The other Genoese nobles had naturally heard that war might break out on the European Continent, and all wore grave expressions.
Baron Icoberi said, "So those buying French Government Bonds are trying to hedge against the risks of war?"
Once the Austrian Army entered Italy, the region's industry and agriculture would inevitably be ravaged, and investments there would face enormous losses.
Buying French Government Bonds, on the other hand, was far safer.
Not one person even mentioned, "What if France loses the war?" Most people in Northern Italy had personally witnessed Napoleon leading the French Army in sweeping through the Austrian Army a few years earlier, and had not the slightest doubt about the French Army's combat strength.
Alfieri, beside them, began promoting British Government Bonds again, but Baron Toderick immediately said coldly, "Haven't you heard? In order to buy Cane Sugar, the British Government is printing Pound Sterling without stop.
"Their Paper Money can no longer be exchanged for gold. I'd wager that within a few years, the Pound Sterling will become wallpaper."
The others were unfamiliar with the state of British currency, but hearing him speak with such certainty, they could not help believing him somewhat. At the very least, the fact that Pound Sterling could no longer be exchanged for gold was beyond doubt.
Recalling the "standard pitch," Baron Toderick continued, "Think about it. Why has the British Government set its interest rates so high? Because their currency is depreciating too quickly, and no one is willing to buy."
Indeed, he had been employed by the French Security Bureau since several years ago, and was currently carrying out a mission.
Even Alfieri began to have misgivings. Should he sell the 10,000 pounds' worth of British Government Bonds he had just bought? The French Government probably had sufficient