"If we are to mint new coins to replace the old currency, and if, as the First Consul wishes, the new coins are to contain even more gold and silver than the old currency, then we will need more precious metals." Mr. Talon, the head of the Bank of France, spoke in an aged, weary voice. "There are many coins in banks in France, sleeping away. They must be awakened and put into circulation before we can collect and remint them. Your agricultural loans can persuade those conservative bankers to lend out those coins. Precious metals are scarce in every country now; that is why so many foreign banks wanted to join last year."
Only then did Georgiana remember that sowing season was almost here again. The weather really was much warmer this year.
"What is there to discuss?" Georgiana asked.
"The First Consul wishes to raise this money through fundraising rather than national debt. The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Finance, local authorities, and the Paris Agricultural Association will jointly oversee the loans. That way, another South China Sea Incident can be prevented," Mr. Talon said. "You will be the principal person in charge."
All Georgiana could think of was the 1.2 billion Lan Zhi had mentioned.
"The lending area includes Lorraine?" Georgiana asked.
Talon said nothing.
"I have no idea how much money I can raise," she said without confidence. "And I have to ensure there is no corruption during the operation. Good heavens."
"You needn't worry about that," Talon said with a smile. "We will appoint the most incorruptible and upright people to handle it."
Farmers conducted their transactions with "ready cash." During the monarchy, farmers used Assignats to pay rent, and the money they received for selling grain was also in Assignats. The loans