Chapter 475: See the power of money (first update, please subscribe)
Autumn in the UK is still depressed and cold.
Although the war has ended four years ago, Britain still has not been able to get out of the haze of the war, because without the cover of the war, many problems have become more serious.
What was Britain like in 1949?
The economic situation is still very poor. The high taxes and rationing system during the war are still implemented. Not only the nobles are bankrupt, but also the living standards of the common people have dropped sharply. It is not easy to even eat meat and eggs.
The British before the war were wealthy. When the British went to the grocery store to buy beef, the clerk would ask: Do you want beef from Scotland, New Zealand, Canada, or Australia?
At that time, the British enjoyed food and supplies from all over the world, and the vast colonies supported the British Empire. But now...the crown of the British Empire, India has declared independence. The mandate for the Middle East was also given to the United Nations.
In short... Not only is the British Empire no longer glorious, but the lives of its people are also difficult. Not only that, but Britain itself is also in an economic crisis. The economy can only rely on blood transfusions from the United States, well, and blood transfusions from independent princes.
In a word, the British Empire has long ceased to be glorious. However, this does not prevent it from being the most influential power.
But the influence of the country cannot become the bread, milk, beef and eggs on the people's tables.
Although the Labor Party promised to improve universal welfare and benefit all people, it made various promises. But of course, all this requires money.
After all, most of Britain's supplies need to be imported from abroad. Without foreign exchange or insufficient foreign exchange, how can we support people's consumption?
The continuously increasing trade deficit has put the UK in a post-war economic crisis. It is under this circumstance that the visit of the King and Queen of Sarawak shocked the entire UK.
Not because the princess returned to her parents' home, but because... As we all know, Nanyang purchased more than 500 million US dollars in machinery and equipment from various countries today alone. If we can win orders from him, it will at least make it less difficult for British companies.
Now that this man has come to London, how to please him and win some orders is not only a top priority for the British industrial and commercial community, but also a major matter for the Allied cabinet.
In order to welcome the arrival of Li Yi'an and Margaret, Allied not only held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport, the British Royal Guard of Honor fired a 21-gun royal salute, and reviewed the British Royal Guard of Honor. It can be said that he has prepared a complete set. If it were not for the fact that the airport is some distance from the White King Khan Palace, it is estimated that he would even prepare a royal carriage.
Of course, George VI was involved in all this. He also came to the airport in person, but not to cooperate with the cabinet acting, but to welcome his favorite little daughter home.
In fact, compared to the grand ceremony, the most important thing was the welcome from George VI. After accompanying him in the car, George VI looked at his daughter leaning on his shoulder dotingly, and then He turned his attention to Li Yian and said.
"Lee, everything Attlee does is hoping to get orders from you."
"I know,"
Nodding, Li Yian said.
"I'm sure I brought a few orders."
Seeing that Li Yian just said something lightly, King George VI asked.
“I’m afraid it’s not that easy to get these orders.”
Li Yian said with a slight smile.
"Your Majesty, everything has a price."
George VI did not continue the question, but looked at his daughter dotingly and asked about common topics such as why he didn't bring the children with him. .
While they were chatting, the car drove all the way into the White King's Palace. After checking into the White King's Palace, Margaret said looking at the familiar room.
"Dear, you see, I grew up in this room, this, this..."
Looking at my wife's excitement after returning to her parents' home, I thought of George in the car. The sixth generation coughed from time to time, and after thinking about it, Li Yian said.
"Lily, after this visit is over, you can take the children here to stay for a while."
Margaret was stunned by his words and said in surprise.
"Is something going to happen?"
Shaking his head, Li Yian said.
“I just hope that you can be happy, and Bertie also likes children. He looked very disappointed because he didn’t see the children just now. I also hope that Bertie can be happy, and you also I really want to spend more time with him.”
Hearing this, Margaret walked to him, hugged him tightly, and said. "Dear, thank you."
Holding his wife, Li Yian said.
"A few months ago, De Havilland tested a "Comet" passenger aircraft. It is a jet passenger aircraft and is very fast. It only takes a dozen hours to fly from Chang'an to Chang'an. London, when it is put into use, you can come to see Bertie often."
When mentioning the "Comet", the first jet airliner in human history, Li Yian's lips raised slightly, maybe it is. A pioneer, but it is definitely not a success, and it is even a fatal pioneer.
"Jet? Is it the order you mentioned before?"
"Absolutely."
Li Yian said with a smile.
Actually, he really had no interest in the "comet". After all, that plane definitely lived up to its name, it was just a "comet" that flashed by. Compared to comets, there are things on the British side that are more in line with Nanyang's needs.
It can even be said that it is more important than Attlee's support.
However, at least on the surface, the meeting with Attlee was the most important. After all, no matter what he did, he was still the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
So, the day after arriving in London, Li Yi'an held a meeting with Attlee. The official meeting was of course pleasant, especially when Attlee learned that Li Yi'an would visit several companies. After expressing his interest in the "Comet" aircraft, he immediately became more enthusiastic. Winning orders for British companies is in itself his responsibility.
However, in the subsequent private meeting, after simple greetings, Attlee spoke directly.
"Your Majesty, we noticed that before you came to London, you mentioned the state of war with Japan, but as we all know, the war is over. In the British view, the "fishing zone incident" should not continue to expand, Therefore, if possible, I hope that this matter can be resolved through negotiation. "
"Of course, I also hope that it can be resolved through negotiation, but the premise is that the Alliance President must stop harming the interests of the Allies. ”
Looking directly at Attlee, Li Yian said.
"As we all know, although the Allied General Headquarters is ostensibly the Allied General Headquarters, in fact, due to the withdrawal of the Russians, the Allied General Headquarters has long ceased to exist, and it has long been reduced to MacArthur's private kingdom. , the policies he formulated are all based on - as the emperor of Japan, he strives for the interests of Japan, even at the expense of the interests of allies, so this situation must be broken."
Li Yi'an's words made Ai! Deli was stunned and said.
“So it’s not just a “fishing zone”?”
“The “fishing zone issue” is only part of the problem. The question now is how to safeguard the interests of the allies.”
Li Yi'an said seriously,
"On this issue, I think the interests of Britain and Nanyang are consistent."
Will they be consistent?
Will Attlee offend the American donor for the Far East issue? The answer is obviously no. At present, the United Kingdom even needs blood transfusions from the United States to maintain its economy. The Marshall Plan to restore the European economy. The UK received the most, with a total of $3.2 billion.
In this case, the United Kingdom is definitely not willing to offend the United States.
"Your Majesty, the UK is now more focused on its own problems. You know, the UK's current economic problems are very pessimistic. We are facing a huge foreign trade deficit, and our industrial production has been unable to recover. Unemployment, economic recession, all... The problem makes us unable to deal with the problems of the Far East. "
Attlee's answer was already expected by Li Yi'an, so Li Yi'an chose the simplest and crudest way.
“$150 million!”
What?
Li Yian said before Attlee could react.
"The total amount of orders I have prepared this time is US$150 million! I will visit France and the Netherlands in three days."
In an instant, Attlee understood that this was a threat from Chi Guoguo. Tell him that if he refuses, the order will fly to France and the Netherlands.
Even the Prime Minister has no way to refuse when faced with super powers.
"I understand, but I cannot personally make the decision on this matter. The details need to be discussed by the cabinet."
Attlee finally could not resist the temptation of money.
(End of this chapter)