Chapter 76 Santoku is a bully (second update, please collect)
"North Borneo Company..."
The bright sunshine of the Mediterranean Sea shone into the room through the window.
Berlin should be freezing cold at this time, and there should be harsh air raid sirens.
Sitting on the sofa with a glass of red wine in his hand, Berlin just sat there, staring out the window, and finally let out an almost imperceptible sigh in the shadow of the room.
"This might also be a good choice."
A man stood up from the sofa in a hurry. He took a sip of wine and stood by the window again, staring out the window.
On the road in the distance, the speeding jeeps and American soldiers reminded him that this place was occupied by Americans. They are constantly attacking northward.
Americans have established a foothold on the European continent!
“Four years ago, when we occupied Paris, I thought we had won the war, but now it’s only been a few years...”
As agents of the Military Intelligence Agency, they had witnessed Germany's victories as well as its defeats.
With the surrender of the North African Army, especially after the Allied landings in Italy, superiors in Berlin quietly began to prepare for the future.
And they are responsible for carrying out this task. According to the plan, they should go to Spain and use the company established by the Intelligence Agency there to establish a secret passage to South America such as Argentina and other countries.
But this secret passage requires a boat!
It was at this time that the batch of Italian merchant ships purchased by Li Yian attracted their attention.
Li Yi'an is Chinese, and China is a member of the Allies. It seems safer to travel to the Americas on Allied ships.
Will Li Yian agree?
He is a businessman first!
For businessmen, as long as they have enough money, they are even willing to sell their souls!
Just like the initial speculation, Li Yian did not reject his suggestion. After all, no one can refuse the safety guarantee. With this guarantee, they can sail safely on the Atlantic Ocean.
However, Li Yian's suggestion made Berlin see another possibility.
"As he said, Argentina is not necessarily the best choice?"
Once again, Li Yian's words flashed in Berlin's mind, and he said, looking at the background of his head.
“The whole world knows that Veron is absolutely friendly to us. Even if the United States forces Argentina to declare war on Germany in the future, it cannot change this fact. Of course, a friendly country can provide us with asylum. The only The problem is... the whole world knows it!"
Swaying the wine glass gently, Berlin suppressed the smile on his face and said.
"The allies will also know where we are hiding. If they ask to enter Argentina for investigation, do you think Veron and others can resist the pressure from the United States?"
"So, he gives us another option!"< br>
The man standing by the window stared out the window and looked at the jeeps passing by. He seemed to be thinking about Germany in the future. Will there be Allied vehicles running rampant in Germany after the defeat?
Now they can't think about it that much. They can only take care of themselves and their families right now.
"North Borneo Company!"
"That's a colony. Well, he has bought that company. The colony of more than 70,000 square kilometers belongs to his company. After the war, all kinds of people are needed there. We can take what we need from each other. He Provide us with shelter, and we will help him build his country, oh, it should be the company..."
"Asia..."
The man at the window nodded slightly, said.
"Who would have thought that we would go to Asia? The whole world thought we were in South America..."
Putting the empty wine glass on the table by the window, he nodded.
"It seems we need to return to Berlin!"
Then he said to Berlin.
“You keep communicating with him, who knows? Maybe it really is a good choice.”
Most of the time, the first contact is tentative. .
If we want to cooperate in depth, we have to wait a little longer. At least trust needs to be established.
In the afternoon of the next day, Berlin appeared in front of Li Yian again. Different from the pie drawn at the last meeting, this time he came with a contract.
"Iron ore?"
"Yes, a total of 50,000 tons of iron ore were transported from Spain to Marseille. Spain is a neutral country, and France's transportation of materials is in compliance with international law."
The France in Berlin’s mouth must be the Vichy France,
“You can regard this as the beginning of our cooperation, and I believe that during our cooperation, you will definitely receive generous rewards.”< br>
When he finished speaking, Berlin put the briefcase at his feet on the table. The heavy weight made people wonder what was inside.
“This is the deposit.”
Berlin took out two yellow bricks from the bag.
It’s a gold brick!
It also has Santoku’s eagle emblem and weight on it!
10KG!
Two gold bricks equal 20 kilograms!
Looking directly at Li Yian and said. It's really not an ordinary act of generosity!
While feeling emotional, Li Yian glanced at the gold, and then said lightly.
"You should know that shipping costs are very expensive now!"
If you encounter someone who is taken advantage of, if you miss it, you will be sorry for your ancestors.
“I like you.”
Berlin said with a shrug of his shoulders.
“Because you are a profiteer!”
Sometimes the reason to like someone is that simple.
Holding his hands on his chest, Li Yian just looked at each other with a smile.
And Berlin said cheerfully.
“Make a price.”
……
After signing an iron ore transportation contract with Berlin, he immediately drove to the Port of Taranto in southeastern Italy. This is the largest port in southern Italy. During the North African War, German and Italian transport ships departed from here. , heading to Africa.
It is precisely because of this that hundreds of thousands of tons of Italian merchant ships gather here. Now these useless merchant ships are parked in the harbor, and there are unemployed sailors everywhere near the harbor.
Standing at the port, looking at the freighter named "Tunisia" in front of him, Li Yian looked quite proud. He even took out a cigar, just like Fatty Qiu, Nodding cigar.
Now these ships are all named Li.
"Mr. Li, these boats are yours now!"
Alberto, the deputy manager of the Italian shipping company, said with a tone of regret.
“When we built these ships, we spent thirty million U.S. dollars, but now... they are only worth two million U.S. dollars. Sir, you have made the most cost-effective investment.”
< br>Listening to Alberto's words, Li Yian didn't care whether he complained or sighed, but said with a smile.
"Sir Alberto, when the war is over, no one will buy these old ships."
Really not?
At least since the "Marshall Plan" was launched in the United States, thousands of Liberty ships have been backlogged in American ports. These old ships... are really hard to sell!
Not being able to sell does not mean that they cannot be sold. These ships look small in tonnage, but in fact, there are really not many ports in Asia suitable for berthing 10,000-ton freeships. Cargo ships of several thousand tons are more Perfect for North Borneo.
“Who knows?”
Alberto shook his head helplessly, looking at the merchant ships in the harbor, he reminded him specifically.
"Mr. Li, although you purchased this fleet at a low price, you must understand that there is no reduction in the daily berthing fee. If you cannot find business for it as soon as possible, this fee will It’s a big expense..."
"Indeed, so..."
Li Yian glanced at the dazed sailors at the port.
"Sir Alberto, would you like to command this fleet?"
"What?"
"Sorry, I didn't make it clear, I mean, you Are you willing to take charge of my shipping company? ”
Looking at Alberto, Li Yian knew this guy before. He was definitely an expert in running a shipping company and organizing transportation. Under the attack of the Allied sea and air superiority, he could still ensure the supply of materials to North Africa to the greatest extent.
It is absolutely a waste to not use such talents.
“Of course, sir.”
Alberto chose to accept it almost without thinking. After all, he needed a job. It should be said that he needed a job that he could get. Salary job.
"Well, okay, Mr. Alberto, now we have to get our fleet moving as soon as possible. Do you have any suggestions?"
"First of all, we need to hire crew members. This is not a problem. After all, there are captains, crew members and sailors in the port, and they also need to work."
In fact, this is also the reason why Li Yi'an came to Italy, not only Ready-made merchant ships and ready-made crews.
“Yes.”
“But as you know, sir, the Italian lira has depreciated very much now, so the crew prefers to be paid in US dollars or in kind.”
In kind, of course.
There is not much else, but we only have a lot of physical objects, Li Yian said.
"If white sugar is used as the standard, how many kilograms of sugar does each crew member need? I mean the monthly salary."
"White sugar!"
Albert Tuo's face immediately showed joy and he said happily.
"10 kilograms, no, no, 8 kilograms, 8 kilograms for ordinary crew members is enough..."
In an instant, Li Yian was stunned... This, this is so mean!
(End of this chapter)