My Italian: Chapter 440 Ship purchase negotiation

Inside the Foreign Ministry in St. Petersburg, a negotiation has just concluded.

"Ambassador Gorek, although there are some differences between our two countries, I think mutual understanding is the most important result of this meeting. I look forward to the next meeting with the ambassador, and hope that we can eliminate the differences between the two parties."

Russian Foreign Minister Ramzdov stood up and shook the hand of Italian Ambassador Golek and said the above words.

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, I hope that the next meeting will reduce the differences between our two parties. Goodbye."

Ambassador Golek replied and left.

After the Italian ambassador left, Ramzdorf immediately called the servants. "Prepare the carriage, I'm going to the palace."

Negotiating the purchase of warships with Italy is also very important to Russia, so it is necessary to inform Tsar Nicholas II of the specific situation.

After Ramzdov came to the palace, he discovered that not only the Tsar was waiting for him, but also the Minister of the Navy Turtov, the Minister of Finance Wischnegradsky, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Pobedonostsev And so on.

"How are Ramzdorf's talks with the Italians?"

Pobedonostsev, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, asked the incoming Foreign Minister. Pobedonostsev, who was born as a teacher of Nicholas II, was very trusted by the tsar, so he became the head of the civil service and served as the chairman of the Council of Ministers. In the years after Nicholas II ascended the throne, Pobedonostsev Bedonostsev adopted a high-pressure policy internally and replaced a large number of officials with enlightened ideas to ensure the stability of the ruling class. But his move also caused the hostility of the bourgeoisie, and many people wished to get rid of it quickly.

"It's not very good. The Italians insist that if we only buy one battleship, we must pay 10.5 million rubles. The price of two battleships has been reduced to 19.5 million rubles. And the price of selling battleship blueprints and technologies has also dropped to 450. Ten thousand rubles." (1 ruble for 2.8 lire)

Hearing what the foreign minister said, Tsar Nicholas II spoke. "You mean that Italy is unwilling to sell a battleship separately, but insists on selling two ships together?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Italy has lowered the package price of two Genoa-class battleships and blueprint technology from 26 million rubles to 2 million rubles, but the price of a single ship has not been lowered, killing the price of 10.5 million rubles. "

After hearing what the foreign minister said, Nicholas II looked at Admiral Turtov, the minister of the navy. It was obvious that he wanted to hear the opinion of the navy.

"Your Majesty, if it is a single-ship purchase, then the price given by the Italians is too high, but if it is a two-ship purchase, then this price is justified. As for the drawings and technology, I think it is very important for the navy and the shipyard. They are all very helpful. As we all know, Italy has performed very well in recent years. Although its cost is relatively high compared to other countries, it is very good in terms of cost performance. Therefore, our navy believes that we can continue to negotiate with the Italians.”

Admiral Turtov's words gave Nicholas II some ideas. But just when he was about to speak, the Minister of Finance Wischnegradsky suddenly stopped him.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Finance has no objection to the purchase of Italian warships, but the price of the two warships plus technical drawings is as high as 24 million rubles, which is too high. Our Ministry of Finance has only prepared 20 million rubles for the two warships, which has risen to 24 million, what should we do with the extra gap?"

The words of the Chancellor of the Exchequer made the atmosphere on the scene anxious, because everyone knew that there were waves.

The young tsar, who was hesitant again after Admiral Turtov looked at it, thought inwardly that he was not good, and hurriedly explained. "Your Majesty, this purchase of warships is very important to the safety of the Far East. The relationship between our country and Japan is very tense now. This unreasonable country already has four battleships in the Far East, while my country currently only has two battleships in the Far East. Absolute disadvantage, so our country urgently needs to supplement its strength in the Far East. As for the purchase of technology and blueprints, it is also important to improve our country's shipbuilding level. Both are urgently needed by His Majesty's Navy."

Facing Admiral Turtov's affectionate speech, Nicholas II was a little moved, and he turned to ask the Minister of Finance. "Can't the Ministry of Finance provide four million rubles?"

Facing the words of the Tsar, the Minister of Finance Wischnegradsky immediately cried out. "Your Majesty, all the money from the Ministry of Finance has a place to go, and there is no spare ruble for the Navy."

Faced with the grievances of the Minister of Finance Wischnegradsky, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Pobedonostsev spoke at this time. "Four million rubles is not too much. Can't the Ministry of Finance squeeze it out and send it out?"

Wischnegradsky, who was a teacher of the tsar, had a lot of weight in his words. First, the indecisive tsar respected his opinions very much, and second, he was also the main supporter of the expansion of the empire in the Far East.

Of course, on the other hand, he also has a very good understanding of various government departments, and knows that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has selfish intentions. Because the American businessman Krump was highly recommended by this man at that time, if he said that the two had no financial relationship, he would bully the young tsar for not knowing the situation. This old fox is very clear about him, of course, the sudden incident this time is mostly to retaliate against the navy's strong opposition to building ships in the United States at that time. You must know that the government had already negotiated with the American businessman at that time, and the meat in his mouth was turned yellow, which must have aroused the dissatisfaction of the chancellor of the exchequer.

"Crowding is still possible. Of course, if Mr. Ramzdorf can continue to lower the price, that would be even better."

When facing the chairman of the Council of Ministers, who is very important and not easy to fool the master, Wischnegradsky can only give up, unwilling to offend this important minister. Unlike the Minister of the Navy, who have their own demands on the military, the chairman of the Council of Ministers is the head of the ministers (similar to the position of the prime minister), and he is not someone who can be offended.

And after the chancellor backed down, the meeting was about the same.

And the great Tsar's baby daddy finally made a decision. "For negotiations with the Italians, we can try to purchase two warships. In addition, the blueprints and technologies of the warships are also needed by our country. Of course, the specific negotiations still need Mr. Ramzdorf, you have to worry about it."

Ramzdov could only answer the tsar's order. "Yes, Your Majesty."

After the meeting, they naturally went back separately.

And Ramzdov planned to go home early because he came to the meeting after negotiating with the Italians today.

But when he got home, he got a message from the housekeeper.

"You said Ambassador Rivera was waiting for me?"

"Yes sir, Ambassador Rivera has been waiting for you at home for an hour."

Of course Ramzdov knew who this Ambassador Rivera was. As the ambassador of Russia's most important ally, Ambassador Rivera was friends with many senior Russian officials, including Ramzdov of course.

"Ambassador Rivera, sorry to keep you waiting."

As soon as he came to the living room, Ramzdorf looked at Ambassador Rivera sitting in the hall, and immediately greeted the French ambassador with a smile on his face.

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, I am really sorry for interrupting you this time."

As soon as he heard Ambassador Rivera's words, Ramzdov had a three-point guess in his heart, and he said enthusiastically instead of calmly. "It's nothing, it's too late for the ambassador to come and welcome me."

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, I am here to ask for something."

Ambassador Rivera's words made Ramzdov vigilant in his heart, but he said it in his mouth. "Is there anything your Excellency can do for me?"

"I heard that you are negotiating with the Italians about the purchase of Genoa-class battleships and technical drawings. Our country wants to share your country's worries and is willing to bear half of the cost of technical drawings. I don't know what you think?"

The French ambassador went straight to the point and directly stated his intentions.

Ramzdov was not surprised that Ambassador Rivera knew that he was negotiating with the Italians. The close relationship between the two countries over the years has made many people friends of France. It is not difficult to inquire about it without hiding it.

Of course, France is so kind to bear the cost of a technical drawing for Russia, which must have ulterior motives.

However, although he was clear in his heart, Ramzdoff did not leak any information on his face. "This is great. Thank you for your selfless help. I would say that the alliance between Russia and France is the strongest friendship in the world."

"Yes, the friendship between your country and ours is the strongest, so it should be okay for your country to share the technology and drawings of the Genoa-class battleship with our country."

Well, Ambassador Rivera has finally explained his purpose of coming here. Yes, Ambassador Rivera is so generous this time because he came here for the technology of the Genoa-class battleship.

After Russia decided to purchase ships from the Italians, France had this in mind. On the one hand, Italy is France's main competitor in the Mediterranean Sea. Knowing about the opponent's latest battleship will allow France to have a more direct understanding of this opponent.

Secondly, although France has always believed that its naval technology is not bad, the ten-year green water navy has really made the French navy lag behind several major powers in terms of warship technology and naval tactics. And through the hands of the Russians, understanding and absorbing the technology of Italian warships, for the current France, it can save a few detours.

But although France has various plans, it needs the cooperation of Russia.

However, with the foreign minister, there was a little bit of a jam. "Ambassador Rivera, your country's approach will make it difficult for our country. Because if this news spreads, it will put our country in a very embarrassing situation, which is quite a risk for our country."

Facing Ramzdov's embarrassed expression~www.mtlnovel.com~ Ambassador Rivera, who has been in Russia for several years, decided to find something more convincing.

"Your Excellency Ramzdorf, a petty gesture is no respect."

Speaking of a check from the Bank of France, it was handed to Ramzdorf. There is another one on Ambassador Rivera, but this one is for Minister of the Navy Turtov. After all, this requires the cooperation of the Russian Navy Ministry.

And Ramzdorf immediately took a look, adding six zeros at the beginning of the five characters, and the currency unit is francs. It was, indeed, a check for half a million francs, and it immediately cured the Foreign Secretary's plight.

"In order to value the friendship between our two countries, sometimes it is necessary to break some routines. I think this should be reasonable."

"Of course, it should be very worthy of recognition and praise."

"Let's toast to the friendship between the two countries."

"That's right, we should have a drink."

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