บท 202: Chapter 203: The Possibility of Establishing a Nation
"To tell you the truth, our Emperor is currently troubled due to a lack of funds. If you can bring a large sum of money, I believe he will definitely open his doors to you," Roland said with a smile.
As the saying goes, "A penny can stump a hero." This principle applies even to Emperor Napoleon. According to Roland, Napoleon has been scratching his head quite a bit lately due to financial constraints.
"Is that so? I understand. Thank you very much for providing us with this information. I will send someone to contact the Emperor soon. Thank you for telling me," Otto said, after briefly contemplating Roland's words. Otto chose to believe Roland because his words were logical and well-founded.
Otto had been wondering why Napoleon suddenly took an interest in mineral resources. It turned out that it was because the French government was experiencing financial difficulties.
"Alright, let's now shift the topic to ourselves. You mentioned giving me the mineral resources. I think it's not very appropriate because I don't have the strength to control these resources at the moment. So, how about we form a joint venture?" Roland suggested.
"A joint venture?" Otto was somewhat surprised.
"That's right! This portion of the mineral resources will be jointly managed by you and me. Aren't you worried that the Emperor might forcefully nationalize your assets? I'll handle that part. As for you..."
Roland thought for a moment and said, "First, you need to provide me with a large number of management talents. I want to establish my own industry, but I don't know how to manage it, nor do I have suitable people to help me, so I need your assistance. Of course, I need real talents; you can't just send anyone to fool me."
"That's not a problem. We can provide you with top-notch management talents. After all, when it comes to business, no one can surpass us Rothschilds," Otto promised confidently.
"Second, you mentioned providing me with ten million in aid. I think that's a bit low. I demand an increase," Roland stated.
Otto had never thought that ten million alone would make Roland agree to their demands. Ten million was just their initial offer, not their bottom line. So he asked, "How much do you think is appropriate?"
Roland held up three fingers and said, "Thirty million francs, and it should be thirty million annually."
"What?" Otto exclaimed. Thirty million annually, if as Roland said, would amount to three hundred million in ten years and thirty billion in a hundred years. Although they certainly wouldn't live that long, it was still an enormous sum.
He thought Roland was deliberately making things difficult for him and angrily said, "Your Highness, don't you think you're asking for too much? If we follow your request, it would be like handing over our entire Jewish community to you. I have every reason to doubt your sincerity."
Roland laughed and said, "Mr. Otto, please don't be angry. I think you misunderstood me. How could I be that kind of person? As the saying goes, 'To gain great benefits, you must make great sacrifices.' The reason I made such a demand is that I will provide you with additional assistance."
"What kind of assistance?" Otto asked in confusion.
"Why have your Jewish people been migrating for over a thousand years? Haven't you ever thought about finding a place to settle down, or even establishing a nation of your own?" Roland said calmly.
Although Roland's tone was calm, the implication of his words was as impactful as a bombshell. Anyone who knows history would understand this.
The Jewish people have been wandering for thousands of years, and having a homeland of their own has always been a dream for all Jews. This dream has persisted for millennia, during which countless Jews have strived for this goal, even sacrificing their lives. It was only in the 1950s that they achieved this dream with the help of Americans.
But in the current era, the United States is far from being the superpower it would become later. It had just recently been founded, and if it were not so far from Europe, any country could send an army to wipe them out.
So, the Jews of this time don't have the kind of backing they would have later; they can only rely on themselves.
By bringing up this idea now, Roland wasn't afraid that the Jews wouldn't join his cause. As long as they still harbored the desire to establish their own country, they would not hesitate to bring out their money.
"Do you think we want to leave our homeland and wander? We had no choice. If we had stayed in Jerusalem, the Arabs would have slaughtered us all. By that time, there might not have been any Jews left in the world. As for establishing a country, we do want to, but the world has already been carved up by various nations. We don't have enough strength. Unless we establish our country on the ocean," Otto said helplessly, his tone filled with a deep sense of sorrow. This sorrow was felt by all Jews in the present era.
Otto was lamenting to Roland, but as he spoke, he suddenly paused. His eyes locked onto Roland as he realized something. He knew Roland wouldn't say such things for no reason.
"Could he mean…?" Otto couldn't dare to continue imagining. He just stared at Roland with wide eyes, unable to say a word.
Roland could tell from Otto's excited expression that he had already guessed why he was being asked such questions.
Thus, Roland couldn't help but marvel at how easy it was to converse with intelligent people! At the same time, Roland realized that the fish had taken the bait. He continued, "Oh, so that's the reason. There's nothing to be done about it. I feel sorry for your tragic experiences. A resilient people like yours shouldn't be subjected to such treatment."
Roland deliberately made a show of helplessness and sympathy, his expression twisted as if he truly felt their pain. He guessed that even the best actors of later generations couldn't perform as convincingly as he was now. Roland even thought that if he went into acting in the future, he might bring home an Oscar.
Otto swallowed hard, trying to calm himself. Then he said, "Your Highness, do you mean you can help us establish a nation?"
Otto looked at Roland with an urgent expression.
But Roland understood the art of playing hard to get. So he shrugged and said, "I never said that. Besides, I don't have that kind of authority."
But who was Otto? To lead the Rothschilds to such great heights, he had to be as cunning as a fox.
Otto smiled and said, "You may not have that power now, but it doesn't mean you won't in the future. Investments are all about long-term returns, aren't they?"
The conversations between intelligent people often aren't solved with words alone. The difference between them and the foolish is their ability to understand the unspoken implications. So, the two, having understood each other, shared a knowing smile.
After a while, Otto asked, "So, what are your thoughts? Can you tell me?"
"Of course," Roland said. "Here's what I'm thinking: After I gain significant power, I might be able to carve out a piece of land in French-controlled territories for you to establish your nation. But the land would be leased to you, and the rent might be quite high. However, after you establish your nation, I would station troops to protect you, though the cost of the stationed troops would be on you. Naturally, the French army wouldn't always be stationed in your country. I would also help you train your own army, but again, you would need to cover the training costs."
"Of course, of course, I am willing, I am willing," Otto shouted, becoming extremely excited upon hearing Roland's conditions.
He seemed to already see a new Jewish nation rising. Although Roland had warned him that the rent might be expensive, it seemed insignificant compared to the realization of their long-held dream.
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