Greece to roman road

"Your Majesty, I really don't know what you are talking about," Constantine looked confused.

After all, this kind of adventure in a foreign continent is inherently risky.

Leopold only suspected that the Congo Committee was behind it, but unfortunately, after dozens of members of the Cameron expedition entered the Congo River Basin from Africa on the Indian Ocean side, there was no news again.

So Leopold had no evidence.

"Your Majesty the Duke, you have already captured the Congo," said Leopold with a mocking look on his face.

"Where do you get the money to develop the Congo? As far as I know, a large section of the lower reaches of the Congo River is not navigable. A railway must be built to connect Matadi and Kinshasa. This is nearly 400 kilometers of railway. How much are you prepared to spend? Where's the money to build it?" Leopold said with a faint smile.

Constantine was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect that the other party who invited him was actually here about the railway.

"Your Majesty, what is your intention?"

"I know that even the royal family is already beyond its capabilities after going through the initial expenses, right?"

It's not that I'm short of money, it's just that I can't invest a lot of money to support it.

After all, the royal family spends a lot of money in this province.

"Your Majesty, just say it straight", Constantine didn't want to beat around the bush.

“Actually, the Makinath-Kinshasa Railway (Matadi to Kinshasa) is built and operated by Belgium, so you don’t have to worry about raising huge amounts of money.”

Constantine looked down and considered Leopold's suggestion.

It is true that Constantine himself would have less trouble and would directly hand over the railway to the Belgians.

But this railway's strategic position is too important for the recent past.

This is the only channel for the outside world to communicate with Congo. In the future, whether industrial products from Europe and the United States are imported into Congo, or Congo's raw materials are shipped out, this railway will be the only way.

It can be said that holding this railway in our hands is almost equivalent to holding Congo's neck. Moreover, due to Congo's natural "international" character, all countries will retain considerable say.

If the construction and operation of this railway are really handed over to the Belgians, there will be doubts about who will have the final say in Congo in the future, and whether weak Greece will have a say.

Emotional Leopold is planning to do this!

"Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness, but this railway in Congo cannot be completely left to others to build," Constantine said with a cold expression.

After hearing this, Leopold finally stopped staring at the stage and turned to look at Constantine. He sighed in his heart that he was worthy of being the man who successfully captured the Congo despite being surrounded by wolves. He almost immediately saw through his plan. .

"In this case, we in Belgium can always invest part of it. You have to raise funds anyway," Leopold said with a hint of helplessness.

Only then did Constantine know Leopold's true intention. He was optimistic about the future of Congo and planned to be the first to make a bet.

Although Belgium is a small country, its people are wealthy.

The first country in the world to complete industrialization was the United Kingdom. With its superior geographical location and facing the United Kingdom across the English Channel, Belgium became the second industrialized country in the world.

As the efficiency of industrial production increases, capitalists naturally accumulate a large amount of capital.

As a country with a large amount of capital, Belgium has a small and saturated domestic market and low investment profits, so it has set its sights abroad.

In fact, it was the Belgian bankers who took a fancy to the important strategic location of the Makin-jin Railway. As long as this railway was repaired, they would just sit back and collect the money.

So Leopold was asked to help test Constantine's attitude.

But after the two met, Leopold looked at Constantine's youth and was unwilling to do so. Moreover, as an industrialized country, Belgium itself was in urgent need of markets to digest its huge domestic production capacity.

We should take this opportunity to see if there is any possibility of turning a corner, seizing control of the Makinon-Jinjiang Railway and expanding Belgium's voice in Congo in the future. There is no doubt that it will bring huge benefits.

After all, Congo in the future will be similar to a public colony. The greater the right to speak, the more benefits will be obtained in the Congo region.

But Constantine didn't give him a chance.

"This railway has not yet been surveyed by professionals. As for how much funds will be raised to build it, I am not sure yet."

"After the survey is completed and the cost is estimated, a portion of the share will be given to the Belgian financial industry."

Seeing Constantine's affirmative answer, Leopold turned back to watch the dance performance.

After dealing with matters in the Congo, the purpose of this European trip was completed, so I took a train from Belgium to Paris, and from Paris to the Port of Marseille back to Greece.

On August 12, 1884, Constantine returned to Athens.

As for Banning, he was still attending the Berlin Conference.

Constantine was sitting in the garden of Tatoi Palace, enjoying a rare quiet afternoon tea, thinking about his father, George I, who asked him to serve in the Thessalian Legion.

Constantine had already received complete military courses in Germany and Athens.

According to royal rules, the next step is to serve in the army.

"Mr. Costebrew from Alfa Bank is here to visit, Your Excellency the Duke," Steward Capet came to inform.

"Let him come here"

Costebleu, the two of them had not seen each other since their last hunting trip.

Thinking of the check of 500,000 pounds sent by Costebrough last time, it was euphemistically called to support the African development plan.

Now it is estimated that the Congolese Commission obtained the management rights of the Congo River Basin at the Berlin Conference has spread.

Thinking of this, Constantine had already guessed the reason for Kestelbro's visit.

······

"Your Excellency, long time no see, your grace remains the same," Costebrough said, holding a staff of civilization in his left hand and taking off his hat in his right hand.

Constantine stood up to greet him, "Long time no see, Costeblu, are you here this time?"

Costebleu took out a check from his pocket and handed it to Constantine.

Constantine really couldn't react for a moment.

The Coast family is worthy of being a banker, and they will draw checks whenever they disagree.

The two met a total of two times, each time costing 500,000 pounds. Isn't he too proud?

"Costebru, what does this mean?" Constantine asked doubtfully, raising the check in his hand.

"I heard that His Highness has obtained the management rights of Congo. Congratulations."

"As for the 500,000 pounds, Your Excellency, the huge Congo will definitely cost a lot of money when we first take over the country. I heard that the construction of the Makin-Jinjiang Railway is imperative in the Congo area. My father ordered me to come and do my best."

For Costeblu's father, Jon, Constantine felt sincere admiration at this moment.

Constantine was in awe of the other party's unique investment vision, boldness and determination.

The other party sent 500,000 pounds last time without any requirements. It was regarded as venture capital. This time, the 500,000 pounds was nominally to help him invest in the Ma-Jinjin Railway in advance and relieve himself of the difficulty of raising funds.

There is no doubt that the other party also takes a fancy to the importance of this railway. The 500,000 this time is not only to help ease the financial difficulties, but also the return demanded by the other party.

one stone two bird.

But Constantine was too emotional and rational to say no.

I also want to miss other people’s kindness.