Chapter 9

Napoleon's Genius Son - Chapter 8 (9/547)

(8) On the Eve of the Revolution, the Safe is in England

Gold coins, if left alone, are just rolling pieces of metal.

"100,000 livres, quite a sum. What will you do with it?"

A large sum of money can overthrow a country.

A small sum can solve the hunger of the day.

What about a moderate amount?

Eugene smiled at the excited Recamier and said, "We need to invest."

It is less than a year before the Great Revolution.

100,000 livres is a large sum, but it's difficult to do anything with just this.

Even if a revolution happens, silver coins won't become worthless.

However, it's obvious that their value will plummet due to inflation.

Revolutions are times of chaos.

Wealth is important in times of chaos.

But this alone is insufficient, so we need to scale up.

Suddenly, Recamier's eyes sparkled, unlike his age.

"Where? Perhaps our Recamier Bank?"

"Mr. Recamier, get a grip. The kingdom is on the brink of bankruptcy. How can you invest in France? Besides, this money was given by the Duke of Orleans to invest in America."

"Hmm, then what kind of investment do you have in mind? Perhaps reinvest in America?"

Of course, in the future, the ultimate winner is America.

The problem is that it's 200 years later.

In the long term, everyone dies.

Considering the impending revolution, Eugene shook his head.

"That seems like a very long-term investment. The situation is such that a bankruptcy declaration could come tomorrow. If we are to invest, it should be abroad. Close, where we can withdraw money at any time, and where business is well-managed."

"Is there such a country now? The entire Europe is in a recession. You're still young, so you might not know."

"Why not? It's right next to us."

Eugene slightly raised his finger and pointed west.

"England."

Recamier, who had been quite surprised until now, was even more surprised and opened his eyes wide.

"England is France's enemy, isn't it?"

"It's been a while since the war ended. Besides, after the American War of Independence, even British financiers are in a slight decline. Now is the time to invest. The Indian market, the best market for Britain, is still intact."

"Hmm, that sounds plausible. I've invested in the French East India Company, but I can't keep up with the British East India Company."

The Seven Years' War was 25 years ago.

The American War of Independence was 5 years ago.

They are always competitors, but the 18th century Europe is an era where trade happens even between enemy countries.

Recamier has a line of investment in England.

Then, who would be the best?

Of course, the future winner.

Eugene's eyes sparkled.

"Please invest in Baring Brothers. I think they will accept it. Now is the time."

Baring Brothers Bank.

In the original history, it became famous for going bankrupt due to a rogue employee's derivative investments.

However, at the end of the 18th century, it is on the verge of becoming the world's largest bank.

The famous Rothschild family was second to the Baring family.

The turning point is the French Revolution.

So, it is now a promising bank in a growth phase, akin to a high-speed growth venture company in modern times.

Recamier nodded in admiration.

"Wow, where did you hear that? They should be fine. They have branches in the New World and collaborators in Amsterdam. If needed, they can bring funds from the Netherlands."

"Will you do it? I'll pay the commission."

"Sure. Then, I'll take the commission in another form."

Suddenly, Recamier looked at Eugene seriously.

"Protect Julie's future."

This time, it was Eugene's turn to be surprised.

"I'm only 7 years old?"

"No, no! I don't plan to marry Julie to you! Not to a dissolute son like Alexandre!"

"Oh, I see. Then what?"

It's a bit of a grievance.

Unlike Alexandre, Eugene is not a womanizer even in the original history.

Julie, on the other hand, is known as one of the most beautiful and romantic women in Paris.

But Recamier, who has a strong bias due to his father's behavior, never considered Eugene as a son-in-law.

Of course, legally, Recamier has no relation to Julie.

Recamier looked at the 100,000 livres in silver and said,

"You will really succeed. Especially in such turbulent times, a prodigy like you is more likely to succeed."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"If you succeed and remember today's help, Julie will be safe, won't she?"

Eugene's eyes widened.

It's as if he could see the future.

In fact, 'Madame Recamier', that is, Julie, had an unhappy old age.

Why?

Because she fell out with Napoleon and was exiled from France.

For Recamier, it's a request to save her life if a rebellion breaks out in France.

Eugene nodded.

"I promise. When I succeed, Julie will be safe."

Recamier smiled.

"Good. Then, shall we start a transaction with the Baring Brothers?"

It was the moment Eugene reached out to the future top bankers of England through Recamier's mediation.

***

September 1788, it is originally the season of harvest.

-Whoosh!

But Paris was burning.

At the end of August, the royal government finally declared a national payment crisis.

The price of wheat soared, the people were restless, and riots broke out everywhere.

The discontented Parisians also rose up.

In short, a 'riot' broke out.

"Smash everything! Give us bread!"

"I'm hungry! How long do you expect us to live like this?"

"Execute Brienne and Lamoignon!"

The King's chief advisor and finance minister, Charles de Brienne.

The second-in-command of the government and Minister of Justice, Guillaume Chrétien de Lamoignon.

Both held key positions in the current government but resigned to take responsibility.

Now, the people are determined to kill them.

"Burn them!"

Suddenly, a gentleman in a hat, who had been listening to the chaos outside the second floor of a café, turned to Eugene.

"Wow, France is really intense. Isn't it, young prodigy friend?"

Clearly different from French nobles in attire.

Closer to modern suits, a casual outfit.

It's what gentlemen in London wore at the end of the 18th century.

Eugene smiled at the English gentleman, Francis Baring.

"There's no choice. The country is on the brink of bankruptcy. Mr. Baring."

"You're about 8 years old? Really precocious. Huh, I've heard your name is famous in Parisian high society."

"I just helped with the card games of royal officials."

Eugene glanced to the side.

"This money was also obtained that way."

There, Hippolyte Charles was nervously guarding the money.

100,000 livres.

Tightly bundled in a sack to avoid drawing attention, but if the rioters outside knew, they would surely seize it.

Still, Eugene had to come to this dangerous place.

Because a real big shot was coming to Paris.

Francis Baring, the founder of Baring's Bank.

Along with his brother, John Baring, he founded the bank, officially named [Baring Brothers' Bank].

However, the actual business and the famous Baring's Bank of the future were established by Francis.

He has already invested in the American New World War and amassed a huge fortune.

Even though Britain lost the war, Francis made money.

Suddenly, Francis tilted his head.

"That's not the kind of funds you can obtain through such patronage. 100,000 livres, I heard from Mr. Recamier. You sold American bonds to the Duke of Orleans, who hasn't even been born yet?"

"It was good luck. Thanks to the generosity of the Duke of Orleans."

"Do you have more American bonds?"

The adventurous banker who would dominate the era, Francis, had a strange glint in his eye.

"I might really sell them to America in the future. I want to take our bank's commission for that."

Usually, such proposals are often scams.

But Eugene knows that Francis, if he were to be scammed, would not be the type to scam others.

All the famous politicians of the time trusted Francis.

Francis repaid their trust to all, including Pitt, Fox, and even Napoleon of France.

So, it's rather strange.

It's not a scam, so why is he offering such a risky deal?

The American bonds are actually bonds of a government that hasn't even been born yet.

Eugene's eyes widened with interest.

"Indeed, you see the potential in the New World."

"Of course. Moreover, I think it's a good idea to invest in a promising prodigy from France."

"Me? I'm just a bit precocious and have a talent for gambling."

Francis Baring laughed heartily.

"Haha! I love card games too. In fact, our family's rise to this point is due to a series of gambles. But gambling isn't just about luck! It's about brains!"

Outside, it was chaotic.

The tall English gentleman's hearty laugh drew the attention of the café patrons, who were nervously looking outside.

But Francis was bold, even in a foreign country and a potential enemy's territory.

After all, in the original history, Baring's Bank was always bold.

Until it eventually fell behind the Rothschilds.

Francis, the founder of the bank, which still had 30 years to reach its peak, had a glint in his eye.

"I mean, while everyone is pulling out from the New World, I continued to invest. Now, I've even come to this unstable France. Why?"

"I wonder? Do you like risks?"

"Exactly! Risks, adventures! Risks!"

Francis shouted with genuine excitement.

"A little profit should be avoided. But to make a huge fortune, you have to take a big risk. A very big risk!"

It's a true statement.

Especially if the person you're dealing with is a major banker like Recamier, it's even more true.

The problem is that while Recamier mediated, Francis' actual counterpart is Eugene, a boy just turning 8.

To take a risk, there's no other way to explain it.

Eugene knows this type very well.

In other words, a person just like Eugene.

A gambler.

"An almost bankrupt country, and a young genius entrusting his money to me. Isn't this a risk worth taking?"

"Why?"

"It's simple!"

This time, Francis lowered his voice.

"If France falls, these bonds will be eagerly bought by the French nobility."

Eugene's eyes widened.

To