"No! Not the entire Rothschild Clan!"
Lionel Rothschild shook his head with a smile and added in a plain tone, "It's just me, Lionel Rothschild, making a personal investment in you, Your Highness! This investment is only between the two of us!"
Lionel Rothschild deliberately emphasized "the two of us," seemingly to remind Jerome Bonaparte that the French Branch did not support this investment.
"Oh?" Jerome Bonaparte keenly sensed a deeper meaning in Lionel Rothschild's words. He looked at Lionel with an intriguing smile, his tone slightly playful, "Are you saying the Rothschild Clan doesn't actually favor me?"
Lionel Rothschild shrugged and spread his hands, with an expression of helplessness, "To be honest, Uncle James in France isn't fond of you all (referring to the Bonaparte Clan)! To this day, he still fantasizes that one day the Younger Branch of Bourbon will reclaim the throne!"
[James Rothschild, a second-generation core member of the Rothschild Clan, held the core power of the entire Clan post-Nathan Rothschild's death. After Hanna Rothschild, Nathan's wife, died in 1856, the Rothschild Clan divided its business in Europe. Lionel Rothschild's father was Nathan Rothschild.]
Speaking of James Rothschild, Lionel Rothschild displayed a cold sneer, "My uncle is already old! He can't know that Louis Philippe, abandoned by the Paris mob, will never come back!"
Then he paused and continued as if talking to himself, "No, he should know these things! He just doesn't want to face them!"
Jerome Bonaparte quietly watched Lionel Rothschild's "personal performance." From Lionel's words and expressions, it was clear that his relationship with Uncle James Rothschild wasn't so harmonious, taking on a facetious air of "an uncle-loves-nephew loyalty," unlike the fabricated unity of the Rothschild Clan promoted later for foreign glorification.
Jerome Bonaparte could certainly understand Lionel Rothschild's feelings. If a family has no internal conflict and is entirely united, it truly would be a miracle, especially for families controlling substantial capital .
The core of internal family conflicts lies in forming competition rather than undermining each other. A competent family would control internal strife within basic limits, preventing the family's collapse due to infighting.
From the perspective of later generations, Jerome agreed with moderate internal competition; unrestrained competition must be forbidden.
"So, you're trying to prove your vision to your uncle?" Jerome Bonaparte queried Lionel Rothschild.
"Exactly!" Lionel Rothschild nodded, agreeing with Jerome Bonaparte's inquiry. Clenching his fist, he knocked lightly on the table with a slightly grim expression, "The older generation should honestly stay at home and enjoy their retirement years—why compete with the young for positions! The business philosophy and management concept of the Rothschild Clan must be reformed!"
In history, you seemingly did not replace your uncle James Rothschild.
Jerome Bonaparte silently critiqued in his heart.
Since taking over as the Leader of the Rothschild Clan, James Rothschild had been the de facto controller of the French Rothschild Clan's bank until his death in 1868.
Lionel Rothschild's "rebellion" had evidently failed.
However, Lionel Rothschild did not lose his leadership position in Britain due to his "rebellion," showing he was indeed capable.
Jerome Bonaparte did not seem optimistic about Lionel Rothschild's current "rebellion," yet it did not hinder his collaboration with Lionel Rothschild. He would only cooperate with the Victor.
He supports whoever wins!
Of course, Jerome still harbored some thoughts; if uncle and nephew truly engaged in fiery clashes, the vast Rothschild financial empire might genuinely end within three generations.
"Alright! I agree with your viewpoint!" Jerome Bonaparte verbally repeated Lionel's statements, "The elders should, indeed, stay home and enjoy their retirement!"
"Our views are aligned!" Lionel Rothschild took another sip of wine, seemingly a bit excited under the influence of alcohol, "I've heard you're going to participate in an election, so I'll be financing you!"
Lionel Rothschild raised four fingers, swinging them back and forth.
"Four million francs?" Jerome Bonaparte immediately inquired.
"Pfft!" Lionel Rothschild got choked on Jerome's response. He cleared his throat and continued with a nuanced explanation, "Your Highness, you certainly love to joke! I meant four hundred thousand francs!"
"Four hundred thousand francs!" Jerome Bonaparte's expression shifted from joy to disappointment.
For an average family, four hundred thousand francs was definitely an astronomical figure, enough to let a family live off annuities for life without working—provided there's no upheaval. Every upheaval risks bankrupting whole groups of rentier classes.
For Jerome, four hundred thousand francs to run for President seemed a tad tight; even early campaigns could cost a lot, not to mention hiring people to rally support.
What a greedy guy! Just like his cousin!
Lionel Rothschild cursed Jerome silently, wearing a worried countenance, "I beg your pardon. The funds Rothschild can mobilize are only this much. This revolution has cost us dearly!"
Jerome Bonaparte believed that the 1848 revolution indeed dealt Rothschild a blow, but to say only such funds could be mobilized, Jerome could merely express courteous disbelief.
"I understand the situation of the Rothschild Clan! After all, possessing such a great fortune without the means to defend oneself can easily draw attacks from lawless individuals. France is truly too restless now!" Jerome displayed a seemingly earnest expression while uttering the harshest remarks.
Lionel Rothschild's face revealed a trace of indignation, once again raising a single finger, "Five hundred thousand francs, that's the maximum cash Rothschild can mobilize!"