Chapter 201 Cooperation

"I haven't told you my full name yet! My full name is Jobs-Bast-Rothschild." Feeling Roland's gaze, Jobs lowered his head and said, evidently embarrassed by the deception of Roland.

"That explains it! How could there be such a strange surname as Bast in this world? So your prefix is Rothschild." Roland looked at Jobs and said, not angry but understanding Jobs' thoughts. After all, everyone in this world has their own secrets, and Jobs' secret is not small, especially considering his Jewish identity, coupled with being born into a prominent family like the Rothschilds, he had to protect himself. Roland hadn't expected Jobs to be so wealthy; he was a Rothschild! A legendary figure of immense wealth. If he had known earlier, he would have treated him well back in military school.

"Roland, aren't you angry? I didn't mean to deceive you." Seeing Roland silent, Jobs thought he was angry and hurriedly explained to him.

"No, why would I be? I know you must have your own difficulties. Everyone has their own secrets, right?" Seeing Jobs misunderstand, Roland stepped forward and gently reassured him.

"To be honest, Roland, although I am also a member of the Rothschild family, I am just a collateral branch. It's my uncle's family that's the main line, so most of the family's power is in his hands." Jobs continued to explain.

"Then why did your uncle invite me to meet?" Roland asked.

"He said he wanted to invite you to a banquet, but I suspect it's about the mining rights." Jobs replied truthfully.

"Mining rights?" Roland questioned.

"Yes, you probably don't know yet! Actually, 36% of the iron and 42% of the copper in France are related to the Mees Mining Company, which belongs to our Rothschild family. In other words, these mining rights also belong to our Rothschild family. But this morning, you and His Majesty suggested nationalizing the mining rights. As mining tycoons, our family is naturally at the forefront." Jobs explained to Napoleon.

"Oh, I see! So tonight, your uncle invited me to the banquet to retaliate against today's events?" Roland realized, then jokingly asked after hearing Jobs' explanation.

"Impossible! If there was any danger, I wouldn't even have called you. My uncle is also a clever man; he knows that you are highly favored by His Majesty and not someone to be trifled with. Under such circumstances, how could he dare to provoke you? I think he just wants to talk to you. After all, my uncle is very good at business." Jobs said.

"Alright, then tonight I'll go and meet your uncle." Roland smiled and said.

In a grand mansion located on the outskirts of Paris, lights illuminated the surroundings. Over a dozen servants stood quietly at the entrance, as if waiting for someone.

"Well, well! What a grand reception! Is this for me?" Roland joked as he looked at the brightly lit mansion in front of him.

"Wow, Jobs, mining must be really profitable, huh? This mansion must be worth millions of francs!" Roland couldn't help but admire the magnificent mansion in front of him.

Roland had only imagined the wealth of the Rothschilds before, but now he was experiencing it firsthand.

"Mr. Roland! Mr. Roland!" Just as Roland was marveling at the Rothschilds' astonishing wealth, a voice sounded, drawing Roland's gaze.

"Anya!" Roland looked towards the source of the voice, and his eyes widened as he saw Anya. She was dressed in luxurious attire, her hair elegantly styled, and adorned with dazzling jewelry, which illuminated her radiance.

Roland was momentarily stunned by her beauty.

"Anya, what are you doing here?" Jobs asked.

Upon hearing Jobs' question, Roland snapped out of his daze. At this moment, he had lost his usual composure. With a beauty before him, he seemed to have once again become the insignificant person he was in his past life.

"Mr. Roland, do I look strange?" Feeling Roland's gaze, Anya also became embarrassed. She blushed and lowered her head, feeling quite awkward.

"No, no. You look beautiful. It's my fault." Seeing Anya's embarrassment, Roland hastily explained. At the same time, he questioned himself inwardly, wondering what was wrong. He had warned himself, yet he still acted like a spring chicken.

Meanwhile, Otto Rothschild observed everything from a distance. Seeing Roland and Anya at a loss, a smile crept onto Otto's lips. It seemed that inviting Anya here today was indeed the right decision, and a thought gradually formed in his mind.

...

"Your Highness Roland, I've had the honor of meeting Your Highness Roland. Your presence at my mansion truly adds to its splendor! I heard from my servants that Your Highness was coming, but I was puzzled as I didn't see anyone! So, Your Highness is here." With his entourage of servants, Otto approached Roland and spoke to him.

Roland blushed at his words and quickly changed the subject, saying, "I wonder what Mr. Otto wants to discuss with me? I suppose it's not a simple matter. Otherwise, you could have just sent a servant to me, couldn't you?"

Otto chuckled, "Your Highness is indeed astute. I have a matter to discuss with Your Highness. Would you care to join me in my study for a detailed conversation?"

"Sure, if you don't mind," Roland shrugged indifferently.

"Mr. Otto, your estate is truly magnificent! With such a grand mansion, you must indeed be wealthy!" Roland pretended nonchalance as he walked.

"Haha! Just a little business, nothing to boast about being wealthy!" Otto, being cautious, understood Roland's probing and didn't give a straightforward answer.

"Mr. Otto, don't be modest. If you've only done a little business, then the whole of France must be poor." Roland chuckled.

"Haha, Your Highness, you have quite an amusing way of speaking." Otto smiled awkwardly.

"We still have quite a distance to your study. It's a bit far to walk, and since there's no one around, why don't we talk here? At least the scenery is beautiful." Roland suggested with a smile.

"If Your Highness prefers to talk here, then let's do so. I heard that Your Highness proposed to His Majesty the Emperor to nationalize the copper and iron within the country. Is that true?" Otto asked, looking at Roland.

"Mr. Otto's sources are indeed sensitive. It's only been half a day, and you've already got wind of it." Roland couldn't help but smile upon hearing Otto's words.

These bigwigs in the financial world were truly not to be underestimated. He had only proposed the idea to Napoleon at noon, yet by evening, the Rothschild family already knew.

"I'm a businessman, Your Highness. If a businessman isn't sensitive to information, how can he conduct business?" Otto shrugged, smiling.

"Actually, Mr. Otto, nationalizing everything might not be the correct approach. It would lead to discontent among many, and the country currently lacks the manpower to manage all these resources. So, I believe cooperation between state-owned assets and private assets, such as yours, would be more beneficial. What do you think? Mr. Otto, are you interested in cooperating with me for development?" Roland looked at Otto with a smile as he asked.

In truth, Roland had disagreed with Napoleon's blanket approach from the beginning. While nationalizing all the mineral resources could ensure government control, it would inevitably stifle the economic vitality of these assets, leading to more harm than good.