Kapitel 887: Chapter 150: Snatching Grain

The tense international situation not only drove up prices, but also affected international trade, with nearly all countries experiencing a decline in trade volume.

France and Austria, especially at the epicenter of the storm, suffered the heaviest losses. Companies engaging in international trade between France and Austria were busy collecting accounts receivable and no longer accepting reservations, insisting on cash transactions.

There was no helping it, for no one knew when the war would break out. Once war ensued, one could not expect the adversary to make payments.

Contracts were useless in these conditions; the destructive power of war was astonishing. Even if one were victorious, the opponent would have no money to pay the balance; and if defeated, it was even worse—there was never a case where the victor paid the loser.

This was true for nations as well as businesses. A ceasefire agreement could erase all previous debts.