Chapter 318 The “Bankers” Counterattack (Part 2)
Since then, most bankers have no longer dared to stand up directly, but have chosen to play the emotional card, saying that "the lives of loan sharks are also lives, and they also need to live."
Of course this nonsense was simply ignored.
In short, during several chaotic wars, the royal family gradually took the lead. Although it was denounced as retrograde and autocratic, Austria's economy was generally in a recovery stage, with tax revenue increasing significantly and the people's consumption power also increasing.
Just when things were moving in a good direction, someone saw the flaws in this model.
The so-called installment payment is actually a way of saving money, but as long as the income is in line with expectations and does not develop excessively, there will not be any big problems, and it can reduce the pressure on consumers to a certain extent and promote the healthy growth of the economy. Compared with loan sharking, it is definitely a great progress in financial history.
However, there are still gaps in the current market due to lack of norms and corresponding laws and regulations. This existence allows financiers and speculators to take advantage of the loopholes.
Due to Franz's strategy, Austria's domestic product sales prices are much lower than those in the international market. Even if tariffs are paid again, there will still be a small portion of profit left.
This loophole was originally intended to leave Huimin behind, but in Soros's eyes, it was a golden opportunity.
He first took the initiative to contact Solomon Rothschild, and then gathered a large amount of capital to prepare to monopolize some important industries in Austria, such as steel, rails, rifled gun barrels, sewing machines, clocks, rubber shoes, raincoats, glass, etc.
However, Franz and the big guys he recruited had long expected this situation to happen, so they could easily deal with it by raising prices and expanding production.
Although this move will cause the public to suffer some losses, it is still more conscientious than the capitalists who wantonly drive up prices after monopolizing the market.
However, Soros, who was unwilling to give up, soon found a breakthrough; that is to use the royal installment mechanism to allow ordinary people to participate in the stock speculation feast.
In fact, Franz was also prepared for this. In order to prevent too many retail investors, he set the investment threshold at 1,000 florins per share. But Austrian experts feel his approach hinders the concentration of capital.
Under the advice of many well-known financiers and bankers such as Solomon Rothschild, the amount per share was reduced to 5 florins, so as to attract investment to the greatest extent.
This approach indeed brought a huge amount of funds to the empire's stock market. At the same time, Solomon and other bankers temporarily launched a new business, that is, ordinary people could use installment payments to mortgage items to banks to obtain funds.
That is to say, people can first go to the royal shop to buy goods on an installment basis, and then resell them to private banks in exchange for funds to invest in the stock market; of course, the banks will take a cut.
But at this time, the crazy stock market prices continued to soar, coupled with the exemplary effect of the first phase of the Neletania railway project, everyone was more confident and believed that having the royal family to back it up would be a sure profit.
At the same time, major newspapers, banks and various so-called professionals once again hyped up railway stocks. Of course, the chicken soup for the soul poured out by Franz's side also played a role in fueling the flames.
Even if the stock market is suspended every three days, and even sets a maximum increase (leaving a backup plan), large-scale selling still cannot extinguish Austrians' enthusiasm for railway stocks.
After massive wealth entered the stock market, all stocks deviated from their original true value. This is exactly what Soros wants to see.
They just have to sit back and wait for them to continue to rise, and their wealth will continue to rise, which is equivalent to the entire country paying for them. When it reaches the highest point, all you need to do is sell them all to complete the harvest of 38 million people in the entire territory.
Of course, in theory, the empire will not suffer losses, and it will only need to collect the arrears on schedule. But all the risks and notoriety must be borne by it, and desperate people will not only be unable to benefit from financial investments, but will also be saddled with heavy debts.
It's just that at this time, Vienna's senior officials actually contacted bankers to discuss when to sell their stocks. After all, only selling at the highest point can earn the greatest profits for the empire.
Adjani could only write countless letters asking for help to Franz, but with current communication methods, in addition to the repeated deduction and discussion of various possibilities before the incident, he was still drifting at sea. It is difficult to effectively obtain information and make corresponding decisions at the first time.
A financial tsunami that is about to engulf the world seems inevitable
On the calm Indian Ocean, a fleet flying the black and gold flag of the Austrian Empire was moving slowly.
Friedrich stood alone on the flagship "Venice" surrounded by people in the middle, looking around with a telescope from time to time.
As a pursuing soldier and the son of Archduke Karl, Friedrich always held himself to the strictest standards and was not as casual as Franz.
However, this naval expedition failed to test the combat effectiveness of his new flagship, which disappointed the naval commander.
And he discovered an embarrassing fact, that is, every time he went out with his nephew, he gained land combat experience. This made him, the commander of the Austrian Imperial Navy, who dealt with ships and sailors every day, very embarrassed.
Friedrich very much hoped to use the Dutch stronghold on Western Borneo as a target on the grounds of helping Nanming seize the base faster. But he was quickly stopped by Franz. After all, doing so would be tantamount to starting a war with the Dutch East India Company.
According to Franz's plan, Zhu Qiongying and her Nanming should seize Kalimantan Island on their own. But compared to the past, this time he seemed too stingy.
Not only were none of the latest breech-loading guns provided to the opponent, but even the artillery was only dealt with four four-pounders. 2,000 revolvers were given, but this kind of light weapon was of no use at all.
Its own limitations are too great; although it has the advantage of a fast rate of fire, its range, accuracy and power are far inferior to that of a rifle.
That kind of light cannon is barely adequate for dealing with wooden gates and earthen walls, but it is completely helpless against thick stone walls, gentle slopes, and bastions.
Of course, there are also factors that Franz himself planned. Strictly speaking, the armed conflicts between Nanming, Lanfang, Dagang, Santiaogou and even the Dutch have nothing to do with war, and almost belong to the category of gang fighting.
Besides, there is a weapons factory in nearby Chenla. As long as Nanming has sufficient financial resources or has items to exchange with it, it can obtain ordnance.
Since it is similar to gang fights, street fighting is inevitable. In this kind of close-range confrontation, the revolver with fast shooting speed, light weight and easy to carry is obviously more advantageous.
Speaking of heavy firepower, transporting heavy artillery in the complex jungle terrain of Kalimantan is difficult.
And according to Franz's estimation, he didn't think Lan Fang's disorganized organization could mount a decent resistance.
Although those people showed great bravery in the face of the Austrian army that raised the Ming flag, he believed that it was just fear that dispersed reason.
Moreover, support in terms of justice and program is more important than support in weapons and money. Of course, with Austria's arms and equipment, this process will be accelerated a lot, and the possibility of accidents will be reduced a lot.
When the real Ming army comes back, how many people will be willing to be buried with the Qing Dynasty? Compared to Lanfang, who was not recognized by the Qing Dynasty, Franz felt that the orthodox Nanming Dynasty was obviously more attractive.