British civil servant

"Once we purchase food on a large scale, other countries will definitely find out. After all, this is not a small number. We can hide our actions in the colonies, but when it comes to the Commonwealth of Nations, we may be noticed. At this time we need a purchase The reason for food." Alan Wilson said, "The prime minister can declare that he wants to establish a food reserve system in the UK. The current local food self-sufficiency rate is 70.00%500, and the annual import of feed is 1000 million tons. If If we only count staple grains, the gap is [-] million tons. We use the complete national grain reserve system to explain the reason for purchasing grain.”

The UK also has a grain storage system. The grain in the UK is dominated by grains, mainly including wheat, barley, oats, rye and other types. Their harvest and circulation determine the food security of the UK.

The food self-sufficiency rate of the UK itself is actually not high, but after two consecutive world wars, the food self-sufficiency rate of the UK has increased. After all, the two wars, which took place in less than 20 years, really left a deep impression on the British citizens. The self-sufficiency rate has changed from less than 50.00% to more than 70.00%.

Don't underestimate this progress. Britain's food production is twice that of Japan, but its population is only half that of Japan.Although it is impossible to achieve a [-]% self-sufficiency rate, it is not comparable to that island country in the Far East.

Although the United Kingdom and Japan are both island countries, and the area of ​​the United Kingdom is smaller, neither the industrial foundation nor the agricultural foundation is at the same level. The basic conditions of the United Kingdom are much better.

Alan Wilson hopes that Prime Minister Eden can discuss and discuss the reform of British food reserves in the House of Commons. It does not have to be passed, just mention it, and leave the rest to him, the cabinet secretary.

"Sometimes, as the prime minister of the country, I also have to shoulder the responsibility." Aiden said with a smile that there is no problem.

"Sometimes, we also have to do business with bad people, and occasionally abandon good people who don't cooperate." Alan Wilson understood and left No. [-] Downing Street. In the name of the Overseas Assets Management Committee, the overseas high commissioner was called back.

This is the first meeting of overseas commissioners since he became the cabinet secretary. After all, it is not as free as before. Alan Wilson can no longer continue to follow the Romans and leave London for the meeting.

Of course, Alan Wilson still has the final say on where to hold the meeting, because the purpose of this time cannot be announced.He chose his old lair, Hawkson Manor, the prepared meeting room, and he could see the emerald house he built.

Pricing power is a good thing, and it depends on the promotion of high commissioners from all over the country. Emerald has also brought a lot of benefits to the UK. The profit has approached 1000 million pounds. This is attributed to the Chinese in Southeast Asia, as well as Japan and South Korea in the Far East. Or the Chinese in Southeast Asian countries are the main consumers.

"Wheat from Rhodesia and Malaya in the north and south will be shipped to the mainland." Alan Wilson said in an orderly tone, "The local commissioners will immediately purchase local wheat, and the bulk will fall on your three colonies. Remember, first Do it secretly, and it will be a day if you can hide it."

"North and South Rhodesia have a small population, but Malaya has 700 million people, and wheat also has a quarter of the rice planting area." Richard said with a wry smile, "This may cause prices to rise."

"This is going to test the wisdom of the High Commissioner." Alan Wilson crossed his fingers and replied calmly, "People in Southeast Asia will not starve to death. Isn't there Myanmar and Thailand around? There is no wheat to eat rice Well."

Is this also a problem?Alan Wilson doesn't think it's a problem, do you have to eat flour?Rice is not eaten the same.

"The key point is that the rice in Malaya will be exported to Japan, South Korea, and even Changgong's small island." Richard said that it is not Malaya's own problem, and it may also disrupt the grain market. "If Japan, South Korea, etc. The land will be purchased through Australia in the future, although Australia is also a Commonwealth country, but after all, it is not as direct as the colonies to generate income.”

"Australia?" Allen Wilson said in his heart, do you think Australia will be able to pick up the bargain this time?Australia's wheat will also be exchanged for Soviet gold by the United Kingdom. "There is no way, let's suffer a few small followers in the United States."

Those are pro-American forces, what does it have to do with Britain?Honestly, starve those bastards to death.

Alan Wilson knew that the food self-sufficiency rate of Swindle Island was less than 50.00%, and Japan, which lost Hokkaido, was even lower by 2000%.South Korea barely exceeds [-]%, with a population of more than [-] million.

But so what?Because these places rely on overseas imports, Alan Wilson won't trade gold?

The distinguished Soviet guests used gold to buy food. Compared with gold, what is a mere rise in prices?Even if there is a famine, it will be worth it.

Even Alan Wilson is looking forward to the outbreak of famine. If food prices in Japan and South Korea rise due to food, it may slow down their development. As for the deception island, the cascading effects are inevitable.

When Richard mentioned the food export of Malaya, Alan Wilson seemed to recall that the Soviet Union purchased food in the 70s, which directly pushed up inflation in the United States.

This can be regarded as a problem in the supply chain in a sense, and it has caused enough trouble for the United States.Inflation may indeed occur this time in response to Soviet food purchase figures.

The United Kingdom is not an agricultural empire like the United States, but the United Kingdom has one advantage, that is, the colonial empire can do it, the cost is paid by the colonies, and the money is earned locally.As for whether Japan and South Korea will be affected?What does it have to do with him.

"You three colonies, empty out all the wheat for me. Don't think it's difficult, it may not be enough." Alan Wilson began to apportion tasks with a cold face. Only when the colonies' reserves are not enough, Britain will start from the Commonwealth Think of ways to.

"Understood, Secretary-General." The high commissioners from all over the place nodded, and Alan Wilson continued, "The food supply of the kingdom in the Middle East must be guaranteed, and they are all friendly countries of the United Kingdom. As for the food supply in the Far East, if there is a problem, You're welcome, the price increase is enough to deal with the difficulties of these countries, and maybe you can make a fortune from the price increase."

When the matter came to an end, the secretary-general of the cabinet stepped on the brakes again. Considering the overall situation, the pro-British countries still had to take care of it.But Japan and South Korea defrauding the island is a matter for the United States, not for the United Kingdom.

At the same time as the meeting at the Hoxon Manor, Princess Margaret rushed to Perth, and her brother-in-law was busy with work and could not go abroad at this time, so she brought a letter to the female president.

The secret purchase of grain in the Soviet Union is a secret to others, but not to his wife. The personal letter expresses his love for his wife. After the private part is over, there are two main things left. The silver should be sold off in the first half of the year. No more delay.

The rest is the key battle of the road of grain merchants, whether it can be equal to or even surpass the four major grain merchants in the traditional sense.It depends on whether the Soviet Union can seize the opportunity to purchase grain this time.

"Don't think it's shameful to borrow the things of the Soviet Union for profit. Pepsi claimed to be the people's Coke in the Soviet Union. Coca-Cola was said to be the Coke of capitalism. This time, if things are done well, it will be able to sit on an equal footing with the four major grain merchants in the United States and France."

After reading the autographed letter, Pamela Mountbatten picked up the phone without thinking. She never doubted any judgment of her man.

"Contact Canada's Hudson's Bay Company for the data on grain production and reserves in Australia this year, and send me the data on agricultural products." Pamela Mountbatten said this with a slight pause, "Sell the previously acquired American silver mines, finished products Silver is looking for opportunities to sell, with a half-year cycle, so as not to disturb the market."

Chapter 210 and Eight of Aiden's Second Term

Whether Pamela Mountbatten's road of grain merchants can gain fame through this battle will have a great impact on future development.It is also an excellent occasion to show strength. Which industry's top has not been tested?

For the citizens of the world, money is only one aspect. Even if the money is separated from the specific industry endorsement, it is worthless, such as the ruble.

In fact, the value of the ruble must be underestimated.The vast majority of every resource-exporting country in the world adopts a strong monetary policy. No matter where the country is located, as long as the country has resources that can support the currency, the country's currency will be very strong.

Even if the ruble during the Cold War was not as strong as the US dollar and the pound, it would not be undervalued too much.

Decades later, although Russia's industrial strength has been greatly reduced, when you think about the currencies of those countries in the Middle East and Australia's Australian dollar, you can see at a glance that the value of the ruble is wrong.

Why is the dinar of a small country in the Middle East so strong, but the ruble does not seem to have as high a purchasing power as the yen?The answer is that the noose on Russia has never been untied.

The suppression of Russia has never been relaxed, and it will not end with the end of the Cold War.

Therefore, Russia's economic aggregate is not as special as a province, so don't think it can always exist.In [-], the ruble was traded at [-] rubles for one dollar. Not to mention that Russia is not as good as a province of a certain big country, the whole country is not as good as Greece.

Allen Wilson tried his best to assist his wife and shape the Mountbatten Group into a concern group.It is also to support the value of the pound. France can dominate the traditional sphere of influence in Africa, and the United Kingdom cannot be inferior to France in any way.

You must know that the conditions of the British colonies are much better than those of the French colonies. There are also Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada. It is not a multiple-choice question, but a must.

The female president who was raised from a young age cannot take it for granted that the power she manipulates in this world is much greater than that of her husband.In fact, as long as you think about it carefully, you will understand that it is not the case.

She is only now grasping this information, although she has a lot of money, although she has close ties with the aristocracy, although she has repeatedly claimed that she is husband and wife with the cabinet secretary of Whitehall, it is still not enough. Like the Olympic slogan, faster, higher and stronger.

Pamela Mountbatten had to accept the role assigned by her husband.This causality is hard to believe.People don't have any right to act like that.The world wouldn't be a world if people were so reckless.

This is madness, which means that you have money, companies, and the power to call the shots, but you still can't do whatever you want, you have to smash it.

Obviously, her husband has high expectations for her, and what the female president needs to do is to live up to this expectation, quietly and unambiguously accept the man's arrangement, just like so many arrangements in the past, trusting this arrangement [-]%.

"If you tell it, no one will believe it. Your trust in Ellen is unreserved." This is not the first time that Princess Margaret has seen similar scenes, but similar scenes are still being re-enacted.

"He is my husband, he will not harm me." Pamela Mountbatten put down the microphone and said without reservation.

While talking, Pamela Mountbatten had already put on her coat, and she was going to meet the Governor of Western Australia.

London, the Royal Opera House, there is no stage play today, the entire theater is empty, only three people are there, including two former supreme authorities, Edward Bridges and Norman Brooke, and a suit and tie, A well-dressed man, the three of them were talking and laughing.

"Sir Edward and Sir Norman, the Prime Minister announced that a general election will be held. What do you think the odds are? Will the Labor Party, which is supported by industrial workers, win, or the Conservative Party, which is loved by citizens with big country ambitions?" Brown Williamson asked the two A former head of state who has left Whitehall.

"How do I know that? I've already retired." Norman Brook shook his head slightly.

"When Allen arrives, it would be better for you to ask the current cabinet secretary." Edward Bridges replied flatly, "Now he is in charge of the work of Whitehall. The day before yesterday he held an overseas meeting at Hoxon Manor , being able to appear this time, it is regarded as a great importance to you."

As soon as the words fell, footsteps sounded in the theater, and the footsteps were clearly visible from far to near. Edward Bridges listened for a while, shook his head slightly and said, "It's not Allen."

Sure enough, Wick showed up right away, and said to the two supreme authorities, "Sir Edward, Sir Norman, the secretary-general of the cabinet is going to the airport to see off the overseas commissioner, and they should be here soon."

Alan Wilson, who was at the London International Airport, ordered with a corporal demeanor, "Your job is to maintain your presence overseas. Everything is in balance. Most colonies may eventually be independent, but they can be transformed into invisible enterprises. Rooted in the local area, the more interests you can grasp, the cornerstone of the country will not be shaken."

"Understood, Secretary-General." A group of well-dressed overseas commissioners who accepted the new mission replied in unison.

"Be quieter next time." Alan Wilson glanced at the pedestrians around him, nodded and said, "The chairman of British American Tobacco asked me to meet at the Royal Theater, and I will leave first."

It doesn't work if you don't go, because the previous two supreme authorities are also there, and it won't make sense to wait for a long time.

Before becoming the cabinet secretary, Alan Wilson used to stand like a minion, but he will not be domineering just because he has climbed to the top now. Everything lies in balance, and strength comes from the collective.

Three or 10 minutes later, his figure appeared in the Royal Theater, and he apologized to the two former heads of civil servants as soon as he appeared, "I went to the airport to send the overseas commissioner to the plane, and I didn't mean to be late."

"We know all about you." Edward Bridges expressed indifference, and then extended his hand to introduce, "Brown Williamson, Chairman of British American Tobacco Group."

"This is a star enterprise in the UK. It has created untold wealth and has a place in the world." Alan Wilson immediately extended his hand to say hello, "Whitehall has always supported pillar enterprises such as the tobacco group to grow and develop. And take on greater social responsibilities. If there is anything you need to help, you can directly say so.”

"The tobacco group was indeed in a difficult period after the war. During the war, we lost many terminal markets, and the source of raw materials was also affected." Brown Williamson told the truth, "But now it has recovered. Last year's Profit was £500 million and we expect £[-] million in three years' time."

"This is really good news. There are not many companies in the UK with an annual profit of over [-] million yuan." Alan Wilson was very happy, but he knew that Brown Williamson must have something to find him, otherwise he would not have hired two Heads of civil servants came to accompany.

Sure enough, when Brown Williamson saw the support of the current cabinet secretary, he mentioned his attempt to expand the market, "Sir Allen, the tobacco group needs to diversify. At present, we feel that the conditions in South Africa and Australia are good. We Knowing that your wife, Ms. Pamela, has deep roots and connections in both countries, I hope to be able to help."

"I have some contacts." Alan Wilson replied modestly, and then thought for a while, "Personally, I have no problem. The profits of the tobacco industry are extremely beneficial to Britain. To be honest, if the Labor Party is in power, I might suggest nationalizing your group."

Alan Wilson is very serious, and he is definitely not joking. If the Labor Party is really in power and there is a need for this, he will really nationalize British American Tobacco, in line with the non-famous small and micro enterprises in a big country.

The few people chatted happily. Brown Williamson took out the prepared whiskey and poured it while saying, "The Secretary-General can really joke. I believe that with the help of the Mountbatten Group, the business expansion in Australia and South Africa will be very rapid. Yes Now, the Prime Minister has just announced a general election in the House of Commons, what does the Secretary-General think of this?"

"It's hard to say. The strength of the two parties has been closer than ever since the war. Except for the first two times when the Labor Party won a complete victory, the rest of the times were extremely close." Alan Wilson shook his head while shaking his glass, "But On the basis of consensus politics, there should be no major differences. The Prime Minister is going to hold a general election to secure a victory for the Conservative Party with the help of progress in the diplomatic field.”

So far, has it shaken the confrontation between the two powers of the Cold War?It's still early days, but British politics are already different.

There are reasons why Eden chose to start the general election at this time, rather than waiting for the Soviet Union's gold dust to settle.

In the past January, the leader of the Labor Party Gatzke died suddenly.Wilson then once again became the left-wing candidate for the party leadership election, challenging George Brown. Later, Callaghan's participation in the election campaign dispersed the right-wing votes in the party, so that Wilson won the election and became the new leader of the Labor Party.

At present, Harold Wilson has just been elected leader and is integrating the differences within the Labor Party.In Aiden's view, this is a good opportunity not to be missed.

But who knows the final result, whether the Labor Party will come back under the leadership of the new party leader, or the Conservative Party will be re-elected again, this is hard to say, and we cannot look at the problem with old eyes.

On February 24, the general election officially started. The Conservative Party is optimistic, believing that the winner of this general election is already doomed in advance given the fact that the Labor Party has just elected a leader and internal instability.

However, with the process of counting the votes, the smiles of the confident Conservative Party gradually disappeared. It was not until the last moment that the Conservative Party won the victory. For the Conservative Party, this was another narrow victory. The Conservative Party only led by five seats.Almost lost at the hands of the new leader of the Labor Party.

Chapter 210 Nine Silver Acts

Alan Wilson, holding the draft reform of the British food reserve, while congratulating Eden on his re-election, complimented, "This draft reform is a stroke of genius. From the most optimistic point of view, the most ideal situation in the UK, That is, you don’t need to pay any costs, and you can still make a lot of money.”

When he was the executive deputy minister, Alan Wilson didn't have to be respectful to the minister, because his future was in the hands of the cabinet secretary, and the minister couldn't do anything to him. Of course, he cooperated well with the minister.

But being the secretary-general of the cabinet is completely different when facing the prime minister. The prime minister has the power to replace the secretary-general.

Although this is generally not the case, after all, as the birthplace of case law, the United Kingdom must pay attention to a precedent in everything.

"This business, for the UK, can promote its advantages in the financial industry and at the same time stabilize the value of the pound." Although it was a little later, Eden officially proposed to reform the UK's grain reserve system after the general election.

But the result is good. In the face of 220 tons of yellow gold, Aiden cannot remain indifferent. After the event is completed, Britain's gold reserves will go towards the [-]-ton mark.

This ratio is already very good. The gold reserves of the United States are slowly declining. The gold reserves of the United States are [-] tons. These gold supports the Breston Woods system.

Of course, Alan Wilson knew that if the Vietnam War officially broke out, the [-] tons of gold would fall below [-] tons within three years, and then three years later in [-], the U.S. gold reserves would fall to [-] tons, and then It's time for the United States to renege on its debts.

The United Kingdom can also make preparations at that time, even if it cannot pull the dollar down, it can still gain some benefits.

However, the Secretary-General of the Cabinet did not refer to the Soviet Union's gold income. Once food is scarce, the price will rise.

The root cause is not the Soviet Union's 1000 million tons of grain procurement, but Aiden's grain reserve reform.In other words, Britain originally reformed its grain reserves to cover the purchase of grain and trade with the Soviets.

In this case, Britain would indeed get 220 tons of gold, but nothing more.

But once this grain reserve reform is implemented, the gap will not only be 1000 million tons of the Soviet Union.Adding the 20.00% shortfall of the UK itself, the shortfall will reach 2000 million tons.

At that time, the world grain market will skyrocket. What will happen if there is a 90.00% shortage of world grain?The answer is not that [-]% of people will starve to death, but that while these people are starving to death, the price will rise to the psychological price of the remaining [-]% of the burden.

If this consequence occurs, the food hoarded in the UK will be valuable, and when the time comes to resell it, it can make money again.

As a British Prime Minister, Eden has certainly seen the difficult times of Britain during the war, but to be honest, the difficult times of Britain during the war are nothing compared to the difficult times encountered by most countries in the world. not on.

If Aiden had personally visited India during the Bangladesh Famine, he would have known what would happen if there was a [-]% food shortage. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister did not have this experience, so he could not predict what the consequences would be if the UK was just doing a business.

At this time in [-], a certain big country was overwhelmed with self-care, and so was a big and impressive country.The Soviet Union came to their door to buy. Apart from the United States, only Australia and Canada, two Commonwealth countries, can meet the demand of tens of millions of tons at one time.But Alan Wilson is definitely quicker than the others.

The only remaining grain-producing area is Argentina. There are three major black soil belts in the world, but there is actually another alienated black soil belt in the Pampas grassland of Argentina. Because it is located in the subtropical southern hemisphere, there is no severe cold and long winter.

After the plants die, they cannot rely on the cold to accumulate debris over the years. The hot and humid climate causes the soil to contain more iron oxide, which makes the soil appear obviously red, so the soil here is actually not as nutritious as the black soil.

If Japan and South Korea are afraid of being blackmailed by the United States and feel that Argentina is too far away, Southeast Asia can actually solve part of the problem.

But it’s not very optimistic, because Malaya, as the agricultural base deeply cultivated by the female president, has brought about a consequence that it has tormented the surrounding Southeast Asian countries. This is like the normal agricultural competition in the United States, which will make Mexican farmers go bankrupt. Same.

In recent years, Southeast Asian countries have been dumped by Malaya's grain dumping, and the grain planting area has been declining.

In short, originally only 1000 million tons of grain was sold to the Soviet Union, which may not have much impact. Coupled with the reform of Britain's own grain reserves, after doubling, it may cause unfavorable results for the world environment.

News of Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko's state visit to the UK dominated the headlines of British public opinion.

In fact, it is hard to believe that Britain in this era would respond with great enthusiasm to the visit of the Soviet foreign minister.

In fact, the reason is very simple. The Soviet Union can reach the United Kingdom, and the threat is more intuitive.After all, the Soviet army on the border of the Federal Republic of Germany is not so far away.

The purpose of Gromyko's coming is not like the purpose in the communiqué. The real purpose is to confirm whether Britain is capable of completing this transaction with the Soviet Union and how to pay.

The London Stock Exchange is the gold trading center in Europe, which has no difficulty for the UK.

Perhaps in his life, Eden has never treated a Soviet person so sincerely, expressing a friendliness that is as hot as the sun. Regarding Gromyko's doubts, the respected British Prime Minister said that he has no problem.

At this very moment, in Southern Rhodesia, which is supported by African bread baskets, the white residents are responding to the call of the suzerain country, and they are in a hurry to contribute to the vital interests of the United Kingdom.

Ian Smith, Minister of Finance of Southern Rhodesia, is a staunch supporter of this move. He said that he will spend the last pound and take out the last grain to meet local needs.

This is almost a proper style of imperial loyal dog. Ian Smith did not hesitate to financial pressure, using Rhodesia's budget to buy food from black tribes, and for this purpose, he also planned to borrow money from South Africa. .

Not even the poorest patriot in the East End was more patriotic than the Southern Rhodesian finance minister.

Ian Smith's move surprised the only Rhodesian royal territory that retained the southern passage. Grace wondered if he should also show it, otherwise he seemed a little sorry for the certification of the royal territory.

In Kuala Lumpur, the colonial capital of Malaya, High Commissioner Richard signed an executive order banning the export of wheat.