But no matter how difficult it was to answer, he had to answer. After all, Nicholas I and many big bosses were watching, and it was impossible to fool things.
He coughed twice and bowed his head and replied: "The two countries have not had formal contact on this matter, so there is no definite number. I can only say that the sincerity of the United States is still very high. If the negotiation is completed, it should not be less than
Ten million dollars."
Is ten million dollars a lot?
It depends on who it is for. For ordinary people, even in 2022, this is a huge amount of money that is difficult to earn in a lifetime. But for the country, even in 1853, this money is not worth it.
Very many.
It can only be said that it has some value, but the value is not that great.
But having said that, ten million US dollars can indeed play a role in providing help in times of crisis for Russia, which is financially strapped. Therefore, it is still attractive to Nicholas I.
So you can see that he nodded slightly unconsciously, and this was naturally noticed by Count Uvarov. He immediately laughed in his heart, thinking that Count Rostovtsev was shooting himself in the face.
His feet are simply stupid.
Did Count Rostovtsev really make a mistake? Obviously not. With his intelligence capabilities, could he not know what the Americans' intended bid was?
Since he knew and specifically asked about it, Count Rostovtsev must be sure. Faced with the answer of the finance minister, he slowly asked again: "Ten million dollars is really a lot, that is to say, one hundred
Half a million square kilometers of land is not worth $7 per square kilometer, well, that’s a really good price!”
As soon as these words came out, Nicholas I immediately changed his mind. When he heard the price of 10 million US dollars before, he didn't think it was anything. He even thought it was quite a lot. But when he heard the price of less than 7 US dollars per square kilometer,
, his face was not generally ugly.
How big is one square kilometer? And how much is seven dollars? If you compare it like this, you can’t bear to look at it!
Anyway, Nicholas I felt that if he agreed to this price, he would really be taken advantage of.
"This... this..." The finance minister stuttered when he saw something bad. Count Uvarov had to step forward to help him out: "That's a barren land. It's worthless if you don't sell it."
!”
Nicholas I would have believed this before, but now, after Count Rostovtsev’s advice, he would no longer think so. Of course, barren land is worthless. In this case, then
The Americans are not taken advantage of. Why do they spend huge sums of money to buy these barren lands? Their money is not blown by strong winds. Alaska must be valuable and profitable, so they will buy it!
Nicholas I had this kind of personality. He would never allow others to take advantage of him. Even if Alaska died in his hands, he would not feel pity, but if someone else bought Alaska and took advantage of even a dime, he would
Neither can be accepted.
"Barren land!" He heard him snort heavily, glared at Count Uvarov and lectured: "Alaska was developed by our ancestors through hard work and hardships. Although it is a little barren now, it is by no means nothing.
barren land!"
Count Uvarov's expression suddenly changed. People like him who knew Nicholas I knew very well what the tsar would say next. It would definitely be detrimental to him!
Sure enough, Nicholas I cursed the Chancellor of Finance so hard that he couldn't hold his head up. After a while, he changed the topic and said: "Although Russia is a large country, not even an inch is superfluous.
Even though it is a wild land, we cannot give it up casually, and our land must not be sold at a low price!"
Look at what this says, it’s a typical example of someone who wants to be a concubine and build a memorial arch at the same time. The meaning is actually very simple, that is, if you sell Alaska for 10 million US dollars, you will definitely forget your ancestors, but if you sell it for 20 million US dollars, then
It means that the success lies in the future.
All in all, Alaska is not impossible to sell, but the price is definitely not good! You have to add money!
Count Uvarov secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Nicholas I's few words would be persuaded by Count Rostovtsev, and he really did not intend to sell Alaska. Now it seems that he still underestimated Nicholas I.
Financial pressure also underestimated his determination to win the current war.
It was obvious that Nicholas I had risked everything, even if he had to sell his ancestral property like Alaska to raise money to defeat the Turks.
This is good news for Count Uvarov. As long as Nicholas I is willing to sell, he has no objection. As for how much it can sell for, he doesn't care at all. Of course, if it can be sold for a few more dollars, then
It's definitely not a bad thing. After all, he doesn't know how long this war will last. Let alone 20 million US dollars, even if it is doubled, he feels unsure.
But this is really not good news for the Chancellor of the Finance. Don’t look at what he just said to Nicholas I that the Americans are willing to pay 10 million, but only he knows in his heart that this is pure bragging. Americans should not
They said ten million, but currently they are not willing to pay even eight million, but now it depends on what Nicholas I wants, let alone ten million, even fifteen million will not be accepted.
Only he, the finance minister, now knows how bad the economic and fiscal situation is. According to his estimation, even if the war tax is not raised now, it will definitely have to be raised in the second half of the year, and even more than once.
Calculating it this way, life will not be easy for everyone in the second half of the year, and this is the key reason why almost everyone is not opposed to selling Alaska.
So he knew that if he dared to say that he couldn't sell it at such a price, or to persuade Nicholas I not to sell Alaska, the conservatives would definitely not spare him. Poor little arms and thin legs, where are these conservatives like wolves and tigers?
Rivals of nobles.
But if you ask him to sell it for 20 million, it is really difficult for him. I really can’t do it!
For a moment, the finance minister didn't know what to do. He lowered his head and said nothing, which made Nicholas I angry just by looking at him!
He really wanted to rush up and kick this guy's ass, but the occasion was really inappropriate, so he could only ask patiently: "What's your opinion?"
The Chancellor of Finance really wants to give me my opinion, so don’t bother. Even if I sell one piece, it’s not worth 20 million!
He replied with a grimace: "Your Majesty, you are absolutely right. We cannot sell any of our territory casually. Otherwise, we will neither be able to explain it to our ancestors nor explain it to our countrymen. We might as well put this matter aside!"