C1996 promissory notes and stocks (1/2)
The currencies of the major European countries were all here. Of course, the most common were sterling and the Gold franc, the largest clearing currency in the world right now.
The neatly stacked bills were stacked in neat piles, each stack was as heavy as a bean curd, and the white paper seals on each stack indicated the amount of money.
”One hundred thousand... Fifty thousand... ”One hundred thousand francs …”
”One hundred thousand marks …” ”Fifty thousand dollars …”
Bundles of cash were placed in leather cases, and ten soldiers began packing rapidly under the watchful eyes of four French accountants.
Each bundle of banknotes being removed made France's heart ache, especially the face of the one leading the way. The muscles on his face began to tremble, and the pen in his hand started to shake.
In this era, monetary policy was a gold standard in Europe. Although these were all paper money, according to the regulations of the central banks, these money could be converted into gold.
One pound equates to 7.32238 grams of pure gold, one franc to 0.2903225 grams of pure gold, and one dollar to 1.50463 grams of pure gold... These are the laws of the countries fixed by law to exchange ratio, but also support the exchange of paper money and gold.
The Chinese took not boxes of paper, but boxes of gold! How could the French not be pained?
Xiang Ying stood in the middle of the treasury with his hands behind his back. On the surface, it looked like he was monitoring the process of cash delivery but his eyes were darting around, the iron lockers in his surroundings becoming the focal point of his attention.
There was also the brown paper bag on the middle table, which revealed a number of words in English and French that made his heart pound.
As the monetary policies of the various countries in Europe were strictly tied to the gold standard, the exchange rates among the various currencies were still relatively stable. Unless there was an extremely large adjustment in the production of gold and silver or a war, the exchange rates among the currencies rarely changed.
A pound is twenty-five francs, five dollars, twenty marks... Xiang Ying memorized all these exchange rates, so even though there were many types of currencies, clearing them would not be slow.
Very quickly, Chinese soldier brought out four huge luggage cases. The compensation of 3 million francs had already been moved out of Canal Company, and by this time, Canal Company's cash drawer had already been emptied out.
”I'm very sorry, but Counsellor does not know the financial situation of our company this morning. A batch of cash was transferred from the Egyptian headquarters this morning, so we can only provide you with four million francs …”
”The remaining three million shall be promissory notes in the name of the Canal Company … ”Can I?”
Xiang Ying closed his eyes and muttered to himself for a dozen or so seconds, ”In principle, I could only accept a promissory note of one million. Three million was simply too much.
”How is this possible? Our canal is a river of wealth with gold flowing through it. This little bit of money we can raise for you in a month! No, no, no... It will only take half a month! ”
”Haha …” I won't be able to wait for you two for half a month, because once we settle the matters here, we will be leaving Port Said the day after tomorrow at the latest … How about this, you give me collateral! I'll pay you back when the cash comes in. ”
”Mortgage? ”What collateral do you want …” The four accountants asked in confusion.