Reborn South Africa as a police officer

Chapter 215 Intricate

During this period, free trade was the mainstream of the world.

The so-called free trade means that the state does not intervene in the economy and allows the economy to develop freely to promote social progress.

In 1936, John Maynard Keynes published the book "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money" and founded modern macroeconomics, which is called "Keynesianism".

Before Keynes published the book "Employment", Britain was in a period of transition from a laissez-faire private enterprise system to a private monopoly. Britain during this period was absolutely a model in terms of laissez-faire. At that time, some British people's behavior was called "British disease".

The so-called British disease, simply put: self-destructive national suspicion and pessimism.

At that time, some people in the British elite thought they knew what was the best choice for society. They always liked to despise their own country and praise other countries; they belittled the achievements of their own people and envied the achievements of others; Approves the institutions of other nations; and, by the way, laughs at every national figure in his own country.

Does it look familiar?

Yes, it is indeed quite similar to some public knowledge, and this can be regarded as the same line.

The polar opposite of free trade was Roosevelt's New Deal.

An important measure in Roosevelt's New Deal is "relief with work", which vigorously builds public works, eases social crises and class conflicts, and increases employment to stimulate consumption and production.

This is actually quite similar to Johannesburg after the war.

Even after the war ended, some of the policies implemented by Alfred Milner were similar to Roosevelt's New Deal, except that Alfred Milner's "New Deal" did not bring prosperity and stability to the Transvaal. After Alfred Milner resigned, the content of his "New Deal" was abandoned by his successor, Louis Botha, and the New Deal came to an abrupt end.

Roque had no way to explain to Philip Matilda what the "Roosevelt New Deal" was, let alone what "Keynesianism" was. He could only proceed from the real situation in Johannesburg, and hoped that Philip would support Rock to build the reservoir.

"I'm sorry Sir Locke, I'm afraid the city government can't help you financially." Philip Matilda knew that what Locke said was reasonable, but there was nothing he could do.

It's not that Lord Philip deliberately targeted Rock, but that the Johannesburg City Government really has no money.

Johannesburg was still under military control, and the city government didn't even have administrative power. It can barely operate now, relying on direct funding from London.

This is also the reason why the pressure on London is increasing. The war did not end as quickly as imagined. In the past, London was only responsible for the military expenses of the expeditionary force, and now it has to add the operating expenses of the Transvaal and Orange governments. In a short period of time, Congress can get through it by tightening its belt, but the end of the war is nowhere in sight. It seems that this is a bottomless pit.

Of course, Philip Matilda is not helpful at all, and cannot provide financial support, so other aspects will not set up obstacles for Rock, such as the land for the reservoir, such as the coordination of trains to transport construction materials and related equipment , another example is hiring workers for the construction of a reservoir——

Philip Matilda can help here.

Rock was well aware of the plight of the Johannesburg City Government, so Rock didn't talk nonsense. After leaving the mayor's mansion, Rock handed Owen a share certificate worth [-] pounds, and then went directly to Pretoria.

"How much will the project cost?" Alfred Milner also did not directly promise, but first learned about the situation.

"About 100 million pounds, so much money, no one can afford it independently, so in addition to government support, social donations will also be made. The initiative was initiated by the Johannesburg Mining Union. The Mining Union decided to set up a company called 'Crocod Bay' In Johannesburg, the Crocodile Cove has raised 90 pounds, but this is not enough. If the funds are insufficient, the Crocodile Co. will send people to Cape Town to continue raising funds.” Rock asked Bring more people on board, so the more shareholders the better, it is best to bring in all powerful large companies in the Transvaal.

In this way, the Crocodile Company in the future will become a super giant like the South African company. At that time, no matter who it is, if it wants to deal with the Crocodile Company, it must first weigh itself.

In fact, the Crocodile Cove Company was also prepared by Rock for the future Boers. There are too many Boers. To suppress the Boers, it is necessary to integrate the forces in the Transvaal as much as possible, whether they are British or Chinese. , united to form an absolute suppression of the Boers.

"The Governor's Palace can be invested—[-] pounds." Alfred Milner hesitated for a while, but he didn't make a big deal, nor did he stay out of it.

In fact, as long as you participate, you can take as much as you want. Even if Alfred Milner gets nothing, Rock will give Alfred Milner a share of at least [-] pounds.

Of course, it is better for the governor to be willing to invest. Only with the investment of the governor's office can the "credibility" of Crocodile Bay Company be guaranteed. It doesn't matter how much money is invested, the key is this attitude.

"Thank you, Lord Alfred, I will make this happen as soon as possible." Roque was satisfied, and the next step was to see the reply from the United States.

"Well, uh, yes, Sir Locke, Chinese workers in Kimberley can enter Johannesburg, but you must ensure that no matter what the circumstances, Chinese miners will never become a problem." Alfred Milner gave Rock A surprise, this is called coming and going, the governor is not a fairy, he has to eat and drink.

"Of course, I can guarantee it." Rock took care of everything. The construction of a hydropower station requires a lot of labor, and it is not enough to rely on shift miners.

The construction period of a hydropower station is usually several years. Even if it is not a super hydropower station, it will take at least one or two years. A project of this scale cannot be done with only temporary workers. In addition to professional technicians, excellent construction personnel are also needed. There is a high probability that the Lu people will not be able to complete this task, let alone the Boers. Rock does not want to hire Boers at all.

Therefore, the Chinese are Rock's only choice.

Even if Alfred Milner does not open this hole, Roque will find a way to put pressure on Alfred Milner through Cecil Rhodes Jr.

That night Cecil Rhodes Jr. gave Rock a better example.

"How far is it? I will make up for the lack." Cecil Rhodes Jr. is also rich and powerful. In fact, even if the hydropower station is all funded by Cecil Rhodes Jr., Cecil Rhodes Jr. can still pay rise.

Compared with Roque, South African entrepreneurs have big businesses, so Cecil Rhodes Jr. is very confident. He is in Rhodesia, and even a government can be formed. There is no need to report this trivial matter to anyone , If you want to build a reservoir, just do it directly.

"Almost enough." Rock doesn't need much money, if he needs it, he can make up for it himself.

"You've become a baron, and you're still too timid." Little Cecil Rhodes curled his lips.

"I'm not as capable as you—" Rock admits that he is not as good as Cecil Rhodes Jr. in this respect, and he has a good father. If Rock also has a monster like the South African company—

Let alone Johannesburg, there are no Boers or Zulus in South Africa.

"I was in Cape Town some time ago, and I didn't care about this side, but I told Aiden that no matter what you do, let him cooperate as much as possible-" Cecil Rhodes Jr. is in Cape Town, for Lobbying Cape Town City Council to continue providing subsidies for "newcomers".

The members of the Cape Town City Council are not stupid. The Immigration Bureau pays for the immigration, and it is actually subsidizing a big rat like Cecil Rhodes Jr. The Cape Town Council does not know Rock's involvement in this matter. Role, if known, it is estimated that the Cape Town government will hold Roque accountable.

As a government official, but colluding with businessmen to defraud the Immigration Bureau of funds, it would not sound good if it got out.

"It's almost enough. Rock Gold Mine and De Beers Consolidated Mining Company each hold 20.00%, the city government gives 5.00%, and the Governor's Palace takes [-]%—" Rock doesn't give little Cecil Luo Opportunities for additional investment.

"The city government and the Governor's Mansion have money?" Cecil Rhodes Jr. wondered.

Rock stared directly, everyone knew whether he had money or not.

"Hmph, it's indeed easier for them to make money than us." Little Cecil Rhodes resentfully.

"Come on, how much we invest now, we can double it back at that time." Rock is not surprised, the world is as black as crows, and Rock has long been mentally prepared.

Back in Johannesburg, Rock started to prepare to go to Kimberley to bring back the Chinese miners.

Johannesburg is only more than 400 kilometers away from Kimberley. If you take the train, you can get there in one day and one night, but now it is not possible. Kimberley is located in the Cape and is the hardest hit area for guerrilla attacks. The railway has been destroyed long ago. To bring people back can only be Rely on bullock carts.

Roque mobilized 150 commandos, 120 detectives, and 200 policemen from Rhodesia, all of whom rode to Kimberley with two riders.

The leader of the Rhodesia police team was actually Aiden, and it was only at this time that Roque knew that Aiden was actually the senior superintendent of the Rhodesia police station. High Point.

If you think about it, you can understand that Rhodesia is the jurisdiction of the South African Company, and the South African Company has the right to form a government and police force in Rhodesia. In other words, whoever is the senior superintendent is Cecil Rhodes Jr. London has nothing to do with it.

This private enterprise is much stronger than government agencies in terms of flexibility.

It’s not just flexibility. The South African company is still rich. Cecil Rhodes has been operating in Rhodesia and Kimberley for so many years. It’s not just the relationship that ranks first in South Africa. The equipment of the Rhodesian police is also better than that of the Johannesburg police. better.

Rock always thought that the equipment level of the Johannesburg Police Department was already good, but compared with the Rhodesian police, Rock realized that he had become a frog at the bottom of the well.

Don't talk about anything else, just talk about horses. The Johannesburg police station is now equipped with mixed-blood horses. The Rhodesian police are equipped with mixed-blood horses and thoroughbred horses. Basically, they have reached the level of sheriff. Rhodesia rides all Thoroughbred horses, in Johannesburg, only Rock has thoroughbred horses.

Even in terms of weapons and equipment, Rhodesia is superior.

The Johannesburg Police Department still generally uses Webley revolvers, but Rhodesia is equipped with Mauser 96, but looking at Aiden, it seems that he doesn’t like the Mauser 96 very much, but prefers the Weber used by Rock. profit.

"German-made guns have good performance and more bullets, but they look really ugly and have too much recoil, making them inconvenient to use. Webley is better, with simple structure and reliable operation. One pull of the trigger will fix the problem—" Aiden looks a little funny in police uniform, his belly is too big, and he looks very corrupt.

"That's because you don't know how to use it. One more bullet on the battlefield means one more chance. The Mauser pistol is still very good." Rock couldn't help but say a fair word. The Mauser 96 is the legendary "barrel gun". The original Mauser 96 can only hold ten rounds of ammunition. When the improved version of Mauser with 20 rounds of ammunition appears, it will be a proper submachine gun with a wooden box.

"Do you like it? There are many more in the Salisbury Police Station. Our police don't like to use them. They would rather buy Webley with their own money than the German guns. I'll send them to you later and sell them at a discounted price. You." Aiden doesn't care, the so-called discount is just a joke, and the final actual price is probably about the same as half sold and half free.

"Okay, I want it if you don't want it, and you can say how much it is." Rock was blunt. Although these Mauser 96s may not be used by the Johannesburg Police Department, the Gold Mine Guards will certainly be able to use them.

The two chatted and laughed, and left the Transvaal and entered the Cape without knowing it.

Rock also started to be vigilant at this time. Yaya didn't need Rock's orders, and led the detectives to disperse before going out to investigate. Rock and Aiden led the team to walk slowly, and within 20 kilometers into the Cape, some detectives came back It was reported that about five kilometers ahead, guerrillas were besieging a regular army patrol.

Well, Rock and the others went to Kimberley on a whim, not to mention the guerrillas, the Kimberley Police Department didn’t know about it, so the guerrillas probably didn’t read the almanac when they went out. It was a coincidence that they were bumped into by Rock and the others when they launched the attack. .

"Check your equipment and get ready to fight!" Rock would not let this chance of meritorious deeds pass.

"Sir Locke, be careful. This is Cape, not Johannesburg." Aiden was a little hesitant, not because of the reputation of the guerrillas, but mainly because he, the senior police superintendent of Rhodesia, was a member of the police outside of Rhodesia. No one admits it.

It’s amazing, as a country in a practical sense, in reality, most countries in the world do not recognize Rhodesia. It was not until Rhodesia broke away from the South African Company and the Commonwealth of Nations and split into Zimbabwe and Zambia that it was granted international status. generally recognized.

Well, it's really complicated.

　Today, there are [-] updates, so it's an explosion——

　　

　

(End of this chapter)