Chapter 352: Invitation from the White House
"I will not sell it to any domestic private company, no matter how much money they offer." Sheffield emphasized this point again, paused and continued, "Foreign companies can accept it, at least out of sight, out of mind. The Germans are actually a very good choice, after all, they are a world power."
"Mr. William seems to have forgotten that he is a citizen of the United States!" Rosen sneered unhappily, "The Germans are scary now, and this is something the whole world knows."
"As a government official, don't tell me those words that fool ordinary people!" Sheffield said disdainfully. "It hasn't been long since the Spanish-American War ended, and I know the inside story better than you do. How the world situation develops has nothing to do with me. I only know that the Germans are rich and willing to spend a huge amount of money to do this, because the Panama Canal will help Germany increase its influence in the Americas. As for whether Mr. President is happy, I have already said this before. People can't be patriotic on an empty stomach. Don't expect me to give in vain. Without sufficient benefits, empty slogans are not worth a penny."
"Mr. Rosen, why don't you ask the president how much money he can give? It's much more important than wasting your breath here!" Sheffield took out his pocket watch to check the time, glanced at Rosen and said bluntly, "I still have to contact the people from Deutsche Bank, so I won't keep Mr. Rosen here. We are all very busy."
The slave owners were serious about selling the Panama Canal to the federal government, but they were also serious about contacting the Germans. If Theodore Roosevelt didn't offer a suitable price, he would really sell the canal to the Germans.
Anyway, this is something they would love to have. The German Empire now urgently needs to establish influence around the world. If one is given to them, the Germans will definitely be very interested.
"You are using Germany to hang the federal government. To be honest, it is best for businessmen like us not to deal with the government. It is very dangerous." This is the Rockefeller estate. Rockefeller Jr. naturally knows the cause and effect very well. He feels that Sheffield is a little too disrespectful to the federal government.
"It is indeed quite dangerous. For example, you all supported William McKinley, but he was assassinated. The president who came to power now dislikes trusts." Sheffield gloated, and then his tone became relaxed. "Now I am doing business with the United States and the German Empire. These two powerful countries serve me. Isn't this a small blessing?"
After making preparations, Sheffield negotiated with people from Deutsche Bank. As the largest bank in Germany, Deutsche Bank has been engaged in financing large-scale projects in the world since its establishment, playing an important role in financing industrialization in Germany and abroad.
Before the Franco-Prussian War, the franc firmly held its core position. In particular, the Latin Monetary Union established under the advocacy of Napoleon III made the currencies of continental Europe mainly use francs as the exchange medium, which is a bit like the US dollar after World War II. At the same time, Britain, especially London, gradually became the financial center of Europe through a series of financial innovations. In this context, banks in France and Britain controlled the economic lifeline of continental Europe. However, all this changed with the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War, and it was also the time when Deutsche Bank made its debut.
In other words, Deutsche Bank was an important tool for the expansion of the German Empire and assumed important financial responsibilities. Sheffield and the Germans were old friends, and he liked to deal with the second-tier powers. Because the world's second-largest country often offered fairer conditions in order to catch up with the world's largest country.
So people often see that the country ranked second in the world often appears as a victim. The Soviet Union during the Cold War was just throwing money around, and so was the later one. The United States has also been a victim many times in this era, and even the victim has competitors, because there are also Germans who are eyeing Britain's position as the world hegemon.
As an old friend of the German Empire and a veteran slave owner who loves Germany, it is very normal for him to collude with the Germans. The choice of the Rockefeller estate, the descendant of German immigrants, as the location is even more normal. The two big companies are at least colluding with each other on the surface, and it seems that there is no power to stop him from selling out his country.
Aardman, the president of the New York branch, was very happy to visit the Rockefeller estate. He knew that all the owners of this joint venture company had very good relations with the Thyssen United Company and the Krupp family in the country.
"Mr. William, I wonder why you came to our bank?" Aardman was not fooled by a few words. Although the Germans have a reputation of exaggeration, one thing is true, that is, they are not naive.
"In fact, the success or failure of this matter is not entirely determined by private companies!" Sheffield was surprisingly frank and introduced the current situation. "I am very open to the sale of the canal. I can sell it to anyone. If the Japanese can afford it, I can sell it to the Japanese. The problem lies in the impact on the country. Although you and I are businessmen, we should also understand what this canal means to a country, so I can't guarantee that Germany will get what it wants."
"Mr. William, you mean that the federal government of your country will interfere? This doesn't seem to be in line with your country's philosophy." Although Aardman was grateful for the slave owner's honesty, he was also a little disappointed.
"Those ideas are just to fool ordinary people. What country doesn't say something nice?" Sheffield said nonchalantly, "I can only guarantee one thing. Unless the domestic bid is higher than Germany, if the price is similar, I will sell the country first... to your country."
The news of Sheffield's contact with Deutsche Bank at Rockefeller Manor spread through various channels. When meeting with the Germans, Sheffield expressed rare honesty, saying that whether the trip could be made depended on the federal government's opinion. After all, once a country behaved like a hooligan, no one could solve it.
"Actually, Mr. William, it's not impossible to sell it to companies in your country, so why come to us?" This was a question that puzzled Aardman, and he asked it before leaving.
"There's a saying that goes, 'heretics are more hateful than pagans.' I can't stand watching other domestic companies acquire my projects and grow bigger!" Sheffield answered honestly with his hands in his pockets. In fact, it would be more appropriate to say 'pacify the country before fighting the enemy'. He was afraid that the Germans wouldn't understand, after all, German is a very wordy language.
Because of the frankness during the meeting, the slave owner, who almost turned into the biggest traitor of the United States, had already known his thoughts accurately to the Germans. Even if Germany wanted the Panama Canal, it would most likely fail. But this matter was still feasible. After all, although the United States was keeping a low profile in America, Europe was still wary of this American power. The American threat theory appeared from time to time and was not new.
Even if they cannot gain control of the Panama Canal, it is possible to increase the expenditure of the federal government of the United States and thus harm the United States, which is also worth considering. This is good for the whole of Europe.
So even if it fails in the end, the German banking industry can help and help the slave owners blackmail the federal government.
As the news of the American Canal Management Company selling the Panama Canal was gradually revealed, it became more and more like a true story. Sheffield, who already had the media, began to join forces with the Germans to build momentum. Even in continental Europe, there was insider information about his negotiations with Deutsche Bank.
The sale of the canal to the Germans was becoming more and more real, and had even sparked discussion among the Germans. At this time, Roosevelt in the White House could no longer sit still. When Rosen came to the Rockefeller estate for the third time, he said directly without saying a word, "Mr. William, President Roosevelt wants to invite you to the White House for a talk."
"How can I do this? Morgan went to the White House and the coal cartel suffered heavy losses. If I go to the White House, will the country take advantage of me?" Sheffield pretended to be hesitant. "I have already suffered heavy losses due to the collapse of the Panama Dam. If I don't get help from the country and get ripped off by it, many companies will be very disappointed with the country."
"Mr. William, the President has something important to discuss with you in a fair and open manner." It was very difficult for Rosen to suppress his contempt for the slave owner's disgusting attitude. He even had difficulty breathing while doing so.
"Oh, all right then! Let me arrange the itinerary. After all, I have no say over the United Company. Everyone knows that my grandmother is the one in control. Every time I go out, I am always followed by a huge bodyguard. It's really annoying."
Pushing the fear of death of carrying a carload of bodyguards with him at all times onto Karl Lagerfeld, Sheffield still showed the qualities of a patriotic businessman and decided to go to the White House to attend the Hongmen Banquet.
Before leaving, he borrowed some financial talent from the Rockefeller family, calculated all costs and expenses, as well as various hidden expenses, and had a rough price in his mind before heading to Washington.
"President Roosevelt is not easy to deal with. You should get on the train from Chicago to Washington immediately, and we will go to the White House together." Sheffield took the microphone and connected with Edith Rockefeller. After all, the other party was a famous president. The slave owner was still a little unsure and was ready to get someone to stand up for him.
Of course, Rockefeller Jr. was the best candidate, but he had already clearly refused, so Edith Rockefeller had to take over.
"It's not easy to take advantage of the country!" Three days later, in a convoy, Sheffield leaned on Edith Rockefeller's thighs, complaining lazily, and the adulterer and the ** went to the Hongmen Banquet together.
(End of this chapter)
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