Napoleon in 1812

13. Golden War – 3

L.V.C. Financial. As soon as it established itself in the City of London, it quickly grew to the point that nearby financial and securities firms became very wary of it and closely monitored it.

Because of their unusual returns and growth, there was a lot of gossip among the financiers working in the City of London about the true identity of L.V.C. Financial.

It was a secret organization raised by the British royal family, a company founded by fallen foreign aristocrats, a private safe for the Russian Tsar, etc.

The most likely story was rumored to be a financial subsidiary organized by European Jews. Quick-witted, the financiers knew who the true rulers of London’s financial markets were. Moses Mendelssohn, Mayer Amschel Rothschild, Noah D’Israeli, etc.[1]

These European Jews, who crossed the Strait of Dover and settled in the Thames basin in the past, had built a huge financial empire with their own information circles, greed and obsession for gold, and eyes to judge the world situation.

Still, Jews were treated with disdain wherever they went in Europe, but very few knew that the heart of Europe’s richest economy had already become a Jewish playground.

L.V.C. Financial was also suspected of belonging to Jews because it was following in the same footsteps as previous Jewish capital.

Of course, L.V.C. Financial’s bond yields and growth rates were remarkable even when compared to Jewish capital.

Knock, knock, knock

“It’s Carlene, the secretary, boss.”

“Come on in.”

The owner of this company, which had turned London’s financial district upside down in a short period of time, was thoroughly veiled and contributed to a number of conspiracy theories.

Nevertheless, British objectors were busy entrusting L.V.C. Financial with their property.

There was no barrier to money. What was the use of knowing their identity, their purpose or their status? As long as they could make money. The huge returns and hit rates that their company was breaking every month did not lie.

“A man and his group are looking for the boss. He said that all I have to do is tell you ‘I brought solidus gold coins’ (the currency of the Byzantine Empire).”

“…”

“They’re very suspicious. The atmosphere around them was so heavy and serious that I told them to wait… Shall we call the guards and kick them out?”

“No. Bring them in, here, politely.”

“All right, boss.”

Not long after, a group of four men with solidus gold coins appeared in the office of the boss of L.V.C. Financial.

Despite facing the boss of L.V.C. Financial, whose identity and appearance remained unknown to the public, the expressions of the group members were calm.

“…They indeed have true solidus gold coins.”

“Boss?”

“All of you go away. I have something to talk about with them.”

“…Okay, boss.”

L.V.C. Financial’s boss sent away all his clerks, secretaries and bodyguards. They closed the door after stepping out of the office.

One of the group members who brought solidus coins quickly put his ear to the closed door and examined the situation outside of the office.

The other two scoured the interior of the office. They searched not only under the table and the desk, but also under the carpet and inside the closet.

But it was not enough, and they looked very carefully to see if there was any secret space by knocking on the wall or stomping on the floor, and looked if there was anyone hiding in gaps.

Despite being the head of L.V.C. Financial and the owner of the room that was being turned upside down, the boss did not do anything to stop their actions. On the contrary, he even lighted the candles.

“We’ve confirmed that there’s nothing unusual.”

The group leader nodded at the attendant’s words. He opened his mouth looking at the boss.

“It’s nice to meet you like this. My name is Bruno D’Alambert, the agent of the government from Paris.”

“…”

“This is a secret message from His Majesty the Emperor to the President of L.V.C. Financial, Lisarmont Victor Colin. His generous message is that you may forget your past deeds.”

The president of L.V.C. Financial wrapped in a veil. He was Lisarmont Victor Colin, one of the fraudulent tax collectors of the French Empire, who disappeared from Paris on a special mission and received Napoleon Bonaparte’s forgiveness.

=

‘You are leaving for London right now. Take over the City of London, London’s stock market, with my capital there. I don’t care how much loss is incurred in the investment process. I will provide you with huge investments and confidential information, so just pay attention to the profit margin.’

Lisarmont Victor Colin. When he came across the Strait of Dover with the slush fund of Napoleon, he had no great confidence in his own success.

It was true that Colin had worked as the finance chief for a small Paris securities company called La Croix Rousse, but it was more a job specialized in attracting investors than directly running the field.

He, who had not seen much of the stock market in Paris, was going to the City of London and succeeded? It was likely to appear in a third-rate novel written by a drunkard.

Colin was forced to take on this work in order to escape from the sight of the angry Emperor and survive. It was just like selling the future to live in the present.

He never wanted to feel again the sense of hopelessness and fear that he had experienced when he, his aides and observers sat side by side in a small office rented in the City of London.

But the first time Colin set foot on the London Stock Exchange, he was able to discover his talents that had been dormant for 39 years.

Like Pierre Corneille (one of the three greatest French playwrights of the 17th century)[2] who realized he was a genius when he first grabbed a quill pen.

Britain will increase the amount of banknotes issued by the Bank of England and do quantitative easing to pay for the war that has lasted more than four years.

Nueva España declares war of independence with Spain, Peruvian rule expels Spanish miners abroad.

The Golden Line of the New World, heading for Seville and London, was captured and sunk by a frigate fleet of the United States. There will be many difficulties in England’s New World route in the future.

‘If quantitative easing is carried out, the value of the spot will jump relatively as inflation occurs. Even so, the British supplies are quickly being used up for war here and there. At times like this, no one is looking at agriculture… The war with the U.S. would have damaged the ocean transport network with the New World.’

After obtaining information from French spies that had yet to be known and were kept secret, Colin analyzed it in his own way and made his own judgment.

He pushed funds into businesses responsible for producing or distributing crops such as wheat, corn, and beans. He also directly purchased farms in danger of bankruptcy. And Colin’s investment was a huge success.

‘Investment in gold during the war always wins. Britain received gold from the New World in exchange for providing free supplies to Spain and Portugal. However, as the colonies declared independence, the procession of gold was abruptly cut off.’

News from an ally, the United States, reached Colin as soon as possible without passing through France. It was the result of Napoleon’s efforts to gather information quickly.

This gave Colin the possibility to buy a large number of gold certificates before anyone else in the City of London.

The price of the certificate he bought soon doubled. The success of the investment was continuous.

Napoleon’s initial capital of £3.1 million tripled only after a month and a half.

‘How easy it is to make money! If I had known that I had this kind of ability, I would have lived my life without having to suffer so much!’

The thrill that Colin felt as he watched the soaring value of his chosen securities, goods, and patents in real time was a wave of emotions that he had never experienced in his life.

Although that was the result of the addition of capital and various classified information from the French Emperor, it would have been impossible from the beginning without his intuition, analysis and actions.

Information also depended on information. To produce results that could be derived from it and to invest in securities that could produce the highest returns. This was Colin’s real ability.

Having gained tremendous confidence from its past successes, Colin hit the market with all the proceeds from the investment.

This was because he believed that Napoleon would make up for all the losses if he kept sending investment statements.

As a result, the guarantee was no longer necessary. Most of the stocks invested by L.V.C. Financial had taken a right-up graph.

4 months.

It was the time it took after the L.V.C. logo appeared on the outskirts of London for another financial giant to emerge and dominate London’s financial district.

This was the success story of L.V.C. Financial, which London financiers and informants were looking for.

“What does the Great Emperor want from me?”

“His Majesty wants to put an end to the long-standing war on the Iberian Peninsula. In the process, he hopes that you and L.V.C. Financial will play a big role.”

“…Cough!…”

Lisarmont Victor Colin let out an uncomfortable dry cough. Ignorant people were different when they entered and left a place.

The same was true of Colin. When Napoleon threatened his life and his family, he was willing to lie flat and lick the soles of his feet. He could do anything.

However, he settled in London, where Napoleon and France could not reach him, and made a fortune using his abilities (although most of his shares were tied under borrowed names), and gained a splendid reputation and honor with his great success.

Colin’s stomach was bloated when he heard that all of this was to be used only for Napoleon and France. Perhaps because he noticed the sign, Bruno D’Alembert’s eyes became ugly.

“All of your property is in the name of the faithful cabinet members of our government. In addition, all of your family members are treated well in Paris and lead a stable and peaceful life. I believe that you will not do anything offending His Majesty’s tolerance.”

“…Ahem… Monsieur (Mister) has misunderstood. Although I live far away from my hometown, I have never forgotten that I am a proud citizen of the Empire. I’m waiting for the days when I can attribute all this glory to His Majesty the Emperor.”

Only then did the faces of D’Alambert and his entourage open and Colin sighed inwardly.

“I’m sure Mr. Colin knows that the current atmosphere in London is extraordinary.”

“It’s because of the situation in the Iberian Peninsula, which is rushing to a corner… I hope you will convey my words to His Majesty that I praise him for his great victory.”

There was a heated debate in Westminster over the Peninsular War, and the main issue was the dispatch of the new army.

Were they going to invest to make sure to change the situation across the peninsula, or were they going to pull their feet off the peninsula and go back to the old British strategy?

Napoleon and the French government intended to drop a huge bomb on Britain, who was agonizing over it.

“Let’s decide now on an item to confirm my identity at our next meeting.”

D’Alambert, who had long talked in secret in the president office of L.V.C., pulled a piece of paper out of his coat pocket. Then he tore it diagonally and handed half of it to Colin.

“It’s an Assignat note (land bonds from the French Revolution)[3] that is not available now. It’s a token to identify the next person, so please don’t lose it.”

“…Glory to the Empire and His Majesty.”

“Glory to the Empire and His Majesty.”

Agent D’Alambert and the other attendants from Paris left the L.V.C. after these words.

As the secretary and staff greeted them, Colin was quietly lost in contemplation, burning a cigarette.

“It’s going to be a bloody wind.”

TL notes

[1] Moses Mendelssohn, Mayer Amschel Rothschild. The author wrote 노아 디즈레일리 (Noah D’Israeli), but I couldn’t find any info on him, and rather think it was Benjamin D’Israeli.

[2] Pierre Corneille

[3] Assignat