if officials personally step in to dispel rumors in later generations, many people still believe in their own judgment, thinking only that the government is intentionally covering up.

Ultimately, it’s a problem of government credibility, and the credibility of the French Republic is likely even worse than in later generations.

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