The Rise of the European Emperor

The Fugger family is the richest family in Germany in this era. If there are sand sculpture netizens in this era, they will call the leader of the Fugger family, Jacob Fugger, as "Fugger" like Ma Yunma's father. dad".

They didn't disgrace Fugger's surname, and they were indeed quite rich. At its peak, the family had assets as high as 7 million Gulden gold coins. Maybe this asset can't keep up with the value of all the food in Marin's hands, but in terms of the amount of cash, Marin can't compare with others.

After all, most of Marin's assets are food, and the cash is actually pitifully small. Unlike the Fugger family, they have millions of cash. When Charles V ran for the emperor in 1519, it was the Fugger family who loaned Charles V 850,000 Gulden gold coins, so that Charles V succeeded in bribery and was elected Emperor of Shinra.

Therefore, if Marin wants to borrow 500,000 gold coins in cash, it is most convenient to borrow money from the Fugger family. Moreover, the headquarters of the Fugger family is in Augsburg, just to the east of the Principality of Württemberg, and the allocation of funds is also very convenient. Moreover, the Fugger family was also one of the biggest creditors of Duke Ulrich of Württemberg.

In order to show respect, Marin decided to personally go to the Fugger family headquarters in Augsburg to have an interview with Jacob Fugger, the leader of the Fugger family. Of course, this is also because Marin is afraid of sending people to negotiate some things, and his subordinates cannot make the decision. What's more, this year Jacob Fugger has been awarded the noble title of "Count of the Empire" by Maximilian I. This is the first class among the earls. Although the Fugger family has no fiefdom (mainly because the Habsburg family has no land for him, but some mines), the rank of the earl of the empire is the highest among the earls. tallest. Like Brandenburg, if the title of elector is excluded, its original Bianbo will be lower than the imperial count of the Fugger family. But this is of no use, because the Fugger family has not closed the country, so they can't even enter the princes' court, and can only be regarded as an honorary status. Of course, this is what people want. At least, ordinary princes dare not bully their family.

If it weren't for the status of the Earl of the Empire, Marin might have directly sent someone to summon Jacob Fugger to the North Sea State to discuss. But now he is also an imperial earl, and he is very rich. Marin asked for help from others, so he took 800 elite cavalry guards and went straight to Augsburg...

After a few days of rushing, Marin and his men changed horses along the way, and finally arrived in Augsburg, where they came to the luxurious manor of the Fugger family.

Jacob Fugger waited at the gate of the manor with the main members of the family. After all, Marin was the grand duke, and he was higher than him in terms of title. In terms of strength, let alone. Moreover, everyone belongs to the emperor's camp, and their relationship with each other is pretty good.

As soon as he dismounted, Jacob Fugger came up with several core members of the Fugger family with smiles all over his face:

"Welcome, Grand Duke Marin! Your arrival makes the humble house full of glory!"

If people give face so much, Marin can't help but give face. Moreover, he came to beg someone. So, Marin also piled up a smile, opened his hands and said:

"It is also my honor to meet you, Earl Jacob!"

Then, the two hugged each other, and walked into the manor together...

...

After drinking the milk tea for the distinguished guests, Marin didn't go around in circles, and directly put forward a request for a loan. At the same time, it is hoped that food can be used to offset part of the debt. After all, Marin lacked everything, except food. If it weren't for the money shortage in Europe, he would have sold a lot of grain.

But Jacob Fugger rejected Marin's suggestion to pay with grain, because the Fugger family did not have grain sales channels, and it was easy to drop their hands when they took over so much grain. Moreover, food transportation is lossy. To store grain, a large number of moisture-proof warehouses need to be built, which is not cost-effective. Therefore, Jacob Fugger does not agree to use grain to offset the debt.

Later, Marin recommended whiskey, royal salute and ginger, which are special products of the North Sea country, to Jacob Fugger, hoping to offset the debt.

But Fugger still disagrees, and is only willing to cooperate with the North Sea State in the future to help sell these products in southern Germany.

Marin was a little helpless, and he asked:

"Earl Jacob, what exactly do you want to lend me this money? Could it be that you want a high interest rate of more than 15%?"

These days, loan interest rates are high. The normal interest rate is 10% per annum, and the higher one is 15% per annum. More than 15%, it is considered usury. But when you need money urgently, someone is willing to borrow it with 50% annual interest. Marin is ready to be slaughtered...

But Jacob Fugger shook his head and said with a smile:

"Grand Duke Marin, a loan of 500,000 gold coins is trivial. Besides, I don't need a Finney's interest..."

Marin immediately became alert—fuck you, don't pay any interest, this is a trick! When a profiteer tells you that he doesn't want profits, his plan must be bigger... So, Marin's hairs are standing on end...

Jacob Fugger smiled:

"Don't be nervous, Grand Duke Marin, my request is actually not too much. I just want to ask you about some business matters..."

"Ask me? About business? Are you joking? Earl Jacob, you are a real expert in business..." Marin considered himself a farming king, but in business, he was not as good as the Fugger family.

Jacob Fugger didn't go around in circles, and said directly:

"It's like this, you know, I have given His Majesty the Emperor many loans, and the mortgages are many mines in Tyrol and Austria. Except for the silver mines in Tyrol, most of these mines are copper mines. Originally, I planned to monopolize the supply of copper mines in Europe. After all, the total reserves of copper mines given to me by His Majesty the Emperor are very large. However, since the Grand Duke you developed the Fayilun copper mine in Sweden, and I heard that you also brought it from India The import of cheap copper has led to a downward trend in copper prices in Europe..."

Marin was a little puzzled:

"Then what do you mean, do you want me to close the Fayilun Copper Mine, or stop importing cheap copper from India? I can't do anything about it. Now, the Spaniards and Portuguese are also planning to import cheap copper from India. It is foreseeable , European copper prices are bound to fall!"

Jacob Fugger sighed and said:

"I know, so I will lend you money this time without any interest. I just want to ask you for a way to stop the losses of the Fugger family! Seeing that the price of copper is about to fall, the Fugger family has been hoarding copper. The behavior of the mine has become very ridiculous. So, if you can tell me how to stop the loss, I am willing to give you an interest-free loan of 500,000. Moreover, the repayment period can be extended to 20 years..."

"Why ask me?" Marin was a little surprised, and I'm not Aladdin's magic lamp that responds to requests...

"His Majesty the Emperor said that you are the one with the most ideas. Otherwise, you wouldn't have grown from a knight to a powerful grand duke!" Jacob Fugger replied solemnly.

...

Please remember the first domain name of this book: . Vertex Novels mobile version reading website: