Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 1027 We Have Nanyang (Third Update, Please Subscribe)
London in November is gloomy and cold. Although it hasn't snowed yet, there is a light drizzle in the air. People hide under umbrellas, pass by puddles in the streets, and pedestrians walk in long strides in their solid coats.

On some streets, there were still people protesting against Downing Street's invasion of Egypt - the rain was not bullets, which was not scary, what was scary was the government's deception of the people.

A man in a coat was walking aimlessly in the city. What happened in the past two days made him unable to concentrate. Therefore, when he found himself in the city center, he was shocked. Across the street was a Carrefour supermarket. Unlike Moscow, where supplies were scarce, the supermarket had a very rich variety of goods. Even in the era of rationing, you could buy scarce goods in Carrefour. People were coming in and out of the supermarket from time to time, pushing shopping carts with happy smiles on their faces.

At this moment, the man heard a voice coming from behind him.

"Defenders of Hungary, freedom is the price of one generation, but slavery is the price of generations. The price of freedom is high, but the price of slavery is even higher. As long as there is one Hungarian resisting the Russian invasion, he will get the full support of Nanyang!"

The sound came from the TV display window at the back. Turning back, he saw a 21-inch color TV set - Changhong TV set, a TV set made in Southeast Asia. Since the beginning of the year, color TV sets made by TV manufacturers in Southeast Asia such as TCL, Changhong, and Skyworth have entered the British market. Although they have not replaced black and white TV sets, they are announcing the arrival of the color TV era.

The person on the TV screen was none other than Mr. Li Yian from Nanyang. He was being interviewed. He looked forward and said in a firm and calm tone:
"I told him - hold on, aid will be here soon! And we have fulfilled this promise. To support the Hungarian people in defending their country, Nanyang will provide them with 5000 million yuan in aid. The first batch of weapons we provided has been shipped to Hungary. The tenacious freedom fighters in Hungary are using the weapons we provided to resist the Russian invasion..."

At this time, the TV screen switched, showing people the scene of the Hungarian anti-tank team destroying Soviet tanks. One IS-2 heavy tank after another was turned into scrap metal under the attack of rockets. The powerful Russian tank group was frustrated by the Hungarian counterattack.

"We will provide all possible assistance to help the Hungarian people win their freedom! Freedom is not without a price..."

Listening to the sound coming from the TV, even though the guy spoke English fluently, the man found it very harsh. He even couldn't help spitting and cursing loudly.

"Damn it! You are invading Egypt, but you are brazenly accusing the Soviet Union. It's simply shameless!"

Shameless double standards, this is Nanyang.

On the one hand, they invaded Egypt on a large scale, and on the other hand, they put on a righteous face and helped the Hungarians resist. Isn't this shameless?

And what is even more shameless?
It was the South China Sea that used their artificial communications satellites to broadcast Budapest and the Hungarians' resistance to the world. The whole world witnessed the Russian invasion, but in contrast, Egypt... not many people paid attention.

As if to remind him, a group of British people came over from a distance, holding banners, shouting slogans in support of Hungary, and even waving the Hungarian flag, but that was the flag of the Second Hungarian Republic, the red, white and green flag without the red star, wheat ears and hammer. Many people waved the Hungarian flag with the red star emblem cut out from the middle of the tricolor flag, just like the Hungarian people.

“They are restoring…”

While the man was complaining, the British walked towards the Soviet Embassy on the other street. They were going there to protest - in the past two days, people from all over Europe had been protesting against Russia and their invasion.

"They are trying to divert attention. This must be a British conspiracy! They are using Hungary to divert people's attention."

In the Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street, Eden was having a hard time, not because of Hungary, but because of Egypt.

"Mr. Prime Minister, the United States is now using the financial market to attack us. Eisenhower also asked Treasury Secretary George Humphrey to sell the British pounds held by the United States. The Bank of England lost 10 million U.S. dollars in the few days from October 30 to November 11. In addition, the oil reserves have been exhausted due to the crisis. We are now penniless!"

Chancellor of the Exchequer Macmillan said, looking at the Prime Minister who remained silent.

"To ease the situation, I have sought help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but was rejected by the United States. Mr. Prime Minister, the Americans are serious this time. He also warned Eden that Britain's foreign exchange reserves may not be able to withstand the depreciation of the pound caused by the US sell-off. In a few weeks, Britain will be unable to import the food and fuel needed by the people on the island."

McMillan's reminder made Aiden frown and he complained loudly.

"These Americans are not serious. They are not afraid that the Arab world will side with the Soviet Union. The United States chose to go against us this time and even sold the pound in the financial market in order to hit us and make us become docile little sheep behind their buttocks."

As the leader of the Conservative Party, or the last imperialist in Britain, Eden may be a little lacking in ability, but he still saw through the American conspiracy at a glance. The Americans were not fighting for the so-called justice at all, but to attack Britain.

"From the United States forcing us to agree to India's independence to the current Suez Canal, the Americans have hit Britain again and again, just to prevent Britain from taking away the position of the boss after its revival. This is the real purpose of the Americans! If we back down on the issue of Suez, then the whole world will see our weakness. Next, they will force us to give up our colonies. This is a process... Inevitably, by then, whether we like it or not, we will all be the Americans' little followers!"

Little follower!
When this word was mentioned, Aiden felt mixed emotions, it was so uncomfortable!

When did the British Empire become like this? It's all because of the Labour Party. If they hadn't made repeated concessions on principled issues at the most critical time after the war, the British Empire would not have become what it is today, and even allowed the United States to cut flesh from it, piece by piece.

No, after losing India, there is no British Empire anymore!
Thinking of this, he thought of the lamentations in the heart of the Labour Party, which had caused Britain to lose its crown.

"How can we do politics well with this bunch of insects!" "Maybe, but the current situation is very serious. In Pakistan, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Lahore to support Egypt. In Karachi, someone even burned down a British office. The Syrian government cut off the Kirkuk-Baniyas fuel pipeline to punish Iraq for supporting us. The only thing to be thankful for is that Saudi Arabia is in a civil war now, otherwise they would also stop exporting oil to us. Our oil is about to run out."

Macmillan, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, looked at the Prime Minister and laid out the dilemma before him. Was what he said true? In part, in fact, he was deliberately exaggerating to force Eden to resign, and the Treasury report was far less serious. In another world, this was the case. Macmillan was the first politician to advocate armed invasion, and then when Britain fell into financial difficulties, his attitude suddenly changed. The Suez Canal Crisis directly led to Prime Minister Eden being forced to resign in January 1957, and Macmillan took over as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party.

However, there have been some changes this time. After all, now they have other options besides the United States.

"There is no problem with oil. Nanyang has sent all their large tankers to Europe, including five 100,000-ton tankers. Li has promised me that he will do his best to ensure the oil supply to Britain."

Although Eden said it so easily, just two days ago, facing the possible oil crisis, he was even forced to consider invading Kuwait or Qatar to ease the oil tension. Of course, this is not necessary now. After all, there is the guarantee of Nanyang, which is an oil-producing country itself. Moreover, Nanyang also has oil fields in the Persian Gulf.

In fact, oil is the reason why Britain decided to take the Suez Canal at all costs. The importance of the Suez Canal to Britain is self-evident. They must consider our material interests and those of the Western world. At present, large oil tankers have not yet appeared, and the canal is the most important and in fact the only channel for Western Europe to obtain supplies. Every year, 7000 million tons of oil pass through the canal, accounting for at least half of Western Europe's oil supply.

Just like now, the closure of the canal has directly affected the oil supply to the UK and Europe!

"For now, oil isn't a big problem!"

Then Aiden said again.

"We don't even need to pay in cash. As for food, there is no problem. Nanyang has developed large farms in East Africa, which produce millions of tons of grain and meat every year. These can be settled in pounds. We can solve the food problem."

While smoking, Aiden said:
"Thank God, in the time of the decline of the British Empire, we still have true allies who stand by us, both on the battlefield and in other ways."

"But, Mr. Prime Minister, the Americans are selling pounds, and the Bank of England is no longer able to maintain the exchange rate!"

Facing the worried finance minister, Aiden thought for a moment and said:
"Thank God, we have Nanyang! Since the International Monetary Fund has rejected us, let's ask Nanyang for help! Macmillan, you go to Chang'an immediately and talk to Li, asking him for help to help us stabilize the exchange rate of the pound."

After a pause, Aiden said.

"Perhaps, he will ask for a lot, and we will have to pay a price, but as long as we can hold on, at least we won't become the Americans' lackeys! Compared to this, the price we paid is simply not worth mentioning!"

As a typical imperialist, Eden was able to distinguish priorities. He knew very well what was most important to Britain. Britain had its own pride and it was impossible for it to always follow the United States and be its follower.

"Prime Minister, there is another question, that is Hungary..."

Before McMillan could finish his words, Aiden spoke.

"We don't need to consider the Hungarian issue. Winston has already reached an agreement with Steel on the Hungarian issue. It is the Russian sphere of influence. We have no right and should not interfere. Besides, there are more important things for us."

Sometimes, rejection is so straightforward. After Aiden chose to ignore it, McMillan reminded him:

"But Nanyang, Nanyang is helping Hungary, how can we stay out of it?"

“When did Britain stay out of this?”

The Prime Minister's question left Macmillan dumbfounded. Didn't you just say that it has nothing to do with Britain?

Seeing this, Aiden explained.

"Macmillan, my friend, don't forget that Nanyang is also a member of the Commonwealth. His help to Hungary is equal to the Commonwealth, which is equivalent to Britain helping Hungary. As for us, we are now concerned about the problems of Egypt and the Suez Canal. Fortunately... we have Nanyang! He will solve all problems!"

For a moment, Macmillan almost said, "Prime Minister, you are so shameless!"

(End of this chapter)