The Shadow of Great Britain

"Bank?"

It's clear that Mr. Feng Kromeier is very interested in this topic, even accidentally sticking his steak fork into the wine glass.

As a respectable Austrian nobleman, a highly esteemed diplomat, born in Vienna, living in Paris, pursuing the most beautiful and charming Parisian ladies, taking them in and out of the most expensive luxury stores and the most renowned concerts all day long, this lifestyle allows Mr. Feng Kromeier to boast to people at social gatherings without restraint.

However, the cost is that merely relying on the income from that bit of public office as a cultural counselor is far from enough to maintain such a dignified life.

Although he can also receive a special empire allowance only available to intelligence personnel, compared to his river-like expenses, that money is still a drop in the bucket.

In order to satisfy the material desires of life, Feng Kromeier also has to do some disreputable things that all the upper-class gentlemen are doing.

For instance, borrowing money from big bankers like the Rothschild Family under the guise of loans, yet using various excuses to delay the repayment date.

Or occasionally exchanging some information that is not very important to Austria with foreign intelligence officers like Schneider, obtaining some symbolic gratitude money from the other party's hands.

Of course, he also controls some personnel appointment rights, and if there's a suitable price, Mr. Feng Kromeier doesn't mind cashing them in.

However, the majority of these ventures are too unpresentable.

To earn decent money, Feng Kromeier frequently engages in some high-risk investments.

In present-day Europe, such risky investment businesses are not uncommon, whether in Vienna, Paris, or London, as long as you're willing to invest money, someone is bound to pat their chest and guarantee returns of hundreds of points a year.

Of course, quite a few among them are swindlers, or you could say, there are very few genuine businessmen among them.

Take banks for instance, even among those banks currently doing the hottest business, only a rare few can guarantee how long-term their planning is.

Most speculative banks didn't have sufficient capital backing when they were established, relying on deposits and short-term loans to sustain operations. And because the deposits they absorb are all high-interest deposits, to ensure balance between income and expenditure, these banks often use the money to engage in high-risk speculative activities, attempting to offset the defect of insufficient capital through high returns.

And this business model means that their every step is almost a gamble, as long as one high-risk investment fails, they'll quickly collapse and go bankrupt.

However, compared to fraudulent banks, speculative banks can be said to be serious about their business.

Fraudulent banks, as the name suggests, attract investment and deposits through false statements and inaccurate financial reports, exaggerate assets and profitability situations, attracting investors and depositors, yet in reality, they don't have sufficient assets to support their operations.

Yet, even though these banks operate relying on deception, many investors still flock to these businesses.

Because as long as no one exposes their trickery, everyone can feign blindness, because as long as this bomb doesn't explode in their hands, as long as they can sell their shares before the collapse, they can still make money.

Seeing Feng Kromeier's interest in banks, the eyes of the cunning, pure German bred British gentleman Schneider couldn't help but widen slightly.

He glanced sideways at Arthur, reading the same thought in the other's eyes.

The strategy to analyze Feng Kromeier's financial status in advance was successful, they hadn't even thrown the bait into the water, and the Austrian already seemed ready to bite.

Schneider waved his hands repeatedly and said: "Arthur, you shouldn't mention banks in this kind of setting, that's our private matter."

Arthur pretended to be anxious, standing up and slamming the table: "August! You previously assured me, saying this will definitely work! But if Mr. Feng Kromeier doesn't participate, there's no way this mess will be solved! Think about it, our investment not being recovered is a minor issue, but if the Foreign Office investigates afterward, both of us will be in hot water!"

Schneider pretended to be impatient and said: "Arthur! Could you give me some time? Speaking like this in front of Mr. Feng Kromeier, how are we supposed to negotiate later?"

Feng Kromeier held the wine glass, first glancing at Schneider, then at Arthur who flushed with anger, he took a sip of wine, then placed the glass down, interlaced his fingers on the table and asked.

"Excuse me, may I ask what exactly is going on with you two? It sounds like you've encountered something, and only I can solve it?"

Just as Arthur was about to speak, Schneider interrupted and blocked him: "Arthur, you can't do this."

Arthur ignored Schneider's obstruction, he pushed Schneider aside and said: "I've really had enough! August, if you're unwilling to speak, then I'll start. Your Excellency, I'll be frank with you, we are indeed encountering some trouble, not only concerning financial circumstances, but also relating to our future prospects. However, this trouble, if you're willing to get involved, then not only will the trouble be eradicated, but we might even end up with a substantial sum of money."