North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 200 Making friends is really expensive!

"Mr. President, I've brought you money...!"

Azu's words completely stunned Napoleon III!

Azu was right; Napoleon III already had a complete plan for launching a coup in his mind.

However, he still lacks funds, a lot of funds, to turn this plan into reality!

In later generations, Napoleon III relied on the funds provided by Harriet Howard, a wealthy woman who was also his lover, to successfully launch a coup and secure his second term as president.

Then, in December 1852, a year later, Napoleon III abolished the Republic, established the Second French Empire, and became Emperor and dictator of France.

Until 1870, Napoleon III was defeated and captured by the Prussian army at the Battle of Sedan.

He was the first president of France elected, and he will also be the last emperor in French history!
In the next twenty years, he will become the master of France!

Ah Zu is happy to cultivate a good relationship with such a person and make a political investment in him.

“Count of Goldberg, are you... are you serious?” Napoleon III asked hesitantly to confirm.

Azu nodded: "Of course! Mr. President, people like you and me don't have much time to waste on jokes."

As he spoke, Azu took out a check from his pocket that read "Bank of France".

Then, Azu slowly pushed the check right under Napoleon III's nose.

Napoleon III stared at the check from the Bank of France and was immediately horrified.

“One…one million…francs?!!” (At that time, one dollar was roughly equal to three francs).

“Yes!” Azu nodded with a smile: “Mr. President, this is a donation I’m giving you for your activities, without asking for anything in return…!”

“One million francs, is that enough?” Azu pressed.

"Gulp...!" Napoleon III swallowed hard. "Enough...enough, absolutely enough...!"

Azu smiled slightly and said, "In that case, I will wait for the President's good news!"

As he spoke, Azu slowly rose, bowed slightly to Napoleon III, and made as if to leave.

"Wait... Earl, please wait!"

Napoleon III was still in a daze: "Count, are you really only going to give me a million francs without asking for anything in return?"

Azu smiled and nodded: "Mr. President, I have no shortage of money, power, titles, or women... What do you think I would ask for in return?"

“This…!” Napoleon III thought about it carefully and realized that he really had nothing to repay this huge donation.

But it must be said that this million francs came at the perfect time!
Napoleon III now commands an army, a large number of supporters, and enjoys high political prestige, giving him the basic conditions to launch a coup.

However, France's funds are controlled by parliament.

Although he was president, he had no control over France's funds.

So, he's short of money right now, desperately short of money!

With enough money, all the conditions for launching a coup are met.

During this period, Napoleon III had been struggling to raise funds for his coup and was desperately searching for supporters who could provide large sums of money.

This million francs was a completely unexpected and enormous surprise!

Ah Zu continued, "To say that I lack nothing doesn't seem to be true!"

"Mr. President, I need friends!"

"Especially someone like you, a great friend who holds the future of France in your hands!"

"Consider this one million francs a necessary contribution for our friendship."

"Making friends...?" Napoleon III couldn't help but laugh. "Count, making friends with you is really expensive!"

Ah Zu smiled and said, "Mr. President, you must be very busy right now, so I won't take up any more of your time."

"How about we have more in-depth discussions after you achieve success?"

“Of course!” Napoleon III replied without hesitation, deeply moved.

Azu added, "I plan to establish a California representative office in Europe in Paris to represent California and promote its diplomatic and commercial interests in Europe. I hope to obtain the President's approval!"

"A California representative office in Europe? Absolutely no problem, you'd be more than welcome!"

Azu called out towards the door, "Jones, come in and pay your respects to the President...!"

Jones, who had been waiting outside the door, heard his boss's voice, quickly straightened his clothes and appearance, and then strode in with his head held high.

"Mr. President, this is Jones Moore, the director of our California office in Europe!"

Jones, who was dressed impeccably and dressed in his finest attire, quickly bowed and said, "Jones Moore greets the President!"

"Such a young head of the representative office...!" Napoleon III was surprised by Jones's age, and even more surprised that he was able to hold such an important position at such a young age.

But then I realized that the first governor of California, the Earl of Mount Gold, was not exactly young either.

Thinking this through, Napoleon III felt relieved and couldn't help but exclaim, "You California really do produce heroes among the young! Every single one of you is so young and promising!"

Azu added, "There's one more thing. My East West Bank is also planning to open a branch in Paris, Mr. President...!"

“Of course, that’s no problem!” Napoleon III nodded before Azu could finish speaking, “As one of the financial centers of Europe, we welcome any legitimate bank to open in Paris…!”

As he spoke, Napoleon III pulled a gold-embossed business card from his pocket and handed it to Jones, saying, "Mr. Moore, if you have any important matters in the future, you can come directly to me...!"

Jones respectfully accepted the exquisitely gold-embossed presidential business card with both hands: "Thank you for your support, Mr. President. In the future, the California Representative Office and I will need your continued support!"

"Hahaha!" Napoleon III, having solved the funding problem and with victory in sight, laughed with great pleasure: "It is truly a delightful thing to have a friend like the Earl of Goldberg."

As he spoke, Napoleon III reached out and shook hands firmly with Azu.

"From this day forward, California, Huamei Company, and the Earl of Gold Mountain, you are all friends of France...!"
-
After bidding farewell to Napoleon III, Azu began to personally manage all matters concerning the California office in Europe.

On the world-famous Champs-Élysées, in the location closest to the Arc de Triomphe, Azu bought two entire buildings, one as his representative office and the other as the office space for East West Bank.

At the same time, Jones was given plenty of capable men.

Whether in diplomacy, intelligence, or commerce, he was given a very strong team.

"Jones, our European representative office is very important, and now it's in your hands!"

After spending a full week in Paris, before leaving, Azu solemnly patted Jones on the shoulder: "I'm entrusting such an important position to you, kid, don't you dare mess it up!"

"Otherwise, not only will I not forgive you, but your sister, your mother, and your father will all not forgive you either...!"

Twenty-year-old Jones patted his chest heavily: "Don't worry, brother-in-law, when have I ever embarrassed you?"

Daisy, her eyes also red, hugged Jones tightly: "Jones, from now on, you'll be all alone in Paris. You must take good care of yourself!"

"If you encounter any danger, don't hesitate, run... run back to California. I'll protect you. Even if it's the BOSS, he won't make things difficult for you...!"

"And you, kid, in this glittering, extravagant city of Paris, you better keep your head in check!"

"Don't follow your example... your brother-in-law, attracting a bunch of women to yourself...!" Daisy said, glaring at Azu with a hint of resentment.

"Haha...!" Azu could only laugh it off.

Daisy hugged her younger brother tightly again, whispering in his ear, "And, whatever you do, whatever you do, don't get any venereal diseases... otherwise, I won't let you off the hook...!"

"Hehe...!" Jones scratched his head, looking quite embarrassed, and said, "Sis, what nonsense are you talking about...?"
-
After bidding farewell to Jones, leaving Paris and France, Azou led his delegation to the other side of the English Channel for their final stop.

Even today, England still represents the world's most advanced technology, strongest industrial capabilities, and most comprehensive range of industries.

Moreover, the first "World Industrial Expo" is being held here!
By this time, the "World Industrial Exposition" was coming to an end, but the "Crystal Palace," which represented a miracle of modern industry, still seemed so awe-inspiring to Azu and the others.

Ah Zu and his group timed it perfectly, arriving just in time for the last week of the "World Industrial Expo".

At this landmark World Expo, ten countries were invited to participate, showcasing a total of 13,000 industrial products. During the more than five-month-long expo, the number of visitors exceeded six million.

The first World's Fair represented the pinnacle of the Victorian era!
Unfortunately, California, where Azu is from, is not on the invitation list for this year's event.

Of course, most of their products don't need to be marketed to the world through World Expos.

However, Azu still led a large group of people and visited the first World Expo with great interest.

At the exhibition, California, led by Azu, even placed an order for a large number of advanced machines.

After concluding their trip to the World's Fair, the group immediately went on to visit the Royal Arsenal, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Devonport Shipyard, Bolton Watts, Pratt Brothers, Whitworth Company, and more!
At these industrial enterprises that represent the highest level in the world, Azu once again placed orders for a large number of precision machine tools, 3,000-ton hydraulic presses, advanced textile machinery, and so on.

This large-scale purchase alone cost more than four million US dollars.

Finally, at the famous Buckingham Palace, Ah Zu paid a visit to the legendary Queen Victoria.

The sixty-four-year reign of Queen Victoria marked the peak of the "British Empire."

From Europe to Asia, from the Americas to Australia... at its peak, the "Empire on which the sun never sets" was the undisputed global hegemon.

Even the United States at its peak in later generations paled in comparison to the heights of the "British Empire."

Putting aside everything else, how many countries in later generations had their territories defined by the "British Empire"?

How many wars and conflicts in later generations were left behind by the "empire on which the sun never sets"?

Later, the United States, along with the Soviet Union and the Eastern Dragon, were two equally matched adversaries, one after the other.

At its peak, the "Empire on which the sun never sets" never encountered a worthy opponent.

……

At this time, Queen Victoria was still very young, only thirty-two years old, a time when she was still charming despite her age.

Facing the much younger Azu, Queen Victoria's gaze was filled with curiosity as she looked at the legendary first governor of California and the Earl of the Hill.

"Earl of Gold Mountain, I've heard many legends about you!"

"I knew you were young, but I didn't expect you to be this young... In England, someone your age is still studying at university...!"

"And you, at such a young age, have already achieved such amazing accomplishments... I must say, you are a miracle...!"

Her husband, Prince Albert of Saxony, couldn't help but interject, "I heard that not long ago, His Holiness the Pope declared that the Earl of Goldberg is a man favored by God... Is that true?"

Azu smiled and nodded: "That is indeed true! His Holiness the Pope's words are golden and absolutely correct; I cannot question or refute them..."

"Tsk tsk tsk...!" Prince Albert looked Azu up and down: "You are so young, yet you have been able to create a series of amazing achievements. Perhaps, only divine favor can explain it!"

Queen Victoria also spoke up, saying, "Earl of Goldberg, you have achieved remarkable things at such a young age, and your future achievements are limitless!"

"Small California probably can't limit your footsteps...!"

"Hehe...!" Queen Victoria couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Earl, my Canada isn't too far from your California...!"

"In the future, will you launch an invasion of my Canada...?"

Azu paused for a moment, then quickly shook her head: "Your Majesty, what are you thinking?"

"I'm just a governor of the United States. How could I possibly pose any threat to Canada, or even the most powerful empire in history?"

"Hehe, I hope so...!" Queen Victoria laughed it off, completely unconcerned about Azu's insignificant little strength.

In her eyes, compared to her invincible and powerful empire, tiny California was at most just a slightly stronger little ant!
If this tiny ant dares to pose even the slightest danger to my empire, I wouldn't hesitate to crush it easily!

Queen Victoria continued, "Earl, as a Chinese, what is your view on the relationship between the British Empire and the Qing Empire?"

“This…!” For the first time, Azu felt that he had encountered such a tricky and difficult question to answer.

After a moment's hesitation, Azu said, "Your Majesty, the British Empire today represents the direction of world development! It represents democracy, freedom, stability, and prosperity!"

"But the Qing Dynasty represents the world of the past. It is closed off from progress, corrupt and decadent, the people live in misery, and uprisings break out one after another...!"

"Compared to the powerful British Empire, the increasingly corrupt Qing Dynasty will sooner or later meet its end."

"In my opinion, the Qing Dynasty should open its doors to the world, learn advanced ideas and science and technology from all over the world, and carry out a thorough revolution in order to catch up with the world."

"As for the contradictions and conflicts between Great Britain and Great Qing, I cannot comment in my current capacity."

"I can only say that between nations, there are only permanent interests, not permanent friends or permanent enemies!"

"There are no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests... Isn't this a famous quote from my Great British Empire, Prime Minister Palmerston?"

Queen Victoria smiled and said, "Earl, your use of that phrase here is quite fitting...!"

"Earl, you are now a governor in the United States. What is your view on the relationship between Britain and the United States?"

From the moment of American independence, this rich continent of North America has been a constant source of anxiety for the British Empire.

This was the only major setback the British Empire had suffered in a century!
Even when facing Napoleon the Great, who was invincible and swept across the entire European continent, the British Empire still achieved the final victory.

Only against its own son, America, did the British Empire suffer a complete and utter defeat.

Azu smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I am not a formal diplomat. This trip to Europe is mainly for business purposes, to promote commercial ties between California and various European countries."

"I still maintain: there are only permanent interests, not permanent friends or permanent enemies!"

"Currently, although there are various contradictions and conflicts between Britain and the United States, but...!"

"Britain and the United States are essentially of the same origin. In the future world, the United States may well become the most steadfast ally of the British Empire!"

Azu said, "That mainly depends on how the British Empire views and improves its relationship with the United States!"

"Oh? Is that really so...?" Queen Victoria fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

The British Empire is now so powerful and invincible that it has no need to compromise or form alliances with anyone.

But as the British Empire gradually declined, it discovered that its most reliable and powerful ally in the world was none other than its own son!
However, no one, including Queen Victoria, has realized this yet.

Even if they realize this, they will not easily ally with the United States, let alone support this "son of their own".

After a moment's thought, Queen Victoria changed the subject and asked, "Earl, you've been traveling around Europe these past few months. What are your thoughts?"

"In your opinion, what direction will the future situation in Europe take?"

(End of this chapter)