Chapter 36 Deal
What does France need now? That is capital export. For financial bankers, profit is far more important than anything else. But sooner or later they will realize that only a strong homeland can be truly strong.
To be precise, the time when European countries realize that the United States may impact Europe's world dominance will have to be delayed rather than now, because in the eyes of European countries, the United States is still a former colony with weak military power.
They felt that the United States was a threat until the war between the United States and Spain, when the United States defeated the declining Spanish Empire with a reborn attitude, which had an extremely strong impact on European countries. At that time, the American threat theory made headlines in various countries and became the mainstream public opinion in these countries.
It was the result of the United States defeating the Spanish Empire that made these European countries realize the importance of a strong homeland. Colonies are colonies, and that kind of power cannot replace the status of the homeland.
After this, European countries changed their understanding of their territory and began to strengthen local construction. The purpose of expansion also changed from competing for colonies to defeating the enemy and invading the enemy's territory.
As European observers in the late nineteenth century recognized, the United States, as a pioneer in this new territorial concept, rationally utilized its human resources, technology, and social institutions to maximize the absorption of North America's natural resources and consolidate the dominant position of the market in domestic economic activities.
The war in which the United States defeated Spain showed that European countries were not invincible. Later, the island country defeated the Russian Empire, which showed that white countries were not invincible. The significance of these two wars is very important.
European countries now have no unified view on the United States. Some people think that the United States of America is a threat, with a large territory and a large population. Others think that the military of the United States is not strong, especially the French, who are more vigilant against Britain and Germany than against the United States.
On European issues, the French were wary of Germany, and on world issues, the French had a bad relationship with the British. The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente were still in the process of formation, and the French could not quite judge which of the British and Germans was more deserving of death.
The United States is no longer the obscure country it once was, but it will take some time before it becomes the target of public criticism. After learning about the dark side of Paris, Sheffield witnessed some transactions between old men and young women and thought he could do something.
"All men are like this!" Building one's own happiness on the pain of others and finding ways that others are inferior to oneself is Sheffield's personal hobby. However, he was a little inconsiderate this time, not caring about the fact that there was an earl's daughter with him.
In Anne's eyes, this way of browsing the red-light district of Paris at that time was simply directed at her. Was it for her to take the initiative? How could she meet such a shameless person when she went out with a man for the first time?
Fallen imperialist country! Sheffield finally understood why the old man chose to settle in Paris. The old man and the girl he saw when he first arrived in Paris were really a normal couple.
"Because you and I spoke in English, you see the woman just now seemed to be a little hostile to me? What is this? Patriotism? They are obviously prostitutes!" Although Sheffield was just walking around casually, it didn't mean that he didn't observe anything. It was not until he was far away that he exaggeratedly gestured, "Do they also have the pride of the French people? They sell their art but not their bodies?"
"Maybe?" Annie's face felt a little hot, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. This bastard was hinting at me to take the initiative again, damn American bumpkin.
The French are indeed proud. Their desire for greatness and nobility and their expectation of national pride have always been above their belief in freedom, equality and fraternity. Between the weakness of the Republic and the greatness of the empire, the proud French always choose the latter without hesitation.
The French love freedom more than any other nation in the world, but they can also modify the meaning of freedom according to actual needs; the French can sacrifice their lives for democracy, but they can also sing praises for the dynasty with a sincere heart; the French can abolish slavery early for the sake of fraternity, but they can also build a colonial empire.
Sheffield felt that this was double standards. The French believed that power was more important than life. I guess only the gray animals under the Russian Empire were more perverted than them in Europe. No wonder France and Russia have always had a good relationship. It turns out they have a common language.
"Since they are so arrogant, I will flatter them and manipulate public opinion." Sheffield made a decision after a round of discussion. He asked in a gentlemanly manner, "Which newspaper is the most influential?"
"Le Figaro!" Although the girl felt that Sheffield's question was a bit unreasonable, she still answered it.
Le Figaro was founded in 1826. Its name was inspired by the protagonist Figaro in the famous play The Marriage of Figaro by French playwright Beaumarchais. Its motto is well-known all over the world, that is, if criticism is not free, praise is meaningless. Le Figaro has a strong influence in the minds of French people, especially Parisians.
When Sheffield returned to the apartment, the guests had not left yet. Harry Sheffield looked at the two people who came in, nodded, pointed to the stairs and asked the two to go up to continue discussing things.
"Mr. Ferdinand! Le Figaro has a strong influence on the Parisian nobility and bourgeoisie. Now our Secretary of State is officially visiting Paris. As a citizen of the United States, I have something to say to all the citizens of France. And I need your help." Rich Martin came to Le Figaro and met Ferdinand Rodet, the editor-in-chief of Le Figaro at the time. "Although the long-standing friendship between France and the United States has had twists and turns, it will not fade. We believe that in this world, if the British are in a frenzy, only the French can make them sober."
"Dear Mr. Martin, you should know that Le Figaro, as an objective and neutral newspaper, will not abuse its influence. Besides, tomorrow's content has already been edited." Fernand Rodet, with his fingers crossed on the table, declined apologetically, "Maybe I can't help you with this matter."
Rich Martin sighed, as if he knew that this matter would not go so smoothly from the beginning, and stretched out his hand and said, "Five thousand francs!"
"Deal!" Fernande Rodet's eyes behind his glasses flashed a light, and he spoke with unique restraint.
I've been coughing for a whole day and I had to force myself to write this chapter.
(End of this chapter)
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