Chapter 567: The "Star-Studded Lineup"
Fouché bowed again and continued, "With all due respect, Your Highness, investigating this matter requires a high degree of expertise in trade, economics, and contractual law. If the Intelligence Bureau conducts the investigation, it may take three months or longer."
Mirabeau immediately interjected, "That's far too long! It will cause numerous contract breaches!"
Fouché turned to Joseph. "Your Highness, if you allow one particular individual to assist the Intelligence Bureau, I believe the time could be cut in half."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"Viscount Calonne," Fouché replied. "He's an expert in economics and trade, and extremely familiar with underhanded practices... Oh, please believe me, I mean this as a sincere compliment.
"From what I understand, he went to Lorraine earlier this year to 'treat a back ailment' and has yet to return to Paris. This makes him conveniently located to head straight for the German regions."
Joseph nodded slightly. As a former Finance Minister, Calonne's professional capabilities were beyond question. Furthermore, his extensive experience with embezzlement and bribery meant he had an unparalleled understanding of illegal schemes.
Moreover, his loyalty to the crown made him a suitable candidate for the task.
As for why he was in Lorraine, it likely had to do with managing properties he acquired during his exile.
"Very well. I'll write to him, asking for his assistance with this investigation."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Fouché hesitated momentarily, then added, "Your Highness, if I may involve one other individual, I believe we could complete the investigation in under a month."
Joseph exhaled and said, "You really ought to lay all your cards on the table at once. Who is it this time?"
"Franz Anton Mesmer."
"Who? And what does he do?"
Mirabeau coughed awkwardly, then said, "Ahem, Your Highness, he's... well, a notorious charlatan."
"Yes, a charlatan," Fouché agreed, "but also a medical doctor and a genius."
As Fouché summarized Mesmer's history, Joseph began to recall this peculiar figure—a self-proclaimed pioneer of hypnotic therapy, known for deceiving everyone from kings to beggars.
Seven years earlier, Mesmer had arrived in Paris from Vienna, claiming to have developed a "theory of magnetic therapy" that could cure all illnesses.
According to his theory, the human body was governed by internal magnetic fields. When these fields were disrupted, illness ensued. By using magnetized iron rods, he claimed to realign the magnetic fields and restore health.
Later, finding the rods cumbersome, he declared himself a "magnetized person" and began performing treatments using only his hands.
With his theatrical flair and persuasive charm, Mesmer managed to convince many of the validity of his "magnetic therapy." His clinic quickly became a hotspot for ailing aristocrats.
But Mesmer didn't stop there. To treat more patients, he devised a method where they would sit around a large tub infused with his "magnetic energy." He later expanded his operations by training apprentices, claiming they could inherit his magnetic powers.
At the height of his popularity, Paris boasted over 400 "magnetic therapists," generating millions of livres for Mesmer.
However, his fortunes changed when he treated King Louis XVI.
The scientifically-minded monarch found the practice dubious and assembled an expert panel, including Lavoisier, Leroy, and Benjamin Franklin, to evaluate its legitimacy.
Faced with such an esteemed panel, Mesmer's fraud was exposed, leading to his imprisonment.
Despite this, many of his former patients insisted they had been cured. Scholars later concluded that the treatments' efficacy stemmed from psychological suggestion, ultimately laying the groundwork for modern hypnosis.
Fouché's choice of Mesmer was certainly "on-brand."
Mesmer's Austrian roots made him familiar with local customs, and his expertise in deception perfectly complemented Calonne's professional acumen—a truly "perfect pairing."
"Very well," Joseph said. "You may fetch him from the First Prison immediately."
Austria.
In a modest house on the outskirts of Vienna, Calonne meticulously examined the documents before him. Turning to the Intelligence Bureau officer beside him, he frowned and said,
"From these companies' legitimacy, size, operational records, and the process of negotiating and signing contracts, there's absolutely nothing suspicious.
"The pricing of goods and delivery dates on the orders are all reasonable. There's no evidence of bribery either…"
This was unsurprising. As the Vice Chairman of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, Kleistiel was highly experienced in trade. His schemes were undoubtedly well-crafted and left no visible flaws.
"All advance payments have been made in full." Calonne gestured to a nearby newspaper and pointed to an advertisement. "Some of the French goods they've ordered are already being promoted. From a professional perspective, everything appears to be legitimate trade.
"Perhaps His Highness was mistaken this time?"
The deep-set eyes of Mesmer, who sat nearby, gleamed as he softly interjected,
"Viscount, if we cannot find flaws in their evidence, perhaps we should disregard the evidence altogether…"
Calonne shot the charlatan a disdainful glare. He himself had been duped by Mesmer's "magnetic therapy" years ago, losing over 10,000 livres.
"What nonsense! Without evidence, what do you propose we rely on? Lies?" he retorted sarcastically. "Fine, go ahead and trick these people into confessing, 'Yes, we're part of a grand conspiracy.'"
Mesmer lowered his head and cautiously explained,
"You misunderstand. I'm suggesting we set aside the evidence and engage these companies directly in a 'genuine' transaction."
"What are you talking about?"
"When my magnetic therapy was scrutinized by the Academy, even the experts initially found no flaws," Mesmer said. "It wasn't until Lavoisier devised a blind test—having me treat patients who were blindfolded and silenced—that my methods were exposed."
"So?"
"We should pose as buyers—a very wealthy and eager buyer—and approach these companies for business. Then, we…"
Calonne and the Intelligence Bureau officer exchanged a surprised glance and nodded hesitantly.
Three days later, "Viscount Plammer of Erdőbénye" arrived in a luxurious carriage at the headquarters of the Manharts Trading Company, a shell corporation run by Baron Graz.
Masquerading as Viscount Plammer, Mesmer played his role flawlessly. From the moment he stepped through the door, he showered every worker and servant he encountered with generous tips.
When he finally met Graz, Mesmer declared his intent to purchase all the French goods Graz had advertised and offered to sign a contract immediately, claiming he had seen the company's ad in a newspaper.
To Mesmer's surprise, Graz refused outright.
It wasn't that Graz didn't want to make more money. But such a massive transaction would inevitably involve numerous employees, creating extensive interactions with his warehouses, managers, and even his drivers.
Even the most meticulously crafted scheme couldn't guarantee there wouldn't be a slip-up under such scrutiny.
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