Vol 5 Chapter 48: , Land sale?

On the other hand, the Russian Foreign Minister Sassonov, who was sent by Nicholas II, also arrived in Sofia. He came by plane, and it only took more than a day from St. Petersburg to Sofia.
In addition to the Russian Foreign Minister Sassonov, there is also a group of Russian economic experts. It seems that Nicholas II is also afraid, so he has prepared professionals in advance to bargain.
As soon as he got off the plane, before he had time to rest, Sasonov hurriedly submitted a negotiation request to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bulgarian-Russian negotiations officially started.
Back in time a day ago, in the Sofia Palace, Foreign Minister Metjeev asked: "Your Majesty, where is our bottom line in this negotiation with the Russians?"
Ferdinand smiled slightly and asked, "What do you think of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"
Metjeev was dumbfounded. This kind of negotiation has always been in the hands of the government. No country has yet to let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decide such a major event!
After thinking for a while, Medev bit his scalp and said: "Your Majesty, this issue has exceeded the authority of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It depends on what the government wants from the Russian Empire?"
Ferdinand asked quickly: "Prime Minister, what does the government want from Russia this time?"
Constantine thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, if possible, we plan to buy the Crimean Peninsula from the Russians!"
Sure enough, Ferdinand thought to himself. The Crimean Peninsula covers an area of ​​only 25,500 square kilometers. The southeast part is low-hill forest, but rich in iron ore, while the central and northern parts are plain areas suitable for agricultural production.
These resources alone are definitely not worth much. The problem is the strategic value. After taking the Crimean Peninsula, the Black Sea will become Bulgaria’s inland sea. Even if the Russians want to develop the navy in the future, they will not find a more suitable port. .
If Nicholas II was willing to sell, Ferdinand would not mind paying a high price. Of course, if Nicholas II was more generous, it would be better if he was willing to sell more land.
Ferdinand thought for a while and said, "Let's talk about it. The Crimean Peninsula is not worth ten billion. Now we only talk about economic value!"
Medev said hesitantly: "Your Majesty, I am afraid that the government has no money to buy land! This loan must be provided by the three major domestic banks. It is impossible for us to let the bank pay to buy land for us?"
Ferdinand smiled slightly and said: "Of course, I didn't ask you to buy land with 10 billion levs. This loan is still a bank business. For the bank to provide loans, the Russians must take out enough mortgages. Otherwise, who would dare to lend to them?"
Constantine became embarrassed. He wanted to take advantage of the fire, but the government didn't have the money. As soon as he thought about the debt, the issue of selling Italian and German debt has been discussed with the British.
As long as these claims are sold, are they afraid that they can't be bought? Although it was sold like this, Bulgaria suffered a bit, but now it can't care about so much!
"Your Majesty, we have almost talked with the British consortium about the sale of the debts in Germany and Italy. Are we just selling them now?" Constantine said hesitantly
Ferdinand sighed and said, "Sell it! What is the negotiated price now?"
Now there are a few British consortiums that have the strength to buy this huge debt. Bulgaria originally owes them 680 million pounds, and they can directly deduct this part from them. In fact, the funds that need to be paid are greatly reduced. Up.
Foreign Secretary Metjeev thought about it and replied: "The British consortium only agreed to a 40% discount. Over the past few years, Germany and Italy have repaid part of our loans. Together with the debts that were originally set off in kind, the two countries now owe us together 2.812 billion levs, a 40% discount is 1.6872 billion pounds.
After deducting our debts to the British and other international financial groups, we finally got 860 million pounds.
They also asked to pay in three installments and settled within one year! At the same time, we must ensure that Germany and Italy will not fall behind! "
I have to say that the consortium will do business. If it is not for the economic expansion of the whole society in the future, he will do this business himself.
With the development of science and technology, more and more gold is mined, and the wealth produced by society is also increasing. In essence, this huge sum of money has been in a state of devaluation!
Ferdinand did not hesitate to say: "Promise them, but we only guarantee that Germany and Italy will not repay their debts, and we cannot guarantee when they will be paid off, and these claims have nothing to do with us!"
According to the current interest calculation, when Germany and Italy paid off their loans 40 or 50 years later, the sum of the principal and interest reaped by these consortiums has exceeded 10 billion pounds!
And now they only have 860 million pounds in cash, and the other funds are offsets on the accounts between the consortia.
This is similar to a bank loan. If you borrow 100 million from this bank, you cannot withdraw all of it, right? Usually it is just an extra number on the account, for business outside, and most of it is for transfer, and the money is still in the bank.
Therefore, originally a bank’s assets were only a few hundred million yuan, and its deposits were only two to thirty billion yuan. Perhaps they had already issued more than one hundred billion yuan in loans.
As long as the credit does not go bankrupt, they can continue to play together and use financial means to grab high profits. Therefore, even in some countries, loan interest is lower than deposit interest in later generations!
It is not that the bank is stupid, but that people are still making money and there is no so-called loss! Lending a sum of money once is a loss, lending it twice is a profit, and lending it three or five times is a blood profit!
Ferdinand speculated that perhaps this way the consortium can make a profit without spending money. The method is very simple. Just turn these claims into bonds and sell them to the British people. This interest figure is displayed here. I'm afraid No one buys it?
"Yes!" Metdev replied without hesitation
Constantine was hesitant to talk. Many people in the Bulgarian government were very excited about this generous interest. Unfortunately, both Germany and Italy did not use cash to repay their debts. People used industrial products to repay their debts.
However, Bulgarian holding these industrial products has no effect at all. Domestic sales are prohibited, and they do not have such a strong sales network to sell them abroad.
So it's time to let the British consortium do this business, and by the way, it can also hit the industrial development of the British Empire. When a large number of cheap goods hit their market, they will have a good life. Constantine thought maliciously.
...
As soon as the negotiations started, Russian Foreign Minister Sassonov fell into a disadvantage. There is no way to let him borrow money? And in the world, now only Bulgaria dares to lend them money!
Not every country can resist the pressure of Britain and France, and not every consortium has the strength to provide them with this huge sum of money.
There are no more than ten international consortia that can produce 10 billion levs at a time, and most of them are in Britain and France. The rest is Ferdinand’s royal consortium.
The Americans had this strength before, but it didn't work after the war. Whether it was Morgan, Locke, or Citi, these consortia were hit hard in the war.
Their appeal has been greatly reduced, and relying on their own strength to spend so much money, they couldn't do it before the war? After all, the World War has not lasted four years, and the United States has not participated in it. Their assets have also lost the opportunity for rapid expansion!
Medev said calmly, "Mr. Sasonov, we are in business, what price can your country pay?
We must know that the risk of this loan is as high as 98%. If there is not enough interest, it is impossible for our domestic banks to undertake it!
It is impossible for the Bulgarian government to guarantee you free of charge. Although the relationship between our two countries is very good, the number of 10 billion is too large. We are really helpless! "
Seeing that the showdown of Metiev had begun, Russian Foreign Minister Sassonov thought for a while and said: "Mr. Meteve, please trust our sincerity. The Russian Empire can sell the province of Bessarabia (Moldova) to your country!"
Metev was happy, but he still said without changing his face: "Not enough! The province of Sarabia is not worth the price, at most it is worth 600 million levs, which is far from the loan of 10 billion levs. Too far.
Mr. Sasonov, as long as you are willing to sell half of Ukraine, you can almost sell for 10 billion lev! "
Russian Foreign Minister Sassonov's face sank, and he was joking to sell half of Ukraine. If he really did, he might have taken his skin off Nicholas II when he returned!
"Mr. Meteve, the account cannot be calculated like this. The province of Bessarabia is of great strategic significance to your country. This is related to the security of Romania in the east of your country. How can this price be calculated only in economic value?"
Metev laughed and said: "It depends on whose hands it is placed. If placed in the hands of the enemy, Bessarabia is indeed a threat to us, but in the hands of your country, we can rest assured!
The long-standing friendly relations between Israel, Russia and Russia cannot become a threat in your country's hands. Does Mr. Sasonov think that there will be war between our two countries? "
Sassonov was dumbfounded, and he realized that people can be so shameless when they are shameless. Metzhev was obviously pretending to be stupid on purpose. How did he answer?
Can it be said that there is a possibility that the two countries will have a war in the future, so that Bulgaria will take precautions and buy Bessarabia back at a high price?
If you really say that, you don't need to talk about loans. This is simply another provocation. Maybe the Bulgarian government will take it as an excuse and give them a slap in the face and just grab it and finish it!
Sassonov smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Metjev is joking. With the relationship between our two countries, even if the government wants to break out a war, the people will not agree to it?"
Of course it will not agree. With so many Russian immigrants in Bulgaria, if the two governments can fight, then there will be a problem?
Now Russia and Russia are the real brotherly countries. Blood is thicker than water. Without enough conflicts of interest, no politician would choose to turn his face.
Even if the Russian Empire is so weak now, Bulgaria has not fallen into trouble, and even the government has no voice of taking advantage of the fire, or the relationship between the two parties is too deep, and it is impossible to turn your face!
Without such a deep relationship, Ukraine has not changed hands. Is this Ferdinand’s style?
Medev nodded and said: "Of course, the Russian Empire has always been Bulgaria's most important ally, not one of them!"
Sasonov didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Back then, the tsarist government supported Bulgaria in order to infiltrate it through immigration and finally take control of Bulgaria.
Facts have proved that their plan is proceeding very smoothly. Now Russian immigrants have completed their penetration into Bulgaria, but it is a pity that Bulgaria has risen because of this.
On the contrary, the Russian Empire is in trouble. The original infiltration plan has now become a bond of friendly relations between the two countries!
Sasonov thought for a while and said: "Of course, Bulgaria is also the most important ally of the Russian Empire, not one of them!
Mr. Metiev, what do you want? Now the Russian Empire really needs this loan, as long as it is not too much, we can discuss it! "
Medev wanted to add something to him. It seems that the Russian Empire now only needs Bulgaria as an ally!
After thinking for a while, Metev said: "Mr. Sasonov, please rest assured, we don’t mean to speak like a lion. In addition to the province of Bessarabia, we also intend to send the Crimean Peninsula to the back of your country. In terms of price, we will not make your country suffer!"
Sassonov’s face changed and he said in a panic:
No, the Crimean Peninsula is the most important port of the Russian Empire in the Black Sea. This is too important for the Russian Empire. We cannot lose the most important commercial port and military. base!"
Metjev smiled slightly and said: "It's not a loss, even if it is sold to us, isn't it normal for your country to use it?
We do have a covenant. The two countries can share ports, and your merchant ships and warships can still navigate freely without any restrictions, and there will be no tariffs! "
Sassonov rubbed his forehead. If it was only a commercial port, he really wouldn't mind selling it directly. Medev was right. The tariff between Russia and Russia is about zero.
All commercial trades are symbolic tariffs charged, and both parties take one dollar for each trade regardless of the amount. The Russian Empire charges one ruble, while Bulgaria charges one lev, which is almost nothing!
Although the Black Sea Fleet has been abolished and Bulgaria has risen strongly, there are still many people in the country who want to rebuild the Black Sea Fleet~EbookFREE.me~ It is just that the Baltic Sea is more important, which suppressed this call.
Of course it doesn't exist anymore. Everyone is busy with the civil war. Nicholas II is already very good without abolishing the navy. What's the joke about expanding the navy?
Sassonov thought for a while and said: "I'm sorry, Mr. Metiev, I have to ask about the domestic issue. The Crimean Peninsula is the most important port of the Russian Empire in the Black Sea. This is no longer within the scope of my power to decide. Within it!"
Metdev replied very gentlemanly: "It should be! In that case, how about we talk about Sasonov tomorrow?"
Sassonov breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay!"
This issue is no longer for him to decide. Let’s leave it to the Tsar to get a headache. Anyway, it’s not the first time to sell land to the Russian Empire. The Crimean Peninsula was also seized by Russia from the Ottoman Empire. It does not belong to the core of the Russian Empire. territory.
This is the difference between Western culture and Eastern culture. In the Eastern world, if the government sells land because of lack of money. The traitor’s hat cannot be taken off; but in the Western world, have there been few land transactions in modern times?
Originally, land was regarded as part of their property. Selling land for money is not unacceptable, provided that the government has not sold the land!
Although the Russian Empire has no colonies and all the land is directly governed by the government, in fact, for the Crimean Peninsula, Bessarabia Province, and even Ukraine, these areas are not considered to be the territory of the Russian Empire. Many Russians Treat them as colonies!
This is one of the reasons why, after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in later generations, even such an important place as Ukraine allowed them to become independent!
https://
Please remember the domain name of this book's first publication:. Bookstore mobile version reading URL: