Chapter 166 Marat is dying

Jefferson's work efficiency is still quite high.

Early the next morning, he submitted a bill to the U.S. Congress to join forces with France to eradicate the Barbary pirates.

The purchase of two frigates is also attached. However, the article only mentioned it briefly, as if it had no intention of getting it passed by parliament.

Two days later, the French Embassy in the United States.

The ambassador to the United States, Victor Dupont—the eldest son of the president of the French Chamber of Commerce—quickly walked into an office on the second floor of the embassy and raised his hat to the special envoy who was sitting by the window reading:

"Archbishop Talleyrand, the news I just learned from the U.S. Congress..."

He picked up the water glass brought by the servant and took a few sips, then continued, "Currently, most U.S. congressmen support spending money to combat piracy, but they want to reduce the amount to US$150,000. As for buying warships, they seem to lack Enthusiasm. As for the final vote, it may have to wait until next week."

"Thank you for your information, Mr. Dupont."

Talleyrand closed the book indifferently and thought to himself: As the crown prince expected, it is not that easy for these poor and stingy Americans to pay. It seems that we have to find that "American founding member" congressman. What is his name?

He took out a notebook from his pocket, where he wrote down the prince's previous instructions in detail.

"Hamilton." He found the name and looked up at Dupont. "Could you please help me make an appointment with Mr. Alexander Hamilton?"

"Of course, Archbishop Talleyrand."

That afternoon, in a private villa in Philadelphia, Talleyrand met Hamilton, the leader of the "founding faction" as the crown prince called him, as he wished.

Yes, the United States gained independence in 1783. Five years have passed, but the United States still has not established a country. The so-called federal parliament is only a symbolic leader. Specific affairs are decided independently by the parliaments of the thirteen states, basically in a state of anarchy.

The legislators from the thirteen states are also divided into two factions-the founding faction and the status quo faction. Although the United States has formulated a constitution last year and determined the general direction of founding the country, the latter is still trying its best to obstruct this process.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Talleyrand suddenly sighed and said seriously: "Mr. Hamilton, to be honest, I really feel sorry for the United States."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"The people of the thirteen states paid a huge price and finally won the great independence. However, the United States is still in disarray, without even a government to lead the country."

Hamilton was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "You are absolutely right!

"Those congressmen only care about their own immediate interests, but they slander those who want to build the United States to engage in 'centralization' and 'dictatorship'! Look, the current federal parliament does not even have the power to collect any taxes."

Talleyrand echoed: "The loose and weak thirteen states have no deterrent effect, so even the pirates in the Mediterranean dare to bully you.

"If this continues, it won't be long before Indians, Canadians, or Caribbean pirates come to take advantage of you."

Hamilton clenched his fists hard: "But those guys in the federal parliament are always preaching about the 'dangers of centralization'... I think they are just afraid that their power in the state parliament will be weakened.

“If it weren’t for the Shays’ riot that scared them, the United States would still be a confederacy [Note 1]!

"Look at the world, all powerful countries have a strong government. It's better to have a strong leader, like..."

The words "His Majesty the King of France" came to his lips, but he really couldn't say such a clumsy lie. He paused briefly and changed it to:

"Just like Britain, France, and Austria. If the United States now has a king, it won't be long before we can get rid of our current state of poverty and backwardness!"

Talleyrand spread his hands: "Unfortunately, the United States Federal Congress still needs to strengthen its appeal before it can give birth to your government."

He looked at the angry Hamilton with a smile in his eyes; "Only when facing a powerful enemy can internal unity be brought about.

"Speaking of which, there is an opportunity right now to enhance the prestige of the Federal Parliament, but it's a pity that your members don't care about it."

"Oh? What you mean?"

"Buy a battleship and join the French Navy in fighting Barbary pirates!"

Seeing Hamilton's confused look, Talleyrand immediately said: "The battleships purchased belong to the Federal Parliament.

"You can imagine that after the pirates were eradicated, the headlines in the American newspapers were 'The French helped us deal with the pirates' or 'Our warships went to the Mediterranean to exterminate the pirates'. Which one was more likely to boost the American people's attitude toward the pirates?" Confidence in the Federal Parliament?”

Hamilton's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this. That's right! An external victory is definitely the best way to enhance national cohesion, even if the opponent is just a pirate.

Those stupid and short-sighted congressmen actually wanted to veto the bill to purchase warships in the past two days!

No! You must buy warships. This is a good opportunity to promote the establishment of the U.S. government. It is best to buy a few more warships so that the U.S. warships can sink a pirate ship.

When he thought about buying a ship, he suddenly felt discouraged: "Archbishop Talleyrand, to be honest with you, the Federal Parliament may not be able to allocate tens of thousands of dollars for two frigates."

When a merchant ship was hijacked by pirates, the states would pool their money to redeem the crew, but they were unwilling to pay an extra cent for the federal parliament in normal times.

"Well..." Talleyrand pretended to think for a while, "Maybe I can help you think of a solution."

"Oh? You mean, can you provide a loan?"

"That's not the case." Talleyrand leaned back in his chair, "I can try to persuade the French government to accept you exchanging cotton for warships.

"But you know, if the funding for combating piracy is not handled well, it will not be easy for me to speak for you."

When Hamilton heard that he could get battleships for free, he immediately said without hesitation: "Don't worry, I will contact all Federalists to get the bill passed as soon as possible."

"That's best."

Talleyrand said, and put on a mysterious expression: "If I can help the United States obtain lower cotton import tariffs, I wonder if you would be interested?"

"Of course!" Hamilton nodded immediately. Cotton is an important export commodity of the United States. If exports to France can be expanded, it will bring a lot of benefits.

Talleyrand smiled: "But this thing is not easy. You see, I have to work hard to clear a lot of human relationships..."

"This shouldn't embarrass you. How much does it cost?"

"Well, it's about $4,000." Talleyrand smiled brightly.

In fact, whether it is using cotton to pay for shipping or increasing the import of American cotton, it is Joseph's established policy - to promote the development of the textile industry, the supply of raw materials must be sufficient. But at this time, it became the card in Talleyrand's hand.

But Hamilton agreed: "According to the conditions you mentioned, Archbishop Talleyrand. I will apply for special funding immediately."

With Hamilton and the active efforts of the "Federalists", or what Joseph called the "Foundationists," all bills related to combating piracy were passed within three days.

Even at the insistence of Hamilton and others, the Federal Congress finally decided to exchange cotton for three frigates.

After Talleyrand signed a series of agreements with Jefferson, he received his own US$4,000 in benefits and boarded the ship to Russia with satisfaction.

In the cabin, 15,000 Charleville 1763 flintlock muskets were also installed.

The Americans took out these guns very quickly. After all, they laid off tens of thousands of militiamen after independence, and a large number of firearms were idle in warehouses. It was nothing to repay the French's favor.

Lorraine, France.

Thule city.

"Oh, is this the so-called exile?"

Marat looked at the endless manor and the off-white villa like a small castle with disgust, and mocked: "It would be great if all the poor people in France could be exiled like this."

He disliked dealing with bureaucrats the most in his life, but for the sake of the French people, he stepped forward resolutely and rang the bell on the fence gate.

Not long after, in an off-white villa, an aristocratic man in his fifties with well-maintained skin smiled and gestured to Mara: "It's cold, please drink some hot cocoa to warm yourself up.

"Oh, I have been away from Paris for so long that I have never heard of the Impartial Investigation Department. Please forgive me.

"I wonder what's the matter with you coming all the way to see me?"

Mara glanced at the cup in front of him but did not move. Compared to the sticky cocoa, he preferred the pure bitter taste of coffee that can shock the brain.

"Viscount Carlonne, can you give me some clues about Mr. Jacques Necker's corruption?"

Carlona was obviously stunned for a moment, then continued to enjoy his hot cocoa, and said calmly: "I'm not sure what you mean, but Mr. Necker should be an upright person..."

"You don't need to hide it." Marla took out a stack of paper and placed it next to the teacup tray, "This is a copy of the documents when he was the steward.

"Many of the loans were strange. Especially the first loan after he took office, the interest rate was obviously too high, and the bank that accepted it had a special relationship with him.

"And this and this..."

Kalona glanced at the documents, shook his head and said: "I have been away from politics for too long, and I can no longer understand these things.

"Since you think there is something wrong here, just keep investigating. Why did you come to tell me?"

As he spoke, he looked at the servant at the door with a strong face and some German characteristics: "Fred, what's the matter?"

"Oh, Mr. Marvin asked me to ask you, what are you preparing for dinner?"

Kalona waved his hand: "Just do it as usual."

"Yes, sir."

Mara waited for the servant to close the door and go out, then looked at Kalona: "Although I suspect there are signs of corruption in these loans, it is difficult to find evidence. You know, after all, it was more than ten years ago. Just like this Although the interest rate on a loan of 5 million livres was high, he could find many excuses to make it reasonable.

"If you know something and tell me, I can send this corrupt criminal to jail immediately!"

"You?" Kalona looked at him again and smiled slightly, "I remembered that you are the famous reporter who seems to often criticize the government's policies."

"Yes, indeed."

"Then you should know what Mr. Necker is like. Besides, I really don't know anything."

Marat's assistant Evans was a little anxious and said loudly: "I know you are at odds with Necker, so why don't you help us bring him to justice?"

Kalona shook his head calmly: "You must have heard some rumors. In fact, I have a harmonious relationship with Mr. Necker."

After half an hour, Mara, who had not received any useful information, grabbed his hat and prepared to stand up and leave.

Carlona gestured towards the cocoa on the table: "Gentlemen, these are the best cocoa beans. Don't waste them."

Mara picked up the cup and drank it in one gulp, but found that the taste was very different from what she had imagined. It was rich and sweet, and it was obvious that a lot of sugar was added to it.

He usually couldn't afford a drink with so much sugar.

"Thank you for your hospitality." He nodded and left Kalona's villa with his assistant.

On the suburban road, Evans looked back at the off-white building and said dejectedly: "It seems we came here in vain."

Mara frowned and shook his head: "Vals's news should be correct. But why didn't Kalona tell us?"

"These are colluding and shameless bureaucrats. He must have taken advantage of Necker and wanted to protect him!"

"But Vals said they have deep conflicts...Maybe it's just that Kalona doesn't trust us. Let's go again tomorrow."

…

dusk.

Beside the orchard of the Kalona family manor, the German-looking servant Fred stood next to a carriage pulling coal and whispered: "The man also took out Mr. Necker's loan." The document says there is something wrong with it. It seems there is a loan of 5 million livres with a high interest rate or something."

"Horse?" the "coal carrier" in the car thought, "This name seems familiar, seems to be someone from the newly established impartial investigation office?"

Coal production is abundant in Lorraine, and people use coal for heating. However, it is difficult for coal mines to transport coal to various places, so the profession of coal transporters has emerged, and they can be seen everywhere.

Fred nodded immediately: "Yes, Kalona also mentioned this department."

"Coal Man" narrowed his eyes: "Did they find out about Mr. Necker? What did Kalona say to them?"

"I was pushed away and I didn't hear anything later. But they talked for more than half an hour."

The "coal transporter" suddenly had a cold look in his eyes: "In other words, those two people probably knew something...

"Where are they now?"

"Feric followed them to the hotel in old Vence."

The "coal transporter" waved: "Okay, you can go back."

"Yes, Mr. Erich."

When Erich drove the coal truck back to a dilapidated house in downtown Thule, he said in a deep voice to the two strong men who were napping on the bed: "Get up, there is work to do."

The two of them, who had slept like dead pigs just now, suddenly jumped up, put on their boots neatly, took out daggers, pistols and other items from the cracks beside the bed, and stuffed them into their clothes in twos and twos.

[Note 1] Confederation and federalism are different. The Confederacy was a formal union of thirteen states, each of which maintained its sovereignty and independence. The federation shares the political power of the states and has a higher status than the states. It can uniformly allocate the resources of the thirteen states.