Chapter 1217 Grain Reserve Reform

Hey, what is this, gold. Yellow, shiny, precious gold.

No, gods, I am not an idle believer; this thing, just a little bit, can turn black into white, ugly into beautiful, wrong into right, humble into noble, Old men become young men, cowards become brave men.

Shakespeare's praise of gold fully illustrates gold's natural monetary properties.

Thanks to the disappearance of the Pan-Africanist leaders of the British Gold Coast over North Africa many years ago, Britain could borrow from this gold-rich colony to increase the value of the pound.

Over the past ten years, Britain has accumulated 5,500 tons of gold reserves through the hard work of a newly appointed cabinet secretary.

In terms of the total size of the British economy, the pound sterling on this number of gold reserves can be said to be impregnable. But even with a huge gold reserve, even Prime Minister Aiden cannot remain indifferent when faced with the sale of 220 tons of gold.

After hearing the news, Eden's view of the Soviet Union immediately changed from a life-or-death enemy that threatened British security to a special relationship between Britain and the Soviet Union that trumped the special relationship between Britain and the United States.

"Alan, this is a big deal." Aiden reminded him in a rare and solemn voice. The cabinet secretary in front of him had just taken office. Although he was loved by everyone in Whitehall, he did not have a strong record to prove his ability.

"Dear Prime Minister, I understand very well. This is what I think! If two gold bars are placed in front of you, which one is noble? Which one is despicable? No one has the answer, so this matter does not involve Third-party countries are entirely a matter for the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom."

Alan Wilson's meaning is very simple. He wants both and wants it all. Britain wants to take all of the 220 tons of gold. It's that simple.

"I will summon the overseas commissioners to return to the country and find ways to increase the food production in the colonies first." Seeing Aiden nod, Alan Wilson continued, "For the colonies, we only need to spend pounds. If we are stingy, we will even lose pounds." There is no need to come out. If there are not enough colonies, there are also Commonwealth countries Canada and Australia. What is certain is that the colonies in the southern hemisphere or Commonwealth countries will be the main ones. If there are not enough, we will talk to Canada."

"After I investigate and understand the food situation in the colony. In order to hide the true purpose. At this time, I have a suggestion." Alan Wilson told the truth about his plan.

"What should we do?" Aiden asked, grabbing the pen and leaning forward in a searching posture.

“When we purchase grain 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 Commonwealth countries, they may be noticed. At this time we need a reason to purchase food. "Alan Wilson said eloquently, "The Prime Minister can declare that he will establish a grain reserve system in the UK. The current local self-sufficiency rate in grain is 75%, and including feed, the annual import will be 15 million tons. If only staple foods are counted, the gap would be 10 million tons. We use the complete national grain reserve system to explain the reasons for purchasing grain. "

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

The UK's food self-sufficiency rate is actually not high, but after two consecutive world wars, the UK's food self-sufficiency rate has improved. After all, the two wars, which lasted only more than 20 years, did leave a deep impression on British citizens. , the food self-sufficiency rate increased from less than 50% to more than 70%.

Don't underestimate this progress. Britain's food output is twice that of Japan, but its population is only half of Japan's. Although it cannot achieve 100% self-sufficiency rate, it is not comparable to that of the island country in the Far East.

Although the UK and Japan are both island countries, and the UK's area is smaller, their industrial and agricultural foundations are not on the same level. The UK's basic conditions are much better.

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

"Sometimes, as the prime minister of the country, I also have to shoulder responsibilities." Aiden said with a smile that it was no problem.

"Sometimes, we have to do business with bad people, and occasionally abandon good people who don't cooperate." Alan Wilson understood this. After leaving No. 10 Downing Street, he directly informed Wick, the principal private secretary to the permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through In the name of the Overseas Asset Management Committee, the overseas high commissioner was called back.

This is the first meeting of overseas commissioners after taking office as Cabinet Secretary. After all, the freedom is not as good as before. Alan Wilson cannot continue to follow the Romans and leave London for meetings.

Of course, Alan Wilson still had the final say on where to hold the meeting, because the purpose this time could not be announced verbally. He chose his hometown, Hoxon Manor, with a prepared conference room where he could see the Emerald House he built.

Pricing power is a good thing, relying on the promotion of high commissioners from various places. Jade has also brought a lot of profits to the UK, with profits approaching 10 million pounds. This is attributed to the Chinese throughout Southeast Asia, as well as Japan and South Korea in the Far East, but Mainly Chinese in Southeast Asian countries are the main consumers.

Gu Duan

"Wheat from Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Malaya must be shipped to the mainland." Alan Wilson said in an orderly tone. "Commissioners from various places immediately purchase local wheat, and the bulk will fall on your three colonies. Remember, first If you do it secretly, you can hide it every day."

"North and South Rhodesia have a small population, but Malaya has 17 million people, and wheat has a quarter of the planting area of ​​rice." Richard smiled bitterly upon hearing this, "This may cause price increases."

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

Is this a problem? Alan Wilson doesn’t think it’s a problem, does he have to eat flour? Rice is not eaten the same.

"The key is that Malaya's rice is exported to Japan, South Korea, and even Chang Gong's island." Richard said that it is not Malaya's own problem, but may disrupt the grain market. "If Japan, South Korea, etc. In the future, the land will purchase through Australia. Although Australia is also a Commonwealth country, after all, it is not as direct as the colonies in generating income."

"Australia?" Alan Wilson thought to himself, do you think Australia can get a bargain this time? Australia's wheat will also be exchanged for Soviet gold by the British. "There is no way around it. I'll just suffer from a few little followers in the United States."

Those are all pro-American forces. What does it have to do with Britain? To be honest, it would be better to starve those bastards to death.

Alan Wilson knew that the food self-sufficiency rate of Swindle Island was less than 50%, and Japan's rate of food self-sufficiency after losing Hokkaido was only 30%. South Korea barely exceeds 50%, with a population of more than 20 million.

But so what? Because these places rely on overseas imports, Alan Wilson will not exchange for gold?

Distinguished Soviet guests use gold to buy food. Compared with gold, what does a mere increase in prices mean? Even if famine breaks out, it will still be worth it.

Even Alan Wilson is looking forward to the outbreak of famine. If prices rise in Japan and South Korea due to food, it may slow down their development. As for Scam Island, the knock-on effects are inevitable. It will be over if you endure it. Don't rush but be patient.

When Richard mentioned Malayan grain exports, Alan Wilson seemed to remember that the Soviet Union's purchase of grain in the 1970s directly pushed up U.S. inflation.

This can be regarded as a problem in the supply chain in a sense, which has caused a lot of trouble for the United States. This time there was a real possibility of inflation in response to Soviet grain purchasing figures.

Britain is not an agricultural empire like the United States, but one advantage of Britain is that it can be a colonial empire, with costs paid by the colonies and money 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 started to assign tasks with a cold face. Only when the reserves of the colonies are not enough, the United Kingdom will withdraw from the Commonwealth countries. Think of ways to.

"Understood, Secretary-General." High commissioners from all over the country nodded, and then heard Alan Wilson continue, "The food supply of the kingdoms 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 cope with the difficulties in these countries, and maybe you can make a profit from the price increase.”

When things came to a close, the Cabinet Secretary-General stepped on the brakes again. Considering the overall situation, pro-British families still had to be taken care of. But Japan and South Korea defrauding the island is a matter for the United States, not the United Kingdom.

While the meeting at Hoxon Manor was going on, Princess Margaret arrived in Perth after a long journey. Her brother-in-law was busy with business and could not go abroad at this time, so she brought a personal letter to the female president.

The Soviet Union secretly purchased grain. It was a secret to others, but certainly not to his wife. He expressed his longing for his beloved wife in a handwritten letter. After the private part is completed, there are two main things left. Silver should be sold off in the first half of the year. It cannot be No more delays.

What remains is the key battle in the road of grain merchants, whether it can be on par with, or even surpass, the four major grain merchants in the traditional sense. It depends on whether the Soviet Union can seize the opportunity in this time's grain purchase.

"Don't think it's shameful to profit from the Soviet Union. Pepsi-Cola claimed to be the people's Coke in the Soviet Union. They said Coca-Cola was the Coke of capitalism. If we get things done this time, we can be on an equal footing with the four major grain merchants of the United States and France."

After reading the autograph letter, Pamela Mountbatten picked up the phone without thinking. She never doubted any of her man's judgments.

"For Australia's grain production and reserve data this year, please contact Canada's Hudson's Bay Company and send me the agricultural product data." Pamela Mountbatten paused slightly as she said this, "Sell the previously acquired American silver mines and produce finished products. Silver looks for opportunities to sell, follow a half-year cycle, and don’t disrupt the market.”