Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 967 - 875: The Crown Prince and the Little Intelligence Officer

Chapter 967: Chapter 875: The Crown Prince and the Little Intelligence Officer

Western New District, Paris.

The former Royal Hunting Palace, now headquarters of the Intelligence Bureau, Fouche’s calm gaze swept across the subordinates before him:

"So, no one brought me good news today?"

The Crown Prince had given him a week to find out the mastermind behind the speculation against the franc, and today was already the third day, yet there was still no clue.

Blanche, head of Action Group Three, mumbled:

"Director, those applying to exchange gold have very clean backgrounds... We’ve arrested a few people inciting citizens to exchange gold, but we can’t get anything out of them, you know, those lawyers are a real nuisance..."

Fouche’s gaze turned cold, looking at the advisor responsible for the financial sector: "Mr. Scott, what is the total amount now applying for gold exchange?"

"14 million francs, Director. This is the data from the Bank of France Reserve, other banks should have three to four million as well."

Fouche suddenly grabbed Blanche by the collar, roaring:

"18 million francs! Enough to buy three Louvre palaces with money to spare! Such a large sum, did it grow out of the ground?!"

Prosper of Action Group One muttered: "Director, we started by looking into the source of funds. But the initial funds didn’t go through any bank nor come from factories or large investors..."

Such a large flow of money is impossible not to leave traces. Anyone or company in France with over a million francs has already been recorded by the Intelligence Bureau, if their money moved, it would quickly be found out here.

Fouche pounded the table with his fist, his knuckles bleeding instantly: "Or do you want to tell me a wizard conjured up 18 million?

"Investigate illegal organizations! Also, contact the Official Investigation Bureau to see if there’s any embezzlement or misuse!"

Scott, the financial advisor, suddenly thought of something, cautiously: "Director, speaking of huge amounts of banknotes, I do remember a possibility."

"Speak up!"

"Back during the second phase of negotiations for the Seine-Rhine River Agreement, our country provided large loans to some Southern German States."

Fouche’s eyes lit up: "How much?"

"The specific amount might need to be asked from the Finance Minister..."

Two days later.

The capital of Wurttemberg, Stuttgart, in the middle section of the Rhine River in the German states.

In the spacious hall of the Royal Palace, Württemberg Crown Prince Lucivide Eugen stammered to the French officer in front of him:

"Captain Pelie, I assure you I can make clear the usage of the loans...

"However, you know that the accounts are very complex and organizing them will take some time. Perhaps a month, no, in 20 days you can come back?"

Pelie smiled indifferently, his demeanor seemed as if he were the royalty, and the over sixty-year-old Crown Prince before him just an ordinary merchant: "No need to trouble you, I will check the accounts myself with my people."

"No, no, this will disrupt the normal operations of the bank," Lucivide Eugen said urgently, "I assure you, you’ll get a satisfactory answer in a week’s time."

"I have limited time." Captain Pelie stood up, putting on his hat, "You now have two choices. Either authorize me to review your national financial accounts. Or, let General Massena’s army handle this matter. They are about, hmm, less than a hundred kilometers from here."

The Württemberg Crown Prince’s temple immediately began to sweat coldly.

Massena’s defeat of over a hundred thousand allied forces in Luxembourg had long been the nightmare of all the German states.

Although recently the French Government reiterated repeatedly that Massena’s army came to punish "the evil Austrian invaders and their accomplice Bavaria" and would never threaten "the German states coerced by Austria".

But who would dare to guarantee such a thing?

After the French Army crossed the Rhine, they would only need to turn north briefly, and in two days could reach Stuttgart.

After all, this concerns tens of millions of francs.

The French soldiers would certainly not refuse to make the trip.

By then, Wurttemberg likely would also become "an accomplice of Austria".

Lucivide Eugen gulped down saliva, bowing to the French Intelligence Bureau officer: "Alright, I understand, I will have Mr. Arnold come. He is responsible for the loans."

Two hours later, special financial advisor Arnold of Wurttemberg handed a stack of documents to Pelie, nervously explaining:

"This 2.2 million francs were used for purchasing French fertilizers, sugar, and other goods... These 150,000 francs are for investing in quarrying... Lastly, these two agreements are with a gentleman named Banks, who loaned 7 million francs from Stuttgart Bank. He, he specifically requested banknotes..."

Pelie glanced at him, pulling out the agreement at the bottom, his gaze immediately sharpened.

Loan amount of 7 million francs, term of six months, interest of 12.5%. Early repayment can reduce interest.

"Who is he?" Pelie shook the file in his hand.

"I, I only know he is a timber merchant."

The French agent sneered: "Do you take me for a fool? Would the Frankfurt Bank dare lend 7 million francs to an unknown businessman? Speak! Who is this person really?"

Beside him, Lucivide Eugen spoke with difficulty: "Captain Pelie, he was recommended by the British consul in Stuttgart..."

Palace of Versailles.

Joseph glanced sideways at Fouche, his face gloomy: "You actually sent people to threaten the royal palaces of Wurttemberg, Augsburg and other states!

"Do you realize how big a diplomatic storm this could cause?"

He picked up the report in front of him and slammed it heavily on the table again.

Stabilizing the German states, making them as distant as possible from Austria, was his established strategy.

Yet Fouche sent agents to intimidate them, declaring that Massena’s army would march into their capitals, just to investigate that loan.

Fouche deeply lowered his head, saying, "I am truly very sorry, Your Highness. But they indeed have issues, I feared that secret investigation would be too late..."

Joseph exhaled, picking up the report again: "Please tell me about your findings."

"Yes, Your Highness." Fouche immediately said, "All clues point to England. They obtained 28 million francs in banknotes from Wurttemberg, Augsburg, Upper Hesse, and other states by offering high interest rates.

"You know, previously our country was at war with the Holy Rome, and these states believed the war would last long, so they all accepted the British transactions."

Joseph frowned slightly. Previously, France divided in two batches provided 33 million francs in loans to the countries of the Seine-Rhine River Agreement, all in banknotes, and unexpectedly over 80% of them became "ammunition" for the British to speculate against the franc.

He looked at the investigation report.

The British promised an interest rate of 12.5% to Wurttemberg, 13% to Augsburg, and as high as 16% to Hesse.

You know, this is only a six-month interest rate, if converted to an annual rate, it would amount to 25% to 36%!