Chapter 646 Trade Conflict
Kevin looked at the damage report and suddenly thought of a question: "You just said that a small town on the outskirts of Namur can mobilize more than 50 police?"< br>
Captain Pickering nodded: "Yes, Mr. Kevin. And they left more than 30 people at the police station as backup that day."
"There were so many people?" Kai Wen was greatly surprised. Even in the UK, there are at most twenty or thirty police officers in a police station in a small town like this.
Pickering spread his hands: "This is nothing. There are more than 800 police officers in Namur, and there are even more than 900 police officers in Mons.
"In addition to police officers, the police station in the Walloon region also has two positions: 'assistant guard' and 'service team'. We had always thought that the latter two were just odd jobs. After the failure of this operation, we discovered that in addition to having no uniforms, they Except for this, they are no different from regular police in other respects.”
Yes, for the sake of stability and control in Wallonia, Joseph has equipped this place with more than 6,000 police officers, who are to be used as an army. . But in order not to irritate the Flemish and Austrian governments, he changed the names of some police officers, resulting in only more than 1,300 police officers on the surface.
Kevin hurriedly asked: "So how many police officers are there in the entire Wallonia region? Or guys similar to police officers."
"There should be more than 4,000 people."
Pi Klin immediately narrowed his eyes: "The population of Wallonia is less than one million, but there are so many police...
"The training and maintenance costs for these police officers are a lot of money."
Captain Pickering continued: "And their reaction speed and shooting level are very high."
Kevin Nodding, he ordered: "You immediately start investigating the recruitment, training and funding information of the Walloon District police. My intuition tells me that this matter is definitely unusual."
The diplomatic system and the intelligence department have always had thousands of connections. Inextricably linked. Even in the 21st century, embassies of various countries abroad are actually offices of intelligence agencies.
As the assistant to the Foreign Secretary, Kevin has the authority to command some intelligence personnel.
One month later.
Prussia.
Potsdam.
In the room next to the ball hall of Sanssouci Palace, the British Foreign Secretary Lord Grenville rubbed his cane, looked at his assistant and said: "In other words, the French spent a lot of money to train for the Walloon District At least 5,000 policemen."
Kevin nodded: "These people are basically equipped with flintlock guns and have more than 1,000 horses.
"20% of their salaries are borne by the Walloon Chamber of Commerce, and the rest is paid directly by Paris."
Grenville's mind was very flexible, and he immediately thought of the key: "So, France in Wallonia What interests does the Long District have that require such a large investment? "
"According to my investigation, the Walloon Chamber of Commerce and the local council there are almost all controlled by the French."< br>
“Please tell me the conclusion directly.”
Kevin took a breath and said: “Although I have not obtained definite evidence, it is very likely that the French Industrial Development Fund bought the tile Nearly one-third of the coal mines in the Long Island area are owned, and the rest are basically controlled by French companies-even though those coal mines still belong to a certain Southern Netherlands mine owner.
"Including those iron smelting plants or coal washing plants, they should all be invested by the French."
Lord Grenville's eyes flashed, and he didn't know what he was thinking: "This is the reason why this plan failed. ?"
Kevin hurriedly said: "I'm not making excuses for my failure..." "No, I don't want to blame you." Grenville suddenly smiled, "Actually, you. The intelligence gives us more space and means to display."
He patted his assistant on the shoulder: "It is a more elegant and effective method than relying solely on incitement and violence."
< br>“What do you mean?”
Grenville turned and returned to the ball hall: "The young and energetic new emperor in Vienna, as far as I know, is very impulsive and easily suggestible. He will probably not like the current situation in the Southern Netherlands."
…
Paris.
Versailles, Hall of Peace.
Earl Rheinfels pressed his hands hard on the table and said loudly: "At present, the seriously unbalanced trade situation is absolutely unacceptable to our country!
"His Majesty the Emperor has graciously stated that he will not pursue France's behavior of occupying most of the South German market, but the tariffs in the Austrian market must be increased to ensure equal trade between the two countries.
"In addition, for France For steel and chemical products, the access system needs to be re-established. "
French Trade Minister Bailly immediately pushed the copy of the "Rhine-Seine Treaty" in front of the Austrians and said expressionlessly: "It has only been two years since the treaty was signed, and our country does not believe that there have been any changes. necessary. With all due respect, what your country should do now is to improve its industry and reduce costs, rather than pushing all problems to the trade agreement. ”
Bai’s diplomatic experience is still not rich enough. When the other party makes unreasonable troubles, he directly pushes back. It’s just that Talleyrand, who is best at dealing with this kind of situation, went to the Ottomans, and then it was left to him to handle the matter. .
At the request of Francis II, Count Rheinfels showed as strong a attitude as possible: "No, this is a matter of agreement.
"The cost of French steel products is nearly 35% lower than that of our country. Obviously you have concealed the true situation of the industry in order to obtain a lower tariff rate.
"As for chemicals, furniture, etc., after signing the contract Your industry in this area was barely established at that time, so it should be determined that the previous tariffs were set without basis.
“This all needs to be renegotiated.”
Bay actually got permission from the Crown Prince to increase Austria’s tariffs appropriately. After all, France has a relatively large industrial advantage. The impact on trade would not be too great if it were raised a little.
But at the moment, the Austrian Foreign Minister's attitude is aggressive, and it is obvious that it cannot be dismissed by improving a little.
In addition, the other party also mentioned "commodity access," which means that French steel and chemical products cannot be sold in Austria without special approval from the Austrian government.
There is no need to talk about this at all.
Bay also firmly rejected Earl Rheinfels' request and waited for the other party to soften his attitude before bargaining.
Unexpectedly, the Austrians immediately said: "Then I must remind you that if our country's trade needs cannot be met, we will unite with the countries in the Italian region to impose punitive tariffs on French products."
At this moment, a diplomatic official walked into the Peace Hall quietly and whispered a few words in Bayi's ear.
The latter immediately frowned and looked at Count Rheinfels. Austria actually mobilized 30,000 troops and held military exercises in Tuscany. This is obviously to add leverage to the renegotiation of the trade agreement.
(End of this chapter)