Chapter 723 Two and a Half
The economic crisis that broke out at the beginning of this year was mainly caused by an unhealthy economic structure and did not have much impact on Russia.
Russia's wartime industrial system completely collapsed during the civil war. Factories were destroyed, workers were hijacked by the Provisional Executive Committee, and the economy was almost devastated.
Witt originally thought that it would take many years for Russia to get rid of the shadow caused by the world war and civil war.
In George's eyes, Russia is in dire straits.
Since the industrial system was destroyed during the war, there was naturally no overproduction and no industrial transformation. Any needed factories could be built directly without any resistance.
Russia lost 15 million people during the world war. This certainly made George heartbroken, but population reduction also meant a shortage of labor. As long as you wanted to work, there were plenty of job opportunities.
The most difficult problems in Britain, France and the United States now are unemployed workers and veterans.
Neither problem exists in Russia.
Just after the civil war, due to severe industrial damage in Russia and Europe, a material rationing system was generally implemented, and even food was rationed.
With the recovery of agricultural production, Russia's food security has been greatly eased this year, and exports of agricultural products to Europe have gradually resumed.
At the same time, industrial production has gradually resumed, and most of the wood used in Europe is provided by Russia.
The world war has not yet ended, Russia has already begun to rebuild, and this year is already the third year.
A number of key enterprises in Russia will be completed and put into production next year. In order to promote commodity exports, Witte proposed the establishment of a free trade organization to promote economic exchanges among member countries.
Free trade has always been the most powerful weapon used by industrial powers to destroy the industrial systems of backward regions, and the United States is the biggest beneficiary of free trade.
The free trade proposed by Witte is different from the free trade of the United States.
U.S. free trade only targets the European market. When European goods want to enter the U.S. market, the U.S. government will raise tariffs and other methods to increase the costs of European companies to protect the U.S. domestic manufacturing industry.
The first point of Witte's free trade is to reduce or even eliminate tariffs.
There are currently six countries that have joined, including Russia, the Kingdom of Romania, the Kingdom of Bulgaria, the Grand Duchy of Montenegro, the Grand Duchy of Yuriev, and Korea.
After joining this agreement, goods from the above-mentioned six countries can circulate freely, and each country can choose an economic development path suitable for its own conditions based on its own conditions.
Not all countries are qualified to develop large and comprehensive industrial lines.
For example, in Goryeo, which is resource-poor, it is very difficult to develop domestic industry. It does not even have the raw materials necessary for industry. Even if it is forced to invest, it will not be competitive at all.
After joining the Free Trade Organization, Korea can obtain cheap goods from other member countries at the lowest cost.
After tariffs were reduced or eliminated, consumption tax became the main source of revenue for the Goryeo government.
Of course, joining the Free Trade Organization is not without its shortcomings. If goods from other countries flood in, it will cause a fatal blow to the country's industrial system.
This is why Georgi is still hesitant.
The Kingdom of Greece was defeated in the Greco-Austrian War and lost its territory on the Asia Minor Peninsula. Georgi therefore complained quite a lot about George.
But George cannot be blamed for this. Since Georgi wants to embrace the laps of the British and French, he must be prepared to be abandoned by Russia.
After the outbreak of the Greco-Austria War, Georgi asked Britain and France for help.
Britain and France were in constant trouble and were completely unable to provide assistance to Greece. This made Georgi completely understand the true colors of Britain and France.
Weak countries should recognize the situation clearly, grasp their own positioning, and avoid undue ambitions.
The industrial foundation of the Greek Kingdom was actually similar to that of Goryeo, with basically no industry at all.
The most famous businessman in Greece is a second-rate dealer who accumulated huge wealth by reselling materials. Not only did he not help the Greek economy, but he set a very bad example.
Since you can become the richest man by reselling supplies, why do you still work so hard in industry?
Georgi is worried that joining the Free Trade Organization will deepen the Kingdom of Greece’s dependence on Russia.
In order to understand the truth about the Free Trade Organization, Georgi personally went to Bucharest and asked Ferdinand face to face.
“Romania is an agricultural country. Regardless of whether there is a free trade organization or not, Romania cannot do without industrial products from Russia. In this case, why not Romania take the initiative to become part of the Russian economic system?”
< br>Ferdinand positioned himself very accurately.
Greece is located in the Mediterranean Sea, relatively far from Russia, while Romania is right next to Russia.
In the Ninth Russo-Turkish War, Romania’s late Emperor Carol hugged Russia’s thighs tightly, so Romania was able to gain independence from the Ottoman Empire.
During the World War, Romania relied on Russia to seize Transylvania and Transcarpathia from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, directly doubling its land area.
Romania also needs Russian help if it wants to sell oil and natural gas.
Russia only needs to block the entrance to the Black Sea to suffocate Romania to death.
“But in this case, what is the meaning of our independence?”
Georgi has ideals, but reality does not allow it.
"There are only two and a half truly independent countries in our world -"
Although Ferdinand did not name them, Georgi knew who Ferdinand was talking about.
The two countries are the United States and Russia, and the United Kingdom counts as half. Not even France.
If France does not ally with Britain, it cannot even guarantee its own national security. Is such independence considered independent?
The UK is alone overseas. Even if the continental equilibrium system fails, the UK can still move its capital to Canada or Australia, so it counts as half.
Georgi finally fell silent and left Romania for Constantinople the next day.
Witt and Georgi have a tacit understanding. Without the Tisio War, it would be as if it never happened.
What Georgi wanted to see was actually George.
George went to Adrianople to see his grandson. He just left last night and made it clear that he did not want to see Georgi.
Georgi pursued him to Adrianople and finally cornered George in Alexander Manor.
"George, help me, what should I do?"
Georgi finally gave in.
The situation in Romania is actually better than that in Greece. At least there is no need to import food.
Greece can’t even grow food in that poor place. It needs to import a large amount of food from Russia every year to meet domestic demand. Do you still want true independence?
It's better to go to sleep, there's everything in your dreams.
George swallowed it back when he said it.
You don’t even want to call me daddy——
Look at how obedient little George is, grandpa, grandpa’s cries are so sweet.
“Greece has the richest tourism resources in the world, why not try this?”
When you are desperate, you still have to look to George.
Georgi frowned, traveling——
It’s not impossible.
During the Balkan War, Russia captured several islands in the Aegean Sea from the Ottoman Empire. These islands have now become the most desirable tourist destinations for Russians in winter.
The winter in Russia is too long. Every winter, Russia enters hibernation like polar bears.
This year, staff who have performed well in the reconstruction work of the Russian organization went on vacation in the Aegean Sea, with all expenses paid by the Russian official.
This qualification does not limit status. Even cleaning staff are eligible to come to the Aegean Sea and enjoy a month-long sweet vacation as long as they complete their work well.
After the news was announced, all Russians almost went crazy.
In the Russian Empire’s era, the powerful elite of the Russian Empire went to the Mediterranean for vacation like migratory birds every winter, and most of them went to France.
Ordinary Russians also want to take a vacation, but they have no money.
The list published by "Russian News" includes combat heroes who have repeatedly made military exploits during the world wars, as well as railway construction workers, cleaning staff, farmers, and heroic mothers.
A mother from Crimea sent all 7 of her sons to the battlefield during the World War and became Russia’s first heroic mother. She was highlighted by the Russian media and became the first heroic mother in Russia. Human pride.
After the list was announced, it not only aroused enthusiastic responses in Russia, but also aroused heated discussions in other countries.
After the end of the World War, Europeans felt the continuous blows from Russia.
First there was the eight-hour working day and the minimum wage guarantee system, then nine years of compulsory education. Now even street sweepers can get free vacation opportunities provided by the state.
It doesn't matter whether you go on vacation or not. After a month of leisurely relaxation, you still have to devote yourself to intense work and never have a moment of leisure.
The key is that this respect is something ordinary people have never felt.
Fortunately, Britain and France strictly guarded against the news from Russia, and the response was not strong.
On the list announced by Russia, there is also a veteran from Germany. This news has triggered even more heated discussions in Germany than in Russia.
This veteran named Cole served on the Western Front during the World War. He is 31 years old this year.
After relations between Russia and Germany began to ease, Cole went to work in St. Petersburg with the German migrant workers.
This summer, several Russian teenagers were swimming in the Neva River. One of the teenagers suddenly had cramps and drowned. The other teenager was hugged by the drowning teenager because of incorrect methods during the rescue. The two of them fell asleep. To sink to the bottom of the water.
Cole, who was passing by at this time, immediately jumped into the water and rescued the two drowning teenagers.
For this reason, Cole was commended by the St. Petersburg government and entered the list of international tourists.
Russia and Germany were hostile countries during the World War, and both caused serious losses to the other.
As a veteran, Cole was not only rewarded by the St. Petersburg government, but also respected by Russia, which was incredible to many Germans.
Just don’t believe it, George wants this effect.
(End of this chapter)