Chapter 414 5 Billion (First update, please subscribe)
In front of No. 10 Downing Street, Cofield stepped out of the car with a serious expression. In front of him was a human wall built by a group of photographers. Next, we received various questions from reporters.
Reporters don’t know where they received the news. The head of the Indian State Affairs Bureau has been working hard for the fate of the Indian state in the past few days. He even Like Don Quixote, he tenaciously defends the interests of the British Empire there, and it is for this reason that these reporters are waiting for him here.
Waiting to witness his failure, or his success.
"Sir, may I ask, are you coming to London this time for the independence of the Indian states?"
"Sir, will a divided India bring war and chaos to India?"
"Sir..."
Faced with reporters' questions, Sir Cofield just gave a Short answer.
“The British Empire must keep its promise, gentlemen!”
As the last defender of the British Empire in the South Asian subcontinent, Cofield stepped into what he saw as “a group of despicable people who had occupy” the office.
Soon, he met Attlee, a traitor who had betrayed India and was doing everything possible to dismember the British Empire.
Despite the hostility in his heart, Cofield still tried his best to restrain himself, but Attlee obviously didn't have any good feelings for him. After all, this guy was jumping up and down trying to stop him from dumping his baggage.
“Sir, you must clearly know that India’s independence is not only a demand of the Indian people, but also a demand of the British people. The British people have no intention of fighting for the so-called “empire on which the sun never sets”. Arrogance has no price to pay. Now, as politicians, we must first consider the well-being of the people, not the glory of the empire, if there is any!"
As the leader of the Labor Party, Attlee is from the bottom of his heart! He was disgusted and even hostile to the "British Empire". In his opinion, the huge colonies "only nourished a lot of military garrisons and the complacency of an empire on which the sun never sets.", and also placed too many burdens on the British. .
So, he is extremely firm in his stance on decolonization.
How to arouse someone's anger?
That was to attack what he cared about most. Attlee's contempt for the British Empire successfully aroused Cofield's anger, but he still controlled himself. He knew his mission.
"Mr. Prime Minister, perhaps in the eyes of some people, the glory that Britain has built since Nelson's time is not worth mentioning, but for most British people, this is what we are doing in the world. The foundation for which we have fought and sacrificed in the past few years, if your Excellency, you really care about the well-being of the British people, then..."
Cofield paused, then looked directly at the other person and said.
“Let’s talk about the well-being of the British people today!”
"What?"
Attlee looked at the other party in confusion. Isn't he here to discuss the issue of Indian princes? The reason why he wanted to anger the other party was that he didn't want to cause trouble with the feudal issue.
"Mr. Prime Minister, first of all, we must admit one more thing - the princes of the princely states have been well known for their loyalty to the British Empire in the past century. Perhaps, to some extent, they have deep feelings in their hearts. They also long for freedom, but Mr. Prime Minister, they have been showing their loyalty in their own way, such as the "Fanatical Highness" of Hyderabad who donated 500 million pounds during World War I to show support for the British Empire. Now..."
Taking a deep breath, Cofield said.
“The princes of the feudal states entrusted me to make a proposal to the Prime Minister. Based on their loyalty to the British Empire and considering the practical problems faced by the British Empire, they are prepared to purchase US$5 billion with no interest for thirty years. National debt! If the British Empire issued it!"
What!
In an instant, Attlee was stunned. He stared at the other person with his mouth wide open.
"What, what?"
"Five billion dollars!"
Cofield enjoyed the shock of the other party, thanked God, and Cowell said it It destroyed what Attlee cared about. There was never a British Empire in their eyes, only interests - in order to win over the stupid people, they could even dismantle the colonies!
What a bunch of idiots!
“Five billion US dollars, interest-free national debt!”
Attlee asked unconvincingly.
Just a few months ago, in order to get rid of the economic difficulties, he had just borrowed 1.4 billion US dollars from Canada. I asked my son to borrow money... That would also have to be repaid, and interest would have to be paid.
In order to fulfill his promise to the people, Attlee has been doing everything possible to raise funds to improve people's livelihood since the day he formed the government. However, there are too many places where Britain needs to spend money to rebuild - hundreds of thousands of houses have been bombed and millions of people have become homeless. This is just one of them. In order to save money, he carried out large-scale disarmament, but what was the result? The disbanded troops also need to be resettled, which also costs money.
In short, there are places to spend money everywhere.
The UK has long been bankrupt. In fact, it was close to bankruptcy during World War II!
But during the war, there were blood transfusions from the United States. Although there is aid from the Marshall Act now, it is limited after all.
In order to maintain government spending, Britain still maintains the high taxes and rationing system during the war, and the people have long complained about this.
All problems are money problems.
And now a group of feudal lords from India say that they are willing to take 5 billion US dollars!
What is their purpose?
“Do they want to exchange US$5 billion for independence?”
Attlee asked.
"Yes, Prime Minister."
Coffield said.
“If you agree, they can purchase 2 billion US dollars of bonds within a month first, and another 3 billion US dollars of bonds after independence!”
Money… …can buy everything.
Will Attlee accept it?
When leaving No. 10 Downing Street, Cofield didn't have an answer. When he got into the car, he looked at Cowell specifically and asked.
"Cowell, do you think they will agree?"
"Who can resist this temptation?"
The temptation of five billion dollars!
For a group of politicians who want to win over the people and pave the way for the next election, they cannot refuse this temptation, even if it is intestinal poison, they will take it.
"Yes, those Attlee guys can even betray the British Empire. What else can't they do?"
Looking at the aggrieved Cofield, Cowell lit a stick Cigarettes, said.
“Now, Jazz, it’s time for us to meet that person. His support is also very important.”
This is their last stop in London and the most important one. A stop, even to a certain extent, more important than meeting Attlee.
"Will he support us?"
Cofield suddenly became a little nervous. The reason why he was so nervous was entirely based on the fact that the meeting with Attlee had just ended.
“We brought a large sum of money to Attlee.”
“Sir, would you betray the interests of the British Empire for money?”
Answer Yes, as long as the money is enough, of course, Cofield will never admit it.
"He is a fierce defender of the British Empire just like us, Sir. He will understand our difficulties and support our decision, as long as it is beneficial to the British Empire!"
(End of this chapter)