As a multi-religious country, the United States of America is extremely free. Their newly established government does not prevent the entry of large religions, but strictly controls small churches and imposes high taxes.
This policy has led to the United States of Citi becoming a good breeding ground for the development of major religions. Large churches such as the Church of the Three Goddess of Destiny, the Church of Wisdom, and the Church of Judgment have established a large number of churches in the United States of Citi. The situation is complicated and closely related to the Romanovs. The opposite was true for the kingdom, which managed to avoid war.
This is also a small reason why Ma Wei did not choose Citi United as his place to settle.
As for the bigger reason...
In the evening, the blue manor lit up with dots of lights. In the restaurant, Duke Hawke personally cooked a sumptuous meal, including ham and cabbage soup, cabbage cake, roast goose with cabbage, salt-baked cabbage, cabbage sashimi... .
Looking around, the table is full of cabbage. It is not an exaggeration to say that the table is full of cabbage.
To show off his cooking skills, Duke Hawke also made a cabbage cake with thick cream on the outside that looked like a dinosaur egg.
Junia was quite interested in the cabbage cake and kept staring at it, while Katerina looked at the cake with a horrified expression.
She still remembered that when she was 6 years old, Duke Hawke also made a piece of cabbage cake. The taste and stamina were something she would never forget.
Even now, when I think about it, my stomach still hurts.
Opposite the dining table filled with candlelight, sat a young man in a suit and leather shoes. He had a polished head and good leather shoes. His custom-made suit fit well and his manner was gentle. He spoke in a leisurely and confident manner. Look, they are children of aristocrats who have received elite education.
"Our Drost family has considerable influence in the United States of America." He introduced his family while drinking cabbage tea that was so sour that it was hard to swallow. There was always a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, as if he himself What he drank was not cabbage tea, but some kind of sweet sugar water: "Although Citigroup Federal Bank is a government enterprise, it is supported by the Drost family. Our family provides loans to tens of thousands of people every day. The interest rate is uniform, the contract is clear, and we never engage in deceptive or false activities.”
"Across the ocean, I have heard of you, Your Highness Katerina, more than once. As the daughter of Peter the Great, you are not only smart, beautiful, and resourceful, but also the best candidate to succeed the throne. Unfortunately, you want to implement His policies touched the interests of too many people, so he failed to sit on the throne."
"But there is a saying that temporary failure does not mean forever. We, the Drost family, are very willing to provide you with loans to help you carry out the next... well, policy reforms. I believe that with our help , you will have smooth sailing from now on, and any enemy will be worthless in front of you."
"How much loan can you provide me?"
"The sky's the limit."
Finn Droste raised a finger and said with a smile: "Our Droste family, on behalf of Citi Federal Bank, promises you that we will do our best to help you, money, weapons, food, as long as you ask, no matter what No matter how much, we will definitely meet your requirements.”
"Okay, lend me 100 billion rubles first."
The smile froze, Finn Drost coughed and put down the tea cup, "Your Highness Katerina, what I just said contains a lot of sincerity. Please don't take it as a joke, and please don't joke at such a serious moment. The Romanov Kingdom’s annual fiscal revenue is less than 700 million rubles, and you can’t use that much money.”
"It seems that you investigated us very carefully."
"As long as you are willing to spend money, there is no information that cannot be obtained." Finn Drost smiled: "The Romanov Kingdom is an agricultural country with a weak industrial base. Crops are your main export products, accounting for 50% of your export trade. Half, there is a big gap between the Kingdom of Windsor and the Kingdom of Windsor, which relies on industry. This is something everyone knows."
Katerina looked at him expressionlessly and asked softly: "What's the price?"
"Here are the requirements we listed."
A form filled with terms was pushed in front of Katerina.
She glanced at the listed terms on the form. After reading it, Katerina handed the form to Ma Wei and said, "There is no interest. It seems that you are really sincere."
"In view of the current situation of the Romanov Kingdom and the post-war reconstruction work, Citi Federal Bank believes that interest is not necessary." Finn said with a smile: "We will give you generous help, but only if you succeed." I will ask for compensation, and I don’t think you have any reason to refuse this condition.”
Ma Wei looked at the terms one by one. It did mention that no interest was required, but...
In the following clauses, Citigroup Federal Bank mentions requirements such as import and export trade quotas, lower tariffs, open ports, and the use of Federal Reserve notes for trade settlement.
It is also clearly mentioned above that within 50 years, the price of crops, minerals and other resources imported by the United States from the Romanov Kingdom must be based on the standards set by them and shall not exceed 5% of the set price.
besides...
The Kingdom of Romanov also needs to cede the land in the northwest corner of the Kingdom of Manitoba and incorporate it into the territory of the United States of Citi. For this, the United States of Citi is willing to pay 10 million rubles.
Of course, all this is based on the premise that Katerina can successfully sit on the throne, which means...
The United States of Citi, wants to invest in a war.
"Your Highness Katerina, we have put our treasure on you." Finn said: "No one can come up with such favorable terms."
Hearing this, Dino raised his eyebrows, slammed the form on the dining table, pointed at Finn's nose and yelled: "Don't think I don't know what you want to do! Only a fool would agree to such terms! You want us to Overdraft the future development potential of the Romanov Kingdom!
! "
"Don't be so excited."
Finn Drost took out his handkerchief, wiped the saliva from his face, and said calmly: "Businesses are negotiated. If you are not satisfied, we can discuss it again."
"Father, now I know what you mean by wolfish ambition."
Katerina said in Slavic: "They are indeed not good things."
"It really hurts me to hear you say that." Unexpectedly, Finn also began to speak in very fluent Slavic, "We are sincere, you can make a counter-offer, right?"
"Counteroffer?"
Katerina sneered, asked the housekeeper Lu Jin to get a quill, crossed out all the terms except no interest, and threw the form back in front of Finn: "This is my bid."
"Well...this is really an unfair term."
Finn smiled and nodded, "But it's no problem. Since your Highness has spoken, I will do as you said. There are no conditions and no interest. Citigroup Federal Bank is willing to support you unconditionally."
The candlelight flickered and the restaurant suddenly became quiet. Katerina and Dino looked at Finn Drost in disbelief. Even Duke Hawke, who was immersed in eating and did not want to interrupt too much, raised his head, his eyes full of surprise. .
"As long as you ask," Finn said seriously, "the money and food will be delivered immediately."
"Why?"
"To be honest, I don't understand either..."
Finn scratched his head and spread his hands: "But that's what my old man told me to support unconditionally. This is the first time I've ever done such a loss-making business. He said that if you don't believe it, it doesn't matter. You will believe it when you see the money."
"Ahem...what..."
Duke Hawke, who was eating next to him, suddenly coughed twice and said to the butler Lu Jin: "How much should I charge for the dishes I cooked tonight?"
The butler Lu Jin who understood it immediately said: "For relatives, it is free, for strangers, it is priceless."
"Oh..." Nodding, Duke Hawke continued to eat without saying more.
Neither relatives nor friends, how can there be a free dinner in the world?
Katerina heard her uncle's reminder and did not rush to make a decision. After pondering for a moment, she asked: "Father, what do you think?"
"I still say the same thing."
Ma Wei sneered: "Tell him to get lost."
Taking a deep breath, Katerina nodded slowly and gave an answer that Finn Drost had never thought of in his entire life:
"I, Katerina Romanov, refuse your funding."
